Bay Jiu-Jitsu

“Bay Jiu Jitsu is, by far, the best jiu jitsu gym I’ve ever trained at. I learned more in the nine months 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 also 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 uniform 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.”

“An excellent place to go if you have never taken a bjj class and want to start(Since I’m new that’s what I’m reviewing). The beginner classes are very educational, thought out and engaging. I felt welcomed immediately. I’ve had classes with Reilly, Stephen, and Cassidee and they were all fantastic. They all have unique styles but all with the same outcome to help you learn.”

“Great for learning jiu-jitsu. I go here a lot and it has really helped me. I have learned some self-defense along with getting great exercise. The staff and other students are very kind, and we have built are great community. I love the vibe and I always look forward to my next time being here. The times are convenient and I would definitely recommend. There is also a kids camp during the summer that is a lot of fun too. There are kid and adult classes, and it is a good place with great people. Thank you coach team!”

“Fantastic kids program. Teachers are very patient but also have appropriate level of discipline to keep the kids focused. My daughter got her yellow belt here before the pandemic hit. The program focuses on basic things like lining up in belt order (amazing at what this does to help kids listen at school), then staying in order during the warmup, and finally learning the moves with partners respectfully. Huge thank you to the instructors for putting such a great program together.”

“A great energy, nice location, knowledgeable teachers. I took a beginner class it was fun and interesting. Thanks!”