Updating my review after a handful of years. My family's experience at Cosmic has continued to be positive. My kids have been with the program for many years now and I am very pleased with their progress. Coach Joseph can be strict with the kids during training, but he cares deeply about them. He not only wants them to continue to build on their jiujitsu skills, but he also wants them to grow into strong, resilient individuals who can overcome any obstacle. He teaches the kids to be respectful to their parents, instructors, and peers. Discipline is one of the core attribute of martial arts and it's great to see that in every class. Some coaches may seem tough on the outside, but they're also fun and extremely nurturing because many of them are dads of the kids that train there. The best way to find out is to try out a class! read more

You'll almost always feel welcome here. Especially if you are a child, for example, a 12-year-old girl lost count of an exercise she was doing, and he snapped at her & asked if he needed to count for her! He will call the kids boy or girl rather than by their actual name to make them feel worse. He used the excuse that this is a rough sport to justify his abuse. He even laughed at a little boy who had accidentally gotten hurt and mocked his pain by saying, "Blood, sweat, & tears!" And he didn't even check to see if he was okay or tell his parents what happened to him, what if he got a bruise or god forbid was bleeding?! He views their failures as burdens for him rather than obstacles for them to overcome. And the curriculum is seemingly too random and doesn't focus enough on systems. He will sometimes pressure the good kids for no discernible reason; that makes no sense. So if you believe teachers shouldn't be held accountable but children should, then this place is for you! He couldn't even look me in the eye when he told me to trust his process, but he screams at a little boy to look at him when he is carelessly reprimanding him. He will use any excuse to scream at the kids instead of being more patient with them. My entire journey with him was boiling frog syndrome. All these kids he's tormenting with his childlike screaming and lies are gonna have broken brains, good job! It would be extremely helpful if he asked his students for feedback and found ways to improve his methods instead of losing his temper. He just drops random stuff on us and expects us to do it perfectly. He laughed when I misheard his instructions, and he enjoys humiliating his students in front of everyone and thinks it's good. He'd better get it right if he doesn't want his precious trophies to stop coming in. I have lost my temper here before I admit it. And maybe some kids who need to be pushed, everyone is different. But do you really want to take that risk with every kid? And yes, I overreacted when he posted an Instagram story where he joked about not turning on the a/c during a hot day of 2024. He also had this competition training technique, I think he called Red Alert, where if your opponent is being unfair and breaks your arm, he won't do anything about it. And the sweat test, which I previously mentioned. And as mentioned in my previous review, there was the 200 squats group punishment, but what I haven't mentioned about it was how he unnervingly laughed about the way the tears streamed down their face. That is a form of corporal punishment. And I can't abide that because it is immoral. He often lets the kids play a bit after class, and there was one time when a little boy was playing tag with his brother wasn't playing tag. And they acted like he hit him and threatened him 100 burpees if he did it again. Instead of hearing his side of the story and then Coach Nate mocked him for being scared of Coach Joseph. He has done kind things for them from time to time, but that's not going to cancel out all the harshness he has and still is inflicting on his students. Provoking hope amuses sadists. And I may have misunderstood Coach Martinez jokingly calling some kids liars. I also misjudged the capoeira/MMA coach; he is a good man who just has a really intense way of teaching. He used his dog to distract the students during one of the comp classes, and got mad at them for looking at her. It's an imbalanced power disparity. Then there is the matter of those martial arts camps he is a part of. The way he described them made it sound like he'll break the kid's spirits with pain to "help" them. Kids don't have the option to leave unless their parent(s) or guardians say otherwise. And he said, "We will do in a month what the parents won't dare do in a lifetime." Seems like he thinks he can raise them better. Hardly any kids will tell someone about this abuse since most kids don't do that. I should know, I've been there. They often don't know how to express themselves yet. He hates their innocence, and that fake smile and condescending laugh of his. He said no matter what I say about him, he won't hold it against me. All that talk of integrity, and this is how he acts. He called two young boys weak for having soccer practice every other week, something they can't control. He also mocked me in a direct message on Instagram for having a rough childhood and "taking it out on everyone!" Don't trust this man to respect physical boundaries either. He would often snatch away my headphones to check them out or caress me without my consent. He also forced us to ask a question, so I asked the first one that popped into my head. And it wasn't very good, and the next day he said he had a new rule. Where every question will go through him first before asking a guest coach. "Because some of you have been asking some really stupid questions." He says. That's a wonderful way to talk about your autistic pupil. He also gaslights a lot. read more

Joseph, the owner and professor is great with kids and adults. He is passionate about his work and has a great sense of humor while still very serious about the art. read more

Not a good spot instructors don't seem to care they have favoritism here. Lots of empty promises were made. My son felt neglected.

I recently visited Cosmic BJJ and had a great experience. I'm a brown belt in BJJ, but I hadn't trained for almost eight years, so I was a bit hesitant about visiting a new BJJ academy. However, after meeting the head instructor, Joseph, and experiencing the welcoming atmosphere, it felt as though I had never stopped training. Everyone was friendly and welcoming, and I had some great rolls. Overall, it's a great BJJ school to train at. read more

I'm here to update my review. Now, my entire family if 4 can state we've worked out at Cosmic Training Center. It's been transformational for us. My husband, who is now a blue belt in jiujitsu has been with Cosmic the longest. He would come home saying "I got my butt kicked" yet still go each week, 1-3 times a week. This is much more consistent than his previous BJJ gym, which I believe he only went to half a year at most, each year, due to injuries. He has yet to substain a serious injury at Cosmic, which I appreciate as a wife. My daughter has been attending since she was 6. It started with twice a week. The classes are 1.5 hours long. We enrolled her because she was a highly sensitive child, who was going into doe mode at school when she felt overwhelmed, anxious, or needed to make decisions. She has transformed tremendously since attending BJJ. She hasn't had a serious melt down this school year, and her counselor is graduating her from the program. She now does 2.5 hours of BJJ class (kids class and competition class) 4 days a week, for 10 hours a week, and describes herself as strong. Her growth mindset and grit have improved tremendously. My son started when he turned 4.5, 7 months ago. He started the competition class, and does 10 hours of BJJ a week with his sister. He has improved when it comes to following instructions, making good decisions, gross motor control, and active listening skills. His TK teacher commends him for his gross motor skills and ability to follow multistep instructions, and use advanced communication skills, largely due to the socialization and teaching from BJJ. He has competed in his first competition and won first place in his division. I just took my first MMA class on Friday, and my muscles are aching. The coach does a great job of motivating you while understanding limitations you may have. The community is very welcoming and nonjudgemental. My son already professed he will continue training here until he is a blue belt, so I guess we will be here for another decade. Feel free to read my previous review for first impressions. read more

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The best kept "not-so-secret" open mat in the area! If you drop in, expect to get at least double the rolls you'd get anywhere else. Mat space is huge but with so many attendees, it can get packed quickly. Professor Joseph is kind and welcoming. When he asks you to roll, expect what you give with a big smile on his face. As a female grappler with injuries, I really appreciate how he makes it a point to protect everyone's safety by reminding us to have fun while minding open mat etiquettes. It does get warm once the rounds start, so make sure you stay hydrated. And if you forget, they sell water by the bottle. Lastly, the academy will frequently have big names drop in to teach classes or seminars. Definitely a perk to being a member among many other things! read more

Dropped in for a few days and really enjoyed my time here. Was visiting for a friend's wedding and drove down from the bay area, where my school is, found CTC. Professor Joseph is attentive and cares about making sure everyone learns the sport, stays safe and respectful, and gets good training in. The drilling was methodical and systematic and the concepts flowed together. Open mat was also super fun, was able to be exposed to many different styles and types of training partners' games. Can't wait to come back here the next time I'm in the area. read more

What a wonderful gym! Great culture from top-down leadership. Coach Joesph has a clear vision of how he wants his gym run and elevates all his students to a high standard. A welcoming environment for both novice and experienced grapplers! read more

Amazing instructors and a great family friendly atmosphere! The head instructor and owner, Joseph, does a great job welcoming new students.

I love coming to Cosmic. Super family-friendly environment and all the members are very welcoming and invested in helping you improve. Professor Joseph truly cares about giving quality instruction--he stays up to date on what's modern and effective in the BJJ scene and has world-class practitioners teach seminars during competition season at little to no additional cost to the regular gym goer. There's also no commitments for trial periods. Joseph encourages you to drop in for multiple classes until you've figured out whether his gym is for you. Once you've signed up, membership is month to month--no contract! read more

This academy is my home academy. The culture here is a great fit for me. Professor Joseph runs the academy. Professor Joseph is extremely motivational. He gave me permission to attend several classes for free. When I asked how much I would be paying per month, his advice for me was "just try". Before I gave my credit card information to him, he said "Wait, before you sign, just remember to email me if you quit so I don't keep charging you." His humility is incredible. Its inspired me to never quit, it's been 4 months and I'm competing in 2 months. I have attended open mat at School BJJ in Arcadia and Peerless Jiu Jitsu in Corona but Cosmic open mat is a true party. Lots of colored belts from many different academies. Professor Joseph is always there to make sure things are safe and fun. Holidays are no exception to training, I haven't been here a full year yet so I can't speak to every holiday. There was class on July 4th. That was a fun one. Delayed my alcohol beverage intake for the whole day. read more

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I signed up my 14 year old daughter for the self defense jiu-jitsu classes and they are really great! The instructors are very skilled and knowledgeable, they're also really nice which is a winning combination!! It's been a few months now, still enjoying it and she's learned a lot. Joseph, the owner is also very sweet and accommodating. Great studio, clean and spacious. Highly recommended! read more

Cosmic Training Center is one of the top jiu-jitsu schools you can find in Alhambra. There is a very well developed youth program that accommodates all ages and teaches discipline and grit for the kids. You can find a great environment for learning here that focuses on safety, community, and growth. The adult programs range from beginner focused classes to competition classes. They have a brand new facility that is one of the largest in the area. Check it out! read more

My wife and I were looking for somewhere to drop in and train while we were in the area, and we're really glad we choose Cosmic. We were made very welcome from the get go, the teaching was exceptional, and it was followed by good, hard (but friendly) rolls. Joseph made sure we had a great time, and went out of his way to help us drilling (even though he had students competing at the weekend). He was kind enough to roll with us, and destroyed us with gentle precision. I had a chat and a laugh with everyone I rolled with, and they all had a great attitude, happy to discuss techniques and what worked and what didn't. We've dropped in to many schools while travelling over the years and Cosmic is amongst the best experiences we've had. Highly recommended to anyone in the area looking for a community and a hard workout. One more thing: their sprung mat is exceptional and I'd love to do some serious stand up on it sometime. Just the right combination of firmness and bounce, and much better than most of the gyms we're used to in the UK (even most Judo dojos!). Their facilities are excellent and whoever spent time putting it together did a great job. read more

I'm not a member at this gym but I come to their weekly Sunday morning open mat (Jits). I've been coming for over a year and it's been one of my favorite open mats to go to. I have and would recommend it to anyone looking to get some training or seeking a new gym. The head instructor is kind, yet stern, and looks out for his people. Check it out! read more

I started training in late October 2022. The academy has been very welcoming and has made me feel like I belong there. Professor Joseph and Professor Alex have increased my fascination with BJJ. I am enjoying my time here so far and I hope to learn more things in the future. read more

THIS PLACE! Wow, just wow. Everyday I train at cosmic I always end with a smile. They have a curriculum that has not only taught me the art of BJJ, it has also developed a greater level of confidence within me! I look forward to being there all the time. I'm very thankful for all that I'm receiving from my experience there - serious learning and skill development, and camaraderie unlike any other part of my life. Thank you Cosmic. read more

Cosmic Training Center - Rolling at the end of class is always fun. - Trainers Near Me - Alhambra, California

This place is so great and i have learn a lot to become an great martial artists, so I hope that is for the best.

Great gym! All staff are very knowledgeable, respectful, and kind to all their students. Very friendly culture.

Been coming here a few months. Up to date techniques, intimate culture, nonstop shenanigans. What more could you ask for?!

Joining Cosmic has been one of the best decisions I've made in the past couple of years. It's a great community of people that are there to have fun, learn and grow together. And coach Joseph is an amazing instructor that genuinely cares about his members. Plus all the staff there too. They all really want you to have a great time and learn why Jiu Jitsu is such a passionate sport. Feel free to come in and check out the classes any time. They will all make you feel welcomed! You will get a good workout while learning a new set of skills. read more

Great instruction, friendly environment, physically challenging!!!! I was searching around between places from the OC to the SGV bc of work and my schedule. Cosmic ticked all the right boxes. I contact Coach Joseph Lee and he was quick and courteous. He allowed me to participate in a class and encouraged me to try other places to find a place that fits. Having no martial arts experience, I was quite nervous. All the members are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed but don't be mistaken, you will be working hard! The class format is very organized. Def recommend for anyone interested in learning BJJ or who is looking for a tough workout. UPDATE: I have now trained here for 4 years and have never regretted it since. Professor Joseph has always sought out the best material, be it technique, seminars, supplemental coaches, to improve our games. You see his quality in the fact that so many different schools attend open mat. A true gem in a saturated SGV read more

My fiancé does not have Yelp so he asked me to review Cosmic Training Center (CTC). They are located in downtown Alhambra which is walking distance from our apartment! He got into it when we moved here a few years ago but he had to stop due to work constraints. He recently restarted again about 9 months ago and has been so consistent with going! He loves it there! He said the training is intense, and the people are always nice and helpful. I always see him coming home sweaty and talking about all the characters at the gym. I can tell that he's really passionate and it has made him grow a lot in many ways. He recently had his first BJJ tournament where I got to meet some of the guys since they came out to support and to coach him. I can tell that they are all super supportive and helpful, which is awesome to see! I can tell why my fiancé loves it so much. My fiancé is always asking me to check it out but I don't think it's my thing however he definitely plans on taking our kids when we have them ! :P read more

Professor Joseph Lee is an excellent detailed instructor who is very patient. Although I am not a member of Cosmic Training Center, I have stopped in for a class or two and Professor Lee excels in technique. Cosmic Training Center is a relatively new facility and if you're interested in learning Jiu Jitsu I would highly recommend dropping by for a lesson or two. Oss read more

I'm new to jiu jitsu and have been training at Cosmic for about 5 months. Professor Joseph is a great instructor and has created a fun environment for individuals of all levels to learn. I wasnt 100% sure when I started that I would enjoy BJJ but training at Cosmic has definitely made me fall in love with the art, culture and sport. The people that train here are all extremely supportive of one another and are constantly helping each get better everyday. I have been to classes at 6am and love training with Coach Alex and the early morning crew. Open mat on Sunday are always fun opportunities to hang out and train with people from other gyms. Cosmic regularly hosts seminars with special guests as well as support individuals preparing for competitions. I highly recommend Cosmic Training Center to anyone interested in jiu jitsu. read more

I've only been attending Cosmic Training Center for two months after having previously trained at a more general MMA-focused gym in the area for a year or so, but I've been very impressed with everything that I've seen so far. The BJJ instruction under Coach Joseph is excellent. He takes a scientific approach to teaching techniques by not only explaining how to apply them, but why they work in terms of basic biomechanics, and also explaining the context behind where and when a technique might be applied. As a novice myself, I appreciate this added context and Coach Joseph's ability to explain concepts equally as well to me as he would a far more experienced practitioner. The facility itself is very well-maintained. Mats are of high quality, spacious, and well-cleaned. Even the bathrooms are nice too. Beyond the excellent instruction and facility however, is the culture that Coach Joseph has cultivated at Cosmic. Members here come in all ages, shapes, and sizes, offering a wide variety of looks and styles when it comes to training. Some regularly participate in the competitive circuit while others take a more casual approach. What is universal is the fact that everybody I've met has been a great training partner in that they approach training in a collaborative and safe manner and are more than willing to provide advice or guidance if asked. Coach Joseph also sets out clear guidelines for sparring sessions with varying degrees of restrictions based on experience level and maintains strict adherence to these rules, ensuring that new practitioners don't only act as fodder for more experienced ones. I've greatly enjoyed my short time at Cosmic so far and look forward to a long training career here. If you're interested in training solid BJJ in a well-qualified yet safe and supportive environment in the 626 area, you can't do much better than Cosmic Training Center. read more

Cosmic is one of the best gyms in the area. It's a large space that can accommodate a lot of people. You can spar with a wide range of people and levels. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. Coach Joseph teaches his classes differently from other professors. Rather than force a specific style, Joseph provides a lot of different styles and you choose how to make it your own. Even better, he stays current and adapts to modern moves. All he cares about is what works. If you're new to the BJJ and want a great place to train, go to Cosmic. If you've been training, stop by Open Mat on Sundays and check it out. read more

My brother and I have been coming to train at Cosmic for about 5 months and I could not be happier. Joseph's passion and energy for the sport is inspiring, he is what makes this an outstanding place to train. There has been a constant striving to add seminars (Lucas Pinheiro and others) and classes while keeping them at a very high quality including wrestling and judo. I wanted to add that I am a complete newcomer to bjj and was worried of injuring myself before coming to Cosmic. Five months later, I feel that I am at a place where I can train intensely and still be safe. My confidence and overall health have dramatically improved inside and outside of training. I feel blessed to have found this school. Lastly, my peers at Cosmic were welcoming from the first day. Everyone was friendly and quick to include/teach me new techniques. Anyone who is intimidated by starting bjj does not need feel that way at Cosmic. I wish I would have jumped in earlier! read more

My husband has been itching to resume his BJJ training since the pandemic started and we stumbled across this gem not ten minutes away from us. Not only did we discover a dojo, we found a community of welcoming individuals. The people here made it easy for us to adjust to a new hobby. Joseph is a spectacular, caring, and comedic instructor. read more

Have been going to CTC for nearly 3 years after trying other gyms. Hands down the best instruction and gym culture I've seen. Instructors are knowledgeable and patient. Very friendly environment and lots of good training partners to help you get better at BJJ. read more

Cosmic Training Center is an awesome place to get started as a newcomer in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Coach Joseph has extensive experience in both BJJ competition and self defense. His teaching places emphasis on safety and making the sport accessible for everyone. The gym also offers a great kid's BJJ program that can be a good fit for a student's after school training. Experienced practioners will appreciate the competition orientated instruction, enormous mat area as well the sparring focused classes. read more

Great mats, high quality instruction, friendly people! I would recommend this gym to anybody. Plua open mats are open to all affiliates.

I rate training facilities under the following criteria: - Value (5/5) - Community (5/5) - Results (5/5) - Location (5/5) Value: Price was perfect for the intimacy of the lessons. I had never felt like "just another body" when I was training at this facility. Every class felt like a personal lesson-- accentuating of your strengths and ruthlessly critical of your weaknesses. The goal was/is to create a stronger/better person when you leave for the day. The price is perfect for the lineage: Renzo Gracie - Shawn Williams - Jospeh - Cosmic Training Center belts from Black to White. They also offer judo, muay thai, wrestling, and MMA, which will get you where you want to be. Community: If you want to join a training center to meet some friends? This is it. I met super chill people from various backgrounds I hope to be friends with for many years to come. Results: I'm a smaller fellow -- around 5 foot 7 and 130 lbs. After a few weeks of training here I was able to graciously dominate my roommate of similar stature and power without breaking a sweat. Let's just say that he was not happy. Even the basics go a long loooooooooooong way. Location: Alhambra is the new hot-spot. Great food. Great drinks. Ample parking. Location is so damn good I've decided to move there next month. I hope to find somewhere nice on Main St. Look, if you want to train, this is the place to be. I've trained at many different places before here: UFC GYM, Delon Tan TKD, Vo Sci Academy, Burbank Krav Maga, and many others. THIS is the place you'll want to visit every chance you get -- and with classes from dawn til dusk, you'll find something that works for you. Just keep in mind that no matter your background, enter this place as an empty slate. You'll need it. Everything you knew before -- while slightly helpful -- will not prepare you for the knowledge you're to receive. Embrace and enjoy. read more

I can't speak with any authority on jiu-jitsu studios but Joseph is an excellent teacher. What he has built with Cosmic is special in that someone with no experience can show up among experienced practitioners and feel totally welcome and safe. Don't get me wrong, there are assassins aplenty here. Very friendly and welcoming assassins led by a coach who cares deeply about the well-being of his students. read more

Without a doubt the most welcoming school I've ever been to. Joe and his students have a phenomenal reputation with being the 626's largest jiu jitsu school to currently train at. Not to mention their Sunday Open Mats are probably the most popular in the 626. If you have kids or just want to train yourself. Highly recommended. Great for sport and art. Be ready to work, these guys don't play! read more

This place is awesome. Staff is super friendly and the whole gym is very welcoming. If you've wanted to try BJJ and was worried to take the dive, this is the place to go in the SGV. I came in to try cosmic out with a friend, received lots of help and instruction from coach Joseph, Darrell and Justin, and we're instantly hooked. Randy is always there to greet you with a smile as well. Class times are amazing. I've been able to fit in gym time inbetween hectic 12 hour shift because there are 6am classes (with Alex), 9am, 6pm, and 9pm classes throughout the week. For a person who's also been interested in other martial arts, cosmic has been like a dream. They offer Muay thai, judo, aikido, and wrestling as well. I've tried judo and really appreciate coach Joseph and Randy trying to set up these other classes for us. I feel so happy that I walked in to try out classes here. Being a person whose always had an interest inmaetial arts and self defense, Cosmic has helped me fulfill my dreams and made me feel more confident. This is a safe place for women to try out BJJ and I don't think anyone would regret trying Cosmic out. P.S. Cosmic is dog friendly and we sometimes get puppers visiting!!! read more

Deciding to take BJJ at Cosmic was probably one of the best decisions I made. I started out 4 months ago as not the fittest person and with no martial arts background whatsoever, so I felt intimidated before trying out a class. But everyone was very welcoming and very patient with me and still are. So much so that I signed up immediately after that first class. Coach Joseph is detailed and attentive, and all the students are always eager to help you out. The way the classes are arranged is also really convenient, with classes morning and night that can work with your own schedule. Cosmic is definitely a great gym to train at whether you've been doing this for years or are a total beginner like me. 5 stars for a great learning environment and a great coach read more

I've been a member since early February (9 months by the time I write this) and it's honestly a fantastic school overall. Joseph the head coach is a black belt under the legendary Renzo Gracie lineage. He usually has a theme of what he is teaching (triangles for instance) that he will build upon every class all the way up to a week or even a month. This is fantastic in my opinion as the material you learn tends to soak into your brain alot better this way, as opposed to other schools who tend to teach some random move everyday that isn't always relate-able. Professor Joseph is of the lighter weight classes, so he has ALOT of technical knowledge and will teach in a way that will work regardless of your stature and size. He has a quirky fun side to him as well and you'll find yourself laughing randomly in his classes. He also competes on a regular basis, so he not only puts himself out there in competition regularly, he also keeps up to date with the latest BJJ trends and techniques and it shows when he is teaching. The community at Cosmic is what makes this place great. The people here are nothing short of friendly and welcoming. The students will welcome you in from day one no matter what stature/size/age/gender you are, so if you're thinking of joining, come check it out. For a male dominated sport, there are quite a number of women in the basics classes as well which is refreshing. If you're super new, more experienced students will come help you to make sure you're comfortable. There are also many belts of ALL the colors which is great. Some schools you''ll see nothing but white belts and other schools you'll find nothing but higher belts. You'll find all the belt colors here on basis, with a good number of white belts as well for us newer guys. The main kids coach Randy is great with children too. The kids always seem to be having a good time from what I can see. I've seen him give self defense privates too and talked to him personally about BJJ and he also has alot of BJJ technical knowledge. Lastly, Professor Joseph is the type that will always give us his best. On the weekends he hired a top of the line wrestling coach and judo coach to make sure our team has legitimate standup. (You're not going to be able to learn wrestling outside of HS and College). Around the time of big events like Worlds and PANs, he goes out of his way to find world class BJJ black belt competitors to give us seminars FOR FREE. If you're in the area even thinking of trying out BJJ or you're an experienced BJJ student, come visit and give us a shot. A trial class is free! read more

This is the first jiujitsu gym I have joined so I can't make comparison to other gyms, but I can't imagine other gyms being any better. Cosmic Training Center is not only welcoming, the culture that the professor has built and the community that occupies this gym is as ideal as it gets. I hope to stick around for a very long time. read more