Such a great experience as a new white belt going to class! It can be scary being so new - I've tried 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! read more

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 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. read more

Judo, Wrestling, Sambo. You get to learn all of these in the "jiu jitsu" classes. I'm emphasizing those 3 words for the benefit of people who use Yelp to search for a place to train these things; otherwise they would assume these are typical bread-and-butter BJJ classes with zero emphasis on stand-up work. In addition to teaching the regular BJJ stuff, these instructors also teach takedowns and takedown defense, and (most importantly) allow/encourage sparring from standing up. This is a haven for anyone who wants to polish those skills, especially these days when many gyms are either closed or not fully open yet. p.s. Oddly this review was sitting in my drafts folder for about a year. I'm finally publishing it now. By the way, I'm not sure whether the situation is the same as it was in 2021 but their space was on the small side -- still big enough for training but very poor ventilation and became a sort of steam room, which could be a con if you care about that. The training is spot on so I didn't care much. The only reason I left is I found a legit MMA gym within driving distance. Edit: I want to give one more shout out. One of the instructors taught us how to do the ankle lock in his own variation. It was different from how most people teach it, the most important detail being to squeeze every part of your body to make the entire thing tight rather than just focusing on the traditional leverage point. I had trained for several years and never gotten an ankle lock submission but after remembering these details I have actually tapped people out with the ankle lock a few times. Game changer. read more

Our son has been going to Bay Jiu Jitsu for 8 years. Not only has JJ been amazing for my son's self esteem and physical fitness but unfortunately he inherited my "athleticism" and "grace". I shudder to think where he would be without regularly attending JJ. The coaches are awesome- not just in coaching jiu Jitsu and other martial arts, and instilling sportsmanship and camaraderie, but also good life coaches. All the kids love and respect their coaches. This is a really special place that we are lucky to be a part of. read more

The best martial arts experience for kids (and adults) I've heard of. Not only are they seriously good at what they do, they are good with people. There are few serious martial arts places who are actually welcoming to women and while firm and with high expectations, they also aren't overly harsh with kids (so my sensitive kid thrived). And it's so physically intense your kid (or you!) will be calmer, less stressed out and sleep better than ever. Can't recommend enough! read more

Fantastic staff, wonderful teammates, overall great experience with a great group of people.

Stephan is an intelligent, thoughtful coach who understands how to teach at the level the student is at. Safety and cleanliness at the dojo are strongly emphasized. He and the instructors love to see students progress steadily and work hard to pair you up with others who will be challenging and at your level too. If you have kids, there's no better martial they can learn to take their body intelligence to the next level. If you're an adult, the benefits to your core strength will be unbelievable. I think the prices are reasonable and the instruction is outstanding. read more

This place is awesome & Stephen is an amazing instructor. I always leave feeling good & I love that it's both a physical and mental challenge. Stephen gets to know everyone's name and is super encouraging which makes it even more fun & like a community. Joining jiujitsu was the best part of 2022 thus far! This place also made it through Covid so if you're thinking of trying - definitely do & support them! read more

== Factors Breakdown == Attitude / Machismo: None. Totally friendly, humble, etc.. Quality of instruction: Legit. Is it just guys?: Nope. OK for beginners?: Definitely. Are classes cramped?: Sort of. Cleanliness / Odor: It's a tidy place. Convenience: Nearby garage, street parking, 38 Geary MUNI. In one word: Intense. == Class Structure Breakdown == Pre-warmup: On-your-own stretching. Warmup: Brief stretches, jog, pushups x situps, elementary moves. Main activity: Instruction, drills, rolling / sparring. End: No conclusion. Just change, grab your stuff, and leave. Formalities: No bowing, no phrases or vocab to memorize. == Bottom Line == Limited space, but it's clean. A welcoming and learning atmosphere. == Details == A friend asked me to find out the class schedule. I walked in to see four people stretching, just hanging out. Nobody said anything, so I went over to the table trying to find a printed schedule. I was then approached and greeted by a man who started asking general smalltalk stuff but segued into offering for me to take a class. I thought he was going to say that I could watch, but I guess observation is hands-on around here. I walk by this place not infrequently, but it's just about always closed when I happen to be in Japantown. So I took this opportunity to finally see what this school is about, despite only having walked in in street clothes and with a fresh meal in my stomach. I got to borrow a gi which was somewhat comically fitted - the top was a bit oversized and the "pants" were nearly shorts. The ragtag outfit actually helped me feel more informal (read: comfortable) in this new environment. I joined the end of what seemed to be a line against the wall, and not long afterward other students introduced themselves to each other and to me. This is when I learned that some whom I assumed to be veterans of this place were there for their third or even first class, just like me. There was still a little downtime in which music was playing from what might've been an iPod. I don't know what you'd expect to hear in a place like this, but I was totally into the Hall & Oates, Peter Cetera (Karate Kid), 70s, and 80s jams floating in the air. When the music was turned off, class began. I honestly don't remember if anything was playing during class - I was just too absorbed with the physicalities. It turned out that the guy who suggested I jump into class was the instructor, Stephen. When he was talking to me initially, I first thought he might run the place, then his relaxed demeanor made me think he was one of the students. Approachability of staff is a big factor to me. The small handful of us plus the instructor jogged around the room for a few laps then did some laps of various technical footwork. From this point till nearly the end, students kept gradually flowing in to join class. We proceeded with pushup and situp type moves plus fundamental Jiu-Jitsu motions like how to fall, stand up, get up from kneeling, attempt to escape, etc.. The instruction was light at this point and more about watching and imitating movements. Following these preliminaries came the primary phase of the class, teaching us the moves for the day. I got the feeling that Stephen still taught toward the mixed levels of students present, even though the moves were referenced from a posted set of beginner's charts (which I could only squint at from across the room). During the practicing and rolling is where the mat space made its limitations evident. Often I'd see pairs nearly roll into each other, and I ran into the (cushioned) walls or just plain off the mat quite a few times. I didn't notice other pairs hitting the walls; then again, the only person I was really paying attention to was the one trying to choke me and / or snap off my arm. Apparently, you're free to simply get up and leave at any point during the open roll time. It wasn't different at the end of the instructed class either. I don't remember much of an announcement that our time had concluded; either way, people began collecting their belongings, changing, and departing. Rather than view these aspects as a lapse in organization, I'll chalk them up to the relatively informal, quite comfortable environment in this establishment. Will I go back? Yeah, just give me time first to heal away these random bruises and marks I woke up with the next day. read more

See all

As a beginner to BJJ, I couldn't be happier about my decision to join this gym. Great atmosphere with a good mix of people who are always happy to help! Stephan, the main instructor is awesome and they have a few locations in the Bay Area. Also, they offer muay Thai and boxing classes for those interested in mixing up their training w/ some striking action. If you're interested in trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, come and check out this gym! read more

Stephan and the rest of the team have done an amazing job opening for training again a few weeks ago. They use quarantine partners or pods to allow for safe training with blackbelt private instruction included in the monthly membership. Highly recommended if you're looking to get back on the mat! read more

During COVID they've been running live classes online for BJJ (adult & kids), MMA, AcroYoga, Kids PE, D&D, and most recently the super fun kids outdoor adventure camps--which have been a life saver for our entire family. After camp (this and previous summers) there has always been a visible positive change in my son's happiness, confidence and overall demeanor, & don't forget he's in much better shape too! Head Coach Stephan has created a great culture and community for adults, kids and families. He always places the bar high, but his teaching style is never heavy handed and he really understands kids and keeps it fun. Oh he's a legit black belt who still competes regularly too. Jiujitsu has really become part of my son's identity who has trained here since he was 5. It's here where he's been given many opportunities to learn some of life's hardest lessons and he says the bonds he's created with the kids he rolls with go deeper than his other friendships. So thankful for Bay Jiu-Jitsu! read more

GREAT KIDS CAMPS DURING COVID! SAFE! This place is a top notch gym for kids and adults during normal times, and during COVID, the kids' camps are a lifesaver for any parents looking to replace screen time with a safe, outdoor-focused fitness adventure. My kids have been training with Coach Stephan and his team for a few years. Thanks to Bay Jiu-Jitsu, they've developed the skills and confidence to compete with their peers and have fun doing it. Now that jiu-jitsu is on hold, they're staying in shape with obstacle courses, nerf games, mini spartan-races and exploring nature with some truly epic hikes. read more

This review is only for the Acroyoga class. I'm physically fit - I workout 4 times a week, and have for over a decade. I took the "beginner" acro-yoga course, but it was taught like an advanced course. The class had very little oversight - it was basically taught by the students and not the instructor. I have no doubt that the instructor was good at acroyoga, she was just not a good TEACHER. No care was taken to the safety of the students. I left the class with a hurting calf and a numb foot - which I just had diagnosed as a lower-back L5/S1 sciatica. I'm looking at a couple months of recovery, physical therapy and limited mobility. I can't and won't go back to this class ever again. Nor would I recommend it to anyone. read more

I currently train at Marcelo Garcia's in New York. Whenever I go to San Francisco for business trips, I always roll at Bay Jiu-Jitsu. From my experience training in New York, San Francisco and Hong Kong, I have to say that Stephan's instruction is some of the best that I have ever received. He is knowledgeable and clearly articulates his instructions. This is my go-to gym in San Francisco. read more

It's really a great gym, the second gym I have seriously trained at. Classes: Classes are pretty organized and structured, we go through the moves enough for muscle memory and to allow us to be comfortable when using them in sparring. Stand up practice is pretty frequent, and there are morning judo classes on Saturdays which really help with getting comfortable with takedowns. There's always open mats after the classes as well! Training hours are great, usually night time so after work and early on weekends so you still have the rest of your day to do other tasks. Instructors: Very knowledgable and will listen and watch you to be able to help you execute your technique correctly and offers great constructive criticism. Teammates: Very very supportive and most teammates show up to competitions and tournaments even when they're not competing just to support the team! There's a great family vibe here. Mats: I thought there wouldn't be that much room to spar but we make it work even with a ton of people showing up. Mats are cleaned often, if not everyday (I am a frequent yielded of the cleaning supplies). It's a great environment and one of the reasons why I'm choosing to stay in the city for the summer although school is out! read more

Great place, especially the instructors. The other families were nice and welcoming. We used a one month gift certificate that we bought at a fundraising auction. They did a really good job with my 12-year-old but he unfortunately he is too lazy to continue. I'm trying to get my 10-year-old to go now. read more

Bay Jiu Jitsu is more than just a jiu jitsu academy. They have judo, fitness, and yoga classes. You would think a tiny woman like me would have a hard time in a jiu jitsu class, but Bay Jiu Jitsu always has 3 or 4 women to roll with. Even the guys don't completely smash me, but I have to give Stephan, owner-instructor. credit for creating an environment of mutual respect. The facility has been completely remodeled. They have brand new mats, clean bathrooms, excellent lighting, and plenty of windows to keep the place cool during warm-ups. Plus, it's in the heart of Japantown, so it's easy to grab something to eat right after an evening workout. Onto the instructors. Stephan is an extremely supportive and patient jiu jitsu instructor who will answer any questions and go over any details. Steve, another jiu jitsu instructor who teaches on Saturdays, really excels in clear, detailed instructions that complement and reinforce what what we learned during the week. Devan, the judo instructor, teaches on Thursdays and Saturdays, and again, is another very patient, attentive, detailed-oriented instructor. I think what makes any workout enjoyable is the instructor and the partners you workout with. I have to say this place has some of the coolest people I've ever met. read more

I have been wanting to get into BJJ for a long time but always made excuses about finally going and signing up for a class. I found out about Bay JJ on yelp and decided to test out the 3 classes at an introductory rate of $30. I felt it was worth it since its $10 bucks a class and no commitment is necessary. I went to my first class and I was completely blown away. I thought people would be there and I would get my ass kicked for a good hour or so, but it was not like that at all. Everyone there is extremely helpful and friendly. After tapping to almost being choked out during a sparring session on my 4th day there, the person who made me tap explain everything to me. Why the choke happened, what I could have done to avoid it, and how to do it to someone who has me in that position. I love the atmosphere and since my first day there I have not been able to stop going. I am completely sore and thought I was in good shape since I play a lot of basketball, but this works those other muscles. I bought the unlimited pass and I am very excited to improve and make some new friends. Stephan is awesome guy and totally open to assisting anyone with questions. He is very patient and I can tell he wants everyone to improve and get better. I had reservations about learning BJJ and was hesitant because I was weary about joining a place full of douche-bags and getting beat up the whole time. Bay JJ is not like that at all and this is also the FIRST martial arts I have EVER done and I love it! Stephan is the MAN read more

I had a great class of Gi training with Professor Stephan Goyne and all of the cool students. I was welcomed by their warm energy. I enjoyed the class very much and we worked hard together. The sparring was really fun and I enjoyed rolling with my new BJJ sisters and brothers. I will definitely be coming back again when I am in town. Until then Oss! read more

I've found a place to inspire me to work out. Took my first "Bay Fit" class with a marvelous trainer, Sonny (hope I spelled that correctly), who just put me through an hour of challenging but effective and ultimately fun exercises to keep me in shape. Everything from bear crawls, to jumping jacks, to things I don't even know how to pronounce, I'll definitely be going again. The class was from 9-10 p.m., but they do have other classes throughout the week, including a Sunday at 5 p.m. acro yoga class. Can't wait! read more

Bay Jiu-Jitsu - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - San Francisco, California

The nicest and cleanest jiu-jitsu gym i've ever been to. -Prime location in gorgeous Japan town near the courtyards. (how can you not love Japan town?!?!) -new and clean mats, check. -clean locker room, check. -kettle bells and new equipment, check. -clean bathroom, check. -fridge with gatorade and drinks, check. -zero bright and blinding florescent tube lighting, check. -good and friendly people, check. Jiu-jitsu is a self-defense and combat sport that uses the weight distribution of grappling and the application of techniques to defeat the other person without using any striking forces such as punching. You can do jiu-jitsu with the gi (kimono) or without the gi. If you're a female, yes they can look as cute as this http://tinyurl.com/6jkzeaw prices vary, you can get one that starts at $50. The instructor, Stephan Goyne is a friendly, patient and articulate instructor. He makes sure you are comfortable and is always willing to help with any questions. The people in the gym are welcoming and positive, and occasionally have movie nights, baking, and all that other fun stuff! If martial arts isn't for you, this is also a yoga and fitness (cross fitness, fun group work outs) The first time is free so come drop in! check the website for the schedule http://www.bayjiujitsu.com/ read more

Well, it's been a few months since Stephan moved his gym and I have to say I'm still over the moon. Here's why. I try to train whenever I travel for work and that means I've dropped in on gyms in Wisconsin, NY, Fresno, Philadelphia and Houston, not to mention my trips to many of the gyms throughout the Bay. I can honestly say that Bay Jiu Jitsu is one of the most enjoyable gyms to train at I've been to. Yes, not surprisingly it beat out the yellow walled gym with kids wrestling mats in Wisconsin and the gym where everyone had to help lay down mats on uneven floors down south... But it also is right up there with Marcelos gym in NY, and Gracie gyms in Philly and TX. Above and beyond what gets taught and Stephan as a coach, being that everything I said in my first post is still true, I love the new layout, the new mats, the clean walls and entrance and the fact that there's about a billion noodle and sushi places feet from the door. Well, maybe like a thousand places if I'm being honest. All that I didn't even mention Lucas Leite, Jeff Glover, Paul Schreiner and Garth Taylor visits! read more

If you are like me and need someone to tell you what to do during a workout, this is the place for you. Well, as far as the Bayfit class goes. They do have jiu jitsu here, but that's not what I come for. One of my friends was coming here and after months, I finally agreed to come. The Bayfit class is pretty much an all around fitness class. We do a short warm up, then will generally do a circuit that works all areas of the body. They may involve rings, medicine balls, resistance bands, jumprope, etc. I've taken class with two instructors so far, both give a good workout. My friend and I are at different fitness levels, and we both sweat up a storm. I am often sore, actually, weekly. The atmosphere is chill and comfortable for people of all fitness levels. The people in class are friendly. In short, a fun, challenging workout with cool people. read more

Stephan is an INCREDIBLE coach for kids! My 10 year old son thought the 3 week summer camp was by the far the best and most awesome one he has ever seen. I found myself always looking forward to kids pick up so that I can hear about the day to day epic hikes, mini marathons, endurance training in nature, playing crazy nerf guns and dodgeball in the woods. More importantly as a parent, I really appreciated the awesomely documented pictures- videos of the fun. What a great token for us to reflect back on these precious childhood moments. I cannot thank you enough - Stephan for all that you did and seeing the beautiful and heart-felt friendships my kid has gained from your creativity! read more

If your child is interested in martial arts, get him or her in Stephan's class immediately!! ;o) Stephan is an amazing teacher, and Jiu-Jitsu is a great martial art for children (no kicking or punching). As another mom mentioned, Stephan is great with the kids--he is patient and listens, gives kids the space to be kids, but is also garners their respect with his natural kidabilities. (if that wasn't a word before, it is now!) Stephan runs small in-house tournaments for the kids--everyone gets a medal. He also offers Saturday night parent's nights out. Hopefully he'll post the schedule. I can't say anything but the best about Bay Jiu-Jitsu. Oh, and parking in Japantown has proven to be easy at that hour. Lots of empty meters! read more

Came to drop in while I'm on my honeymoon, and this gym couldn't be more welcoming. Travis Magalit led a great class, and took the time to help me learn some new stuff, even knowing I was just a visitor passing through. Highly recommend! read more

Horrible! Horrible! I happened to walk by and was intrigued by Jiu Jitsu, so I decided to give it a try the next day. Stephan was business man nice. He explained to me the kind of training I'll be receiving at the gym and proceeded to explain to me the yearly pricing and how many time I get to train a week. He then proceed to tell me about the yearly pricing, I just shoke my head but wondered why he was telling me the yearly pricing when I haven't even done a day of this. He also rented me a day for the day for 7.00. I find out later that other gyms loan you a gi for free for first timers. The training was actually easy to understand. I did not get the move down however my partner was very helpful. Things got bad when practice time came. In a nut shell I got "choked out" a high number of times in each round. Though I understand that being "choked out" is part of jiu jitsu, I have to wonder where the martial arts spirit is? If you see your partner getting beat 4 times in a 2 min span, isn't it partly your responsibility to help/explain to your partner on what he is doing wrong? To my surprised I found the instuctor sittng against the wall on his phone and talking to other students instead of giving me any bit of advice. In a nutshell: Instructor tried to sell me on yearly pricing on my first day, went 4 rounds and literally 20 taps, and no aid from the instructor. You don't my money or my time. Easy decision. read more

Have you ever seen Sho'nuff? Really??? Sho'nuff is the Shogun of Harlem. If you don't know about Sho'nuff then you must watch the movie "Last Dragon". Anyway, one day I was walking around J-Town and I see the man, the myth, Sho'nuff. It was Sho'nuff all the way from New York. I couldn't believe my eyes so I followed Sho and his entourage down the street. They were heading for Bay Jiujitsu. Man, I was telling myself, I can't miss this opportunity to see Sho in action so I followed him & his posse inside Bay Jiujitsu. When we all got inside it appeared that there was a morning class going on. The bulletin board stated that the morning class started at 10 am. It was around 10 minutes past 10 am and I had to move out of the doorway as two other students trickled in late. Sho walked right on up to the mat area and here's what transcribed inside with Stephan Goyne (owner and head black belt of Bay Jiujitsu). Sho: "Am I the Meanest?" entourage: "Sho'nuff!" Sho: "Am I the prettiest" entourage: "Sho'nuff!" Sho: "Am I the baddest mo-fo lowdown around this town?" entourage: "Sho'nuff!" Sho: "Well who am I?" entourage: "Sho'nuff!" Sho: "Who am I?" entourage: "Sho'nuff!" Sho: "I can't hear you!" entourage & I (out of fear): "SHO'NUFF!!!" Sho: "THE SHOGUN OF HARLEM!!!" Stephan: "uhhh, hey bro we're trying to have a class right now..." Sho: "The sign outside says this here school is for instructions in the martial arts." entourage: "we thought we might get some lessons." entourage: "yeah where do we sign up?" Stephan: "Listen bro I see what you're trying to do and I'm not going to fight you so you might want to leave now." After that it got crazy! Sho jumped Stephan & all I saw was azzholes to elbows and Sho was tied up like a pretzel kid!!! He made Sho'nuff say "matte" (It's like saying 'uncle' - Bloodsport quote). To make sure it wasn't a fluke Stephan let Sho back on his feet to try again. Stephan: "Go ahead, come at me bro..." Sho'nuff came at Stephan again and it was like WWE prime time kid!!! 'figure 4's, 'Tombstones', & 'the three amigos' even 'indian burns'!!!. Just crazy moves. Sho tapped out again. After Sho left Bay Jiujitsu in defeat I signed up straight away and been there ever since this event happened which was around May 2014. In all seriousness Bay Jits is a legit school for all levels & peoples. Go see for yourself! read more

i'm a blue belt -- been training about 4 years. i've trained in a lot of different schools between SF and NY and i think this is by far the best place to train jiu jitsu. the instruction is very technical, the training is intense but friendly and good natured. no machismo, attitude or posturing. stephan (the owner/black belt) has done an amazing job of creating a truly devoted and inclusive training community. and the acro and bay fit classes are top notch complements to your training. there's a great group of women who train here as well, all very technical, talented and tenacious. i wouldn't normally mention it but i think it speaks to the environment stephan's created. most schools i've trained at don't have many women, and judging from the level of attitude and douchery i've witnessed, i can see why. bay jiu jitsu proves that a school doesn't need to be "soft" to be inclusive. your training partners will put you through your paces, and then some. but i promise: you'll never have so much fun getting tied in knots! read more

While Bay Jiu-Jitsu offers great mixed martial arts classes I urge you DO NOT SIGN UP FOR THE MEMBERSHIP! I have to say, it's not Bay Jiu-Jitsus fault that their membership processing department is a total scam, but it is. When you sign the year contract the only way you can get out of it is if you move away, get seriously injured and have a doctor fill out a disability form, or you die. The payment processing company will take no other reason into consideration. Plus, READ THE FINE PRINT! The membership automatically renews for another full year if you don't actively let them know you want to cancel the auto renewal. And get the cancellation confirmation in writing from them! I've read horror stories about the payment processing service on the better business bureau website. read more

My time with this gym was short but from my experience they were very professional and top quality. Their customer service is really great too. I've had some bad experiences with customer service and contracts with other gyms but this gym went above and beyond with their customer service. Shoutout to Megan Bodycomb for that! read more

I started boot camp classes with Thiago about 2 months ago. I was worried about the time being so early, 7AM, but I realized that that's an amazing reason to wake up earlier. Thanks Thiago for making my mornings more exciting. I already fell my health and body working better and more efficiently. The physical reward for the workout is priceless!!! read more

I have been attending Bay Jiu Jitsu's Tue/Thurs 7am class (I like to call it 'barefoot boot camp') twice a week for almost 3 months now. All I can say is 'wow!' I considered myself to be in decent shape before and was looking for something low impact but still beneficial as a cross training for my main passion, surfing. This class is it. Since starting with Thiago and Bay Jiu Jitsu I have noticed my strength and stamina steadily increasing, along with improvements in my day to day energy levels and my overall quality of life. Thiagos morning classes are a great combination of aerobics, core training, and flexibility/stretching exercises that have really made a noticeable improvement in my day to day fitness as well as in my surfing. My sessions in the water have gotten longer, my movements more explosive, and my recovery time shortened, all due to attending Thiagos class twice a week. Thiago does a great job of choosing exercises that are easy enough for beginners but still challenging enough for those who already consider themselves 'fit'. I highly recommend this class and will be attending as long as I am a resident of San Francisco. Many thanks to Thiago and Bay Jiu Jitsu for helping me achieve my fitness goals in an enjoyable and safe manner. read more

I cannot sing enough praise for Bay Jiu-Jitsu. Big thumbs up to Stephan Goyne for the amazing job creating a friendly atmosphere where jiu-jitsu is taught to one and all while enabling and encouraging its study and practice as both an art and a sport. The academy is a big part of what made my last two visits to the Bay Area the amazing times they were. I will go back every chance I get in the future. As always when visiting an unfamiliar academy, I braced myself for the onslaught I've come to expect when I'm the outsider who doesn't know anybody. But Deven, whose class it was at the Japantown Bay Jiu-Jitsu branch my first day, put all tension to rest the moment I stepped onto the mat to introduce myself. He graciously welcomed me in, loaned me a gi, and I had a splendid time that I regularly returned for throughout both my last two trips to San Francisco. While the style of each of the different instructors is quite different from the next, all of them are equally gracious and the students are so friendly and easy-going it's hard to believe there are so many hard-nosed competitors among them. I couldn't have felt more at home. Stephan Goyne is a slick black belt who does a stalwart job teaching both jiu-jitsu fundamentals and the intricate new-school tricks, but what I think is his niftiest accomplishment in building Bay Jiu-Jitsu is the broad variety of teaching styles he has assembled in one place. Each class I attended by a different instructor focused on a unique niche that that instructor has studied, tested and tweaked to perfection. Most of the ones I met also bring with them different backgrounds, like judo or sambo or wrestling or submission wrestling, which enriches their jiu-jitsu and further distinguishes the drills, positions and variations they teach. It was an engrossing and motivating experience for me in what I feel is the funnest way to keep in shape, but for people with competitive ambitions this confluence of styles, disciplines and visions is a major competitive advantage: it's easier to surprise and harder to be surprised when your game is so multifaceted. I was fortunate to have stayed just a half hour's walk from the Japantown academy, but I did make a point of visiting the smaller Mission Street gym, which I also had a blast at. I never did get over to the Oakland branch but many of the classes are taught by the same instructors I met in SF and I hear the facilities are spacious and just as well-maintained and comfortable as the other two. I give Bay Jiu-Jitsu five stars for every day I've been there since dropping in off the street as an old blue belt two years ago and returning as a purple a little over a month back. I recommend it for beginners, hobbyists and competitors alike. read more

Bay Jiu-Jitsu is a great place for kids to learn Jiu Jitsu - great coaches and a really good group of other kids to train with. I really appreciate that the instructors are very skilled at teaching younger students and knowing how to keep a fun, productive class going. Especially if you're interested in competing at local tournaments, this is the best place in SF for kids to train. read more

Love how welcoming everyone has been to a newbie like me, especially since I'm a girl. Sometimes I'm the only girl in class, but there's no machismo or douchebags. There's a good mix of levels, from whites to browns. The guys and instructors are really helpful and patient. I look forward training every week! read more

Been coming here for 3 months and I'd strongly recommend it for people interested in trying out jiu-jitsu. Classes are friendly and very tolerant of beginners. They also have locations all over the bay, so I frequently go classes at other gyms without extra fees. read more

I have been attending a boot camp class with Thiago Pierri as a coach, the class is so awesome, my body has changed a lot and I am feeling so healthy! The class is so intense and the exercises make whole muscles move a lot. The instruct is nice and keep watching up and helping carefully. The Gyn always offers very good conditions with equipment necessary and clean space to work out. read more

Bay Jiu Jitsu is a great gym for both beginners and advanced alike and regardless of gender or age. The coaches there are very knowledgeable and create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive. Unlike other gyms (from what I've heard from other friends who tried to take up Jiu Jitsu) there is little ego or culture or trying to prove one is the best. As you get to know your rolling partners you can definitely have intense sparring, which I personally like, but it's a safe environment where people are very respectful. If you're thinking of taking up Jiu Jitsu then you won't go wrong by signing up. At the time of writing they have an intro offer of the first three classes are free, plus they have free loaner Gi's so couldn't be easier. read more