We love Bay Area Capoeira Jiu Jitsu. The studio has a great family vibe. Bubba is the main…read moreinstructor for the younger students, and he usually brings his kids (college & high school age) to teach the classes too. Other parents who train in jiujitsu help coach and assist the main instructors. It's a beautiful community. They offer a subscription model that allows kids to attend up to 4 classes per week for an affordable, fixed cost. The classes are for mixed ages, so my sons (ages 8 & 5) are able to train together on the same convenient schedule. My boys have been training at this studio for about a year now, and they still love it! Highly recommend!

Great gym and super clean!…read more Strongly recommend the Saturday morning classes taught by Coach Daniel if you're looking for very practical self-defense

I really wanted to love this place because, to be fair, the quality of the Brazilian jiu jitsu…read moretraining here is excellent. The instructors clearly know what they're doing, and the kids' program is well-structured and engaging. However, as a parent, the overall experience leaves a lot to be desired. The biggest issue? No WiFi for parents. If you're going to have parents sitting around for an hour or more during classes, it's pretty unreasonable not to provide even basic internet access. Not everyone can just disconnect from work or responsibilities during that time. The waiting area is minimal, and without WiFi, you're essentially stuck doing nothing or burning through your mobile data. In this day and age, that feels like a pretty basic amenity that should be standard--especially for a place that otherwise operates at a high level. So yes, great training--but not a very parent-friendly environment. Until they address this, it's hard to fully recommend.

I can't imagine not coming here- my 2nd home- till the day I leave this earth…read more. The best environment to learn in a very fun , safe environment where the level of teaching is very high. They are there everyday teaching-not absentee Professor Marco who I met in 2007.. Professor Christina co-owns the school & they are married to each other. One of the best decisions I ever made was to join this school all those years ago

Box a little, grapple a little--because the real enemy isn't fatigue, it's boredom…read more Ever catch yourself on the treadmill thinking, 'There has to be something better than this'? There is. You could be doing cardio while sparring and grappling with other thinking, reacting opponents.

My father and I attended this gym in October 2025, and unfortunately we both left with significant…read moreinjuries caused by one of the coaches, Sal Lara, a black belt. For context, I am a white belt with about three years of training, and my father is a purple belt with over ten years of experience. First, I want to highlight the positives. The owner, Nina, is incredibly welcoming, and Professor Brenda is the best coach I've ever trained under. She is knowledgeable, patient, and creates a great learning environment. If this review were based solely on them, it would be a 5/5. However, our experience with coach Sal was extremely concerning. This was our first class at this gym. After an excellent lesson from Brenda, we moved on to sparring. I was paired with Sal, and within the first minute he submitted me multiple times with a level of intensity I've never experienced from a black belt working with a low-ranked student such as myself. In the past when I have sparred, higher belts typically roll in a controlled, instructional manner, especially with someone new to the gym or at a lower level. During our roll, he applied a leg lock so quickly and aggressively that I barely had time to tap before feeling sharp pain in my knee. Later, he attacked my arm in a way that caused an audible pop in my elbow. He reacted with surprise but did not check on me or apologize. The next day, I was limping from the leg lock and had to wear a sling due to the pain in my elbow. My father had a similar experience. Both of his shoulders were injured during his roll with Sal, resulting in tears that caused sleepless nights and required him to wear a sling as well. We both had to miss work and have been in physical therapy ever since. Our combined medical costs have exceeded $2,000. We informed the gym, but we never received a response. In all our years of training, neither of us has ever encountered anything like this. Injuries can happen in jiu jitsu, but the level of force used by Sal, especially with new students, was far beyond what is normal or safe. It has taken us six months to feel comfortable training again. If you choose to visit this gym, the environment created by Nina and Brenda is wonderful, but I strongly recommend avoiding sparring with Sal Lara due to the risk of serious injury.

Our 9 yr old son and 11 yr old daughter signed up for summer camps with Stephan. They loved it!…read more Stephan challenges the kids constantly but is always there to support and encourage their development. Bottom line, they had so much fun and would sign up with Stephan again in a heartbeat.

From the owner: Our BJJ program is lead by Ralph Gracie Black Belt Brian Fernandez and his students Jake DeIaco…read more(black belt) and Gavin Chase (brown belt). Jake DeIaco has been training 10 plus years and will be heading our kids' program (6 to 12 year olds). Gavin Chase leads the beginner classes. Mr. Fernandez has been leading the adult program for 9 plus years and has over 20 years of experience.

My 6-year-old daughter is taking classes with a fantastic team that is very patient and encourages…read moreher to keep trying and listen to her body. It's clear that the instructor enjoys his work; he engages with the kids, helping them build strength, discipline and endurance while making it fun. There's a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at the gym, which is also clean. After a few sessions with my daughter, I decided to join in. I saw everyone working hard and having fun, and I wanted to be part of it. He explained steps clearly. Now, I attend from 4 to 5 PM, and my daughter excitedly watches me before her class from 5 to 6 PM.

I have been attending Muay Thai classes for the past three weeks and have only amazing things to…read moresay about this gym, it's coaches, and it's students. Abner is a wonderful coach and teaches lessons that have helped me both in Muay Thai and with my personal and professional life. If you are looking for a Muay Thai gym on the Peninsula I highly recommend booking a trial class and see if it's right for you!

We've been considering some sort of martial arts for our 7 year old son for a while mostly because…read morewe heard how great it can be for discipline and character building. He didn't express much interest but was intrigued by Jiu Jitsu mostly after seeing his older cousins practice. We decided to take a trail at Signature of Jiu Jitsu after looking at some reviews and proximity to our home. He was instantly hooked! This was the first activity that he truly did not want to leave the studio for and kept talking about after he left. And this kid does a lot of activities! We knew it was the right fit and signed him up immediately and he kept asking when he was going back to class. He's been so happy. I asked him why he liked it so much and he said he really likes his coaches and the skills he's learning. As a parent, I appreciate the cleanliness of the studio, the ability to sit and watch him from the lobby, ample parking and my son looking over after he learned something with a huge smile to see if I saw that. I'm excited to see where this will take him and how it will enhance his athletic journey as well.

The entire dojo is just such a good vibe. Professor Taidi really accommodates EVERY experience…read morelevel. I honestly have so much to learn and every class makes me realize how much I still need to learn and get better at. Even though I've been so sedentary for a long time, going to SOJ's classes doesn't make me feel intimidated even though there's a lot of high belts, it's very collaborative and everyone is so nice and helpful. Just try an introductory class, I swear you'll have something to look forward to every week!

Really love this boxing gym, can't say enough about the coaches, owners, and the community here…read more This was my first boxing gym and I came in with zero experience. Jake and the team were super welcoming, I was having fun in my first class and I've been going ever since. The energy in this place is great, plenty of begginers so you're never the only one, and plenty of folks with a lot of experience that you can learn from. Solid vibes, great coaching, good equipment - you'll have fun and learn a lot. Side note: All the coaches I've worked out with are great, but Michael, Alexey, and Troy particularly stand out.

I signed up for a membership with Coach Jake after taking the 7:45 Tuesday boxing class with Coach…read moreJacob. I had so much fun that I had to sign up. I live in San Jose though, so getting there consistently was tough, but the class was honestly that good that I was willing to make the drive. I mentioned this to Coach Jake and he was very understanding. He told me to sign up and that if it didn't work out, I could just let him know and cancel without any issues. That's ultimately what happened because the distance made it hard to keep up, but during the few months I was a member, I had an amazing time. The energy, the coaching, and the overall vibe made every class something I looked forward to. Really appreciate the experience. Thanks again, Bay Area Boxing!

We attended this studio for a year. We would have left sooner but they make you sign a one year…read morecontract and buy their expensive branded uniform. They give you a one week free trial and they put on a good show in front of the parents. Once they have you locked in for a year everything changes. The class sizes are huge. There are not enough coaches for one on one instruction. Your child becomes just a number and they are not personable with the parents unless your child is one of their favorites. They use sexist language like, "don't cry! What are you a girl?" They mock, yell at and tease the students. They take away stripes as punishment if your child speaks during class. If any of that is your style maybe you will like it. The instruction is sub par. My child is excelling at their new studio. People go to Gracie because of the name and you will see a lot of rich, affluent parents chatting with each other out front. On another note. Parking is terrible and there is nothing to do on that street, not even a coffee shop. Classes are at the height of traffic. I do not recommend this studio. *edit. We were told that we were REQUIRED to sign a one year contract. The response to me below means either they have changed that policy or the response is untruthful. I stand by every word of my review. I was made to sign a contract.

Both of my sons started training here when they were 6 years old, and they are now 11 and 13. The…read morecoaching has been EXCELLENT throughout their training. The coaches are firm and technical, but also fun, caring, thoughtful, and understanding; my kids love it here! My older, quieter son has developed strength and confidence, and my younger, energetic son has learned to manage his strong emotions; skills they didn't even realize they were developing through their training and amazing coaches! As a single mom, I really appreciate the support and teaching from each of the coaches, not only in jiujitsu, but also in strong positive values, compassion, mindfulness, and community. The coaches take the time to individualize their training to each student's personality and needs, and I have been awed at times by their patience. Students learn the importance of respect/kindness for others, regardless of differences; they learn to feel comfortable and confident with themselves and with peers. This inspired me to also start training 2 years ago, as I saw that the classes, coaches, and students are all so welcoming! And I have noticed positive changes both physically and mentally (much needed with 2 kids and work!). The school has always been understanding and flexible to our schedule and genuinely tries to work with families' various needs to the best of their ability. Coach Cris and Larissa are both wonderful to work with, and their kindness has fostered this community that many have commented "feels like family" (it really does!). My kids have developed long-lasting friendships where classmates stay to have dinner after class with us (next door at PJ's Pizza!), and I am finding the same sense of family in the adult classes. My sons and I are so fortunate to have found Charles Gracie San Mateo!!

I couldn't be more pleased with my experience at Bay Area Martial Arts. The instructor (Mike Agoff)…read morefocuses on martial training that is practical for everyone to learn regardless of age. The physical aspects of the training is also challenging and rewarding. The sense of community has also been fantastic for myself and my 6 year old. I highly recommend anyone in the area come check it out if you are looking to develop practical fighting techniques, improve physical fitness or simply learn something new that engages both mind and body.

My whole family has been going to Bay Area Martial Arts Academy for several years now and I have to…read moresay they are wonderful. So this review is definitely long overdue. Both my daughters have gained so much strength and discipline from the instructor (Mr Agoff). I love the life lessons he instills in them as well. The kids learn self defense, how to fall properly, stick work, different fighting forms, and the importance of training and hard work. They also work on strength and stamina and the belts are earned and not just given. Definitely lucky that we have this local gem so close to home. Also nice that my husband goes there too so the three of them can train together.

The culture Prof. Leandro has built stands out. Respect, discipline, excellence. It shows up in…read moreeverything. My 15 year old son is a different kid. The way he carries himself, his confidence, his attitude. All of it has changed for the better. And we see it beyond the mats. His teachers notice it at school too. So glad I made him take those first few classes.

All of the coaches and professors are amazing teachers. The facility is very clean. Great for kids…read moreof all ages and adults. Two of my sons attend Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, ages 13 and 9. The professors are extremely friendly, patient and attentive, they teach the kids self defense, respect, confidence and discipline. My boys absolutely love going. I highly recommend Charles Gracie.