My son started Taekwondo here and earned his black belt. It helped him improve his focus, build…read morestrength, and gain confidence. He now does Judo there as well and, even though the classes are challenging, he really enjoys them. Seeing how much he benefited, I also enrolled my daughter in the Little Warriors program. The instructors are kind, caring, and wonderful with the kids. We've had a great experience and would definitely recommend them!

We love Do Martial arts! Our daughter has been attending for several years now and has gained so…read moremuch strength and confidence through her experience. The instructors are also kind and teach with both rigor and gentleness. She loves taekwondo and has grown so much! We recommend them for a positive environment to learn taekwondo.

If you are in the Castro Valley area then this is definitely the jiujitsu gym to train at. They…read morehave a very strong kids program and adults program, to fit all your jiujitsu needs, whether you are a hobbyist or a competitor. ZMATA is also a Guardian affiliated gym which means they have specific goals to help the youth community, where jiujitsu empowers then to improve themselves and build confidence. As for the mat space, it is clean and well maintained, with foot cleansing stations infused with tea tree oil, to keep the mats safe for everyone (a nice touch). They train champions here and everyone is about improving each other. I was blessed to train an open mat here and regularly see their instructors and practitioners at our NorCal open mat club. Thanks ZMATA!

Z mata is a fantastic place if your kids are serious about their BJJ, Judo or wrestling training…read more Their coaches are led by co-owner Mr. Aaron Zaballos (hence the Z in the name). They employ great coaches and it's a fantastic place to train. (My girls did for several years prior to the pandemic). Zero hesitation to recommend this business.

Fearless is more than martial arts. Coach Tom and Co. teach about respect to all people, knowing…read morewhat is right, how to help others. Our 2 daughters have been going for 2 years now and they look forward to every class with excitement. It has built their confidence and willingness to keep getting better and never giving up. Thank you to Team Fearless!

Fantastic team, builds teamwork and confidence. Very happy with the instructors. 11read more

Are you a middle aged professional like me, with a desk job, craving for some intense, rewarding…read morephysical activity you haven't had in years? Well let me introduce you to jiu jitsu. The people at Alere, coaches and fellow trainees alike, are all very kind and supportive and willing to offer feedback to help you improve your movements (which, as a new white belt, is extremely necessary). I've been training at Alere for about two and a half months and have lost like 15 lbs and gotten much stronger. Come here and join an awesome community.

Jitsu Has Truly Transformed My Daughter's Confidence…read more Choosing Jitsu for my daughter was intentional. I wanted her to learn how to protect herself -- and if needed, to protect her little sister and her friends. I wanted her to grow up knowing she was strong, aware, and capable. What I didn't realize was how much more this journey would give her. When she first joined, she was shy and uncertain, but everything changed once she stepped onto the mat and into a community that believed in her. Having her best friend there made the experience even more special. They pushed each other, laughed through tough drills, and grew side by side in ways only true teammates can. Now it's been two years and counting, and she's still not sick of it -- not even close. If anything, she loves it more than when she started. That alone tells you they're doing something completely right. One of the biggest takeaways she's held onto is: "Never cry on the mat." And she takes it very literally -- but honestly, it's not a bad thing. For her, it means fight harder, stay focused, and don't give up. We get it... but let's be real, moms are absolutely allowed to cry on the sidelines. As a mom, it still scares me watching her train and compete -- that feeling never truly goes away. But her confidence has grown so strong that she's now the one asking me to sign her up for competitions. Seeing her walk onto the mat with purpose and pride is something I never imagined two years ago. I have to give so much credit to Jorge, Coach Chris, and Coach Brandon. They prepare her for every competition with patience, discipline, and unwavering belief in her. They've helped shape her into a girl who isn't afraid to push herself, challenge herself, and trust her own strength. Because of them, my heart is at ease a little more each time she competes. Jitsu didn't just teach her self-defense -- it opened a whole new world inside her. One filled with courage, growth, friendship, and confidence. Watching her transform has been one of the greatest gifts, and for that, I am endlessly grateful.

In July 2007 my family came across USA Kung Fu Studio in Castro Valley during our search for a…read moreMartial Arts school for our son, who was four years old at the time. We decided to go in, although we had fully intended on signing him up for Tae Kwon Do classes at a nearby school. From the moment we entered the studio, we felt the warmness and camaraderie between the instructors and students. My son took a free lesson in the Tiny Tigers Program and from the beginning we knew that this was a place to harness all his excess energy. Sifu Jamie did not pressure us to join, rather he wanted our son to experience the school and see if it worked for our family. Needless to say, we were and still are extremely pleased with the quality of training my son receives. Both Sifu Jamie and Sihing Chris lead the classes strictly and firmly, but with tongue-in-cheek humor. This studio does not promote their belts freely, which I appreciate. If a student receives a promotional belt, you can bet that they worked hard and EARNED it. The students all work hard and it shows. Older, more experienced students help out in the Youth classes and you can see their level of maturity and commitment to their studio and their Sifu. Our son (currently a white belt) has attention and focus issues, which I addressed with Sifu Jamie and he came up with a successful plan to bring him back into focus during classes. This has helped not only in Kung Fu lessons, but at home and with his schoolwork as well. Other classes include Tai Chi, Adult Classes, San Shou, and they have an amazingly talented Wu Shu Team. Just recently several students attended a Kung Fu tournament and came back with several competition awards. I highly recommend this school and encourage anyone interested to come by and checkout their classes.

We live in San Ramon and we were looking for a Kung Fu Studio for our 2 boys ages 9 and 5…read more Needless to say, we shopped 3 studio's and USA Kung Fu Studio in Castro Valley won hands down. Even though, the other 2 studio's were much closer, we found that USA kung Fu Studio was the best fit for our boys. The facility was clean, the schedule was very accommodating to our ever-changing work schedule, and you can tell that Sifu and Sihing genuinely cares about their students. My 2 boys have been training with Sifu Jaime and Sihing Chris for a month now, and I must say, my boys are learning not just kung fu, but discipline, respect and the importance of staying fit. It has changed our lives forever! I definitely would recommend USA Kung Fu Studio to anyone who is interested in taking martial arts. Thank you Sifu Jaime and Sihing Chris!

Very welcoming and fairly priced school with programs for both kids and adults. They teach a…read morecombination of martial arts styles, weapons, and self defense. Dedicated teachers who all volunteer their time and care about the school and students. Great option for anyone interested in exploring martial arts.

The owners attitude toward the kids and parents very abrupt and abrasive. I have experienced him…read moreduring this type of behavior and because of this person my grandson did not want to continue his classes. His son is great with the kids though. But due to the belt advancement my grandson didn't have the option to stay with his son.

I've been training here for many years, and I can honestly say this is one of the best gyms in the…read moreBay Area. It's not just for fighters--it's an incredible place for hobbyists, beginners, and anyone looking to get in shape. At the same time, some of the Bay Area's top fighters train here. I was one of California's highest-ranked amateur MMA fighters, and today I'm one of the state's top professional fighters--even though I only compete once a year! Come check out Bay Area Fight Academy. Everyone is welcome!

I went in to check out the gym after the head coach told me I could come by anytime, and I was…read morealready pretty nervous since I'm new to MMA. Unfortunately, one of the staff members -- a heavier-set guy with glasses -- came across as rude and dismissive toward me, which made the experience uncomfortable. As a beginner, first impressions matter a lot, and instead of feeling welcomed I felt talked down to. The head coach himself seemed respectful, which is why I'm leaving this review honestly instead of just writing the whole gym off. I just think new people should be treated with more patience and respect, especially when they're stepping out of their comfort zone to try something new.

We joined the Mini Ronin class and felt welcome right away. Senpai Edwin is amazing, very patient…read morewith the kids and keeps them engaged with fun, structured activities. He does a great job building their confidence, independence, and self-defense skills. We've tried another jiu-jitsu school before, and the difference in care and patience is clear. In addition to learning the techniques of jiu jitsu, Senpai Edwin really encourages the kids to also be helpful at home, be good team players, and to always keep improving themselves. Daniella at the front desk is also the sweetest! Always friendly, welcoming, and personable. The whole place feels genuine and caring, they really make it feel like a home for everyone.

I've been taking my son here for about 7 months now and I couldn't be happier ! It took my son a…read morewhile to get use to being on the mat and around other kids only because he had never done any other sport (so he had no social skills.. my fault! ): ) but over all we have loved being a part of the Ta Danado family. Senpai Edwin and his wife Daniela are such awesome people ! Super helpful and have made this experience for my son one of the best. Senpai Edwin is amazing with the kiddos and I think everyone should be like that especially when working with kids. So if anyone is looking into putting their kids in Jiu jitsu this is the place ! :D So don't say I didn't recommend yall !!

Excited to be back with Billy, Ray & Ali! The coaching staff at Silverback MMA & Fitness are…read moreexperienced instructors who work with you to meet your fitness goals. They offer many classes such as cardio kickboxing, wrestling, Muay Thai, boxing and more! Youth classes are offered as well! Bring the whole family and get ready to sweat!

Coach Billy and Rk4 teach useful techniques in actual fight. Quality training with coaches paying…read moreattention to everyone. I like that they keep the size of classes small so they can pay enough attention to every fighter. Everyone is very respectful and friendly at the gym. It's obvious that coaches are passionate at what they do!

I've been going to personal training for 9 mos. every week with Awesta and highly recommend him and…read morethe team at Body Mechanix. I have multiple injuries and body issues that make it hard to work out. I was always injuring myself the moment I tried to do weight training on my own. With Awesta I give him feedback on when something is challenging or exacerbating an issue--I'm learning good form to avoid injuries. He is always responsive and finds modifications so I can stay engaged the entire work out. I also find it more affordable than I expected. I don't do the group classes though they look great, it's a bit too advanced for me given my limitations. Being in there a few times a week, I watch the entire staff cultivate a warm, welcoming environment where you/they say hi to everyone who walks into the space. It's also very diverse. I'm talking both staff and members, culturally, age-wise, body types, genders--no one ever makes you feel you don't belong there.

Rating: 4.5/5 - this review is based on one class…read more This gym is great for beginners and an older crowd. I didn't realize how much of a gym desert Castro Valley is until today. I'm originally from San Diego and there are plenty of gyms around my area. However, my sister did mentioned she lived in an older more suburban neighborhood. Unfortunately, I wanted more of a challenging HIIT class that you can find at Barrys or F45 (both of which are an hour away from here). With that being said, they do have TRX bands and assault bikes as well as a variety of weights. They also offer beverages between $1-$5. They were also nice to let you use the assault bikes before and after class. I was expecting more of an energetic and motivated crowd but it was more of a mellow crew of retirees and a preteen boy. It was definitely not what I expected in a bootcamp/HIIT class. Nevertheless, it was a great class albeit I felt like the only gym rat there. Earlier in the class, there was some confusion (partially because the trainer was also teaching people online) but he was able to modify some of the routine so most of us understood what to do. I never expected wanting to do more after a workout but this is a great class if you want to be challenged but not physically exhausted. I also recommend a voice amplifier and more prompts (i.e lift your arms above your head, etc) for the trainer as there was some confusion (maybe due to the music, his low tone or lack of prompts). Will visit again if I'm in the area as it's relatively close to where my family lives. Parking: Plaza Parking Recommendation: They have a first timer special - 3 classes for $50 that includes personal training but I would check online or in person to make sure that it's accurate. They also offer open gym to those with classpass!