We moved our kids out of gymnastics and into Jiu Jitzu at SBG NorCal, and we're so glad we did. The kids - with two very different personalities - are both loving it. The adult professional instructors are really engaged and invested in the growth of the kids. The focus on discipline is fantastic; the motivation to add bars to their belt (or eventually the next belt) really gets them going. And they're clearly just having more fun than gymnastics. We were just at an event there, and noticed afterwards how happy all the kids seemed (not just ours). There's a real positive energy. I don't know anything about Jiu Jitzu, but I know this place is a great for the kids to get exercise and personal growth, and maybe even community. read more

I only went for a couple classes while I was in class, but my experience was positive all around! I would definitely go back!

Great workouts and knowledgeable coaches. I've been going to the boxing boot camp and it's a great balance of workout and techniques. Highly recommend! read more

I took two classes at SBG through their free trial, Jiujitsu and Kickboxing. The staff and instructors were all really nice and the gym is very spacious. I learned a few useful things, but there are two issues that should be brought up. First off - hygiene. They told me that while they sweep and vacuum everyday, the mat only gets sanitized once a week on average (though it's spread out so that, say, 1/3 of the floor gets sanitized on Monday, another 1/3 on Wednesday, etc.) This definitely doesn't feel like enough considering all the sweat that must drip onto the floor each day. Furthermore, I borrowed a set of boxing gloves and shin guards from them, and they smelled STRONGLY of mildew. Even after I took them off, the smell still lingered on my hands. I doubt the guest equipment gets washed after each use, and I emailed them about this. Second off - even though they advertise themselves as self-defense, they're really just teaching combat sport techniques as opposed to what would actually work on the street. For example, in the jiujitsu class, they taught that when falling, to slam the entire length of your arm on the ground in order to break your fall. While this works fine on cushioned mats, you would easily injure your wrists/elbows if you did this on pavement. Then in the kickboxing class, they taught a technique where if someone punches at your face, instead of dodging or swatting it away, you sort of catch the punch (i.e. you block it with the palm of your hand but don't grab it). This might work fine if you and your opponent are wearing cushioned boxing gloves and/or you're significantly stronger than them, but if someone punched you bare-knuckled, this would simply slam your own hand into your face. As a disclaimer, I'm not an expert, but I did learn what to look for in a legitimate self-defense school from my former instructor. He's in the military and has had military combat training and experience, so I trust his judgment. If you're looking to compete in jiujitsu tournaments, or for a fun way to stay fit, SBG might be good for you. But if you're looking for legitimate, useful self-defense, I would look elsewhere. read more

The facility is great. Lots of space and light. My daughter liked the class and just rolling around with other kids(she is 6).

Review here not as a member but after their 10-day free trial period of the BJJ class in particular, as a former competition blue belt returning from a long break, and who ultimately signed up at another gym. TL;DR: I enjoyed my visits here, but didn't join because I needed an earlier weekday evening class with more emphasis on sport BJJ. Especially for newcomers, this is a better gym than most. Full review of the trial and my perception of the gym: The folks at SBG NorCal were super welcoming and they offer a wide variety of martial arts classes, making this a good one-stop shop for anyone interested in practicing more than one art. A 10-day trial period is generous in the space, and gives you more than enough time to determine if this gym is for you. The Fundamentals (beginners) BJJ class is extremely approachable and straightforward for newcomers. This is what I would personally call the least intimidating 'fundamentals' program I've ever seen. Perfect for someone who wants to learn BJJ as a hobbyist first, for exercise and/or self-defense purposes. The Integrations program is clearly producing pretty good BJJ practitioners with a slant toward classic BJJ (smash/pass and self defense/MMA-oriented vs modern sport BJJ), and the classes I attended were small, which is nice for direct coaching, or for anyone intimidated by a larger class full of serious practitioners. Who is SBG for? - Newcomers to martial arts/BJJ - Hobbyists who want a laid back and approachable gym - Anyone who wants to learn a self-defense/MMA-oriented BJJ system - Anyone with a preference for a female head coach - at SBG NorCal you're learning from a legit lineage female black belt instructor - Relatedly, for older or female students; I am a firm believer that it's a red flag if a BJJ school has very few or no female, or 45+ year old, students and this place was in my experience about 50% female or 45+ and that is AWESOME - Kids/families, as they have several kids' programs and again, teach multiple disciplines in one gym Why didn't I join this gym? - The weekday evening BJJ Integrations classes simply let out too late for my work and home schedule - Most local BJJ-focused or BJJ-first gyms I visited offer a lower-cost monthly price point (to the tune of $120/mo for 2-3 classes/wk vs SBG's $219/mo for similar access) - I am only interested in sport BJJ and don't care much about self-defense or MMA application of BJJ - I come from a competition background and am biased toward programs with heavier emphasis on hard live rolling For 'sport BJJ' or those interested in or part of the subculture, I would recommend one of the Ralph Gracie gyms (Berkeley, SF, Walnut Creek), Lamorinda (Lafeyette), or Cesar Gracie Concord. For basically any other type of practitioner, don't sign up for a school before trying SBG NorCal. Great spot. read more

Very beginner friendly, 12 day free trial, can take any beginner class during the trial. If you've trained for bit you will probably need to speak with someone to take the more advanced classes read more

Friendly staff, and I feel very comfortable going to classes, even though I don't have experience.

The gym here is hands down incredible. I'm a particularly slow learner and I'm extremely thankful for the patience they have while working with me since I often times don't get things and need instructions repeated. I wish I wasn't such a dunce, but they've helped me improve nonetheless, which speaks volumes to the quality of the people here. And having seen one of their recent in-house tournaments, I am incredibly impressed by not only the technical and athletic ability, but also the camaraderie and sportsmanship of the community makes it a standout of other gyms. Honestly couldn't recommend this gym more highly read more

I have been training here for a few years and have trained at a variety of other gyms all over the country and this would be my favorite of them all. The staff is friendly, the space is clean and not intimidating, and the lessons are well thought out and practical. I primarily do BJJ and was impressed from day with the teaching methodology. The lessons are based on the principles of Matt Thornton and the SBG organization and focuses on proper application of technique over attributes (I.e. age, size, strength, speed, etc.) If you are looking for a place to train where you will have fun, learn practical martial arts, and be able to train regardless of your physical abilities this is the place. read more

A much belated review for SBG NorCal but in time for the gym's COVID reopening. I have been training here for almost three years now and am very happy to have found this place. I had tried a few BJJ gyms in the area, but found the pedagogy lacking. As an older guy just starting out, I couldn't play fresh meat for the upper belts without getting little injuries that would cause breaks in my training. Since taking SBG's foundations class, I realize there were so many ways those other schools could have made rolling safer and more instructive. Most gyms teach by the "technique of the day" method. Meaning they show you some random sweep or submission, a few drills and then you free roll, instantly forgetting whatever they taught. At SBG the focus on fundamentals means you build a solid foundation that works for grappling, mma and street. You know when to do the technique, why it works and where it fits in the infinite map of BJJ knowledge. Also shout out to Lily and Alan for creating an inclusive environment for all ages, races and genders. The vibe is palpably different when walking in the door. There's none of the macho posturing you see elsewhere. The zoom lessons throughout the lockdown have kept me sane and healthy. Thanks! read more

My husband and I signed up for an 8 month long membership in January 2016. He had previously taken BJJ classes with Mod Com years ago too and had nothing but good experiences. Mod Com is a place that welcomes you no matter your training and skill level. The coaches are helpful and knowledgeable. Lily is awesome! She's incredibly skilled and when you see her in action she's intimidating, yet she's warm and totally approachable. Unfortunately due to a back injury, demanding work schedules and unforeseeable family circumstances we could not fully commit to the classes. Mod Com staff checked in during our absence and twice honored an extension to redeem our missed sessions. In the end we contacted them and inquired whether we could donate our remaining sessions to a deserving student that perhaps could use the help too. Lily was sad to see us go, hoped we'd be back and gladly honored our donation request. This is a place you'll really enjoy! Check it out! read more

Mostly, nice friendly people here with a diverse mix of members in terms of ages/skill levels. ModCom seems to be invested in the community, they offer social events outside of training to build relationships and offer a great range of disciplines incuding Brazilian jiu jitsu, mui tai and wrestling, perhaps others too. My criticisms would be that their training seems most suitable for kids or adults who are looking to build confidence, get some exercise or get only an introduction to martial arts. This is not the place for receiving serious or even moderately serious training. Even as a beginner, someone far from hard-core about this stuff, I had the feeling that training at ModCom would offer slow and unsatisfactory results that would leave me ill-equipped to handle a real-world situation. And while they do offer an exciting range of training disciplines, it's a bit disheartening once you realize that their all taught by the same instructor. I've been to a few BJJ academies now, and can say that ModCom, hands down, offers the least expertise and the worst communication when it comes to instruction. I don't want to give the impression that the training was bad - it wasn't, but it's certainly the worst I've encountered in my search. If you're looking for real BJJ training or want to develop real MMA skills, you'd do much better to go elsewhere. read more

ModCom is a great place to train, whether you want to compete in MMA, or learn self-defense, or just get in shape and have fun. They are unlike any other gym that I've ever been to, in that the instructors are not bullies or meat-heads with inflated egos. Everyone is super nice and supportive. And they have an amazing understanding of the human condition. All the instructors excel in their skills of the craft the teach, but also are well-trained in being effective coaches. With the style of training and teaching, Modern Combatives really weeds out the egocentric jerks that are abound in the world of MMA and sports in general. Warning: If you're an asshole, you'll probably get frustrated with this gym. Go flaunt your ego at some other gym that is all about image but lacks substance and heart. ModCom is a friendly environment for all people. Women, children, teens, seniors, and people with varying degrees of training and experience. Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of big, strong men at ModCom. In fact, I think these men are manlier than most men you find at the gym, lifting weights as they watch themselves in the mirror. You have to be comfortable with your masculinity to train at ModCom because you WILL get your ass kicked by a girl. When that happens, you can either find humility or run off to some other place that will indulge your machismo fantasy. Bottom line is that Modern Combatives is a great, friendly, fun place to train in functional Mixed Martial Arts. read more

If you want to learn BJJ(Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), Muay Thai, Boxing, wrestling, clinchwork, or Judo then this is the place. Modcom is the only gym I know that teaches all these skills plus incorporates them for Mixed Martial Arts. This incorporates movement, timing, and appropriate progressive resistance from a training partner in all aspects of the training. This aliveness means that you discover how to make the you learn work skills work in real time. Other gyms will teach these arts but in seperate classes. Modcom has a class that meshes these classes together. Its also done in an environment conducive to learning not injury. Fun not fear is a healthier way to train. No egos, and many friendly and helpful people. Alan, Lily and Jude who run the place are good down to earth people who look out for you. read more

I have never trained at ModCom but I particpated in a no-gi grappliing scrimmage here and it was by far the best tournament/scrimmage I have competed in. Paid $35 and rolled with five different guys. I could have rolled with more people but started to get hungry! I really enjoyed it and if I did not live so far I would definately try this place out based soley on the people who were running the scrimmage. The gym is a great size and has a cage and what seems to be a regulation size boxing ring. All in I had a great time and hope they have other events soon. Keep up the good work ModCom! read more

A great gym to train, get into shape or get serious about MMA. One of the big turn-offs to joining a martial arts gym is the human drama. In Karate dojo's in Japan, that meant getting whopped on by your superiors (senpai). That, or dealing with giant egos. None of that here. Everyone is very friendly, and the atmosphere contributes to a pleasant training experience. In addition, the training is very functional and heavily emphasizes practical application. Unlike many martial arts schools where you endlessly practice forms (kata), kickboxing fir example gets into light sparring pretty quick. This application-centered approach is especially true with Jiujitsu, where you're constantly trying/experimenting/applying what you're learning. From conditioning to Judo to kickboxing to MMA to Brazilian Jiujitsu (BJJ), there's no shortage of disciplines you can learn. As for the instructors not being black belts in BJJ, rest assured they know what they're doing, and you'll find yourself helplessly on the end of a choke or submission for years and years to come. Lily is a seasoned black belt in Judo, both Alan and Lily have nearly a decade of BJJ experience AFAIK. The great thing is that you get what you want from the experience; on one hand, it's kid-friendly, on the other you see some pretty hardcore training for competition, and hard sparring. It's as serious as you want it to be. read more

Not to put planet fitness down but I got tired of going to the gym and seeing it was pizza party Mondays in the lobby and decided to try something new. Alway wanted to try martial arts Found SBG and after a trial class with Nic one of the main coaches signed up and I was hooked. Only place in east bay to learn self defense, traditional and mma fighting techniques in everything from boxing to kickboxing, mma and my personal favorite jiu jitsu. If your a little intimidated at what it would be like to start martial arts having never done it as I was and being someone who's main sport was golf the coaches start with fundamentals and add as your ready pretty small classes so you can ask lots of questions and set you own intensity and the other people in the class are everyone from Uc Berkeley athlete, students, house moms, amateur fighters, all mixing it up learning really cool environment no egos. Once you start and find the classes that fit you it's easy to advance and focus on getting better for me it was the jiu jitsu and from doing two one hour classes a week I went to three double classes a week in there advanced class which I couldn't recommend more pretty much everyone gives you tip plus going to open mats you'll really see your skills improve seriously I went from knowing nothing to winning a local tournament for beginners. So if you are tired of doing a hour on treadmill at wearever and want learn,better yourself and find a cool community stop by. PS: Great Scheduling I work 50-60 hour weeks with different start times every week and was able to get three double days in no problem even more a lot of the time it's the only place that does three four class both in the morning and evening read more

Drop by after some yelping. Store is clean. Lots of gear. Employees are nice and helpful.

3 years ago ModCom reintroduced me to the martial arts. I decided to try it out on a whim, and was instantly hooked by the challenging and supportive atmosphere, the practicality of the technique. Their methods are highly intuitive. Techniques are always performed with a live opponent, meaning one understands the practical application of it immediately. But fear not - ModCommers are some of the most relaxed, down-to-earth, civilized gym-goers I've met. You don't have to worry about being manhandled by a wannabe cagefighter with something to prove. In short, it's totally safe. The gym stresses the fundamentals of all combat sports - movement and timing. Not many gyms can get these concepts across as intiutively as ModCom. Anyone interested in beginning or continuing their journey in the martial arts would benefit from their program. read more

I want to preface this review by saying that I am only reviewing the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) classes at Modern Combatives. I have not taken their boxing, kickboxing, or judo classes, so I cannot comment on them. I also want to say that the BJJ classes focus almost exclusively on gi sports jiu-jitsu. This seems to be the trend towards many BJJ schools, and those looking for the self-defense or no-gi aspects might have to search some more. With those two caveats, I must say that Coach Lily, a black belt under Matt Thornton, is an excellent instructor. She does a great job of breaking down a technique into easily digestible chunks, going over subtle details that make all the difference in the technique failing or succeeding. Being one of the smallest and lightest students, I really appreciate her emphasis on proper positioning, posture, timing, and leverage instead of using strength or brute force. That was the intent of BJJ when it was created, and I'm glad that philosophy hasn't been lost. Furthermore, Coach Lily shows alternative attacks, counters, or escapes if one technique fails, allowing you to string a combination of moves in succession to keep your opponents guessing. Classes meet three times per week: Mondays and Wednesday from 7 pm - 8 pm, and Saturdays from 12 noon - 1pm (with open mat following each class). Each week focuses on a specific position (guard, half guard, mount, side control, takedowns, etc.) with the sequence cycling so that students feel comfortable with all aspects of the game. With clean facilities, a fun, family atmosphere, and supportive training partners, I highly recommend the BJJ classes at Modern Combatives. read more

I have been bringing my son here for four years, since he was three. He graduated from Baby Dinos, to Dinos and is still loving his time at MODCOM. The structure, discipline and play have been essential to his growth, both physically and emotionally. The coordination and strength he's gained through his training has really helped his self-confidence and abilities in other sports. Really grateful for Alan and Lillie's love and dedication to the sport and their students. read more

Modern Combatives is a great place to learn mixed martial arts and self-defense. Whether you're looking for a kick ass workout, or to defend yourself from unexpected ninja attacks in dark alleys, you'll get both, along with great MMA skills. Originally I was just focusing on BJJ, but after being at ModCom for a while, I realized the importance of MMA in my life. As a women it has given me much confidence and taken a lot of fear out of my life. In fact I was able to use the skills I learned to defend myself from repeated sexual harassment from a man at a bar one night. I respect the skills I have and always hope I don't have to use them, but sometimes there comes a time when it is important to stand up for yourself. I encourage any women thinking about training to forget your fear of not being strong enough, or training with all or mostly men, and just do it! It may be hard at first but you'll never regret it. MMA needs more women. Lastly, my favorite part of ModCom is definitely the people. I have only been going to the gym for 5 months but I feel like family every time I walk in the door. I've been to a few BJJ/MMA classes where I felt so unwelcome, but at ModCom there is a strong feeling of community that makes training much more fun. As far as experience level, ModCom supports some great MMA competitors. I wouldn't say its adequate for someone with hopes of being in the UFC next year, but if you put enough time and focus into it, they offer a lot of knowledge for you to be pretty awesome. I beat up guys on a regular basis thanks to Alan and Lily :) read more

Enrolling my daughter in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has got to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. She absolutely loves it and looks forward to attending class every week. Everyone at this gym is so friendly. My daughter's coach, Alan, is so great with the kids. At the end of class he acknowledges each student who helped out. I highly recommend this place if you're looking to get your kid into martial arts. read more

I've been studying BJJ, kickboxing, and MMA at Modern Combatives. I tried another JJ gym and looked around at a couple other before finding ModCom - and was thrilled to find out that they are an MMA gym as well, as I have a small bit of previous boxing experience. The environment is just what I was looking for: great instructors, hands on yet friendly, and explanations of why moves work the way they do, so that you fight/wrestle with an understanding of what you're doing, rather than just using sheer force. Another big positive about ModCom is the other people who train there, there's barely any ego, and the more advanced students give helpful advice to the less skilled students - it's not a bunch of idiotic big dudes wanting to fight. So come down, check it out! read more

If Landmark and Scientology got together to offer a BJJ class, it might feel something like this. Before they will tell you how much it costs(!), before they will discuss schedule, before they will let you observe a class (which was underway as I walked in), meet other students, or have any interaction at all, you must fill out a form giving them all your personal info, and YOU MUST TAKE A FREE PRIVATE CLASS! (I had planned to - just woke up more tired than expected, because, you know, I have a job and a life. I didn't know the class was REQUIRED.) In "fairness," this isn't a review of the training, just of their sales practices. I've tried out 20+ gyms thanks to ClassPass - some of which I continue pay extra to visit. Not a single one is as aggressive as these guys. The other Yelp reviews about sketchy billing practices make a lot more sense now. Gotta have trust before I can train somewhere, especially something as physically demanding as BJJ. This place does not inspire trust. read more

Its only good if you are one of the "chosen" ones and then you get alot of personal attention, as the other reviewer stated. I was criticized for having "terrible" footwork, yet was never instructed on how to execute proper footwork. In other words, Lilly the owner/trainer criticized me for doing poorly what she never bothered to show me how to do properly lol. I went to Pacific Ring Sports, and within 10 minutes the trainer explained what I was doing improperly with my footwork, which Modcom never bothered to mention after 5 months. Also, which has likewise been previously stated, the billing is treacherous. They want direct access to your checking account which is invasive, and they charge you extra just to go 4 times per week. Yes...its an extra $20/month to go 4 days versus 3 days per week. read more

Dealing with the owner, Alan Pagle, was one of the most erratic, frustrating experiences of my life. If the gym ever goes out of business he could easily get a job at Comcast or American Airlines. Save yourself the headache and find another gym. read more

Wow! It took you a year and a half to respond to my review! Why respond at all at that point? The purpose of paying a mat fee for coming a few times a month was only because I was in Berkeley for that time not that I was only training a few times a month which you were well informed. It was unreasonable to pay $150 a month when I was only in Berkeley a 2 or 3 times a month. There were many other MMA gyms I was training at on nights I was not in Berkeley throughout the Bay Area. Not exactly sure what the SBG gym in Oregon has to do with your gym in Berkeley, member or not those instructors are not at your gym. You have numerous bad reviews so you must be doing something wrong. Unfortunately you put profits before people judging by the reviews and it cost you. read more

I've trained at several different gyms in the bay area (boxing at Cal and Kings, Kickboxing at Kung fu Studio in Alameda) and wanted to try Kickboxing around Berkeley so I checked this place out. First, they give you a free private lesson off the bat, which is awesome. However, in that lesson they teach somewhat strange, unconventional techniques. To block punches the trainer told me to not move the hips at all, and only move the hands. The standard technique for blocking, i.e. absorbing the force with the opposite glove by rolling with the punch, he seemed adamant to discredit. The second thing that came up was much stranger: they taught the hook as a straight punch. Instead of seeing the hook as a rotation and shift towards the back leg, the trainer wanted you to step outside with the lead foot, then throw a straight punch while pivoting. Essentially it was a cross in the opposite stance. Very odd. However, they did seem to have a competition class as well as sparring so you'll learn what works for you one way or another. But I can't recommend this place for people when their "fundamentals" are vastly different from any other way Ive come across of teaching both boxing and kickboxing. read more

I have been training at Modern Combatives for several years and I seriously love this place. I tried to do a review a while back and I think yelp filtered it or something so this is long overdue. There are many reasons people train in fitness and martial arts-for fun, to get in shape, self confidence, competition, self defense. This place covers all those bases and manages to do it in a nurturing environment that's actually fun. And the fact that the instructors/owners enjoy what they do comes through in the experience. As a result, despite having trained all over the bay area, this is the place I recommend 100% of the time when someone tells me they want to a) learn to defend themselves, b) get in shape, c) try something fun and challenging (do I really need to say all of the above?). If you are looking for martial arts, I have been training in martial arts since 1994 and been exposed to many styles and approaches to training and this place has the right idea. This is a less formal approach then what is referred to as "traditional martial arts", this does not mean they are not serious about the training, it means the focus is on drilling and experiencing a technique. You spend some time training the technique with little or no resistance and progress from there. However, if you like doing the same thing every day and getting a new belt every 6 months for memorizing set routines, then this is probably not the place for you. If you want to learn how to be an unbeatable super secret ninja in 6 months, sorry they are not here to stroke your ego. No disrespect to any of the styles of martial arts out there, I respect the fact that there is a place for different approaches. Just be aware that this gym is not like that. For martial artists who, like me, come in with some previous experience and think they know how to wrestle and kickbox, this can be a humbling experience to see how unskilled you are as a fighter compared to students who embrace this "alive" approach to combatives. And the great thing is, they teach a variety of classes so you aren't comfortable with the bumps and bruises of kickboxing or mma style training, there is always judo and brazilian jiu jitsu as well as the fitness. So you can train and have fun and be competitive and not have to worry about the striking aspects. Whichever classes you end up taking the one thing you can count on is a great workout and a lot of fun. So now the downside to the approach to this training-you have to manage your fitness, train to your ability level and watch out for overtraining. This is no different than a crossfit gym or even megagyms like 24 hour. I am in my 30's now and early on in my training here I was like a kid in a candy store-I wanted kickboxing, wrestling, judo, jiujitsu, sparring, everything on the menu. Unless you are an athlete who already keeps themselves in peak shape, you need to watch your level of training or else the wear and tear, (also in my case I had some existing conditions), will add up if you train as much as I did. It took a while but I got smart, now my focus is on the fitness classes and I supplement with the "fun stuff". On that note I recommend everyone show up for the Monday and Wednesday fitness classes, you will learn a lot about fitness and become a better athlete. The coach Alan Pagle has helped me through this process and is extremely knowledgeable about rehabilitiation training as well as conditioning and functional strength. If you're in your 20's or younger, then hey-go ahead and have fun and train your head off :) P.S. For those that are specifically looking for self defense classes, be aware that there is not any one class on the list that is specifically "self-defense". That confused me a bit at first. I recommend you do what I did, call or visit the gym and have them explain their approach to self-defense and go down to the gym and watch how they train and decide for yourself. There are occasionally focused sessions on self defense topics, and there have been women's self-defense courses off and on. You may be able to call and ask about private lessons for that kind of instruction, as the coaches are more than qualified. P.P.S. The new gym on San Pablo Ave. is awesome. No more fighting over room to stretch out or hit the bag after classes. Why would you want to go to a megagym and wait in line to work out with this place right here?? read more

Because the curriculum is broad & the training approach so individualized, any age, body size, gender will feel comfortable at Modern Combatives. I've been at ModCom for about 3 yrs. I'm in my mid 30's, and about 125'sh lbs and I feel very comfy training there. I don't feel like I'm fodder for heavier, more advanced practitioners, or young athletic folks in their 20's. At Modern Combatives, you take responsibility for your own learning. There is no spoon feeding from a master guru. Everyone present are equal partners in the learning process. As a result, the gym is not personality driven, say, by a famous instructor or competitor; instead, it is driven by community passionate about learning and growing. Also, because Alan & Lily strongly encourage peer-coaching (or peer feedback), my training partners end up becoming my coaches too. ModCom values critical thinking; participants are not passive recipients of information. Everybody is encouraged to reflect on what works and what doesn't, and to openly ask questions--a practice seldom seen in other gyms. Alan & Lily's teaching styles are A+. Instead of sharing umph-teen techniques in 1 class (which I've seen in other gyms), they focus on a few fundamentals that can be learned viscerally. And the teaching method they use is SBG's I-Method (ModCom's approach), which in my opinion is the best methodology in learning mma/self-defense today. Finally, Alan & Lily emphasize play & fun, and have a great sense of humor. This attitude (of fun, camaraderie, friendships) is a norm in the gym. Whatever your goals are (be it competition, health, self-defense, recreation, or a specific game in stand up, clinch or ground), you'll find your niche at Modern Combatives. Most important, you'll end up making new friends who'll support you in your learning in a fun-filled and safe environment. read more

I just ended a one hour intro session with Nick and he was awesome. I have been kickboxing at a gym for awhile and wanted to learn more technique. He taught me so much in just an hour. He was professional and easy to follow/understand. I'm not sure I'm going to go this route, but if I was interested more in martial arts, etc. this would be the perfect fit. Great variety of classes and very clean/professional. read more

Pros: Very intelligent, technical, and friendly coaches Very nice training partners Ego free, healthy atmopshere in general Decent location Pretty good rates Variety of classes Cons: Gym is kind of small Billing can be troublesome To get everything out of the gym it seems you have to pay extra for seminars and more classes Didn't seem very focused on competition at the time This used to be one of the only places close to UC Berkeley to train MMA. Ralph Gracie has a school fairly close to campus also. Although the rates were reasonable, I found that they would bill me even when it had been agreed upon I did not want to be billed that month. Eventually they just cancelled my contract because I complained (a lot). Several other people who used to train here told me they experienced the same thing. My friend, who is a BJJ blackbelt, told me that the owners of this school founded it when they were white belts in BJJ and not very experienced. They thought the school wasn't to be taken seriously, but I actually think, given that in mind, the school has done very well for itself and the instruction is pretty good and the coaches are very intelligent. If you want to train no-gi BJJ or do MMA closer to campus, you should check out Jake Shields' school on 2438 Durant Ave and Telegraph. It is 1 block from campus and has several pro fighters training there. read more

Why I train at ModCom - Curriculum is well-rounded : ModCom is an MMA gym. It's such a chill place to hang out and have fun, sometimes it's easy to forget that the gym preps you to fight in the UFC. They do this in many ways, but the most obvious is that they offer an extremely diverse set of classes. A full member gets access to judo, jiu jitsu, muay thai, mma classes, + others. That gives you access to all the primary fighting styles that will make you a well-rounded fighter. - Coaches are well-rounded: Most of the people teaching here are geared towards mma. They are not purists, and don't use the same fighting technique to solve every problem. Rather, they cross train in judo, jitsu, and muay thai to extrapolate the key skills that will make you a well-rounded fighter. So if you ask, "What should I do when my opponent does x?" Their answer might be, "Well, that depends. Are you in an mma fight, or a jiu jitsu match?" Depth across training styles is something I think is pretty key. - Great Gym Schedule : http://www.moderncombatives.com/web/schedule%205-1-08.html. Customize your workout anyway you want. I frequently tweak the classes I go to depending on which areas I feel weakest in. - 3 bucks a class : Each class is cheaper than a starbucks crappioto (j/k, I like starbucks). I don't mean this literally. I pay a monthly fee. I go to 6-8 classes a week (see previous point! I got lots of areas to work on!). I did some math...each class is quite affordable. - You get to fight : Function not Fantasy, that's their motto. That means you'll be grappling with people in your first jiu jitsu class, or punching real moving targets in your first kickboxing class. None of that air fighting here! Your opponents will constantly be resisting your actions, which will teach you how to take a technique and apply it in a real situation. There are designated time slots for grappling with people, and you frequently get to spar in kickboxing classes. Bring your spouse and let her hit you in the face! You know you did something wrong at some point... - People are great : No, that's not subjective at all! But anyway, if you give Modcom a shot, I think you'll find that everyone that trains here are great people. Good training partners are priceless. If you train frequently, you're gonna have bad days where you don't do as well as you'd like to. Being around people with good attitudes will help pull you past these humps. It's much easier to learn and improve when your instruction is constructive and comes from positive feedback, and from people who want to help improve your game. - Fast results : I lost 30 lbs in 6 months, after joining. I still eat like a pig. - Other : 3 of their members are fighting semi-pro. It won't be long until your friends will see them on tv and ask you, "Hey, is that why your left leg isn't working right now?" But why take it from me? Come and get free lessons and decide for yourself. You get a private lesson, plus 2 free classes before having to decide whether or not it's right for you. read more

i joined this gym to learn kickboxing and it is AWESOME. the gym owners and teachers are absolutely wonderful. it really starts to feel like a family once you've been going for awhile. classes are excellent. for newcomers: a week in and we were already doing some light sparring. that doesn't mean they skimp on technique, it's just that you get some technique each time while you are also learning the realities (and unexpected surprises) of a full contact sport. i find i learn much faster this way--and i'm never ever bored. bonus: amazing workout. you will sweat. a lot. being one of the few girls (and sometimes the only girl) in kickboxing class took some getting used to. but most of the guys here are great and i've become more sympathetic to the fact that it might take a little while for newbies to get over the "don't ever hit a girl" mantra. trust me, if a girl signs up for co-ed kickboxing, she is okay with getting hit (in the gym anyway) and she probably hopes you will so she can hit you back harder. hehehehe..... after a few months of trying to figure out what the hell was going on in jiu jitsu classes, i started taking them too. they are also great and i'll update this post once i've been in them awhile. read more

Alan and his wife are awesome and they're great people. I enjoyed training with them and would recommend them to anyone interested in learning MMA. read more

first off i'm not one of their students- but i have trained with them in drop in classes and went to a few bullshido throwdowns (bunch of dudes from the net meet up to spar) held there. they have a nice facility. the method they coach is really, really good. and lilly and alan (the ones that run the gym) are just really good people. if i lived in berkley, i would totally sign up. read more

My kid is in the Dino class. We have only been going for about 7 weeks and I have seen an increase in my sons self confidence. The environment in general is very open and welcoming. All of the instructors are patient and fun.There is no competition just fun and functional self defense. read more

I started here about 3 months ago and I've already lost 15 pounds. I'm not sure what all the negative reviews about sales are as I didn't have any trouble. The gym is very upfront about how to cancel, suspend, or change your membership. The coaches are patient and super friendly and the gym is always very clean. I like the training style because it allows you to work up intensity as you get more comfortable. They have a broad range of classes from boot camp style, women's self defense, bjj, kids , and competition level classes. read more