"BOAAAAA VERY NICE, A+ KELLEY!"-- Romulo cheering for me across the room when I finally landed that…read morestubborn move. "KELLEY COME ON MAN, YOU HAD THE SWEEP. C+" -- also Romulo from across the room when I botched a move I had down. ______________________________ I trained at Rómulo's for 2 years and it was by far the highlight of my time in San Francisco. I had great training and made the best of friendships there, so forgive me as I wax poetic about a place that fostered some of my favorite memories. The instruction and training was fantastic. People are diligent when it's time to train, and during drills, coach will walk around with fellow black belts watching students like a hawk, ensuring everyone is learning the moves properly. Further, coach and others pushed me just the right amount to help me grow in my own way. They will for you too. The community was incredible as well. People are supporting each other inside and outside of the gym, basically like a family. Whether it's small businesses, new music bands, or a member's stand-up comedy gig, the people pull together for each other. Honestly, I've never seen anything like it. They've helped me grow not only as an athlete, but as a human being too. In the end, I can't recommend Rómulo's enough. They brought me in, beat me down, patched me up, and sent me off with a new definition of love and camaraderie. It'll be tough finding a gym that even comes close. If you visit (as you should), say hi to the gang for me. God I miss them.

It's been a year since I decided that was time to move on and find a great gym to keep training,…read morealways heard about his gym for years, how great they are, so I decided to check it out and never left.. so far I'm happy with what I found at Romulo's academy, a great professor, amazing classes and the amount of great rolls from white belts and up is just incredible, great location, friendly teammates, I feel very comfortable training there. It's the best part of my day. Clean gym, everyone vaccinated, I train every day, never got sick. Great schedule. I really recommend.

Great value for your workout! The coaches are knowledgeable on technique with boxing and form…read more I bought the Groupon for one month and have made it my goal to be consistent with working out this month. They make it easy to go to a class as you don't have to sign up for a class prior to attending. You can just show up and they can accommodate you. My choose this gym because it convenient from my work and I can walk here after work. The only thing is that they make you purchase their shirt as part of their "uniform" policy if you go and are there for their Groupon. Shirts are $13 each which is not bad, but just beware and know this beforehand.

My girlfriends and I have been talking about getting together for a work out class for the past…read morecouple of months. When one of them found a Groupon for Empower: 5 group kickboxing classes for $19 (according to Groupon, originally $200), we decided to go for it. Our first class was on Wednesday, August 10th at 5:30pm. Johnny taught our class and he was awesome! Would make sure our technique was correct without making us feel like we were doing it completely wrong. Great in a class atmosphere if you get a little shy in group classes. We started off with jumping jacks as part of our warm up. Then we paired up and he taught us boxing combos. We would take turns punching and blocking/receiving. Great way to get out aggression. Most of the class was spend doing this. Then we went into their version of burpees, running in place, and some kind of crab/bear/spider crawl. When I was giving up during my crawl, Johnny kept cheering me on. We ended with crunches (which luckily for me, weren't too bad) and of course high fives to finish up the class. This isn't in the fine print for the Groupon, but it's only valid for their Monday or Wednesday class at 5:30pm, so keep that in mind before purchasing. For those who get off at 5:30pm or later, I wouldn't suggest getting this as you can't apply it to any other classes. Great first class. I haven't worked out in over a year, so it was nice breaking a sweat and punching out some pented frustration. Looking forward to my second class!

If you train and are traveling like me, or a local, be sure to check them out. Friendly, flexible…read moreschedule and great training. They also have weights and a little work out place. Nice and clean!

Been training here for about 1 year; great environment, amazing coaches and great programs for all…read moreskill levels and ages.

Such a great experience as a new white belt going to class! It can be scary being so new - I've…read moretried many gyms in the city and this was the first as a beginner I felt like I learned the most and retained the most. This was because of a combo of: 1. Clear visuals about what the different positions are 2. Moves that are outlined - you try the move, and then repeat it over and over again in speed/resistance 3. Then you have the opportunity to try it in sparring, which lets you really remember it! Definitely recommend and will be back - folks were super nice and welcoming!

Bay Jiu Jitsu is, by far, the best jiu jitsu gym I've ever trained at. I learned more in the nine…read moremonths I spent with them than I had in the previous five years, training elsewhere. They've ruined other gyms for me. Since leaving SF, I've traveled around CA, but haven't been able to find any gyms of a similar quality. Bay Jiu Jitsu is a special community with a level of elite instruction that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere, especially one that's welcoming literally to anyone, beginner or otherwise. Very few BJJ gyms offer any instruction in takedowns-be it wrestling or judo. A huge amount of gyms train nearly entirely on their butts or from their knees. Every instructor at Bay knows high-level takedowns and defense. We all grapple standing and are training takedowns constantly. The instructors here are incredible. All of them compete and their records in tournaments, to my knowledge, is excellent. Bay Jiu Jitsu is also the only gym I've ever trained at that constantly surveys the class for questions. Unlike the general, "Any questions?" at the end of a complex technique, they literally go around the room asking "what questions do you have?" It's such a simple thing, but very indicative that the gym is just operating at a much different level. The instructors actually help you to improve your game and learn the sport. You're not just mindlessly doing moves out of context that you may never use. Here, we work techniques and positions, and map out how to see them, what successful principles for passing open guard are, for example. So, you're constantly learning in a deeper and more meaningful way. Rather than an individual technique, you're learning how to think for yourself, how to figure out large-scale, applicable, perspectives/rules to operate under when faced with fundamental positions of the sport. All the instructors are talented and can actually teach. When they break down ankle locks, it's not just showing you one version of the submission three times and having everybody go and drill it incorrectly. The instructors will break things down, incrementally, and in-detail. Then we regularly attempt it with coaches going around the room, making adjustments, and then doing additional demonstrations and instructions. I don't think they ever just go through the motions with moves here. Everything we do has a point or reason to it. Bay Jiu Jitsu is the only gym I've been to (and this is dope) but it's the only gym where instructors ask individuals from the class, what do you want to work on? What's something you're struggling with or curious about? And we'll actually do it. Instructors here give a damn about you as a person. They track your success, watch you during sparring, and hold you accountable to reach your potential with feedback, advice, and encouragement. They have no uniform requirement. You're not forced to buy a gym rash guard or spend hundreds of dollars on their gis. They don't charge you for promotions. They teach you how to actually train smart. So many gyms don't do this and it's ridiculous, but here, they teach you how to avoid preventable knee injuries during takedowns/positions, how to fall correctly, etc. When there's sparring, there's pretty much always a person walking around, keeping individuals from falling into a teammate-blowing out their ACL or kicking them in the head needlessly. I could ramble on for ages about the gym. You'll train with loads of rad, high-level people here. Nobody has an ego. We're all willing to help out. You don't deal with people cranking your jaw to get a submission. Everybody's cool and will train hard, at times, but in a safe way. The gym does movie nights, goes out to bars, goes dancing, and has bonfires throughout the year too. If you're looking for it, you can make friends. I love the gym and the people here. If you have the chance to train at Bay Jiu Jitsu, you absolutely must.

They are really a diamond in the rough. The staff is really flexible with my ever changing schedule…read moreand the coaches are very skilled and patient- I look forward to my progress.

Dropped in a while ago. Easily the biggest mat room and highest average level of skill in the city…read more Everyone was friendly and the upper belts all offered to roll. They also have a lot of time slots in their schedule so if you can only make early mornings or late nights this is a good spot. They have showers too and parking is decent.

These guys are the real deal…read more One of the things I like most about Combat Krav Maga is that there are no egos and no need to prove anything. You have people from all walks of life and different ages training together, and after spending some time here, you quickly realize how much knowledge and experience is in the room. Joel and the team focus on practical, real-world self-defense. The training is challenging, welcoming, and very different from a lot of martial arts schools that focus more on looking impressive than being effective. What really impressed me was seeing how skilled everyone is. There are a lot of experienced people training here, and it's a reminder that experience, technique, and good instruction matter far more than appearances. If you're thinking about learning self-defense, come visit, watch a class, and talk to the people here. You'll quickly see why so many students stay for years. Highly recommend. These guys are the real deal.

Tried out the women self defense class. Very informative. Instructor was very patient and showed us…read moremany practical useful techniques. Will definitely come back to learn more

Before working with RJ, I felt intimidated by strength training, especially in a gym that often…read morefelt like a male-dominated space. Despite being an active person (practicing yoga, pilates, dance, biking, climbing) I had never properly learned how to lift. I tried group strength classes at various studios, including Equinox, but I was never sure if my form was correct or if I was targeting the right muscles. Movements like squats, bench presses, deadlifts, pull-ups, and hip thrusts all felt unfamiliar. RJ completely changed that. He made strength training approachable by breaking down techniques in a way that made sense and reshaped how I thought about training and eating. Growing up I was told women should focus on cardio and "toning" rather than lifting heavy, and because of that I never understood the benefits of progressive overload or proper fueling. RJ helped me unlearn those outdated ideas and showed me that lifting heavy wouldn't make me bulky--it would make me stronger, more capable, and help me achieve the physique I actually wanted. He gave me the confidence to lift heavier and push toward my goals (especially glute growth) and I loved seeing my progress! I also went from zero pull-ups to three in a row. The physical gains were exciting, but the biggest transformation was in my mindset. Now, I walk into the gym knowing exactly what to do. If you want a trainer who truly knows their stuff and will help you feel stronger and confident in the gym, RJ is the one!

I cannot recommend training with RJ enough!! I've been training with RJ and my best friend since…read morethe beginning of the Pandemic (first virtually and now in person) and it has been the absolute highlight of my fitness journey. When I first started I had absolutely 0 experience weight lifting or even going to the gym for anything other than cardio but training with RJ has helped me fall in love with weight training. In a few years I went from using my flip flop for Turkish Get Ups to regularly hip thrusting 205lbs, PRing deadlifts at 205lbs, and 185lbs in squats!! (It would have been a shorter journey without Pandemic restrictions, but I'm still very excited to only get stronger from here ) RJ is such an incredibly well rounded and informed physical trainer that I've never felt anything but 100% confident in every exercise, he really focuses on form and injury prevention and helps you think about your body and it's positioning in ways I've never given much mind to, he really makes sense of physical training in a way I've never experienced before! He's also well versed in mobility and stretching which was really important when recovering from grade II ankle sprain last summer. I absolutely adore RJ as a trainer and now friend, he's such a wonderful person to spend time with that I come out of every session with him rejuvenated and confident, if you're looking for a trainer please do yourself a favor and book a session with RJ ASAP!! If I could I'd give him 500 stars/5!

I've been training under Ralston and his father Carley for almost 3 years now. Ralston is a very…read morepatient, generous, and talented professor. Like his father before him, Ralston puts a lot of emphasis on the solid fundamentals of jiu jitsu to ensure that no matter your belt level, you always have a very strong core foundation. And like his brother Clark, Ralston has some really cool tricks up his sleeve too, such as a solid armbar clinic similar to his brother's omoplata series. Before every class, we always have a 20-30 minute warmup that consists of the usual drills plus a good chunk of yoga stretches, which I've come to value as it not only helps my game, but also my old age lol

Ralston's expertise and approach has me hooked on jiu jitsu. If you're looking for a gym where…read moreyou'll immediately feel welcome and excited about BJJ - this is it. He's extremely skilled and breaks down techniques to benefit and build on skill across any belt level. I was anxious about my inexperience and unsure if I would feel comfortable. I quickly overcame that and instead feel empowered from the positive environment and addictively challenging training with Ralston. He truly cares, is a lot of fun, and is committed to making sure you get the most you can from BJJ and his classes. Come roll, you won't regret it!

Honestly, the best martial arts gym I've ever been to…read more I can honestly say this is the best martial arts gym I've ever trained at. Skrap Pack North Beach is such a complete gym, you can train martial arts and do strength/weight training all in one place, which is a huge plus. What really makes this place special though is the community and the vibe. Everyone is welcoming, supportive, and genuinely kind. It doesn't feel intimidating at all!! it feels like a place where people actually want to see you grow The coaches are amazing, truly some of the best you can find in the area. And the way Johnny runs the gym says EVERYTHING, you can tell how much love, effort, and intention he puts into it. That energy carries over into the training and the results. They were my trainers from the very beginning and the ones who introduced me to martial arts, and training here has honestly been life-changing My self-defense skills, my confidence, my physique, and even my mindset have improved so much. On top of that, I've gained an incredible community. I'm so grateful I found this place.

From the owner: Neighborhood martial arts academy specializing in Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, wrestling with a…read morefocus on MMA, and self defense. Come unlock your potential in a friendly environment where the class sizes are small and the focus is on you. Come for the training and stay for the vibes!

This studio offers a contemporary take on a traditional and deadly martial art: "Wing Tsun"…read more If you want to get in shape while learning practical self-defense in the worldwide recognized kung fu style popularized by the recent "Ip Man" movies and originally practiced by Bruce Lee before he created his "Jeet Kune Do" then this is the place for you! Sifu Joseph Mah is a certified practitioner of the International WingTsun Association (IWTA), a comprehensive teaching system developed by Ip Man disciples Leung Ting and Elmond Leung. To truly learn the close-combat art of Wing Tsun requires hands-on application of the system's arsenal of techniques, and that's exactly what you will receive during the many classes offered throughout the week.

One of the best clubs I've ever joined in my life! You don't…read moreneed a background in martial art; Sifu Josep and the rest of the students will patiently guide you during each lesson. It is truly and enjoyable group and community. Each class is going to challenge and engage you, definetely recommend it. Something that I really appreciate is that you get the chance to learn a bit about the history of Wing Tsun, which gives more subject to what you do in each class. Definetely recommend! Lessons last 2 hours and happen around 3 times a week.