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SBG NorCal Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts
4.6 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Berkeley, 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
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule sbgnorcal.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 510-540-8283
Hours
| Monday | 4:30–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 4:30–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 4:30–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 6–7:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–2:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“It's also been nice that as a beginner even amongst other advanced students, Ive been able to get the attention I need to learn the foundational movements for proper technique.”
“Full disclosure, growing up in the area I have known some of the staff forty years and completely trust them with my kids and health.”
“This gym was recommended to me by a MMA fighter as I was preparing to learn more about MMA and personal self-defense techniques.”
“It's also been nice that as a beginner even amongst other advanced students, Ive been able to get the attention I need to learn the foundational movements for proper technique.”
Other martial arts here
“This gym was recommended to me by a MMA fighter as I was preparing to learn more about MMA and personal self-defense techniques.”
“I LOVE the boxing bootcamp, kickboxing and jiu jitsu classes!”
“I LOVE the boxing bootcamp, kickboxing and jiu jitsu classes!”
What members say
“best coaches and incredible training environment!”
“It's also been nice that as a beginner even amongst other advanced students, Ive been able to get the attention I need to learn the foundational movements for proper technique.”
“Every gym should be like this; all-family friendly, clean, high energy, cool space makes you want to move in, SAFE, good parking.”
“This gym was recommended to me by a MMA fighter as I was preparing to learn more about MMA and personal self-defense techniques.”
“Every gym should be like this; all-family friendly, clean, high energy, cool space makes you want to move in, SAFE, good parking.”
From the reviews
Great atmosphere and coaches. Everyone on staff is friendly and wants to help you improve. It's all about getting better by that one percent and pushing yourself. The coaches and staff know everyone's names which makes it feel more like home.-
I reached out to SBG NorCal to see if I could do a drop in as I was visiting the area and Coach Kyle welcomed me with open arms. He was very clear about the expectation and even sent me a calendar invite for the day I was visiting!
Been here for the last 7 years and it’s been awesome ! Such a great environment to be a part of. From coaches to training partners everybody is awesome to train with !
Great staff, classes and people. The owners are some of the nicest people around.
New to BJJ? Start at SBG NorCal Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts
SBG NorCal Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 SBG NorCal Jiu Jitsu & Mixed Martial Arts
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.
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