Bernales Institute of Martial Arts

2257 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, USA

4.9 (38 reviews)

Disciplines

Gi MMA Muay Thai No-Gi Self-Defense Wrestling

Classes

Adults Classes Black Belt Instruction Open Mat

Facilities

Mat Space

Culture

Welcoming Environment

Access

Free Trial

The Bernales Institute of Martial Arts (BIMA) offers classes for kids and adults that provide practical self-defense skills within an energetic, fun, and supportive community. We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai / Thai Boxing, Kali/Eskrima, Jeet Kune Do, Silat, and Combat Submission Wrestling/Mixed Martial Arts.

https://www.bernalesinstitute.com/

(801) 463-1727

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Reviews

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Olga Isupov

My daughter attended the dragons level jiu jitsu class here and LOVED IT! I was not a very athletic kid growing up so I didn’t know the value of learning such a disciplined sport as this until signing my kid up here. I’m so impressed by Master Will’s patience with the kids and his ability to instill discipline without being intimidating. He and the other teachers do a fantastic job coaching the kids, fostering their strength, and encouraging a sense of camaraderie among the students. Every “test day” gives the kids a chance to show off the skills they’ve learned during the month and progress a level on their belts. Master Will does a great job acknowledging each student on their growth. My daughter has gotten stronger, both physically and mentally, since starting this class and I can’t wait to see how much more she grows into herself as we continue to attend. Thanks!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Juan Orozco

Great trainers. Awesome atmosphere. I strongly recommend this place.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Landon Clarke

I have been training here for a couple years. I love the variety of classes offered, and the wealth of knowledge shared by the instructors.

Instructors Classes
Posted 1 year ago
Nathan Eldridge

Been training at BIMA for over 3 years now. Never gets old! Great group! Lots of talent! People with egos either don’t last or their egos don’t. Multiple styles but each are realistic and effective. Come train!!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
SilaMelei

Started bringing my boys last summer and love the teachers and the environment they create for all the kids here. Thank you, Will, for being such a great mentor to these kids 🙌🏾

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Luke Smith exercise archive Smith

I initially started at Bernales institute in 2009, and after some time off, I have been training here 3-5 times/week since 2013. The instruction is of the highest level, and a big emphasis is put on technique and real world application, both for combat sports and self defense situations. A great sense of community is fostered here and no type of person is excluded from having a great training experience. If you have ever considered trying martial arts for yourself or your kids I can’t recommend BIMA highly enough.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Susan Ford

My daughter has ADHD-C, which manifests in different ways than typical ADHD. She is, uncoachable. I didn’t have high hopes for jiu-jitzu being any different. I was wrong. I don’t know what it is about the crew, but my daughter is thriving. Crew Will, the founder, spends individual time with each kid. The rest of the crew do the same. This has been the best thing for my daughter. She is so happy. They teach values that every kid should learn, but many do not. If I could give BIMA six stars, I would!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Taran Perry

Started my Jujitsu journey with Bernales Institute of Martial Arts and love going to class, there is a great friendly culture. The staff is incredibly and Professor Will is knowledgeable giving digestible information for both new and advanced students

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
David Bardall

BIMA is a world-class Martial Arts school that provides the highest quality training for all levels. Whether you are an advanced practitioner or beginning student, Master Bernales brings an unparalleled wealth of knowledge to the state of Utah. His ability to blend multiple disciplines (Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Boxing, Filipino Martial Arts and Jeet Kune Do, to name a few) is astounding and rare. Having trained in the Martial Arts for much of my life, nationally and internationally, it is my opinion that BIMA should be recognized among the elite schools of combat sports and self defense.

Instructors Facility Classes
Posted 2 years ago
Scott Thomas

I practice BJJ and martial arts in Las Vegas.While on a trip to SLC I did a drop in at BIMA.its a friendly, clean place.its like walking into an old school dojo.Yet the technique of the day was cutting eged.Master Will is a true Martial Arts Master in many disciplines. He made it easy to understand for all of us from white to blackbelts.The class was filled with talent and the training was everything I needed. I highly recommend trying this.Thank you Master Will ..

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Amy Lee

I absolutely love this martial arts school. We had just moved from Washington in 2016, and my son was having some trouble in school. He was in 3rd grade and just a little socially awkward and uncoordinated in comparison to kids his age. I had no idea where to begin in my search, but I noticed a summer special for a youth program at Bernales Martial Arts. I didn’t know if this would help my son, and yes, the first class for him was a challenge and he seemed to have trouble getting the moves. We stuck with it that summer, and I must say the improvement was unbelievable. He grew into this confident and coordinated kid, and I finally felt he was matched with other kids his age. We have stayed with Bernales this entire time, and even through the pandemic. They moved classes outside to Liberty Park, and the moves that required close contact were no longer practiced, but they began doing other cool things like memorized movements with sticks and such as well as Muay Thai. He is now in 10th grade and will most definitely continue until he leaves for college. He has since moved from youth to adult classes, and it has been such a wonderful and close knit community throughout his entire time there. Will, Carla, and the other instructors are wonderful people that truly care about each individual. I just can’t stress what a great place it’s been for my son. As I mentioned, he was socially awkward and didn’t have many friends. He is now in debate, mock trial, swim team, and he is a very social and outgoing kid. We are so impressed with how far he has come, and I attribute much of this to the studio. I will probably cry when he has his last class because they have become a second family for him.
Posted 3 years ago
Anonymous Complaint

I absolutely love this martial arts school. We had just moved from Washington in 2016, and my son was having some trouble in school. He was in 3rd grade and just a little socially awkward and uncoordinated in comparison to kids his age. I had no idea where to begin in my search, but I noticed a summer special for a youth program at Bernales Martial Arts. I didn’t know if this would help my son, and yes, the first class for him was a challenge and he seemed to have trouble getting the moves. We stuck with it that summer, and I must say the improvement was unbelievable. He grew into this confident and coordinated kid, and I finally felt he was matched with other kids his age. We have stayed with Bernales this entire time, and even through the pandemic. They moved classes outside to Liberty Park, and the moves that required close contact were no longer practiced, but they began doing other cool things like memorized movements with sticks and such as well as Muay Thai. He is now in 10th grade and will most definitely continue until he leaves for college. He has since moved from youth to adult classes, and it has been such a wonderful and close knit community throughout his entire time there. Will, Carla, and the other instructors are wonderful people that truly care about each individual. I just can’t stress what a great place it’s been for my son. As I mentioned, he was socially awkward and didn’t have many friends. He is now in debate, mock trial, swim team, and he is a very social and outgoing kid. We are so impressed with how far he has come, and I attribute much of this to the studio. I will probably cry when he has his last class because they have become a second family for him.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Rachel Burnett

Master Will walks the talk. My whole family has participated in classes at BIMA for over a decade. Not only are they learning skills from the greatest, but they are perhaps more importantly learning about being great people and are part of a compassionate, supportive community. Thank you, BIMA!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
evaristoh2

Perfecto lugar para aprender. Muay Thai. Jiu-jitsu y mucho más. con la paciencia de los maestros mucha paciencia con sus alumnos 👍👍

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Brandee Morgan

Both of my boys attend and have so for years. They provide excellent instruction and well as practical solutions for life - treat others how you want to be treated.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Carter Geyerman

I've been attending the Bernales Institute of Martial Arts for a while, and I've been extremely impressed. Mr. Bernales himself is a highly credentialed instructor in a variety of martial arts, and he's surrounded himself with a very competent and friendly set of instructors to assist him. The atmosphere is friendly, the training is great, and very technique-oriented, and I've made good friends out of many of the students. If you're looking to learn a smattering of different martial arts -- Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, or FMA, you really can't beat the Bernales Institute. Give them a try!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Whitney Stewart

I’ve been attending BIMA since 2017 and have grown to love the community they cultivate. They create a welcoming atmosphere where each student feels comfortable and respected. The skills I’ve learned there have helped me to gain confidence, well-being, and lasting friendships. I highly recommend checking them out if you are considering exploring martial arts/self defense.

Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Jason Braun

Martial Arts saved my life. Beginning karate in 1993 helped me overcome dyslexia, ADHD, and obesity to get a black belt and become an English professor. As a kid, I went to Okinawa to train with the masters. Now I only have to drive a few miles to train with a master of JKD, Kali, Thai Boxing, and Brazilian Jujitsu. The only person I've ever been in a room with to have instructor-level certifications in all those arts is Chief Instructor Will Bernales. As I continue learning at BIMA, my life keeps getting better.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Cathy Jeffs

Master Will is amazing! His patience is in itself a learning lesson for his young pupils. I have an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old attending his classes. Besides balance and martial maneuvers Master Will teaches life lessons of respect and honor. To be mindful of the lesson but not bestow harm to your fellow classmates. Thank you, Master Will.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Nathan Webster

I had the pleasure the last handful of months while doing contract work in SLC to attend classes at BIMA. What a fantastic experience! The instructors are all top notch, nice big facility, multiple class times, and several class offerings that are not offered in many places. Kali, silat, and capoeira are particularly hard to find where I come from, so this was a real treat. If you're into martial arts at all, BIMA will have some that are right for you, go check it out!

Instructors Facility Classes
Posted 3 years ago
Mary Beth Osoro

BIMA has been great for my 5 year old son. They do a wonderful job of requiring respect and discipline while also making it fun and learning a lot of skills. The instructors are professional, knowledgeable, and great with kids. I would recommend BIMA without any hesitation to any family.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
N W

I highly recommend BIMA for teaching your kids martial arts.

Instructors
Posted 4 years ago
Gerald Hayden

I have been training Muay Thai here for 3 months, and have loved every class. The staff and class are very friendly and make a great environment for learning at many skill levels. I personally have not tried any of the other practices yet. But have heard nothing but good things. I highly recommend Will and his staffs teachings.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Kit Gonzales

The staff is so great at this place. My 5 kids absolutely love learning here. And I love it because Will and his staff hold the kids to a high standard.

Instructors
Posted 4 years ago
Sam S.

Great classes. Great rolls.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Patrick Bostick

Excellent staff, great with kids and adults alike. Very early on in the pandemic, they developed a number strong safety measures, including Zoom classes, as well as a high-quality filter system and rigorous cleaning in their studio, as well as excellent hygiene and masking protocols. They keep their people safe while maintaining continuity in teaching. They've had no community spread, yay BIMA!

Instructors Facility Classes
Posted 5 years ago
Daniel Valiente

Great Place! Recommended!

Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Juan David Mendoza La Torre

This is the best MMA gym in salt lake county. I've gone to literally all the good ones & none compare to Bernales Institute. I've even gone to spar/roll with ppl at other MMA gyms & won. They were surprised how good I was in the amount of time I've been doing this & I believe it's because of this gym. Besides the training aspect, the environment & love the trainers & students share is amazing. Its literally like we're all a bunch of friends training together. Will the main instructor is the best in ANY gym in ANY martial arts. Front desk & other instructors are amazing as well

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
འཇམ་པལ ནོརབུ

I recommend this school for anyone seeking a strong, effective, well-rounded foundation in self-defense. In addition to offering an array of martial arts styles that have each stood the test of time, this school has a safe, welcoming atmosphere. These factors are the signs of a truly good martial arts school. It's vital to train in conditions that grant real martial ability, yet equally vital to develop a calm frame of mind that remains centered. My experience at Bernales Institute of Martial Arts today showed me that this school is very much worth training in, even if you live a good distance away.

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Posted 7 years ago
AE

Great staff and training.

Instructors
Posted 8 years ago
Samantha Stephenson

Loved my experience with this gym! I so wish I lived closer so that I could continue to go. But I can't. The instructors know their stuff and the atmosphere is inviting, friendly, and motivational.

Instructors Location Atmosphere
Posted 9 years ago
Sonny Nguyen

Great place to learn multiple arts with awesome instructors.. I would recommend Bernales institute to anyone.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 9 years ago
Prestige Productions

Bernales Institute is an awesome gym to learn martial arts. The instructors are extremely patient, friendly and talented. The other students offer helpful insights to help improve technique and the environment is very comfortable even for beginners. I feel no judgement from advanced students either which I was always worried about. Instead they show a sincere desire to help me improve. Would definitely recommend to anybody interested in learning martial arts.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 9 years ago
Seth Black

Knowledgeable and friendly instructors who create a positive learning environment for both kids and adults.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 10 years ago
Jason Brown

Great place forJiu Jitsu. Instructors are great. Perfect atmosphere for learning the art. Very pleased!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 10 years ago
Kris

We love Will and all of the other instructors. They love what they do and genuinely care about each student in the class. BIMA has a great atmosphere - positive, encouraging, and respectful. My son has learned so much by attending for the past 2 1/2 years - in addition to martial arts techniques, he is learning character, discipline, confidence, and hard work. He looks forward to every class and we are so happy he has the chance to attend!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 12 years ago
Bella Lonardo

We love Bernales Institute for our 11 year old daughter's MMA class. Will is a wonderful instructor and you can tell he loves what he does! I would recommend BIMA to children and adults alike for a great martial arts experience!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 12 years ago
Phillip Thurston

Beyond amazing! This is by far the best martial arts school in Utah. One of my fellow classmates literally drives 232 miles one way to attend this school. That is how above the rest this school is. There are no overly aggressive fighters here, and there is a sense of brotherhood and friendship. Everyone is extremely friendly and approachable. The learning atmosphere is also very safe. I am learning faster here than I have at any other school. Absolutely 100% worth it.

Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 14 years ago
Jeshua G.

I've called twice to get info on classes. I never got a call back. it's been 2 weeks now. Very professional

Instructors Classes
Posted 4 years ago