If you are in the Castro Valley area then this is definitely the jiujitsu gym to train at. They have a very strong kids program and adults program, to fit all your jiujitsu needs, whether you are a hobbyist or a competitor. ZMATA is also a Guardian affiliated gym which means they have specific goals to help the youth community, where jiujitsu empowers then to improve themselves and build confidence. As for the mat space, it is clean and well maintained, with foot cleansing stations infused with tea tree oil, to keep the mats safe for everyone (a nice touch). They train champions here and everyone is about improving each other. I was blessed to train an open mat here and regularly see their instructors and practitioners at our NorCal open mat club. Thanks ZMATA! read more

Z mata is a fantastic place if your kids are serious about their BJJ, Judo or wrestling training. Their coaches are led by co-owner Mr. Aaron Zaballos (hence the Z in the name). They employ great coaches and it's a fantastic place to train. (My girls did for several years prior to the pandemic). Zero hesitation to recommend this business. read more

Z Mata - which stands for Zaballos Martial Arts Training Academy - is a top notch academy which not only provides excellent quality of instruction, but also a positive and encouraging environment for it's students. Professor Aaron Zaballos, who is the head instructor, provides a challenging and progressive curriculum, and oversees a learning environment that is founded on supporting, respecting, and helping each other reach their potential. Z Mata is one of the top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies in the country. This claim is supported by the consistent success at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments with team and individual wins. The academy facility itself is spacious, beautiful, and meticulously maintained. Z Mata is the one Bay Area academy that I can recommend without hesitation or qualifiers, whenever someone asks me for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym recommendation. Contrary to the recent postings by individuals with a political agendas, attempting to craft a false and destructive narrative, Z Mata is not associated, affiliated, or supportive of the war in the Ukraine. The "Z" in Z Mata represents Zaballos, the surname of the head instructor Aaron Zaballos. The academy has been serving the Castro Valley, CA community for over 7 years, since 2015, so for anyone to concoct a narrative based on current events happening on the other side of the globe is reckless, disingenuous, and outright malicious. read more

This review is for their kids program. I believe that zmata has the best BJJ/grappling kids program in Northern California. And how lucky are we that they are here in my hometown?! What better way to put this statement to the test than to compete in tournaments? Well they have all of the rewards and medals to back it up. There is absolutely no doubt they are top notch and are truly respected nationwide. And they are here in little ol' Castro Valley!! Again, how lucky are we!??? My son has been learning under Coach Aaron and Coach Stevie for almost a decade. In that time, they've helped my son to place in the top three in almost every tournament he has entered. Zmata has also coached him in wrestling and helped him make the varsity wrestling team in his freshman year of high school. We owe a lot of this success to the coaches at zmata. Not only did they make sure my son had the grappling skills to succeed, they instilled in him a lot of the virtues we try to teach at home: humility, respect, patience, hard work, and kindness. My son to this day remembers everything the coaches have said to him because sometimes teens would rather not hear it from their mother. :) I would recommend Zmata to any family wanting to learn BJJ/wrestling. Zmata was one of the best investments we've ever made for our child. We are proud to be part of the Zmata family and always will be. read more

If you are looking for a place to train in the east bay this is the spot. My son and I have been training here for the last 3 years and it has been a great experience. Top notch teaching and even better people. When my son wanted to try out for high school wrestling the members from the gym were a huge help and even though he had no prior experience he was able to make the team and do well. The team continues to help him I enjoy it so much I am there daily as well. Whenever my friends come down and train there equally impressed with the gym, students, and teachers. 5 stars read more

ZMATA - ZM Grappling Academy - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Amazing coaches who put their ALL into building a business to better their community. Aaron and Stevie and the rest of their coaches are hands down some of THE best around. We NEED these types of programs for our kids everywhere! Not just here in castro valley east bay! They teach your child discipline, honor, respect, courage and grit! The future of our great nation are in the hands of our kids.... And Z Mata can surely assist in helping them be better humans! Go ZMATA read more

Love this place! My 9 y/o came as a drop in several times during the week we were here visiting family. The Zmata coaches and students welcomed her with open arms and treated her with kindness as if she was a regular student and not a visitor. The dojo is very clean, kids well behaved, classes are run smoothly and efficiently. This is a top notch school and I highly recommend if you want your child to train to come here. We will definitely be coming back every time we are in California. Thank you!! read more

ZMATA - ZM Grappling Academy - Zmata Coaches - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Castro Valley, California

My kids have been training at Zmata for the past 4 1/2 years. I did a lot of research before stepping foot in the academy and have never thought twice about it once they started. The Z in Zmata stands for Zaballos, the instructor whom started the academy's last name. It is unfortunate that someone has posted such a harmful review based solely on the signage. This person is reaching and making a very malicious accusation. Is every business with a Z in the name or on the signage supposed to change it now because of the war in the Ukraine? Are people going to start boycotting zebras??? Sorry, my snarkiness gets in the way a lot. Zmata is a small business that was fortunate enough to survive the pandemic. I believe that is due to the strong connection they have with their students and their families and the product they put out on the mats. These guys are so much more than martial arts instructors. They are mentors whose teachings go far beyond the mat. My family stands firmly behind Coach Aaron and Coach Stevie and anything that may cross their path that could bring harm to the academy. #zmatastrong read more

My son has been training here for almost a year and absolutely loves it. He feels a whole with his fellow team mates and Loves his coaches. Everyday when I pick him up from class he has a smile on his face (even after a tough workout) and something positive to say about his session. This will be his forever jiu jitsu family. read more

See all

As a member of the Zmata family & a husband of a Ukrainian woman & father of two beautiful Ukrainian babies our family fully supports what the Zmata family represents and stands for. It is a total misuse of energy going around harassing business for something they don't have anything to do with in this senseless war. Thanks to the support of the zmata family we successfully and safely were able to evacuate and house 4 Ukrainian citizens, so maybe instead of trying to change the the letters of the alphabet how about collaborating and raising funds to help those Ukrainian citizen in need... Slava Ukraini ! read more

An excellent place to train, absolutely top-notch, world-class instruction and training partners that will push you to get better at grappling, but also at life! It's unfortunate that this even needs to be mentioned but being part Ukrainian, I have felt nothing but welcomed in this place. I remember vividly when the recent war broke out, head coach Aaron asked me with concern when I came in if I had any family affected. If you want a place to train where you feel at home and will grow, it does not get better than this! read more

I have been training at ZMata for several years (a place I call home). I can say with full confidence that it is more than a martial arts school, it's a community and I have a life experience to prove it. Earlier this year, I went through a health crisis and literally fought for my life. From my first night at the hospital through my rehabilitation process, my teammates and coaches provided support (ABOVE and BEYOND training). Today I'm a walking miracle... Thankful and grateful to be a part of the ZMata community. read more

Great atmosphere and great instructors. Zmata is connected and invested into the community. Both kids and the adult program are top notch. Great experience and a great facility read more

Great gym with even greater people. Honored to know the owners and the family. Can't recommend this gym enough.

Love this place and the instructors! Our kids have been attending classes with ZMata for a few years and have learned so much. Beyond growing in their abilities in martial arts, our kids are building character in being disciplined and pushing with hard work and grit. Our family is thankful for what we gain here. read more

Great place to train with knowledgeable coaches. I've trained at several BJJ gyms before I came to Z MATA. Of all the places I've trained, Z MATA puts more practice on takedowns than any other place I've been at. Before coming here, I had very little knowledge on takedowns, now I have a few I can work on. read more

We love ZMATA! My son learned so much from coach Stevie and coach Aaron over the years and not only did his time here boost his skills but completely boosted his confidence. They are supportive and great positive role models for our son! Thank you Zmata!! read more

Great Jiu-Jitsu academy to train at ! I love that it's very competitive ! Oh and the have amazing mats !! And great people !! If your looking to take your Jiu-Jitsu to the next level this is the place ! read more

Amazing studio! I can't say enough about how great this place is. It feels like family and the coaches are truly here to help the students be their BEST! I noticed right away my son not only gaining a lot of knowledge in Jiujitsu and wrestling but also having more confidence and really challenging himself in all areas of life. I love the coaches philosophy and how they empower these kids. Beyond grateful we found Zmata! read more

Great facility, fantastic staff, and please be sure to ignore the crazy review below that essentially claims the owner shouldn't be allowed to use the first letter of his own last name because reasons. Train BJJ in the Bay? Go here. read more

Horrible customer service I spoke to the owner about classes for my toddler he stated that they do not have any classes for toddler. But on the website it says that they do very rude when I told him that it was on his website! read more

Hands down one of the best places to train at. Both coaches there are world class and are willing to help anyone come in with open arms to turn them into a true martial artist. I've trained there since it has opened and coach Aaron and coach Steve have taught me the true meaning of discipline, respect, and hard work. If you want to be good at Jiu jitsu, come here. read more

I started training with z mata a couple a months ago and it's been noting but great positive vibes with great culture it's like one big family! coach A is a great person treats everyone as family I'm shocked that some one is trying to tarnish a family business due to the letter "Z" in this case it's his last name !In no way, shape or form has anything to do with the Russian war!!! I'm grateful to be able to train at a place where I was welcomed by not only coach "A" but everyone else in class made me feel at home it's definitely an honor that coach A let's us use his last name "initial" on our uniforms to represent his business and all the work he has put in for his family honor and the legitimate jiu-jitsu business!. read more

Z Mata is a great academy with fantastic instructors and awesome people! Aaron, Stevie, and all the instructors do a great job breaking down techniques, making it easy for everyone to learn. Everyone is very humble and respectful. The Z Mata family is very welcoming and encouraging to all. read more

I am so grateful that we found Z Mata! Both of my children (7 & 8 years old) started classes at Z Mata with Coach Aaron and Coach Stevie 4 months ago having had zero exposure to Jiu Jitsu & Judo. They were intimidated at first but Coach Aaron, Coach Stevie and all of their students were so kind, patient and encouraging. My son is now especially passionate about BJJ & Judo and I have seen a positive change in his self confidence, discipline and outlook on fitness. If you are thinking about trying out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts, you should definitely check out Z Mata! read more

Great place! I love the coaches and they have an awesome kids program! I'm very happy to be apart of this team.

I stopped by inquiring information about enrolling my son. The staff is Friendly and professional. I was very excited about the training they offer to the youth and serve a very diverse community read more

ZMATA is the best martial arts training academy! They have the best coaching team! They make champions on and off the mats! My two boys (now 8 and 10) have been taking judo, wrestling, and jiujitsu classes at ZMATA since 2018. Coach Stevie and Coach Aaron have treated us like family since the day my boys did the free trial. We knew immediately that this was the place for us. ZMATA has a very positive and uplifting atmosphere. They are very welcoming, kind, patient, and generous. They teach the kids respect, self-discipline, and integrity through leading by example. There is also a strong emphasis on being a team and having good sportsmanship. They build personal relationships with their students (and parents of their kid students). They encourage and motivate their students to push themselves beyond their limits physically and mentally and to do their best in everything they do, not just on the mats. I have witnessed my kids use the skills they've learned from their coaches at ZMATA in other sports that they do, at school, and with their friends and family. I highly recommend ZMATA to anyone, kids and adults, who want to learn judo, wrestling, and jiujitsu and other life skills from the best! P.S. Their academy is also very clean and the mats have springs so it's not hard on the body! read more

We are from Castro Valley but we heard how awesome Zmata was from my brother all the way in Houston. So we signed up my son 2019-2020 and he enjoyed it so much. We took a break because of his health but he is going back this month! I haven't yelped in years but I felt like I needed to today because of the complaint against the "Z" logo. I'm sorry that they FEEL that way but the FACT is that the "Z" is for Zaballos and it is clearly a BJJ belt that has the stripes on the bottom (shows the proficiency level of the student)I honestly don't know how much more obvious it can get. It's ok to feel and question the owner's intentions, but after you get your answer, why give them a bad review? We have never had a bad experience while my son was here. Everyone was so kind and friendly. The students who were helping my son were all so patient and very respectful on and off the mat! We can't wait to come back! read more

Aaron is a great sensei (instructor/coach)! He is very technical in the art and has the intuition to break down moves in ways that make it easy for anyone at any level to learn how to be.. (excuse my language) a badass. Aaron is not the type of coach that coach on the sideline. Expect him to train with you side by side. He raises the bar for his gym because of how knowledgeable and skillful he is. I kid you not when I roll(spar) with him it's like playing a game of chest where I am many steps behind. It's rolling with him it's like a slow inevitable slow death(I'm super extremely exaggerating even though this is how he makes me feel). He is the real deal and I hightly recommend learning from this individual. Not only that you will be training under an amazing instructor, but you will be a part an amazing bjj family. read more

These 5 stars are for every aspect of this school: culture/environment, technical teaching, instructor and student levels, cleanliness, location, business, etc. I'm a brown belt who's been training in jiu jitsu since 1994, I was one of the first Americans to visit Brazil to specifically train jiu jitsu, I know what a good school is. This is a GREAT school! That "everyone is welcome" is not just a cliche here, everyone here is welcoming from the instructors to the students to the parents sitting waiting for their hard working kids. Aaron has made the soul of this school deeper than the great art of jiu jitsu, he's infused it with the true spirit of respect the traditional martial arts were known for. Often when competition becomes the main focus of a school, courtesy for people of all ranks and levels becomes overlooked, if not lost. Not here. Character qualities such as respect and honor seem to elevate with the elevation of competitive drive. Aaron is a world champion himself, and his children follow consistently standing on the podium in local and world level tournaments. Lately nearly every week they brought back gold, silver, and bronze metals, but mostly gold and silver. It is rare that an entire school embodies the martial spirit in this day and age. Professionally I bring people from pain to performance, i understand the importance of the brain body connection and jiu jitsu is the best thing you can do for yourself or put your child in, I'm certainof that. If you're looking for a great jiu jitsu school because you understand not only the benefits of the skills acquired, but also because the people you train and interact with are valuable investments into your social capital, this is the school for you. Don't delay, contact Aaron and check us out! Hope to see you on the mats soon. read more

One of the cleanest Martial Arts gym I have been to... You just don't know how refreshing this is. Pretty AWESOME to get jiu-jitsu instructions from a World Champion. Aaron is great with kids and my 10 year old can't stop talking about what he learns there after every class. He now calls himself a Soulfighter...LOL referring to the gym affiliation. I definitely recommend this place to newbies as well a experienced Martial Artists. Great place... great people... with some badass students. read more

i have been training at Z Mata since March and I love it. I looked around at a few different gyms before settling here and was struck by a few things right off the bat. As soon as I walked in, Aaron was incredibly welcoming and warm with all of the questions I peppered him with. Second was how clean the mats and the gym were. That was a huge plus compared to some of the places I had checked out. Now, with a few months under my belt I can truly say I love it here. The training is top notch and the people are awesome. Everyone is friendly and also trains hard. Check out Z Mata and you won't be disappointed. read more

What better way to get fit then by training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Yoga and Kajukenbo some of the finest martial arts taught by Amazing Instructors. Zmata is a fun environment with great people & tons of mat space. It's in a great location in Castro Valley, CA. Owner, Coach Aaron is committed to the craft of martial arts; he is passionate for what he does and creates a positive and fun learning environment. I feel like I'm constantly learning and evolving. Training martial arts has changed me physically and mentally. If you want to be a better you.... Come Train at ZMATA!:) read more

I cannot give a high enough review. Aaron and Steve are excellent with my kids--professional, consistent, trustworthy. I am so glad you are opening up again! I cannot wait to get my kids back in! - Scott A. read more

Not Just great instruction,,, This academy has both advanced BJJ competitor to beginner, every level all sizes. great Members, Great instructor and they are teaching the traditional and New Techniques. Been rolling with them for a few months and would recommend it to everyone.. come check it out family-friendly. free week to try it out.. That's how we started.. read more

Great spot to train whether you want to compete at a high level or just use BJJ as a positive and healthy way to spend your time. I have been training BJJ for 5+ years in the Bay Area and the head instructor at ZMATA, Aaron Zaballos, is one of the best people I have met in this community. He was ranked best in the world at brown belt in his age division after a successful competition push in 2014. He also has a Master's degree in Sports Management (i think). I have seen the way he conducts his kids classes and I think others could model after him. The right amount of structure that kids need balanced with freedom and pace to match their shorter attention spans. I would have him teach my kid. Oh an the network of world class BJJ practitioners in the Soul Fighters network is crazy. If you live in this area, don't give it another thought, just go get your free trial started. read more

I trained with Aaron last night and he's a great guy. I showed up at a time when no one was in the gym. Aaron was in the back office doing paperwork but he came out, put his Gi on, and rolled with me. I have been training martial arts on and off for 10 years now and Aaron know what he is doing. He's a very skilled martial artist, very humble, and a very nice person. The gym is very clean which is one of the most important things to look for when researching a martial arts academy. I am going to send my 13 year old son, my 6 year old son, and my 3 year old daughter (as soon as she turns 4) to Z Mata Jiu-Jitsu. You should check this place out. I highly recommend it. You will get much more 1 on 1 attention than at some of the other gyms being that this is a new academy. Get in on the ground floor and be a part of something special. read more

ZMATA - ZM Grappling Academy - Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Near Me - Castro Valley, California

When I found out Coach Aaron and Coach Cailloux were making a move to their own gym, it was a no-brainer to tag along, and I have not been disappointed. The new gym is clean, organized, and in a great location. The students are respectful, hard working, and passionate about BJJ and their overall fitness. And of course, the instructor are world class with tons of great connections within the BJJ community. Whether you are new, returning after an extended layoff, or have been training for awhile, ZMATA offers everything you need to get and keep your BJJ and fitness game tight. read more

A Little background first. I am a veteran school teacher. I am over 40. So - A) I know a lot about teaching and B) It is a bit tricky for me to find a gym that works for an older practitioner. I am a white belt with about a years experience, but this is a review about teaching and the quality of teaching here. It took me forever to find my first real school. I almost quit several times. Finally I found a great place. Then the black belt quit and the guy who replaced him was awful. I began looking for a new gym. This took forever. This took forever because I kept running into two kinds of places: 1. Hyper aggressive d-bag places run by really angry guys. Screaming, obnoxious, awful teachers with no clue how to teach. Attention of the instructor focused on young, hyper fit cage fighter wannabees. 2. Clueless Hippy Dippy instructors. Lots of unsupervised rolling (sparring ) without any real feedback. Awful, sloppy instruction. Ignoring everyone and looking at phones. Highly undisciplined classes. No direction. In general, the very aggressive places had no women or African American students. So after visiting and observing the teaching methods of about 6 different gyms. I chose this one. Why? 1. Structure and physical challenge. 2. Really good instruction. Not only the move itself but also larger concepts explained in a way that I understand. 3. Incredibly practical moves and advice. 4. Instructors check in on all players, regardless of how likely they are to be professionals or show extreme ability in the art. 5. Every time I go, I can do at least one of the things they are teaching. If you are a newish white belt you know how big a deal this is. 6. The smartest way to approach the arm bar from the mount I have seen, as well as an escape from the armbar that I used recently to frustrate a blue belts attempts to get me with it. ( I just managed to stop him, I didn't beat him or anything), 7. Huge diversity in age, race, gender. 8. Really nice people - when the tatted up muscular guy with the bald head is polite, that's awesome. I am only a white belt in bjj, but I am probably a purple or so in teaching. I know what quality instruction looks like and what it doesn't look like. Check this place out. read more