This school cares about their beginners (white belts). The advanced participants and head instructors treat students with respect - making special accommodations for those who are just beginning and taking extra time to teach. read more

Looking for THE martial arts academy in the East Bay. Well look no further than the south-east corner of Ashby and Sacramento. I've been training here for 3 solid years and have been preaching the art of Jiu Jitsu since the day I stepped foot in this academy. Ralph Gracie doesn't limit itself to just Jiu Jitsu either. They offer classes in 5 different disciplines, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Kickboxing, Boxing, and MMA. Beyond their amazing facilities they also have the most competive instructors. Why settle for a slice of the apple when you have the apple straight from the tree. Eduardo Fraga got his black belt in his early 20's making him a Jiu Jitsu legend (google him for more info). Not to mention our other champion black belts, David Clahan (Big Dave), Peter Doyle (Crazy Pete), and James Valentine. Also our Judo Black Belts Newton Casemiro, Big Dave, and brown belt Eduardo. Bottom line, if you are anywhere in the East Bay this is the place to train. Ever time you put on that Gi knowing that your on RG Berkeley's team, you'll feel like a true martial artist. Ossssss. read more

*UPDATE* Since my last review my car broke down and I was unable to train in San Leandro. I had been going for almost two months. During my training something amazing happen. I read up on health, eating and got more in tune with my body. I then quit smoking and found myself becoming vegetarian. Fast forward four months. I came to Ralph's. One thing I realize in retrospect was the mindset of a proper noob. Showing up is the hardest part, and white belt retention is generally low. If you normally sit at a desk all day and have been doing it for 10 years, be prepared to push yourself. Training at Ralph's is akin to practicing baseball with the Giants. This team produces champions. If your looking to surround yourself with positive, healthy and down to earth individuals. . look no further than this gym. Although I can barely make it through warmups and am awkward as hell, I know I am growing and am surrounding myself with like minded people. Come train, it might change your life. read more

I've trained at various gyms before permanently finding a home at RG. There are tons of great people here of all skill levels, an amazing team-based environment, and a highly experienced head instructor, Eduardo, with 35 years of experience. I've been here for 4.5 years and have grown so used to coming here consistently, this place became my second family. The school environment meets a diverse set of objectives from staying in shape for some, to high level competition for others. Students are friendly and supportive. The school has several black belts teaching occasionally in addition to the head instructor and also offers many judo and kickboxing classes. read more

The current instructor is great - I mean really great - conscientious, a great coach, detailed instructor, doesn't hold stuff back, available for questions after (and on a reasonable basis, during) class, and provides great private lessons. I started based on the name (Ralph Gracie over the door) and big mat area (less chance of banging someone/something) but more and more the quality of instruction and excellent training partners in a variety of sizes (hey if you are smaller this matters a lot!) is starting to make a huge difference in my outlook. Hey, it's hard to learn from white belts. It's better when an academy has a lot of blues and decent number of purples to train with. The academy also has strong support for competitors, without neglecting (alienating) recreational students. read more

Instructed to passively be swept resulting in an injury. In my experience the gym is more keenly focused on money then training. This gym not interested in students health or well being but eager to be paid. Plenty of other gyms around.. read more

A great gym to train BJJ in the East Bay. Everyone I encountered was friendly and supportive in helping me to learn. Even advanced black-belt competitors did not display egotism, but rather were gentle but firm with beginners, encouraging them to get fit and build foundational skills to practice sport jiu-jitsu. Training BJJ is not cheap, but of course I think it's worth it. This gym does not exceed the market value based on other gyms I've been to, and they do not require a long-term contract. I was offered a free trial month after paying the $40 joining fee, and I made good use of that. When I needed to cancel my membership due to leaving the area, I had no problems cancelling my month-to-month agreement. Judo classes with senseis Barry and Newton are included in the cost of membership, and are well worth taking. An easy five out of five recommendation for Ralph Gracie Berekely. read more

This place is top notch! I have trained jiu jitsu for just under two years and I find a gym wherever I travel. There are more women at this academy than any other I've been to! The instructors are smart and kind. The training is rigorous and fun. I love training here! read more

Absolutely terrible instruction/class set-up. For 1.5 hour adult classes, warm-up is ALWAYS 30 minutes of playing soccer. I don't come to expensive jiu-jitsu classes to waste 30 minutes just playing soccer -- we only do this warm-up because head "instructors" enjoy playing. Once instruction actually begins, and you're drilling the moves, the instructors will rarely come by and give advice. Same goes for when we begin sparring. They'll either just talk amongst the higher level belts or just sit back and zone out. Extremely frustrating coming to this gym. read more

I've been training here for just about 3 weeks now. They take a great "hands-on" approach to teaching and I like that. The other members and staff seem nice and the atmosphere is warm. read more

I have trained Jiu Jitsu for over six years and I would say this is a five-star gym. Enjoy a packed schedule on fresh and spacious mats with some of the nicest teaches and training partners around. read more

I have gone to a number of BJJ schools around the country in the last 5 years or so, and I really like this school after moving to the area and attending for a few months. The school has a nice mix of good instruction and people to train with, yet is laid back enough to have a good time in the process. Eduardo, the main instructor is top notch, and there are a number of people that go out of their way to help with questions. Prices are very reasonable for monthly membership, and very reasonable for private lessons, about 1/2 of what I've seen in other areas. They also don't push things like buying thier clothes and their gi, taking seminars, and other things that can get annoying that some schools try to do. I'd recommend the school for sure. read more

Top level instruction. Really clean facility with showers and locker rooms. Extremely well geared curiculum for those who want to be a part of the sport. read more

Almost like a second home. Everyone here is super friendly. Ive been to quite a few jiu jitsu gyms, and I would have to say that this is the most competitive one. I cant speak on the morning class, but the evening and afternoon classes that i attened are usually packed with a decent amount of people. There is a lot of physical talent at this gym, as well as technique enthusiasts no matter your weight class. However if your a beginner, people here will show you the ropes as best they can, and if you dont like being thrown into the fire, they also have a class specifically for beginner's. Once again I cant stress it enough how genuinely kind and friendly everyone is at this gym. read more

Eduardo Fraga is like a dad to so many Berkeley/Oakland boys who just want to sweat it out. He is relaxed and friendly and just a lovely person. The studio exudes his good vibes. read more

I really enjoy it here. The instructions are very clear and I get a great work out. Everyone is really nice too.

My kids are taking Judo classes here. We started with a groupon deal and decided to stay. The trainers are great and don't give the kids short cuts. My kids like to blow some steam here and I like when they come back home more relaxed and saving their fights for next day because they are exzusted. read more

I attended a few classes as a visitor during the holidays. The instructors and students were very welcoming and great to train with. I hope to visit more often! read more

ABSOLUTELY PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW! I've been training under Ralph Gracie for almost 5 years now. 2 years at the Dublin location and 3 years here at the Berkeley location. Prior to studying Gracie Jiu JItsu, I began my martial arts training in tae kwon do as a teenager, then I wrestled for a while and also did muay thai for 4 years. But it wasn't until I started training in Gracie Jiu Jitsu that it all made sense for me. It feels natural and it feels like it's a way of life for me. As long as I can keep training, I'll be doing Jiu Jitsu until the wheels fall off! Having briefed you on my personal beliefs, I want ALL martial arts seekers to read this: I've trained at and have visited many of BJJ academy's in CA and in TX. I've trained at gyms all over northern CA and when I visited TX in the summer of '09 I was able to train at a couple schools out that way as well. In addition, just last weekend I was in the Los Angeles area and visited a few schools down there as well and trained with them to view the quality of instruction and the in-depth techniques being taught. In all of my visits to these different academy's, I began to realize that the quality of instruction, the passion and dedication, the team and family atmosphere and the amazing teaching of the FINE details of BJJ from our head instructor Eduardo Fraga is 2nd to none. This is by far the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in the bay area.. PERIOD! All the guys at this gym are very technical and knowledgeable about BJJ. It is my personal belief that even our blue belt level guys are truly BLUE BELTS, which means they've earned it big time. This school doesn't just give out belts if that's all your about. When you come to Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu of Berkeley your going to earn whatever belt you have the honor of achieving. Everyone is willing to help you, everyone is supportive of your growth. We have Judo, BJJ, No-Gi BJJ, Kickboxing and a weight room for those looking to add more muscle. The facility is clean and was recently remodeled. Trust me, THIS IS THE PLACE to learn true Gracie Jiu Jitsu. If you want to up your BJJ game, train with big or lighter guys from many different backgrounds, you've reached the right academy. We have an eclectic group of students that are truly fun to workout with. I know I've chosen the right school for BJJ... so come on down and take that free intro class. I guarantee you'll be making one of the best investments in your health and fitness life bar-none! Onsomu T. read more

Ralph Gracie has a lot of history in putting out top notch competitors. I had already trained for a while at another school, but I was moving to Berkeley and a friend at the SF sister school recommended it. Earlier in the week I checked out another school. I trained at the sister school in SD so I was pretty set on going there, until I received a very unwelcome reception there. I came in with a smile on my face and had a really great attitude. I wanted to learn but they really were mean mugging me before I even stepped on the mat. I didnt get any rolls in they were making pretty mean spirited comments the whole time I was there. I woulda been okay with the mean comments If i came in acting all arrogant and they handled me. But They didnt even give me a chance to show my stuff before they counted me out. I was hesitant to join come in, because they have a "tough" reputation. I have been to around a dozen jiu jitsu schools(I move around alot) and a lot of them can be pretty unwelcoming unless you have been training with them forever. This was not the case. Before I was 10 steps in a purple belt was shaking my hand trying to get me to try a class. I got some great rolls in right away. Right away I felt the click and have been training with them ever since. I was never really a standout at jiu jitsu. I am small, have terrible cardio, no strength, and look like I went 1 round to many with the ugly stick. So I can understand if people dont wanna put anytime into training me, when they have competitors to train. But Eduardo is great and always takes time out to teach me, and there are a huge number of black and brown belts who will also go out of there way to teach me. When I mean go out of there way. I will come early bother people with questions or stay 20 minutes late and bother people with questions. The higher belts ALWAYS answer my questions when they should be heading home. Slowly but surely it has been paying off and my jiu jitsu is improving faster then it has at any other academy. And i have been to a lot of schools including some of the top schools in Cali. Notes The school may not be right for everybody. The warmups are a pain in the butt. There school has a lot of students. The best thing about the school is the atmosphere. Everybody is friendly nobody has an ego problem and everybody loves jiu jitsu. read more

I will just tell you how it is, and you can make your own mind up, I attended the 8-9pm beginning BJJ class on 9/6/2011. Only one other person was in this class, a white belt who has been attending the school a year. This man told me he doesn't progress very fast because he is a slow learner and not in great physical shape compared to others. We begin by running, and doing pushups/pullups/squats/crunches. It was a decent warmup. Next, the instructor (Eduardo Fraga-lead instructor) shows the two of us in the class one technique and walks away. His instructions lasted a little over a minute. From this point on, the other white belt struggles to do the move correctly, and struggles even harder to show me what I am doing wrong, At one point, Mr. Fraga yells, "water" and we take a short break. Finally, Instructor Fraga tells the self-proclaimed shitty white belt to take it easy on me because it's my first day and says,"show him some stuff." We spare for the remainder of the class. Fraga does not offer any advice or instruction, in fact, he did not give me ANY advice or instruction other than the one minute he showed me a technique. The other white belt said he had never learned the technique before, so was obviously in no position to be teaching it. Fraga spent the entire time chatting with students from the previous class. Every once in a while he looked over and said, "good." After class I changed, walked up to the counter to see if Fraga would ask me how class went or if I wanted to join, but he just continued to talk with his buddies from the previous class. In all fairness, the previous class (Advanced BJJ) did look better. However, instruction was be given to only a few fighters-who appeared to be a couple of the best-while many others were ignored. This was my experience trying out Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Berkeley. read more

I sustained an injury that left me unable to continue training, and they've been extraordinarily difficult to get in contact with to cancel my monthly billing. Unresponsive and unprofessional. read more

Eduardo Fraga is a great instructor. Ralph Gracie Berkeley has a great team environment.

Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Berkeley is awesome! My kids ( all threee) have been attending for almost 6 years now. We will enroll our 4 year old w/n 4 weeks. They have stellar technique and my husband and I have seen a lot of progress from our children on the mat and in the classroom. They are not bullied in in school and have self confidence. Eduardo, Newton, Drew, Alan, and Dr. Dave are great instructors and I value their experience and dedication. I even tried Jiu Jitsu. I liked it. The warm up was a little brutal for an old lady like me, but I will return to it eventually, but right now it is my children's time to shine and I need to support them. I am definatley proud to be a part of the Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu family. It definatley pays to be loyal to family! read more

I have been attending beginners adult classes now for 6 months and I am happy with the instruction and overall atmosphere of the classes. I was somewhat intimidated before starting because I have never taken any form of martial arts and I am relatively small in stature, however the instructors and students alike are very accomodating and really care about everyone achieving and mastering the skills. One aspect of our training that I appreciate more than anything is the practice of slowing my mind, which I have taken into all other areas of my life. I plan to keep attending classes, improving my skills and becoming healthier as I do, and I look forward to the day that I can enroll my kids because I really feel that it will benefit them in many ways. read more

Great academy, just what I was looking for. Combines conditioning with instruction and sparring and will keep you in shape - great attitude from everyone, especially the head instructor, but also from the more experienced students. Classes available throughout the day and evening - always someone there to train with. This is a serious Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school, along with Judo instruction, weights, kickboxing - you can tailor the classes to fit your own program, and is affordable. read more

I just started attending a women's jiu-jitsu/judo class Friday nights (6:30-7:30), and the instructor, Newton, is excellent. Advanced students attend classes as well, keeping the bar high for us newcomers. The studio is large enough to accommodate many, and all are welcome. The rates are reasonable, and this is the first women-only jiu-jitsu class that I've come across in Berkeley. There is a women's dressing room with shower, plus a separate weight room to the side of the main gym. In 2012 they will be adding another women-only night during the week. Hope to see you there! read more

I'm the man who turned BIG 40 couple month ago. And 3-4 month ago I decided to learn this beatiful martial art where you need to think like a chess player, fight like a bull be soft like a water. As a kid I was always doing sport. Was pro motorcycle rider got black belts in 2 types of karate.As result got multiple injuries etc. In Ralph Gracie jiu jitsu Berkeley I found this professional instructors Mr Fraga Mr Casemiro Mr Alan Mr Ogi who helped me bring back my sportsman spirit, helped me convince myself to get up and fight. If anybody who has or had the spirit of a Man and cannot do martial arts because of injuries or bad habits need to come here and the instructors will find your way. They will make you stand up and fight. read more

A great academy, great instructors, (Eduardo is top notch) and a really great bunch of guys training. I am new to BJJ and everyone (even the ones training for big match) will always take the time to correct mistakes and show you BJJ. I have to admit that I was a bit intimidated the first time I walked in, but after the first 10 minutes I realized it was a great academy. No matter what you skill level I highly suggest checking it out. read more

Eduardo Fraga is top notch instructor and has a great school behind him.

Love this place! Been here over a year, white belt, & been in 3 competitions. Excellent teachers who support their students at competitions. Also, they sterilize the matts every night = clean gym! The other students are positive & helpful. There is a great chemistry here & everyone is highly motivated to be their best. read more

from the looks of it im thinking of going here but im a part time worker full time student im just wondering how much would it cost to go here read more