I was a little apprehensive when my son asked to join Bravo Zulu, bc I kept thinking of Cobra Kai…read more(the original Karate Kid version w/ Johnny.) But boy, was I wrong. Coach Nick, an Oakland resident, is strict but kind, and conducts the class in a calm manner. It's strictly a gym that conducts mma classes, not a weird "yes sensei!" dojo situation that I was afraid it would be. It's been really good for my son, learning discipline and hard work in what he calls a "very friendly environment." No "sweep the knee" situation here.

I joined back in March of 2024. The reason was because I wanted to learn how to fight and be…read moreconfident in myself. Overtime, I got very fit and became more confident. I participated in a tournament and fell more in love with the sport. Even during a small period when I was out of training, I still kept the discipline of wanting to stay fit and healthy. This gym has great coaching and a great atmosphere and it has helped me to become the best version of myself.

Great gym with great coaching staff. This is a competition level gym with coaches that treat the…read morestudents as family. There are alwas people preparing for fights, but every student get the same level of training. The coaches will not let you train with bad technique; this applies to all ages. From child to adult, they make sure to drill with technique and energy.

Guy was kind of rude. Ignored us for awhile and was kind of passive aggressive. We decided not to…read moreenroll our child.

The studio is so fun for kids aged 4-12 and then for adults for jiu-jitsu! The offered days (M,W,F,…read moreSat) options for attending are great for flexible scheduling and the coaches are amazing. There are several coaches per class so even big classes get attention. Highly recommend if your kids (or adults) are looking to try out Jiu-Jitsu in Alameda!

Awesome business, fantastic instruction…read more Safe environment for kids. I've been searching for a place for my two younger kids (7, 3) to go to in the area, this was convenient, good parking, great instructors who cared about the wellbeing of the kids! Also, I'm an old fart and signed up too and it is worth its weight in GOLD! Thank you Island Jiu Jitsu!

This gym is the best gym I have ever been to in my life so far! I was a complete noob and beginner…read moreto combat sports, specifically Muay Thai, and was shy at first trying to get myself just to walk through the door and ask a question! When I finally did, I was greeted with one of the most welcoming and friendly gym environments! Alex and Kyle have been very kind and helpful with answering my questions since the first day I walked in. The intro class was great and I didn't feel embarrassed at all for being a complete beginner- they teach the basics, have gear to borrow, and make the whole process trying it out very smooth and chill. Since then I have been going to the Muay Thai classes as much as I can. PRS has some of the best coaches, who are legends- so you absolutely get the bang for your buck! Coach Rob and Coach Six have been great coaches, and patient with me as a beginner. I asked for any and all tips, advice, and coaching during class and if they ever see me practicing outside of class, and they've helped me out a ton! I am very bad at hand eye coordination, but with patience and practice I get better every day. Coach Michael and Coach Shallon have been extremely helpful with learning sparring techniques on Wednesdays and more about the gym as well! All the coaches for Muay Thai are great and friendly! I recently been getting into some of the Boxing and jujitsu classes as well and had the same experience- passionate, motivating, and great coaches. Coach Mark teaches the Boxing class and has awesome boxing and strength and conditioning workouts, its very motivating and make me determined to get better. Coach Alex teaches Jujitsu, and has taught me a lot about the sport- its very technical, but he is a patient and motivating coach as well, and has given me great advice and made the sport more digestible to understand as a beginner! As I get more fit, Im hoping to add in more of these classes as well:)! Not only do the coaches help me improve as an athlete, but many of the fellow athletes are kind and welcoming to beginners as well- I usually ask for any tips or comment on my tech and get good helpful feedback. They have gloves, pads, shin guards and head gear available to borrow and use, and keep all their equipment sanitized and clean- including the training floor after each class. There are plenty of bags to train on, including some by the mirrors to watch your tech. They got everything you need in a gym, including an erg, assault bike, plenty of stationary bikes, and treadmills, dumbbells, kettle bells, benches, plates and bars, jump ropes, medicine balls, and rollers for recovery. Theres plenty of space to store your things and its safe to as well, as the locker area is in the back of the gym. They have clean mens and womens bathrooms and shower for after training. They got a really awesome ring and punching bags- basically combat sport heaven is PRS. The gym community is very friendly, welcoming, diverse, and accepting of all backgrounds. Ive met so many great friends so far :)! As a LGBTQ+ individual and woman, I feel safe and accepted at this gym :) 10/10 sanitation/cleanness 10/10 equipment 10/10 Coaching and trainers 10/10 environment, safety, and community 10/10 classes

Coach Markshawn is the best. His classes are fun, professional, and a great experience.read more

Iv been going to armada almost 5 months now. Its the best place to be if your serious about your…read moretraining or if your just want to workout and leave some tricks along the way. The camaraderie is excellent and welcoming in this gym. The coaches and staff are excellent in making it a welcoming environment. Iv read the resumes of all the coaches and coaches without a doubt with all the knowledge and willpower shows by these excellent examples of what a true professional worrier can be.

Amazing classes very welcoming environment if it is your first time training into any type of mixed…read moremartial arts and very good at communication on memberships prices definitely recommend

One of the greatest boxing gyms in the greater Bay Area. Old school boxing, with old-school boxing…read morerules. A true boxers, paradise.

Old-school boxing gym…read more I read about this place in the 3/23/25 SF Chronicle newspaper and went to buy a t-shirt for a friend who is a long-time boxing aficionado. Located in a short cul de sac next to the frontage road just east of highway 880. Parking was haphazard. Was greeted by Celeste King, who owns and operates the gym now. Inside it's like a scene out of a boxing movie, old school and serious business. There's an elevated ring where two boxers were sparring, guys skipping rope, hitting the heavy & speed bags. Hundreds of posters and photos adorn the walls and ceilings, including ones that proclaim this the home of Andre Ward! I bought a t-shirt with their logo for a very reasonable $20. When my buddy visits me again I'll bring him here, he'll luv it no doubt.

People of color: please be careful. Absolutely horrible experience with some of the staff. Staff…read moremember lied about a conversation we had to get me removed. I asked him for his help with billing at the front desk, he was extremely rude to me, when I called him out on it...he made up a lie that -" I slammed my hand on the table and caused a scene"...and then I just walked away after the scene and just went and did a class.....in a room with 40 people ... no one else saw this. The people they have running this place .... Genuinely sad...they will lie on people of color blatantly.

I've been going to Woodenman for about 4 months now and it's been a great experience. I started…read morewith zero Muay Thai experience/taking the intro classes and have worked my way up to being comfortable in the group classes. All the coaches are welcoming, patient and knowledgeable, and it's always such a killer workout as well. Another plus is that the gym is always clean and tidy whereas some other martial arts gyms I've been to have been noticeably more grungy. Everyone I've met at the gym have also been very friendly so the community aspect is really great too.

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!

Hands down the best Muay Thai gym I've been to. Very clean, technique-centric gym with a welcoming…read moreculture. Great spot to compete out of if you're into that (Muay Khao style clinch-heavy gym), but if you're on the more hobbyist, fitness-focused end of the spectrum, Coach Jay runs his program to expertly accommodate that as well. He'll get you absolutely shredding looking as long as you consistently show up. Can't emphasize enough how clean this spot is, both hygenically and instructionally. Just take a one-day trail, walk into the restroom, and you'll be in awe at how clean it is. Then step onto the mat and learn from some very chill people how to defend yourself. Vibes are immaculate. Safe for LGBT folks and class sizes are just right. Shout out Coach Jay, one real dude.

I've trained at quite a few Muay Thai gyms over the years. Like a lot of people who move around,…read moreI've bounced from city to city and tried different spots. Most of them were solid. Good people, good workouts. But Jay's Training Grounds was the first place where things actually clicked for me. What stood out immediately was the way Coach Jay teaches. Instead of just drilling combinations, he breaks down the fundamentals and the reason behind every movement. Footwork, balance, timing, defense, how punches connect with kicks, when to check, when to counter. You start to understand the system instead of just memorizing techniques. That made a huge difference in how fast I improved. The atmosphere is also very genuine. No ego, no intimidation. Just people who want to train hard and get better. Beginners get clear guidance, and more experienced fighters still get technical details that sharpen their game. It feels like an authentic Muay Thai training environment, not a cardio kickboxing class. If you're in the Bay Area and looking for a place to train seriously while still feeling welcome, Jay's Training Grounds is worth checking out. Drop in for a class, talk to the coaches, and see it for yourself. You'll know pretty quickly why so many people stick around.

Fantastic gym that works for both serious and casual people. Important for me, I found the gym to…read morebe a very friendly and welcoming environment - the owner, the coaches, and the other gym members. I came to the gym casually but have had so much fun in the classes that I can't help but get more into it. The gym is traditional and full of expertise so there is a lot of room for growth. Whether you are an absolute beginner just looking to get in shape, or a serious fighter looking to learn the best Muay Thai you can...this is the gym you should try.

I have reviewed this gym before - but I wanted to add a testimony - after one month of Muay Thai -…read moreI'm usually in 4-5 times a week - I am completely off two blood pressure pills! Woo hoo!