Home › California › Alameda › Island City Jiu Jitsu
Island City Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 36 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Alameda, California
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule islandcityjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (510) 224-5245
Hours
| Monday | 4–8:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–8:30 PM |
| Thursday | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM, 4–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 4–8:30 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12:30 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“Our kids (ages 5 & 7) have been attending Island City Jiu Jitsu since they opened, and our experience has been wonderful!”
“Thanks to the coaching and support here, I even stepped way outside my comfort zone and competed in my first tournament—coming home with a gold medal.”
“The coaches are highly knowledgeable and do a great job supporting everyone—from complete beginners to those training at a competitive level.”
Other martial arts here
“All the teachers are extremely skilled and the head coach Zach and the Muay Thai coach Uche are some of the best coaches i have every trained under in the Bay Area.”
“Coach Zach is a BJJ black belt as well as a former MMA fighter, so he has a lot of experience and depth of knowledge.”
“Overall, a great place to train grappling, kickboxing or MMA (or all three) in Alameda.”
What members say
“All the teachers are extremely skilled and the head coach Zach and the Muay Thai coach Uche are some of the best coaches i have every trained under in the Bay Area.”
“The coaches are highly knowledgeable and do a great job supporting everyone—from complete beginners to those training at a competitive level.”
“Great coaches, beautiful space, welcoming and supportive community…amazing addition to alameda and the overall jujitsu community!”
“Their Muay Thai classes are a great balance of technique and conditioning.”
“Their Muay Thai classes are a great balance of technique and conditioning.”
“My son absolutely loves it and always looks forward to going to class.”
From the reviews
I can't say enough great things about Coach/Owner Zach and the amazing team at Island City Jiu Jitsu. Coach Zach is a BJJ black belt as well as a former MMA fighter, so he has a lot of experience and depth of knowledge.
My 8-year-old son and I have been training here since the gym opened in 2024, and it’s been an incredible experience. The coaches are highly knowledgeable and do a great job supporting everyone—from complete beginners to those training at a competitive level.
Our kids (ages 5 & 7) have been attending Island City Jiu Jitsu since they opened, and our experience has been wonderful! The space has been beautifully refreshed with thoughtful touches throughout (including a large TV so you can watch the class live!).
My 7 year old son started at Island City Jiu Jitsu soon after they opened and we've had a fantastic experience so far! Coach Zach and Coach Margie strike a great balance of making the classes fun and engaging, while also providing structure and discipline to keep all students safe and appropriately challenged.
New to BJJ? Start at Island City Jiu Jitsu
Island City Jiu Jitsu comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Island City Jiu Jitsu
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
More BJJ gyms near Alameda
Gracie JiuJitsu Alameda
5 ★★★★★ 26 reviews
Alameda Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 36 reviews
10th Planet Oakland Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 152 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site