My son, Jacob, absolutely loves attending classes here and looks forward to every class. He attends five times a week, and his enthusiasm has only continued to grow. It has been amazing to watch his confidence, discipline, respect, and martial arts skills develop through the guidance and encouragement of the instructors. The instructors are exceptional. They are knowledgeable, patient, supportive, and genuinely invested in each student's success. They create a positive and motivating environment where every child feels welcomed, challenged, and encouraged to do their best. The classes are structured, engaging, and fun, allowing the students to learn important martial arts techniques while also building confidence, focus, perseverance, and respect. The facility is always clean, organized, and well-maintained, making it a comfortable place for both students and families. Every member of the staff is friendly, professional, and always willing to answer questions or help in any way they can. Their dedication to providing a positive experience is evident from the moment you walk through the doors. As a parent, I truly appreciate the professionalism, kindness, and commitment shown by the entire team. They have created an environment where children not only learn martial arts but also valuable life skills that extend beyond the dojo. We are incredibly grateful to be part of this community and highly recommend this martial arts school to any family looking for a supportive, respectful, and high-quality program for their child read more

I am writing this review to warn other parents about a serious safety incident we experienced with Barrios Martial Arts & Fitness Summer Camp. We enrolled our 4-year-old daughter in their week-long summer camp. On her first day, she was left behind at a playground in San Francisco during a camp outing. She was found by another adult, and thankfully, my daughter had memorized my cell phone number. That adult was able to contact me and let me know that my daughter had been left behind by the Barrios Martial Arts summer program. When I later spoke with a Barrios staff member, she apologized for my daughter being left behind. I asked how they account for children during outings, and she told me they do a headcount before leaving the park, but do not do a headcount when returning to the facility. I picked my daughter up and told them she would not be returning. When I later spoke with other parents, they told me that they don't have all the kids wear camp shirts, vests, or other visible identifiers during outings to show that they are part of the Barrios camp. I was also told that at the end of the day, the camp takes children back to the park to release them to parents, but does not ask for ID, even on the first day of camp. I am sharing this because parents deserve to know before trusting a camp with their young children. My daughter was 4 years old and was left behind at a public park. In my opinion, this raises serious concerns about their supervision, field trip procedures, headcounts, and overall child safety protocols. read more

Would like to keep this a secret but will share- we're excited as we just enrolled our child who had previous martial arts experience. Master B took his time to provide an evaluation and encouraged an invite to a class. We immediately proceeded to with enrollment after seeing her joyful attitude while in the class. It wasn't too rigid and was age appropriate which is helpful! The studio is also clean, modern! Love the uplifting quotes all along the wall. Looks like they have a large following of community members. Staff have been friendly too! read more

Love Barrios Martial Arts. The owner, the staff, their programs are so well done. Perfect for kid's with ADHD.

Great parking. Instructors are very good at answering your questions. My jiu jitsu game has definitely improved in the short 3-4 months of being here. You'll find a good mix of chill to competitive rolls. read more

My 4-year-old son loves his Hapkido class with Mr. Allen! He's kind, patient, and knows exactly how to keep the kids engaged while teaching focus, respect, and confidence. Luke has grown so much since starting. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great intro to martial arts! read more

Mr. Allen is a great instructor: firm yet kind. My child loves attending his class and is also learning personal space and to listen and respond in kind. read more

Absolutely love this place! Staff are friendly and welcoming. I've mainly taken the kickboxing classes with Allan and he's is amazing! I was a bit intimidated going to my first class not knowing what to expect but he made sure to spend the time to get the fundamentals in place. Every class has been a little different which helps keep it interesting and I leave every class feeling accomplished. Highly recommend. read more

This review is for the fitness class side of the studio. I attended a barefoot HIIT class through class pass and absolutely loved it! First off, I appreciate the plentiful parking right outside the studio (huge plus in SF) and as you walk in, you find yourself in a bright, spacious and CLEAN space! I had the chance to meet the owner who was so warm and welcoming, which put my anxieties at ease. The HIIT class itself is done barefoot and I don't think I've done a similar class this way. It does feel more comfortable as I am more grounded and engaged with my feet. 55 minutes of intense workout feels short and quick at the same time! I definitely worked every part of my body and I felt amazing afterwards. I'll definitely come back and possibly even try out the martial arts classes in the future! read more

I've been coming to BMA regularly for six months and have had nothing but positive experiences every time. Highly recommend Coach Victor's Muay Thai and Coach Allan's kickboxing fitness classes for any skill levels. read more

Our son started at Barrios Martial Arts when he was 3 years old, and now at a robust 4.5 years old, he's got some incredible control over his body and mind. Even his preschool teacher asked me, "Does N do martial arts? I can tell by the way he handles his body!" Mr. Allen in particular deserves a big shout out as N's favorite instructor. He connects with him in a way that engages, but also instills a sense of discipline and respect for what they're learning in class. Whether it's a class of several kids or just our son, Mr. Allen gives all his focus and attention to helping the kids learn and enjoy hapkido. I should say that my wife also goes to Barrios for workouts, and I've enjoyed making new friends while waiting outside, so it's all in all a fantastic community. read more

Our 6 year-old son started Jujitsu last year and has been loving it since! Coach Allen is just a phenomenal instructor and role model for the kids--he exhibits incredible patience and compassion but also firmness and professionalism at the same time. Our son A has learned so much beyond jujitsu/self defense skills, including how to manage his emotions and collaborate with others in practice. Highly recommend!! read more

My 6 year old loves Barrios! It's such a joy to see him learn the Hapkido Creed, develop his respect for adults and maturity for learning, and meet his own goals of successfully earning sequential belts. Mr Allen is particularly wonderful. He helps the kids be the best they can be, takes an interest in each one of them, and is simply a great influence. He often takes the opportunity to impart life lessons to the kids, alongside Hapkido technique. For example, how to show your appreciation for others, how to protect yourself from harm, how to respectfully interact with others. We hope our kids will train w Mr Allen for many years! Shoutout also to Mr B and Clare - they've created a wonderful community of families. It was special to see Mr B demonstrate his black belt skills and show the kids how to continuously strive for more skills. read more

I have been taking adult Hapkido at BMA for over a year now and absolutely love it. It's given me a sense of community and I look forward to our weekly classes (3x per week). It's a great workout and they actually incorporate some other forms of martial arts which keeps it interesting (e.g., jiu-jitsu, judo). They also help you apply it to the real world for self-defense purposes should you ever need it. You can pay just a bit more than the monthly hapkido fee and have free access to all the adult classes you like (e.g., Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, Muay Thai, etc.). I don't have time for that right now but most adults do this and love it. What I like most about BMA is its culture. This is a SAFE space for LGBTQIA+ kids. Of course, that includes adults but I want to mention the kids here because that is what stands out and what I think is most representative of what Master Barrios and the other instructors have done with this studio. The values of dignity, respect, and celebration of self are evident in the way that BMA instructors talk to the kids in the class that takes place right before mine. It really is the small things - pronouns are discussed and honored; if one of the boys is wearing cool nail polish, the instructor compliments it just like he compliments the polish on the girl next to him. Self-control, emotional intelligence, and mental health are themes regularly discussed with the kids, woven in seamlessly to an activity seemingly about sparring. It seems silly but in a martial arts environment, these comments and interactions are refreshing. Things like this are happening throughout an entire class and accumulate to create a true sense of belonging and safety for these kids. Everyone can be themselves. There is no toxic masculinity here. It's not like that's a thing the instructors are stating explicitly to all of us- they are demonstrating it in every single behavior they engage in, across the board. I grew up doing martial arts in several studios and, as I became a young adult, l became more and more uncomfortable with the culture and, to be honest, some of the creepiness that my previous instructors displayed toward women in class. I stopped for 15 years because of this. It is such a relief and a joy to have a place like BMA. For everyone but especially for kids and women. read more

Barrios has been the best thing that happened to our son in the city. He started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu around age 5. The coaches are strict but very caring. They focus heavily on safety and learning but also provide a structured environment where kids can give their absolute maximum and still be safe. Our son struggles with discipline and following directions in school and at home but absolutely THRIVES at Barrios. If your child isn't behaving at home they'll work with you, either speaking with them directly or taking away a privilege like a stripe in class. Their camps are also awesome. Our son attends them when school is out and has a fantastic time. The environment is great for parents too. Professor Barrios provides wifi, seating and tables so you can watch the students learn but also be online for work if needed. read more

My family moved to the neighborhood in the middle of the pandemic, just before schools opened back up. We wanted to slowly bring activities back into our lives. There were so many things closed and being a very cautious family, we were pleasantly surprised when we found Barrios Martial Arts. They had it all, a very clean space, lots of hand sanitizers, temperature checks, face mask requirements and optional virtual classes. To top it off they had friendly and welcoming staff, so we signed our daughter up for a free trial class. Fast forward... My daughter is now a green belt, and is always excited to go to her next Hapkido class. The BMA Instructors are not just great at teaching but also show that they really care about their students. I would, and have recommended BMA to anyone that wants to find a great martial arts studio to take their kids. We couldn't be happier with Barrios Martial Arts. read more

Carlos, Allan and the Barrios instructors are professionals and amazing with the kids. We were referred to them by other families at our school but had to wait till our son was 3 to bring both kids. Wish we would've just enrolled our daughter sooner instead of waiting for lil guy to be 3. Since SIP started Barrios Martial Arts immediately implemented the zoom lessons. There was not a missed step at all. They were very organized and made the transition seamless. Our kids learned to be more respectful and confident since attending BMA! read more

Barrios Martial Arts - Kids waiting for instructor to do temp checks and covid safety procedures. - Kickboxing Near Me - San Francisco, California

I wish I could give Barrios Martial Arts a 6 star rating. Across the board, it's a fantastic studio. Key reasons: - Excellent training for kids (our boys are seven) with positive, engaging, and energetic coaching. They often have multiple instructors (2-3) to ensure everyone gets attention. - COVID safety: This was REALLY important to us given our boys cannot be vaccinated yet. High focus on ventilation. Open doors throughout the class, purifiers, infrared light, fans. No adults aside inside aside from students in class. Masks required (for kids). All coaches vaccinated. Temperature taken for all at door. Hand sanitizer part of entering / existing studio. I'm sure I've missed a few things. Literally, the strongest protocols I've seen. I've researched a lot of jiu jitsu studios in SF and exceeds anything you're going to find in terms of COVID safety (see my other reviews BTW). - 2 spacious, clean and professional studios. - The owner Mr Barrios is also a business person and proud of his business. Shows how he describes and runs his business. Scheduling and text notifications for updates. read more

Barrios Martial Arts - Only students allowed inside. We watch from outside. - Kickboxing Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My two sons and I have been students of Barrios Marital Arts for over 6 years now. I started both of my boys at age 6 and attended classes alongside them as a chance to do some father and son bonding over martial arts. It has been impressive watching Mr. B and Mr. Allan build this studio into what it is today. In addition to learning self defense, I also really appreciate the life teachings that the instructors emphasize with the classes. I have seen my kids develop physical skills as well as mental fortitude. I have also enjoyed learning self defense techniques myself through the adult class. It is an excellent opportunity to get some exercise in the evening. COVID has been challenging but there have been opportunities to continue learning both in person and online through Zoom. I would recommend BMA as a great place for kids to learn self defense as well as families looking to do an activity together. read more

Mr. B and Mr. Allan are incredible instructors. They are attentive, committed and present with young kids in a way that stands out.

TL;DR: One of the best martial arts schools I've ever attended (which is a lot). Mr Barrios is super knowledgeable, and a great teacher. Very strong focus on having the basics down which slowly build up towards more complex drills. Highly, highly recommend. Long version: Some of the other MA schools I've been to were either super commercialized (pay the fee, get the belt) or meathead gyms (god forbid you're not an experienced practitioner and happen to inconvenience *gasp* high belts with your lack of knowledge). They'd let you roll with other white belts with barely any concern for yours/their safety. That hasn't been the case here. Mr Barrios makes it very clear that first you need to learn how to move your body, and that getting the belt takes years. The whole approach is very practical, and techniques build on one another. I genuinely wish I had tried this school sooner. Really, really awesome! read more

I've been taking kickboxing classes at Barrios for about 6 months now and absolutely love it! All of the coaches are knowledgeable and helpful and the facilities are always clean. Highly recommend :) read more

I've been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Carlos for 2.5 years with maybe half a year off in-between. After this time, I finally have to part ways because I've moved to the East Bay. I've made it as far as a 4-stripe white belt and have gained a ton of passion for the sport. He's a good coach and has awesome staff (Earl, Ryan, Alex, and Allan). I think one thing that stands out, in particular, is Carlos is a really honest guy. As far as billing was ever concerned, he was always incredibly generous and fair. I'll be sad to go, but I highly recommend anybody in the neighborhood to visit the school and learn whatever martial art peaks your interest. read more

My twin boys started lessons this summer and it's been a lifesaver. Mr B and Mr Allen are great with the kids, inspire them to be more disciplined while having fun. The flexibility with in-person and online classes , and the precautions taken to safely open have provided peace of mind, plus an outlet for the boys to expend their energy. I highly recommend Barrios to anyone! read more

Mr. B and Mr. Allen have been incredible influences on all three of our children (2 girls and one boy) who've been attending Barrios for over 5 years. During COVID, the online classes have really helped to ground our children with a positive mental and physical activity. There's also the option to have onsite classes for the kids which are run very safely (6 ft distance, no contact, open air circulation, etc.). We've been recommending Barrios to all of our friends for years. read more

Mr B who runs Barrios Martial Arts is a true teacher. And by that I mean despite many years of being over educated, I've encountered maybe 5 or 6 who seem to be placed on earth to teach. I count Mr B among them. He's very sweet but firm when he needs to be, in control, and generally an excellent communicator. His other instructors, such as Mr Allen, have the same care and tenderness in their involvement. They're there to make you do the best you can. What really sets apart this school is the psychological safety it provides. It's a really amazing community -- the people who go here are so supportive and collaborative. No one is an asshole, which can be common in other martial arts settings. No one is trying for UFC -- this is a very family oriented place. Lots of parents with their kids, mixed with others of all ages. Which makes it perfect for those of us with different health backgrounds and fitness goals. For that reason alone I can't imagine going anywhere else! read more

Our son at five years old experienced perhaps for the first-time, real bullying at his school. We wanted to get his self-esteem grounded before his perception of the name-calling and teasing would take a hold of his perception of himself. We began looking for programs outside of his school in order for him to learn new skills and meet new friends to expand his horizons. Mr. B and Teacher Allen are amazing. We've only been here a few weeks and their approach to teaching a technical skill such as a martial art is combined with a sense of awareness for emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem building for children. They are real teachers in the sense that they posses knowledge and teach skills, and at the same time help develop humans to be the best version of themselves. A+++ read more

Barrios Martial Arts provides a friendly and safe environment for learning. I've been training through the adult Hapkido program for maybe a little over two years now and I look forward to it every week. I've learned a lot from both Mr. Barrios and Mr. Allen who are dedicated, patient, warm and accommodating instructors. Classes are focused and structured and they will push you to put in your best effort without attitude. The fellow students are likewise friendly and supportive as we learn from each other as well. I highly recommend this studio to anyone who has been thinking about picking up martial arts. It'll provide a great disciplined pathway to both mental and physical fitness. Both onsite and virtual classes are available. read more

Great teachers with a professional environment. Mr Barrios is the best! I started with private lessons, then slowly started taking group classes. I am now taking 3 different classes (6 times a week) with a single subscriptions read more

I have been a BJJ student at BMA for more than a year, transferring from another local academy. The adult BJJ team is like a family which made me feel very comfortable starting at a new gym with only a few months of experience, and as a female grappler. A great co-ed atmosphere and clean facility that keeps us all safe by taking COVID precautions seriously read more

The best in the city. Family friendly and professional. All coaches are very accommodating. No drama pure academy for martial arts. Affordable monthly dues. read more

My son was a student of Mr. Barrios from age 3-7. These guys are phenomenal with kids. They really know how to keep them engaged, build their confidence, and most important of all for this age - have fun. We moved out of the city but are so grateful to have been a part of the community of great teachers like Mr. Allen and Mr. Austin! read more

Dropped in for an early morning class. The academy is very clean. The professor, Carlos Barrios, was very welcoming, professional, and is an exceptional instructor. I was impressed with his teaching style and his desire to bring out the best in each of his students. I highly recommend Barrios Martial Arts for Jiu Jitsu, self defense, and physical conditioning. read more

I couldn't be happier with this place for my youngest son (3). Mr. B and Mr. Allen are talented with kids - simultaneously demonstrating love and clearly defined boundaries. This is a school for learning to listen, respect, and control oneself physically and emotionally - while also clearly filled with love. read more

Barrios Martial Arts - Kickboxing Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place is awesome! Mr. B and Mr. Allen are great teachers. My son just loves coming here. My son was initially hesitant to learn a martial art. But I thought it would be a good way to keep him physically active as all of his other activities had stopped due to the pandemic. It has now become one of his favorite activities. Mr. Barrios and Mr. Allen really have a gift in working with each child. From shy ones to the energetic ones, they find a way to connect to each individual child. They also have done an excellent job in following the public health guidelines and keeping the studio immaculate and clean during this pandemic. The also offer zoom classes as well. I just wish I found out about this place sooner. Highly recommended! read more

Besides martial arts, my son and daughter have learned about inclusion, diversity, leadership, discipline and a host of other life lessons. The Master student dynamic mixed with a peer to peer component creates a learning environment that works great for all skill levels. If you are looking for a safe nurturing space for a child or young adult look no further. read more

Clean mats, friendly instructors. Great environment for learning a new martial art whether you're experienced or a beginner. I've been training in jiu jitsu for 3 years and like the environment. You'll have the ability to get exposure to higher belts/more advanced classes as you progress. Highly recommend. read more

Mr. B and Mr. Allan are excellent! They truly care for the kids and I love how they instill good values while of course teaching them martial arts. They've gone above and beyond during these COVID times to be accessible virtually and in person. It's been quite helpful to maintain consistency and provides a positive outlet for my son. read more

I was looking around for a martial arts program for my son and saw that Barrios Martial Arts received great feedback from yelp users. I left a message and Mr. Barrios called me back promptly and we talked a little bit about his philosophy and background and he had an enthusiastic attitude that indicated his passion for teaching. We decided it would be good for my son to observe a class for jiu-jitsu for younger kids so we attended a class and I felt an immediate sense of welcome from Mr. B and the other instructors. One of the other instructors, Mr. Allan, greeted my son by name and invited him to join the class whenever he felt ready. My son was hesitant but Mr. Allan didn't pressure him and allowed him to make up his own mind when he was ready. After a few minutes my son went to the mat on his own accord and participated in the class. We just signed my son up for the kids jiu-jitsu classes and he's really excited wearing his gi and seeing other kids get stripes on their belt as they progress in their skills. We really like that the school promotes respect and discipline and are still great with kids. The instructors are all very encouraging and enjoy what they do. read more

This is a terrific place for kids and adults to learn Martial Arts. My sons and I take Hapkido classes and all instructors are terrific. For children, they teach excellent discipline which translates over to other areas. For adults, they teach the fundamentals in addition to self defense basics for anyone. Within one week of COVID shutdowns, this studio had online classes going. During COVID, they have held classes in the park and then transitioned to indoor classes when city requirements allowed for it. They have gone above and beyond during COVID to keep all students engaged online and in person. We look forward to years more of instruction. read more