We love this place so much! My child attending Taekwondo…read morelessons for the last 4 years! Thank you very much!! You are the best, guys!!

My son got the taekwondo bug while overseas and has been continuing his learning here. The team is…read moresuper friendly and has a great approach to being very encouraging while also pushing students to excel. My son is autistic and has found the structure and approach very reinforcing for him. Definitely recommend!

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

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.

Our son has continuously trained for +3 years here at Alere Jiu Jitsu Academy( new name, same…read moreteam). He looks forward to training and it has become his favorite extra curricular activity. He has fun. Coach Chris, Jorge, and team have a created a captivating learning environment and community where discipline, respect, and confidence are foundational virtues to compliment the knowledge of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu . Our son has made many friends and built relationship , but most importantly, has been learning everyday life skills that will carry on into his adult hood.

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!

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 have had nothing but good experiences at T Kane's. My 9 year old daughter complains about having…read moreto go to karate, but is always happy that she went once class is over. She is progressing nicely and getting a new belt about once every 5 or 6 weeks. Mr Kane is a disciplinarian. This is karate, not daycare. People who have unruly children will be checked, as they should be, so that everyone else in the class can learn. If parents have a problem with that it's not the yelp rating that needs to change it's the parents.

Eric runs a great gym! The great thing about the gym is that it is good for fighters at all levels…read moreand experiences. If you want to go hard-core (training for a fight), you can. If you want to just know how to fight and do technique sparring, this is also possible. I just wish this gym were closer to where I live. I would highly recommend this gym as you will learn how to fight based on how you best learn.

Joining Bay Area Fight Academy has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. When I first…read morewalked in, I was extremely out of shape, but the coaches helped me find my second wind. In just six months, I lost about 35 pounds of fat and got into the best shape of my life. The instructors here are not only highly knowledgeable, but also welcoming and supportive. They'll sharpen your martial arts skills while pushing you to be your best without ever making you feel out of place. BAFA is more than just a gym it's a community. Everyone is respectful, friendly, and pushing each other to be better. It's the kind of place that makes you want to show up every day, to the point where missing a class feels weird.

This dojo has been amazing for my son and our family. Since starting 5 plus year ago learning…read morejiu-jitsu here, I've seen a huge change in his confidence, focus, and attitude. He's made real friends, learned discipline, and gained skills that go far beyond the mat. The instructors truly care about the kids. They treat everyone with respect, encourage hard work, and make sure every student feels welcome, no matter their level or background. It's a very family-oriented environment where parents feel comfortable and kids feel supported. I've seen some negative reviews, but they don't reflect the truth of what happens inside this dojo. Those comments focus on things outside the school, not on the training, the values, or the community here. If you're considering this place, don't rely on negative comments -- come see it for yourself. Watch a class, talk to the instructors, and feel the positive energy. You'll see great training, strong values, and a community that truly cares about every student who walks through the door. Highly recommend this dojo to any family looking for quality jiu-jitsu and a supportive, welcoming environment

This place is amazing! Teachers are dedicated and they give attention to all the kids in the class,…read morewhether they are beginner or been doing this a while. They make sure each and every single student grasp the lessons and more importantly, they teach kids to be respectful, disciplined and showcase the opportunity for kids to show their leadership. The community aspect of the place is great too. They also are pretty flexible with classes and timing with kids able to come in 3-5 times a week, without charging extra for every class. I feel a lot of the other places in Castro Valley/Hayward over-charge and have a bunch of other fees (registration, limit the number of classes to 2 per week etc.).

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!