Walking into a self-defense class can feel pretty intimidating, but Four Elements completely removes that barrier right away. The instructors break down practical, real-world techniques without any of the toxic machismo or ego you run into some martial arts gyms. They focus on leverage, awareness, and actual body mechanics rather than brute strength, which makes everything click no matter your fitness level or background. You leave feeling capable and genuinely empowered. Easily one of the most welcoming and well-run spots around, can't recommend them enough! read more

This location offers two types of instruction, which can be a bit confusing: Nonprofit self defense classes (as Tuff Love Fitness) - these are open with a signup and are free to the public. They teach self defense basics in a multi-week course tailed for those new and looking for basics. It provides a good workout too but is tailored for a wide variety of body types. I've tried the intro and intermediate courses, which were both informative and helped set good practices for awareness and defense. They also offer paid classes as Four Elements Fitness, which I and my kids have tried. Adults classes - I've tried the gi and no-gi BJJ, and kickboxing. All have excellent instructors and a good instructor / student ratio. The environment is helpful, friendly, and no-attitude. Warmups vary in intensity depending on class and teacher but usually are at least 15 minutes of intense exercise. This is followed by 30 minutes on a technique, and the end is drills or sparring (in advanced classes). Respect for safety and other students is enforced well. In kickboxing, you will not be allowed to spar until approved by the instructors, which means you need to know the basic techniques and show self-control. I appreciate this because this means your sparring partners will be well-behaved and courteous, not panicked and dangerous. Kids classes - the kids BJJ class is great with a very high instructor/student ratio and a lot of attention paid to partnering kids up in a productive way. There is enough firmness in the instruction that kids will try hard, but no militaristic nonsense. Fun games are used as incentives to work hard and do techniques well. The instructors have been great with accommodating different dispositions and temperaments of kids, and will work with parents to figure out a solution. Kids progress at a realistic pace and earn stripes at about the same pace as an adult class. They do also train in kickboxing once every few classes, so the kids do get some striking/kicking experience as well as grappling. Ages seem to range from 4-late teens. Bathrooms and mats are actually clean and not scary, it's clear the owners care about hygiene and people not getting sick. Only downside is the gym has only a single space so there is only one class at a time. Currently (05/26), classes run from M-Sat for adults with a single kids class on Saturdays. If you wanted to train 5x a week for competition you might want to look at another gym, but Four Elements works great for us. read more

I've been training at Four Elements for over eight years and cannot recommend this school enough! Located right in the heart of Downtown Oakland, Four Elements is accessible via many forms of public transportation. There is also parking nearby for folks traveling by car. No matter where you're commuting from in the Bay Area, you won't have trouble accessing the gym. Karin and Mollii are knowledgeable, skilled, patient, and engaging instructors who make kickboxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes a total blast. The broader community at Four Elements is incredibly inclusive and supportive of women, POC, and LGBTQ students. If you're looking for a martial arts school but are wary of training in toxically masculine environments, this is the gym for you. Come on by for a great workout! read more

Four Elements Fitness is exactly what I was looking for in a BJJ gym but didn't know existed. As someone who isn't naturally coordinated, I was hesitant to try BJJ again after less welcoming experiences elsewhere. But this gym completely changed my perspective! The BJJ program here is exceptional. Coach Mollii is living proof that size doesn't matter in jiu-jitsu - watching this small-but-mighty instructor skillfully control much larger training partners is both inspiring and educational. Her teaching style makes complex techniques accessible to everyone, regardless of experience level. What sets Four Elements apart: * Consistently clean, well-maintained facility * Genuinely welcoming and supportive environment * Patient instruction that builds real confidence * Strong focus on proper technique and safety * Diverse, inclusive community of practitioners I've noticed huge improvements in my body awareness and self-confidence since starting here. No matter how draining my workday is, I never regret showing up to class - I always leave feeling energized and accomplished. Beyond the excellent training, I love how Four Elements gives back to Oakland through free self-defense classes for the community. If you've been curious about BJJ but felt intimidated by traditional MMA gyms, give Four Elements a try. This is the place that will change your mind about what a martial arts gym can be. read more

I have been going to Four Elements for about 3 years. I selected the gym because of its proximity to downtown Oakland and stayed because of the community and quality of teaching. The beginner BJJ class is a great way to jump in, it is a good workout and introduction to BJJ. Coach Mollii, is a patient and skilled teacher. The beginner BJJ class teaches mobility drills and techniques. Experienced and new students are paired together, so you learn not only from the teacher's demonstrations but also from your training partner. Other gyms I tried were aggressive and hyperfocused on competition. At Four Elements the coaches and other students create a safe and challenging environment. I feel welcomed here, as a friend by those who care about me and as a training partner by those who encourage my progress. If you have experience and are looking for a new gym, there is also an advanced BJJ class where you can learn more techniques and practice sparring. Or if you aren't interested in martial arts but are still interested in exploring your mobility and strength Ginastica Natural is a great way to start and keep moving. I highly recommend checking out this community, you might just want to stick around! read more

Four Elements has been such a great place for me. They accommodate me and my needs, never pressure me into things I don't feel up to, and help me reach my goals. Furthermore, it's been an incredibly safe environment for me as a member of the LGBT community. I've never felt safer as my whole self in a gym. The owners and other attendees have been instrumental in me seeing the gym as something accessible to a disabled lesbian, like myself. read more

lovely people and very professional. Highly recommend this place. Totally worth it!!!!!

This is a great place to train for BJJ, kickboxing, and general fitness. The instructors are top notch and very welcoming to those of any level of fitness or expertise. For BJJ and kickboxing, and martial arts in general it is unusual to find a dojo that explicitly welcomes women and LGBT. read more

I took a class here and I really enjoyed it, excited to get back into it now that I have workout clothes! I felt really safe here. The exercises were adjustable for ability, and I learned something I could practice. I didn't feel awkward as a fat person exercising, which is a big concern for me! read more

Fantastic place to learn, the instructors are patient and welcoming. I have injuries from prior sports and instead of pushing me to an uncomfortable pace, they're accommodating. read more

Messaged on IG to see when Open Mat training is happening and got no response. Doesn't seem like the sort of place. They don't seem as inclusive as they purport to be (over reacted and was a Diva changed my review and I will swing by open mat) read more

This is a great place to work out. I am a weak desk drone with lots of injuries and less strength and coordination then most. Ryan, Shawn and Sharon are very sensitive to my issues and give me workouts that help me build strength to overcome these issues while making me feel encouraged and excited to work out. read more

I've only been attending classes for a couple of months, but so far I've been loving it! Four Elements offers a variety of of classes, JKD-Kali, Boxing,Kickboxing, BJJ, Yoga, Sambo/Cambo I'm doing the JKD/Kali classes and always break a sweat in warm ups and always learning something new every class.I live in SF but IMO worth the trip out to Oakland once a week for class. Location is a short walk from 19th st Bart very convenient for someone like me who has to make a quick getaway to get back into the city before commuter hours end haha read more

This is a great gym with awesome teachers! Shawn is such a genuinely rad and influential person who always offers a sincere and warm welcome, giving the gym a super laid back vibe while also housing some top-notch teachers who really know their stuff. Every time I have trained with Shawn, she has always shown me something or given me thoughtful feedback that immediately improved my technique. This is something that I cherish as I feel like I gain perspective and improve every time I go. It also makes me feel valued as a student. And this is the same for every single teacher I have encountered at Four Elements. That in itself speaks volumes. The gym itself is on the smaller side, making it perfect for getting lots of one-on-one training and guidance from the teachers. It's like you are getting a mini-private lesson! Which is always the best!! Also, this is one of the -Only- places where I can find Ginastica Natural classes! Such a unique and amazing new style of working out that I have legit fallen head over heels fallen in love with! I always find easy parking right on the lake (which always makes me want to go for an extra walk or jog along the pretty lights immediately after when walking to my car, even though I never fail to get a thorough sweat no matter which class Ive taken anyways!). Such an awesome little neighborhood gym...Highly recommended! read more

This is a great place to get a really good workout and self defense training. The instructors were very welcoming and professional. The classes are fun and you sweat a lot. Overall I think this is an awesome place to get in shape and feel great. I am looking forward to going back. So glad they opened up in the neighborhood. read more

My wife and I tried the self defense class cause I felt it was a necessity to have some knowledge on how to protect yourself. At first, I didn't know what to expect or whether it'd be good or not. I have to say that Four Elements did not disappoint. The class was very informative and really helpful. I didn't feel out of place or out of sorts. The gym was awesome as well. It was welcoming and personable. I would definitely come back again (with more people next time)! read more

Last month I took FOUR Elements Fitness Intro to Jiu-Jitsu class, and it was a truly great experience. I had been trying to get to a bjj class at FOUR Elements for like 6 months, but as person with significant anxiety around gyms and exercise classes, I just couldn't make myself do it. If you, like me have been wanting to try a class a FOUR Elements but maybe need an extra, gentle nudge I really recommend you try this class (from what I hear the rest are amazing as well). Patient, gentle instructors, caring, respectful environment, and totally fun to boot. I can't say enough good things about it, just go! read more

Shawn has created a very special space to help one become the ultimate badass fighter. The classes offered include BJJ, Ginastica Natural, Sambo, Burn It to the Ground (KB HIIT), kickboxing, JKD/kali and yoga. All instructors are top notch and invested in every student's growth. The culture here is unlike most martial arts gyms, it is attracts a creative, open-minded and a diverse group of individuals who are all here to help one another improve as martial artists and people. I feel privileged to be involved with the goals of Four Elements Fitness. read more

They are moving...new location.... June 15.... more space... Frank Ogawa Plaza off 14th....

I took a women's self defense class in college many moons ago which consisted of awareness and learning to scream My class today at 4E took it to another level. The instructors know their stuff, both Ryan and Sharon have have the experience/street smarts which is about self preservation. Removing myself from a situation which is not about fighting but just being safe i learned some tactical moves that I could not wait to administer to my husband...LOL Seriously I plan to take their advance classes and come back for more metro-tactical awareness. read more

4E's instructors are amazing and the gym's gender-inclusive, trans-affirming, and trauma-sensitive training policies make it one of the only martial arts spaces I've been to that felt accessible to me. All exercises and drills are opt-in and the community that's grown up in and around the space is welcoming and encouraging in so many ways. Def check out the LGBTQ BJJ class! read more

This place is a gem that has changed my life and my neighborhood for the better. Each of the instructors is a rock star. They are kind, funny, and extremely formidable. They play great music, really take the time to get to know each student and their particular comfort zones, injuries, etc. And between them, they have tons of expertise. We are so lucky to have them. Shawn's early morning workouts have taught me moves and flexibility I had no idea were possible--jellyfish, bear walk, drunken bear walk, shrimping. And Sharon's evening Combat Pilates classes have given me a sense of power and confidence. The other classes I've attended have also been great--my goal is to go to all of them as much as possible! read more

A great gym for BJJ, kickboxing, sambo, JKD Kali and overall fitness. The bjj classes run by 3 female bjj black belts: Shawn, Judy and Mollii are excellent. Very technical BJJ which is good for the beginner to the very advanced. The vibe is very welcoming for everyone of any level of ability or fitness. I am also familiar with kickboxing and Karin does a great job teaching proper technique. You will be doing kickboxing combos in no time. JKD is also great if you are interested in stick/knife fighting. They have all the props to safely learn proper technique in this martial art. Sambo on Saturday with Matt is awesome too. Sambo is a Russian fighting style which is scary and intimidating however the class itself is pretty chill and controlled so despite all the wild throws and joint lock techniques we learn it's actually safe and fun. I also like the burn it to the ground and ginastica natural. The former is a HIIT CrossFit type workout for strength and cardio the second is more for mobility agility and flexibility. You can get everything from this gym. I highly recommend it! read more

This gym is like no other...women owners (badass black belts in their respective disciplines), community-oriented programs and scholarships, and recently upgraded facility that is spacious and well equipped. read more

I value this gym so much for its commitment to training everyone who comes through its doors. I have witnessed FOUR Elements Fitness taking concrete steps to create a welcoming space for women, LGBTQIA folks, people of color, sex workers and disabled people. There is true community at this gym as well as deep knowledge of martial arts, and the collaborative training/teaching method between instructors and more advanced students makes it a wonderful environment to learn and train in. read more

This is the MOST inclusive and welcoming martial arts gym I have encountered in my 20 years of training. This small and mighty gym has THE MOST TOPNOTCH instructors in one place - jiu jitsu, kickboxing and jkd/kali. The teachers meet beginners where they are and encourage all levels to succeed...and they push national competitors to excel in tournaments! LGBTQ friendly - ALL are welcome! read more

So happy that I found this gym! I started attending Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes at this gym about 10 months ago and have since fallen in love. I had never done BJJ before, but found Shawn (one of the gym's owners and BJJ coaches) to be a warm, patient teacher who was excited to introduce others to grappling. She's created a space that's super welcoming to all and that feels more like a community than a gym. Because I haven't regularly trained at another gym I can't speak with much authority on how it compares to other BJJ gyms, but I think that FEF stands out in a few ways... For one, it's a small and unaffiliated gym that's low on politics. We all regularly roll with Shawn and the other coaches, and we're all encouraged to take opportunities to train at other gyms. The availability of Sambo and wrestling classes also makes the gym feel more like a "grappling" gym than a purely BJJ school. We regularly practice take downs and leg locks and are challenged to think of how Jiu Jitsu fits in with the other forms of grappling. The other classes are also super complimentary to BJJ. Judy and Mollii, both brown belts in Jiu Jitsu, teach conditioning classes that have definitely improved my strength and mobility. Judy's Burn It to the Ground! class is heavy on kettlebells and HIIT. I always feel like Jello after the class is over but in the best way possible. And Mollii's Ginastica Natural class is unlike anything I've done before - it's like yoga meets Jiu Jitsu meets conditioning. It has a big focus on natural movement that use just your body weight. It, also, makes me feel like Jello. Also in the best way possible. Overall, this is a super great gym that feels more like a home. It regularly challenges me to push my limits and has introduced me to some incredible people who I feel lucky to call me friends. I now genuinely look forward to going to the gym, which is something that I never thought I would ever do. :P read more

[about Shawn's Friday LGBTQ brazilian jiu jitsu class specifically, although the other instructors & classes I've dipped into are also swell] I'm a trans woman and this class is saving my life. I always got pushed out of martial arts as a kid (kung fu, fencing, even tai chi) because, while I was a good student & the instructors loved me, traditional pedantic/disclipline-based teaching styles is bad news for people with dysphoria and I certainly wasn't game for the toxic-masculinity of the sport culture. As an adult I wanted to learn self-defense in order to survive my day-to-day life as queer/trans, but I was too nervous to be hazed by the girls in existing women's self-defense courses who don't see me as one of them, and I also hate the token useless advice from men who don't understand the realities of trans/misogynist violence. I'd been shopping around for a long time (for myself & a handful of other trans folk) for a gender-affirmative place to train in ANY art, and after scoping out Four Elements for a few months it's where I direct everybody looking to train. [SIDE NOTE: if you're a trans woman, i also recommend Annie Danger's Girl Army course, although it's only intermittent beginner self-defense as of 2016] Besides being a talented and personable instructor in her own right, Shawn Tamaribuchi has experience relating to trans folk and is queer herself. While she is not a trans woman, she seems to have a vested interest in helping trans people out of this pickle we're in, and she does do her research into gender-affirmative practices to make sure we're as comfortable as possible in her class. I'm often astounded by how on top of shit she can be: I was sparring last week with a femme trans man (& I'm a tomboy trans woman) with Shawn sporadically coaching from the sideline, and even in the heat of action, even though she was only half-paying-attention to our match, she never once even paused before either of our pronouns, which tbh is better than I would have done. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very touchy-feely and you get really close and personal with everyone's body, which would normally be a deal-breaker for my gender body dysphoria, but Shawn has somehow gotten me comfortable enough to not just hold cis people between my legs but to prefer it as an offensive position 0_o. I've noticed that she makes tons of tiny accommodations during demos/lectures that help me so much to forget my gender situation, like saying "for this move, if you have short legs, you do this..." when any other instructor in this sport would have said "if you're a woman, you'd do this..." She also (and this is huge) never forces students to do a drill, and even encourages us to sit out if we feel uncomfortable for whatever reason -- everything is opt-in, which greatly reduces my anxiety about participating. Maybe the best part (and take this with a grain of salt) is that while this is a sport-BJJ class, whenever an opportunity presents itself Shawn will pause in a demo to show us how & where a technique leads to a strike for a street-fight situation, or an "illegal" submission for an intimate-partner assault -- it just really shows that she gets that I'm not here for the sport, and she's not afraid to address the scary stuff that my previous male instructors shied away from by just talking about Mace / running away. In all, I'm so glad that someone like Shawn has managed to infiltrate the MMA / BJJ world, learn all this stuff for us, and then turn around and teach it to the people who have been otherwise excluded from this practice. read more

I love this unique gym. The trainers have just the right mix of toughness, kindness, knowledge, and openness that makes me wish I lived around the corner to get my daily injection of muscle and confidence. This is a great place for people of all shapes sizes and abilities to bring out the best in their bad-ass selves. Shawn and Carey really know their stuff. I have yet to take a class from the other trainers, but I'm looking forward to it. The classes are brilliant, you get fit and learn useful ways to move your body - stuff like tumbling and how to fall without hurting yourself. I really appreciate that they offer open workshops (to members and non-members) on things like wrestling and self defense. It's a great way to try something out, improve your technique and gain some physical skills. I've been going to the Introduction to Wrestling 8 week course on Saturdays. The instructor, Kelly, really breaks it down and it's a serious workout. This is a small gym but it has a lot going for it! read more

This is the only gym I've ever been able to feel completely comfortable in regarding martial arts classes. Most schools and classes are full of toxic masculinity. In my experience, FEF works hard to create a learning environment that allows everyone to train. They are also mindful regarding injuries and are helpful at finding ways for those of us in the process of healing to still be able to train. read more

it's just a tiny woc owner-operated place, but the LGBTQ program is the most developed of its kind. they go far beyond respecting pronouns: drills are opt-in, space is given for people who are sensitive about bodies, you train at your own pace, and instruction is trans-competent & gender-affirmative. oh, and the instruction is REALLY good too. it's hard to believe an environment like this exists anywhere, much less in a notoriously toxic scene like brazilian jiu jitsu. read more

Best gym I have ever belonged to. Friendly people, great, innovative work outs, unbelievable price for what they provide. I've trained with Ryan for more than a year now. He's a rockstar, gotta be one of the best trainers in the Bay Area. Love this place. read more

AMAZING!! I threw a self defense training class for a group of Realtors and hired Sharon and Shawn to teach the class as a private event. They totally rocked it by keeping everyone engaged and had the perfect answers/response to any questions that were thrown their way. You can tell that teaching people how to protect themselves is a true passion of theirs and I can't recommend them enough. If you're thinking of a way to impress a group of people then consider throwing an event like this and bring in the Four Elements team...you'll walk away feeling confident and I was just waiting for anyone to try and mess with me so I could show off the moves they taught us!! What are you waiting for?? Call them!!! read more

This gym is very special. It is not about going in by yourself and throwing weights around, though there is nothing wrong with that. This is about caring compassionate and intense training in the art of using your whole body to improve your whole life. The coaches are all super experienced and have an incredible work ethic. Seriously, I haven't met people this dedicated to their craft and passionate about empowering real people in the fitness industry probably ever. read more

This gym changed my life. I am not a gym person. In fact, I am afraid of gyms but my friends convinced me to go. Four Elements is more like a community studio and accessible to all sorts of levels/body types/genders/etc. When I started I was tripping over the ropes (literally) and now I'm breaking a sweat three times a week. Each instructor that I've been to has a different martial arts background and expertise in women's self defense. Yes, even the pilates class. They're great about tailoring the workouts to injuries, etc. read more

Thanks to ClassPass, I've got to try out many gyms in the area. Several offered a great workout. Four Elements gave me a terrific workout, and it was also the most fun. Really good stuff - very different from other gyms, good variety within the workout, and very positive, very upbeat. It's the first gym that tempts me to buy a regular membership that than limit myself to 3/month. (Only wish they were closer!) read more

I LOVE this place! Nothing more inspiring than this bad ass girl power! Four Elements is a gym that I feel comfortable and safe to participate at as a woman and thank gawd not a treadmill in sight! All the instructors I have met there are very knowledgeable, experienced and approachable. I took Kelly's wrestling workshop and it rocked. I hear she is also hosting an open mat and club now too. read more

Shawn is the best trainer! Her work outs are both challenging and flexible for folks of all fitness levels. I always feel refreshed after each workout and actually look forward to the next session. I highly recommend her services and the other programs at Four Elements Fitness. read more

I've taken both combat fitness and body positive yoga at Four Elements Fitness. Both classes had knowledgeable instructors who really tailored the activities to individual capabilities (a benefit of the gym's small footprint). The gym is a safe space for anyone who wants to train, and the care and respect shown by instructors and class participants is noticeable. I'll definitely be coming back for more. read more

Sharon is the kind of instructor that keeps you motivated and reaching for your true fitness potential. The self-defense techniques learned are effective. This ain't no Tai-Bo class!!! Lol read more