1625 Bush St Suite 5 (2nd floor, San Francisco, CA 94109, USA
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at ALLIANCE BJJ SF Bay. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
Been training here for more than three months now, and it is definitely the best Dojo in the Bay Area and one of the best Jiu Jitsu acadmies I have ever been to. The instruction team and all the teammates welcomed me with great passion on the first day as a new comer, and all the instructions were detailed both in terms of techniques and concepts, and even interactive, techniques are up to date. A great place for both visiting and long term training.
Joining the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu team has been a life-changing experience for me. I feel incredibly lucky to have a coach like Victor, whose guidance and dedication have made a huge impact on my journey. The program has not only helped me grow as a practitioner but has also transformed me personally. Being part of the Alliance family has been a privilege—my teammates and the people in my academy are not just skilled but also supportive and inspiring. I couldn’t ask for a better community to train and grow with. This is a decision I will never regret!
I've heard that the way a BJJ school treats their white belts speaks volumes. And speaking from the perspective of a white belt and total newbie, I can say that the instructors at Alliance do a fantastic job of seamlessly integrating beginners like me into the class. The coaches are topnotch and the dojo is home to a supportive, tight-knit community. Would highly recommend!
Great instructors and a friendly community. Very welcoming to jiu jitsu newbies like me
I’ve been training here for almost 2 years and have been enjoying being a part of the community Victor, Lucio, Nayo, and Mascara have built. They are high skilled and knowledgeable instructors. Additionally, the students who train here are talented and have a strong sense of sportsmanship! Highly recommend anyone to join.
I credit Alliance with kicking off a long term desire to practice jiu-jitsu. I was in search of a new hobby around a year ago and immediately found a passion in learning the art. Classes are challenging and sometimes difficult, but my fellow students have truly pushed me to try to get better little by little every day and I appreciate that the gym has cultivated a culture that fosters continuous improvement
Simply put, Alliance SF is excellent! Lucio and Victor are incredibly knowledgeable, and their curriculum is very methodical. I enjoy how they dive deep into the techniques. It never feels like I’m just learning a bunch of random techniques. Their curriculum has a particular flow, which makes the experience of learning BJJ much more fun and interesting. The gym itself is always clean. The mats, the changing room, and the waiting area are well-kept. What I value the most about Alliance SF is the camaraderie. Everyone is so nice and willing to help—professors and students alike. I highly recommend checking out Alliance SF for anyone looking to start learning BJJ.
Great school, professors and students! The of the best BJJ school in the bay area.
I was a little shy in my first week of training because of my size I’m pretty much pretty small compared to everybody else. But the more I train here the more I love Jiujitsu! The instructors Lucio, Victor, Mascara and Nayo are super technical and kind! I love the friendly environment and thats always something I would look for the most in a dojo. The more I come the more I train the more this gym makes me feel like my second home! The people here understands I am smaller so they’ve been helping me a lot and I couldn’t be more thankful for that and I have definitely improved. Highly recommend this gym for anyone who has intentions of starting Brazilian jiujitsu!
melhor academia que eu ja treinei na minha vida a mais limpa que ja treinei 👊👊
The best BJJ academy in SF! Excellent teachers and classes. I recommend it to all my friends.
Excelentes professores academia limpa profissionais cuidadosos
I've been training at Alliance for over 4 months now, and I couldn't be more satisfied! I felt very welcome since the first day. The instructors are amazing—attentive, thoughtful, and dedicated to make sure students are learning while having a good time. The vibe on the mat is very positive!everyone is very friendly, and students are encouraged to help each other which creates a collaborative and inclusive environment. The mat is very clean, and they have a well-organized space. I started with Alliance because a good girlfriend told me about them and now I've been telling other women because I know it's hard to find a place where you can train feeling safe and comfortable. Alliance is definitely that place, and I'm very happy to be a part of it. My experience has been amazing, and I'm excited to keep training and improving my BJJ skills with them ◡̈
I have been doing jiu jitsu here for almost half a year. The instructors are very knowledgeable and good at teaching. Other students here are also friendly and helpful. In my personal experience, this gym is a very good fit for beginners to jiu jitsu.
My time at Alliance BJJ San Francisco was short but a very memorable one. I’ve spent a few years in different martial arts and dabbled in grappling before deciding to finally focus on jiu-jitsu exclusively. I tried out in different academies before eventually trying out at Alliance BJJ San Francisco. From the beginning of my trial class, I could tell that Alliance BJJ San Francisco was different. The instructors, Victor and Lucio, were very structual and cohesive in teaching the gentle art of jiu-jitsu. Every instructions were clear — every micromovements and details were explained in a very organized detailed, but simple breakdown. The culture of the gym was also something that I feel another thing a lot of places may have overlooked, but was very well cultivated by Victor and Lucio. Everyone was friendly and respectful. Whether your goals were just to get in shape, to have fun or even as serious as to compete, we were a solid team. And nobody was excluded from anything. I eventually had to leave because I had to move back to my country. I sure hope one day I can revisit Alliance BJJ San Francisco and see everyone again.
bjj at alliance is one of the best things that happened to me in my life. personal shoutout to Victor with his guidance
I started at Alliance BJJ SF In July 2021. I was a student there until March 2024 when I left SF. I loved it, Victor, Lucio, Mascara and Nayo are welcoming and always have time for everyone. They all adapt their teaching style depending on what the student needs in that moment which is impressive. I started off with zero experience and with time, hard work and ALOT of help I was awarded my blue belt. Getting to Blue belt was my first goal in BJJ, but the journey, working with the coaches and meeting other students was the highlight for me. The environment is very special. There's people who are hobbyists and those who compete but everyone learns from one another and there are no egos at all. You will be very welcomed by students and coaches alike and the coaching you will receive, no matter your goal will be second to none. One of the best things I have done was join Alliance BJJ SF. Give it a try, you won't regret it!
Great place to train - friendly, patient and fun instructors in a great location. Highly recommend the free 1-1 intro class!
I trained with Alliance SF for 6 months, going from my first Jiu Jitsu class to competing in my first tournament. The experience was fantastic. A tight knit community, top of the line instruction, and willingness from all fellow students and professors to help improve my game. The team was very open to supporting me as a beginner and quickly helped me ramp up to more advanced instruction—I would highly recommend Alliance SF to anyone looking for a gym in SF.
I travel a lot for work and train all over. I can confidently say that the instruction at Alliance SF is second to none. If looking to train in San Francisco, Alliance SF should be a no brainer.
Very Skilled and knowledgeable instructors. Great and respectful crowd. The cleanest gym I have experienced.
Amazing learning environment, everyone is so welcoming and helpful!
I have been training at Alliance SF for about a year now, and I can confidently say that it has been an incredible experience. The instructors are knowledgeable, approachable, and dedicated to helping students improve their skills. The atmosphere at the gym is welcoming and inclusive, making it a great place for both beginners and experienced practitioners to train. I have seen significant progress in my BJJ techniques and overall fitness since joining the gym. The classes are well-structured, challenging, and fun, providing a great balance of technique drilling, sparring, and conditioning. The camaraderie among the students creates a supportive and motivating environment that encourages growth and learning. I appreciate the emphasis on technique, discipline, and respect that the gym instills in its students. The facilities are clean and well-maintained, and the staff is always friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Alliance to anyone looking to start their BJJ journey or continue their training at a top-notch facility. Thank you to the instructors at Alliance for creating such a positive and enriching training environment. I look forward to continuing my BJJ journey at this exceptional gym.
Been training at Alliance for a few months now and love it. I tried a few gyms before settling in at Alliance. Having never trained before, I have found the introductory experience at Alliance to be top notch: the fundamentals class is a gradual ramp up and you can attend all-levels classes to mix it up with more experienced teammates. I was nervous to start, but I found a welcoming community that has facilitated my progress There is a sense of respect and excellence here that encourages safety but also training hard. If you’re looking to start BJJ, Alliance is an excellent choice
Alliance BJJ SF is the best school to practice BJJ in in the broader Bay Area. The two metrics that potential BJJ hobbyists should use when picking a school are the quality and number of 1) high level instructors and 2) fellow students. Alliance BJJ excels in both metrics. Professors Lucio, Victor, Nayo and Mascara all have years of experience and ensure that there are never too many students per instructor. When observing us roll, each professor will often times give personalized feedback which accelerates personal development (many other gyms have 1 instructor for 20+ students which makes that impossible to do). The students at Alliance are also welcoming and open. Everyone I've rolled with has given honest and constructive feedback about ways to improve my game, which I've found is not consistent with the way other students are at different gyms. Joining Alliance BJJ SF is a no-brainer if you are looking to get into BJJ. Hope you get a chance to check out the school.
Can’t say enough about how much I enjoy classes here. I love how dedicated and great Victor, his teaching team, and my classmates are here. The dojo is clean and friendly. I’m a slow learner, but the classmates and instructors are always super patient and supportive. Try out a free class to find out more!
I’ve been training with Victor and Lucio for ~8 months now. They create a phenomenal atmosphere for BJJ practitioners of all levels with their open, respectful, ego-free, and technical approach. The space is clean, bright, and well maintained. HIGHLY recommend for anyone interested in learning or leveling up their game!
I cannot speak highly enough of Alliance San Francisco. Victor, Lucio, and the whole team of instructors are top notch educators and practitioners of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The facilities are always clean and cared for. The students are welcoming and engaged. If you are looking for a world class Jiu Jitsu Academy in San Francisco, look no further.
I've been training bjj for a while now (at 2 different gyms prior to alliance sf), and here's a breakdown of why I've given this gym a 5 star rating :) • Coaching: Both Lucio and Victor are incredible at breaking down the techniques into bits of information that's logical and easy to understand. Every drill is methodical, and the coaches really make sure that you don't just go through the motions, but how it ties to the game of bjj as a whole. • Gym atmosphere: The gym is beautiful and it's the best smelling gym I've ever been to lol. The coaches are also diligent in keeping the gym clean. You feel the cleanliness 🤌 • Community: Almost every bjj gym has a great community, Alliance BJJ SF is no different. People here immediately make you feel welcomed.
I've been coming here for just over a year now and have learned/grown immensely. Both Victor and Lucio, the instructors, possess deep knowledge and patience, which they methodically impart. Initially, I began my jiu jitsu journey at another academy, but Victor not only enhanced my strengths but also fixed any flaws in my previous learning. No matter what I have going on in my day or how class went, I always feel better after going to Alliance SF. If you're looking to establish a strong foundation or further enhance your skills in a sustainable manner, this is the place to go!
Exceptional teachers and an exceptional community of students! If you want to learn BJJ with masterful technical explanations in a beautiful space with excellent people, this is the spot!
I've been training in Alliance BJJ SF for over a month now and my experience couldn't be better. Lucio and Victor are great instructors, very technical and attentive to the students' journey. The environment is clean, and the team is respectful and friendly. It took me a while until I gave myself a chance to try Alliance classes (I think because I worried about being unfit for the practice or unable to follow). Yet, right after the first class, I realized they teach BJJ in a very encompassing way. So I wish I had started earlier! Wherever you are at your path, give them a try. I bet you'll have a great time in class.
I’ve been training at Alliance for 5 months and it has been nothing but a great experience. I was nervous walking into my first couple of classes but Victor and Lucio were always very welcoming. In addition to a very clean mat space, the teaching is top notch! Victor, Lucio, and any other of the students are more than willing to help you master the technique while having a great time. I can honesty say after every class I feel mentally and physically better.
As I visited SF for a week, I dropped in for a class to train one evening. The team and Victor made me feel welcomed and I had an absolutely amazing session. I was impressed by the instruction style and how the session was planned out. Alliance bjj SF is a very safe & inspiring environment to learn jiu-jitsu, and I'm grateful I had a chance to join the class. Thank you so much Victor & team!
I trained here for 6 months before relocating and I will really miss training with Victor, Lucio, and the rest of the students. They do a great job of thinking of BJJ differently than most schools. They don't just throw a random "technique of the week" at you. Their approach is about building technique frameworks that help you connect the dots much faster and build confidence. I also really liked how we would drill, then slowly increase resistance until we reached time to roll. It helped me learn a technique and then make sure I wasn't being sloppy. There's also an emphasis on starting standing for a majority of the rolls and if you have any desire to compete, it's a huge plus to get lots of experience standing. But you can still roll and train however is most comfortable to you if you're newer to standing, or like me have a weak takedown game. Large mat space, clean and friendly. Whether you're a beginner or an upper belt, give them a shot. Oss!
The teaching method of both Victor and Lucio will put you in a position better able to grasp this great art of jiu jitsu. They're methodical teaching is fresh to classical concepts and techniques. With such a fun, friendly, and safe environment, I know I'm in good hands. A must-stop school for anyone interested in elevating their game.
Amazing people, amazing service and positive vibe 💪🏻✅
Incredible teachers that know how to guide and challenge students of all levels both mentally and physically. Joining Alliance BJJ has been a huge positive in my life and I am most certain the same will apply to newcomers.
Amazing mat space and excellent teachers. Lucio is truly one of a kind, and a multiple ibjjf world champion.
I started Jiu Jitsu at this gym and the instructors gave me guidance and developed my skills from the beginning. Each class felt like I was at a seminar and the the instructors put a lot of attention to detail. This helped me find my game and helped me be a better and calmer Jiu Jitsu competitor. Great place to learn and a very friendly environment.
I've been going to Alliance for more than a month now. It's been a very great experience for me. Jiu Jitsu was (and still is) something that I am very new to and it's clear that the ramp up curve is steep. What I really liked about Alliance is that I am able to pursue learning at my own pace, while pushing myself enough to see results. The instructors are super patient and nice and are able to teach in a way that even newbies can grasp the concepts. I also like that I am not only learning the art, but the philosophy behind it and the mindset that is needed to learn it. That definitely translates in many ways to life beyond the mats. The biggest one for me personally that I am working on is to keep calm and focus on technique and not strength. This definitely applies to situations in life where I am under pressure/stress because of work or other issues. I am learning to be more calm and collected in such situations. Overall, I am learning a skill and definitely feel like I am growing overall as an individual in other aspects because of BJJ. I'd highly recommend trying out the classes at Alliance.
I started training with Victor 6 months ago. Victor and all the students made me feel incredibly comfortable and welcome even though I have never done anything like this before. I highly recommend taking the intro class to anybody looking for some great physical and mental exercise.
We were visiting SF for the first time and dropped in for class. Victor was very inviting and made us feel welcome from the start. I have taken classes all over, from different schools and instructors and was very impressed with his clear, concise instruction, along with his evident passion for jiu jitsu. I could tell Victor planned his lessons in an intelligent manner and things weren’t being taught at random. His interpretation and teaching of the martial art was very refreshing and enlightening. Students in San Francisco are lucky to have such a wonderful instructor to learn from. Thank you Victor for the time and attention to detail.
I stopped in for a drop in and the instruction here is amazing. Very nice and clean dojo. Brown Belt.
Great place to Fighting and improve your Jiu jitsu.
I've never regretted going to a class at Alliance BJJ SF. OK, maybe once or twice when I showed up and realized I was hungry and tired after a day of work. Funnily, the training makes me forget about those things quickly and I leave feeling rejuvenated and uplifted. Lucio and Victor are methodical in their teaching. They consistently review and tweak their curriculum to make it better. They emphasize not just the physical game but the analytical game. I find that I can retain much more when I learn from them, because they teach concepts and principles, not just the moves. As others have mentioned, I appreciate the culture here. It's friendly and respectful. Highly recommend Alliance!
Lucio and Victor are the best! Such great professors who care a lot about their students. The gym is also super clean and fosters an environment of mutual respect and learning. One of my highlights training in SF for sure, their gym is a MUST VISIT!
Lucio and Victor are top-quality instructors with a welcoming and friendly attitude. Techniques are explained with patience and as much detail as you can ask for, and classes are structured well for learning with lots of deliberate practice and situational sparring. I train here regularly and highly recommend checking it out!
Organized classes, and everybody is respectful and friendly. Amazing teachers who actually care whether if you could get injured or not, and give you the right techniques for preventing it. 100% recommended!
I came to Alliance BJJ after training in a couple of gyms. By far it has been my best experience. Both Lucio and Victor are completely invested during the classes, and provide the best coaching whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced. The culture at this gym is AWESOME, whoever you are, you will feel welcomed and part of a community.
I joined Alliance juijitsu SF a year ago with my husband and it has exceeded my expectations. Engaging in BJJ has pushed us to think critically and persevere while improving our fitness. Lucio and Victor are highly skilled instructors who are thoughtful and passionate about sharing the art of BJJ. I am grateful for their patience and attention to detail. As someone who's not naturally athletic, I'm constantly learning to incorporate feedback without any judgement. Their leadership has built an environment that is welcoming, respectful and supportive. I trust my teammates with all my limbs and we help each other grow. I highly recommend training here or visiting if you're in the area.
The location is great, the instructors, Lucio and Victor, are both exceptional teachers, and the classmates all roll safely. I convinced my wife to join with me a year ago and we are really enjoying our experiences.
I joined Alliance SF 11 months ago as someone who knew very little about Jiu Jitsu and thanks to the culture and instructors at this gym, it's now become a huge part of my life. Lucio and Vic both have world class talent and are dedicated to creating a teaching framework that's effective and welcoming. Alliance is an awesome place to train and the facility and members make it exceptional. Whether you're completely new to the sport or trying to find a new home to train, I absolutely suggest coming to check it out!
Great location, and schedule. If you work in down town/SOMA/Mission and want to learn BJJ or just get a workout, this is the spot. They have a 7/8a, 1:30pm and 5pm class. You can also go more than once a day. They instructors are very good. They are very efficient on teaching drills so you can get the best out of your time. The people are very nice everyone respects each other.
I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at this gym since 2017. I originally joined because it was right next to my office in mid-Market. At the time, I had no idea that I was going to be instructed by the world-class Alliance team! Lucio and Victor provide a very efficient framework for new beginners to the sport, and have a wealth of deep knowledge for more advanced practitioners to learn. This is also one of the cleanest, most well laid-out (and large) gyms in San Francisco! Best of all are the students and community that make up this school. If you're new to the city and looking to join a network of great people and get in the best shape of your life, you owe yourself a visit here. I'll hopefully see you on the mats!
I showed up at Alliance two years ago when it wasn’t yet Alliance! Lucio tossed me a gi and I was welcomed onto the mat right away. I’ll say that the gym is an extremely welcoming place, Lucio and Victor are great instructors. Seriously, I’ve trained occasionally at other gyms and these guys have the exceptional skill and patience to help anyone improve. The gym is large, clean, and everyone there is friendly. If you’re considering taking up Jiu Jitsu, there is no better gym in San Francisco.
Finally, a school that hones in on the big picture to help students understand concepts and principles rather than just rote memorization and drilling of positions, submissions, passes, etc. Been a whole new approach and it is hard not to love the awesome Professors...they are creative, challenging, supportive and patient. Awesome family. OSS
Professor Lucio is not only an amazing BJJ black belt and competitor, he can transmit and share his knowledge effectively. He is personable, compassionate and has a warm personality. If you live in the area and you want the best BJJ in a safe and respectful environment, this is your place! Give them a call now and you will not be sore.
Amazing place to pratice Jiu-Jitsu. I had the opportunity to train there with professor Lucio and I really recommend this place to you all. Thanks guys!
I was spending a few days in SF, so my sensei in Porto Alegre, Brazil gave me Coach Lucio’s contact. Worked out twice with the team there at the 11th Street Dojo. Lucio’s teaching style was impressive, in making the movements simple and profound, in covering the details of adjustments. The whole team there was friendly and receptive. I come through SF on my travles back to the US about once a year. I belive I’ll return many times. If I were living in the area, no doubt, I’d train there. Thanks Lucio and Alliance team SF.
Dropped in from out of town after calling ahead. Welcoming of outsiders, great instruction. Got schooled hard by Professor Oliveira, was exactly what I wanted. Thank you!
Just tried the free introductory class with Victor and I cannot wait to sign up! Hands down the best class I have taken in any class I have ever taken! Victor made it so easy for me to learn the basics in a lovely gym and setting! Highly recommend this little gem!
Товарищь из Питера там тренит. Нравится.
I dropped in on a fundamentals class with Lucio. I liked Lucio's instruction and the vibe of the other students so much that I changed my flight home to drop in on a morning class the next day. While I'm still a beginner, I have tried many different BJJ schools, and Lucio is the best instructor I've had at imparting knowledge that's useful off the mat as well as on to further your practice. This would be my school if I lived in SF, and I plan on dropping in whenever I'm in town.
Excelente academia. Fiz uma aula com o Lucio, muito bom o professor. Galera que treina bem de boa.
Four stars is not bad, I rarely give five. I took an intro class with Victor who was awesome at instructing and providing a good basis for the martial arts. This gym requires uniform such that you’ll have to buy their gi which makes it quite expensive. While I found the one instruction I had to be good, it wasn’t in my budget to pursue classes with this gym and it’s not always easy to say no especially if you have a good intro like the one Victor provided. Thank you Victor! I wish I had known students have to buy their gi. Maybe I missed it on the site. Nonetheless for folks, I do recommend checking them out! Street parking only, be prepared.
I trained at Alliance BJJ on Bush Street for a year, attending up to six classes per week, so I feel I got to experience the gym thoroughly and well enough to write a fully formed review. The free intro session was positive - the instructor was knowledgeable, patient and encouraging, which led me to pull the trigger and join the gym and purchase an Alliance gi (which is required to train there). Initially, the instruction and environment were welcoming. However, over time, my relationship with one of the instructors deteriorated. During some of the classes, this instructor made comments toward me that I found offensive and demeaning, leaving me embarrassed in front of others. I also noticed that I was not the only one experiencing such behavior and that it wasn't an isolated incident. As a result, I made the decision to terminate my membership. Despite providing feedback to management, I did not have confidence that the situation would improve. Besides this personal experience I had, here are two things I observed about Alliance that I wish I knew before committing: 1) Alliance has been in business for several years, and during my time there I noticed the classes often consisted of mostly white belts and very little blue belts — which is understandable given a world pandemic and they may have lost clients; but an observation I’ve made at other gyms I’ve trained at that have been open for a shorter amount of years is that they have students from a wide range of levels, from white to even black. 2) I observed relatively low retention of women at Alliance. As a woman myself I was particularly observant of this and I found it to be a red flag given that other gyms I’ve been to (again, that have been open for less amount of years) have plenty of women and offer women’s-only classes due to the amount of women that join. As a complete beginner to BJJ at the time, I didn't realize the value in sampling different gyms before committing long-term. My experience at Alliance started positively but turned negative due to my issues with one instructor's conduct towards me. While positive reviews can be encouraging, it's important to bear in mind that they may not accurately reflect every individual's experience. I would caution against putting too much weight on them alone.
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