Wow where do I begin?! First off the gym has huge mat space and is clean. Secondly the students are…read moreall safe training partners which is important. The instructor Manny and his staff were amazing and welcoming, he even went out of his way to help me with technique and I wasn't a paying member (I came to roll with some family members that are local). Amazing gym, and even better coaching. I am excited to come back in the near future.

Weird dynamic at this gym. very clique based gym, you'll be treated as a number if you're not…read morepaying extra for special treatment. The stripes and promotions are not skill based but done on a whim or if you've gotten on the intructors good side and used as a manipulation tool. Really egocentric gym.

I've been a member here for a few years now. The clientele is a broad mix of people at all…read moredifferent levels of fitness and with different goals. Despite the name of the place, you shouldn't think of it as only an MMA gym. They cater to a wide variety of people and I LOVE that. It's clear that the owner, Nick cares about his gym. The facility is spacious, and super clean! All of the classes they offer challenge you until the end and they're various types of classes so you will definitely never get bored! I've gone to a number of gyms over the years and tried personal training a few times. The owner, Nick is extremely knowledgable, and he's the first trainer I've worked with who actually keeps my goals and my fitness level in mind on an ongoing basis. I have been working of mental and physical goals and Nick has helped me achieve a lot of those. If you want a gym that you can feel comfortable in and feel like home -- look no further!

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.

Ralph Gracie Berkeley changed my life. Eduardo Fraga has an incredible depth of knowledge and has…read morealways pushed me to continue training even through some dark times in my life. This place has become family and I'm so grateful that I walked through those doors.

I had an absolute pleasure studying judo here with Sensei Barry and Sensei Newton. They are very…read morenice and knowledgeable.

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!

Gracie Joy Jitsu in Alameda has been a game-changer! The kids' Bully Proof program is absolutely…read morephenomenal. Coach Chelsea, Coach Mark, and Coach Travis create such a safe, positive, and fun environment where kids not only learn self-defense but also build confidence, discipline, and respect. They teach practical skills in a way that's engaging and empowering for kids, helping them know how to handle tough situations without ever promoting aggression. You can tell each coach genuinely cares about the kids--they're patient, encouraging, and great at connecting with every student. If you're looking for a program in Alameda that helps kids stand tall, stay safe, and believe in themselves, Gracie Joy Jitsu's Bully Proof class is the perfect choice!

While in from out of town for work, I was warmly welcomed to join a Combatives class. Chelsea Burgo…read morelead the class with deep technical and teaching skills. Fellow students were good training partners and all about improving each other as a community. Highly recommended!

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.

My son just turned 8 and joined Hercules BJJ. He loved his first week and hasn't looked back since…read more He's been in a few tournaments within a short period of time and has learned invaluable lessons preparing and competing. Coach Sean and Coach Gabe have done an excellent job in teaching him the art of BJJ. My son says he will ALWAYS practice and looks forward to it on a daily basis. Sean has a strong work ethic and is very technical. He is an awesome teacher and a great leader for these kids. He lives by example. Also, my husband who just turned 40 has joined as well and competed successfully. My youngest son can't wait to join when he's of age. Thank you HBJJ!

I can only say nice things about this place. We've been to a few kids' martial arts school around &…read moreI usually force my kids to go to their class. I was surprised, the kids willingly wanted to go to Coach Sean's class. They made good friends with the kids there, I've witnessed great progress with their BJJ techniques, I've seen their head coach's support for his team. The kids and adults compete on tournaments (if you are into competing) and they train you to win. I've tried their adults class too, and I am impressed how Coach Sean teach all the techniques and details. Definitely highly recommended! Their prices are reasonable too!

One World Jiu Jitsu Academy lives up to its name in its ability to unite practitioners of all…read morelevels and empower them to learn and train in an amazingly welcoming gym led by respectable, experienced coaches. Headed by Mike Prudencio, One World Jiu Jitsu Academy had its humble beginnings and has grown significantly through the years and within that span has been home to quite a few experienced BJJ practitioners. Mike and his team do a fine job in cultivating a strong community through respect for each other and the gym - the annual friend and family social events always have a good showing! Whether you've had some experience in the sport and are looking for a new gym with great people to train, a completely newcomer to anything related martial arts, or perhaps a parent looking for an extracurricular for your child, One World will open their arms to you with something to offer. Although One World was not our first introduction to Brazilian jiu jitsu while we researched for gyms, it ranked highest on our list due to the location, flexibility of the scheduling, training space, and coaching staff. Just a couple blocks away from the highway and being quite central in Newark, the gym is easily accessible. There's plenty of parking since most of the other establishments here aren't well frequented or mainly warehouses/non-customer facing offices. Adult classes are offered multiple times a day (early morning at around 630, mid morning at 11, and evening at 6) almost everyday of the week. The kids classes are also offered multiple days of the week (weekday evenings around 5 and Saturday mornings around 10). There may be different days/times for gi and no gi but they have a convenient online calendar that is kept up to date. Each session typically consists of warmups, drills, techniques, and open rounds of rolling. They also have two mat areas. The main mat area is huge and can accommodate large classes (sometimes the kids classes can get upwards of 30-40) with still ample amount of space for training and drilling. The secondary mat area is primarily used for no gi training when the main mat area is being used for instruction. And finally the coaching staff consists of some really experienced instructors in addition to Coach Mike. Their attention to detail and ability to motivate the athletes adds tremendous value to each visit. In addition, the instructors for the kids classes are so patient while firm to enable each kid to grow and advance at their own pace. For those looking to advance their game, Mike and his team of coaches will enable you to hone the fundamentals in addition to expanding your toolkit of techniques. The group of folks coming to this gym check their ego at the door and are all very willing to share and learn from each other. There are quite a few competitors who will certainly push your limits and help you get to the next level. If you're a newbie, welcome to the club! We all started one way or another but what's important is that you start and keep coming back. Time on the mat will level up your game and with some patience and dedication, you'll continue to build confidence, get fit, and develop practical skills for self defense and competitions. And as a parent, you'll feel right at home with fellow parents who have also sought out an activity for their children to participate in to gain intangible skills (confidence, self discipline, conflict resolution, social belonging, mentorship to name a few) while learning some practical techniques for self defense. They start children as young as 7 years of age but it may also depend on their maturity. I personally came in with no formal martial arts experience and have to say, it was one of the best decisions. As a father, finding a new hobby to enjoy on my own as well as with my children and redefining myself as the kiddos grow up has made this journey a very rewarding experience. The community has been great to foster that personal growth and it's been fun to bring the new generation into the sport. Overall, One World Jiu Jitsu Academy is by far one of the greatest places for an in-depth introduction and continued education of Brazilian jiu jitsu. If you're interested, consider coming in for a trial class and see for yourself if the gym and sport is right for you!

One World Jiu Jitsu is an amazing gym perfect for people who are new or trained. Everyone is super…read morewelcoming and everyone is super nice and always helpful when needed. Coach Mike is also a very good coach and always teaches us new things. If you want to do or train jiu jitsu One world is a perfect place to start and train jiu jitsu!