Caio Terra Academy
855 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, USA
BJJ San Jose
855 Park Ave, San Jose, CA 95126, USA
BJJ San Jose
I dropped in for a couple of their morning classes while I was in town for work. The academy was very clean and the people were phenomenal. They welcomed me as if I was already a member of the academy. The classes were very well organized and the material was very well taught. Highly recommend dropping in on a class if you’re coming into town for a few days or if you’re just looking to start training. Quality facility and quality training. Made me wish I lived in the area so I could train here regularly. Thanks for a great experience!
I stopped by to participate in the World Masters as a member of cta Korea. They were very friendly and nice. Awesome seal! Let’s make good memories!
Great facility, great staff, the price is a steal for what you get from it.
I’ve been training here for about two years now, and I absolutely love it. The structure and curriculum are top-notch, and the coaches are incredibly detail-oriented, giving plenty of individual attention to help you nail your technique. Easily one of the best spots in the Bay Area for BJJ! The community is amazing too—everyone, from the coaches to the front desk team, is super friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend!
Great atmosphere and the personnel were very welcoming and helpful.
Home ! MINE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best community! Church! Love ❤️ passion beautiful ! Experience it for yourself ! 2# free try and a loaner gi today ! Come meet us .. we are excited for you 🙏🏼
So very lucky to be able to train here, with incredible instructors and fellow students who all share the common love for jiu jitsu and how beneficial it is in our own lives. Everyone is super friendly and we take great pride in being part of this community and having such an awesome place to come together and train.
The CTA HQ is amazing! Great people, Awesome instructors, and amazing structure!
My favorite place to be! The best instructors, atmosphere, and students 😁
I’m not a review person but I gotta give this place a shoutout. I had zero experience walking into CTA. Everyone from the front desk to the instructors and classmates are the most friendly people and want to help you be successful. So if you’re on the fence about giving BJJ a try just do it. Everyone at CTA will be there to help guide you through your training. Huge thank you to everyone at CTA for being patient with me and keeping me motivated. You guys are all awesome.
My daughter and I dropped in for Friday night No Gi class while out of town. I cannot express my gratitude enough to Professor Mason and the whole Caio Terra Academy HQ for all their hospitality. Such a clean, well run school full of knowledgeable instructors and kind students. Good, clean, fun rounds and excellent instruction. We will definitely return.
My 11 year old son is a highly active competitor in jiu jitsu and has wanted to train here for a very long time and meet Professor Caio. He finally got his wish and was not disappointed at all. This was the highest level and quality of training in the world and my son was able to get a private lesson with Mason Fowler and talk with Professor Caio. My first impression upon arriving at the academy is it’s very clean and the staff at the front desk are very kind and friendly and very helpful. The kids instructor Professor Rafa is amazing working with the kids and makes it fun and learning at the same time. My son was afforded the opportunity to take all of the adult classes and it was the highest quality of instruction anyone could take. This academy has something to offer anyone weather it’s to get in shape, learn self defense or be a competitor. Everyone here is extremely friendly and kind and respectful. Everyone here that we saw and interacted with were amazing people from the front desk staff to Professor Caio. I would rate 10 stars if I could and hope to have my son here soon.
This academy is phenomenal. I came down from WA state with my son, who has been practicing BJJ for about 10 years, to spend a couple of weeks training. The coaching staff is world class and Caio and his competition team are not only extraordinary athletes—they are simply great people. Thanks for everything!
Great school! Had an awesome training session with some old friends. Tyler, the instructor, did a great job breaking down technique and he’s a high level competitor to boot! Nick is also an amazing gym and association owner and does great things for the sport. Come here for awesome training, especially if you’re a competitor!
Incredible place to workout and learn. It has the necessary tools for a BJJ gym and the people there are welcoming. The only downside is parking. However, if you arrive 30min before class, it should be easier to find a spot.
I had an amazing experience at Caio Terra Academy! Grateful to Don and the rest of the team for their hospitality in letting me drop in while I was in town. The coaches were knowledgeable, the facility is top-notch, and the training environment extremely welcoming. Five stars for a memorable and positive experience and I will be stopping in to roll anytime I am in town.
Best place to train in the Bay Area. Caio is a wizard and a visionary and Nick runs a tight ship. Great for beginners, complete noobs and world class jiu jitsu players alike. Very welcoming gym that caters to all skill levels. Caio really cares about your progress as a student. I am always amazed at his ability to remembers your name, even if he’s only spoken to you once or twice. Clean and modern facilities. Bring back the Kombucha tap!
Caio Terra Academy (CTA) is the jiu jitsu gym to be at when you visit the Bay Area. I travelled to CTA from Australia for a camp and could not recommend it enough for international, interstate or local visitors. This gym has everything you need, from world class instructors who actually teach the class, like Caio Terra and Mason Fowler themselves, to a dedicated space for weightlifting and cardio. There is tons of mat space for jiu jitsu, with multiple classes run each day catering to all levels and ages, from kids to adults looking to get fit or to get an introduction to the sport, to intermediate athletes and high levelled competitors. There is a community like vibe when you attend classes and it is very easy to make friends at this gym. There are no egos in this gym. I came here not knowing anyone else and will be leaving with fun memories and friends that I will stay in touch with for a lifetime. Thank you CTA and all of the staff for your hospitality and I look forward to returning in the future when I am back in the Bay Area!
They have a welcoming culture and great teachers. Definitely newbie-friendly but they also offer advanced classes for growth.
What a great place for the kids to learn the JJ techniques, discipline while having fun. It's so wonderful and it's such an honor to be a part of the Ciao Terra family!
This review is for the Kids Jiu Jitsu and CT FIT classes. The review is long overdue and if I could rate this place 10 stars, I would. My son started Jiu Jitsu here 4 years ago when he was 4 years old. At the time, I didn’t know anything about the sport. Instead I was just looking for an exhausting activity for him in a fun, safe environment. CTA was the perfect fit. The coaches here are passionate about the sport and have lots of experience to share with their students. Jiu Jitsu has been amazing for my son. First, classes are such confidence boosters - which make him an undesirable target for bullies anywhere. Second, post pandemic, a lot of kids need some help with social emotional development. This place hits the spot. The classes have an excellent mix of ages and skill levels, and everyone is learning how to interact respectfully. Third, the coaches foster an environment of belonging and friendly competition. The reward is learning a new skill/technique and growing as a person not the color of your belt. Now, one of my absolute favorite things is CT FIT. The scheduling is perfect for parents having their kids in Jiu Jitsu because the CT FIT classes are at the same time!! They also offer morning classes on most days. The equipment is top notch and the coaches are committed and professional. Taking these classes has been instrumental in my recovery from injuries. The coaches have been nothing but supportive and helping me adjust the workouts to my level. Although I have seen a bunch of gyms and trainers in the past, nothing compares to CT FIT. I enjoy the small group training atmosphere with students of all ages and abilities. It’s super!
The BJJ journey is one that is as individual as the practitioner. It is amazing to have a team of peers as well as coaches so engaged to help make that journey take the route you want and are willing to work towards. This can only be accomplished by having a leader at the top creating such an inclusive culture. One Team, One Family!
I had the pleasure of training at Caio Terra BJJ, and I must say it was an exceptional experience. The expertise and dedication of the instructors are truly remarkable. The atmosphere in the gym is both welcoming and challenging, creating the perfect environment for growth and improvement. The technical knowledge and attention to detail in their teaching make it a fantastic place for both beginners and advanced practitioners. The curriculum is well-structured, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Furthermore, the camaraderie among the students is outstanding. You'll find a supportive and friendly community that motivates you to push your boundaries and reach your full potential. I can confidently say that Caio Terra BJJ deserves a solid 5-star rating for their commitment to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the development of their students. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a beginner, this is the place to be for high-quality training and a welcoming community.
Amazing club. Great instruction, friendly people. Perfect 😊
Stellar Jiu Jitsu School. If You know, You Know. If You don’t, they’ll help You figure it out. Don’t miss an Opportunity to Train with some of the Greatest Minds to ever Do It.
I visited the school twice while traveling to the Bay Area on work. Everyone there was extremely welcoming. The instruction was very detail oriented and gave me some new, important insights on a position I have been using for years (de la riva).
Excellent academy! Before pandemic both my kids and I used to train here. Caio and all coaches are fantastic! Everybody is respectful and friendly. I'm looking forward to returning this year!
Caio Terra is a phenomenal place to practice, whether you're a beginner or advanced. I had my first class with them and they were extremely accommodating, with regards to both my skill level (or lack thereof) and pre-existing injuries. I even opted to take a second class directly after my first. If you're in the San Jose area, make sure to stop by the academy; you'll definitely have fun and will also learn a ton.
CTA is a fantastic, really positive place to learn jiujitsu in a motivating environment. Professor Caio, Nick, Gabriel, and all the instructors and members create and environment where every student feels welcome, comfortable asking questions, challenge themselves to whatever degree they want, and just have fun. I’ve been training for a few months at a different CTA location and stopped by for some classes while I was in San Jose, and whether it’s at HQ or elsewhere, I’m always grateful for the positive atmosphere all the CTA instructors and members create every time I’ve gone. With that, a truly rich curriculum, and mindful pedagogical practices, I can’t recommend CTA enough to anyone interested in learning jiujitsu at any level.
Best JiuJitsu in the area by far. Whether you’re a beginner or a black belt, CTA has the perfect program for you!
Professor Caio is an amazing instructor, as well as awesome teaching from Marco, bruno, Rafa and all the other coaches at CTA. The best training you'll find In Northern california.
Transferred my two kids from another BJJ gym which was the best decision ever. CTA sends a great message to kids about work ethic, respect, and discipline. It’s absolutely fantastic that promotions are earned not given.
I can't describe how satisfied I am with my experience at CTA HQ! I've always been a huge fan of Prof. Caio, him and all his team make sure everyone feels welcomed there. It's a pleasure to learn such a high level Jiujitsu straight from the purest source. Mornings with Vitinho are amazing and the evenings with Gabriel are just as great. So much fun! Thanks so much guys!! OSS
Awesome welcoming friendly environment for those just starting their BJJ journey. EXTREMELY High Level instruction not only for beginners, but all the way up through Black Belt Competitors of the highest caliber. Amazing Facility and a gym Culture. LOOK NO FURTHER!
World class jiu jitsu and fitness
The best instruction you're going to find in all of Northern California, the highest standard of cleanliness, one of the best facilities you're going to find in any gym, CTA San Jose is an easy bet. Nice people, lots of classes in lots of time slots, all skill levels will feel welcome. I've been there for 5 years and I haven't had one reason to switch anywhere else.
Moving here to San Jose and joining CTA gave me a sense of home and great people to be around on and off the mats. It's more than high level jiu jitsu. Nick and the team do things the right way 🤙🏽
Excellent place to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, everyone is super nice, the place is spotless clean, very organize, Professor Caio Terra welcomed us and made us feel right at home. We are visiting from New York City.
If you want to learn and ready to work hard, this is the place to be.
Top level instruction, very spacious facility and home to many high level competitors. In my opinion one of the best gyms and teams in the Bay Area.
It is really nice to train with all of the high level Jiujitsu players including Caio himself. The gym offers detailed lecture and enthusiastic and kind environment. Definitely recommended to people who want to change themselves.
Great instruction and lots of available times to train. Whatever level your jits is there is a place for you here. This is what all BJJ schools want to be. My Spanish has improved also!
Caio Terra Academy is where myself and my two children regularly train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The incredible skill & detail of instruction in both the adults and kids classes, the cleanliness of the facility, the inclusive "One Team" environment and the commitment to working through the pandemic with members to ensure they had the support, training and open door to come back when they were ready was all we needed to know that we'd found our BJJ home.
So many positive things to say about the many times I have been at this Academy! If CV19 has made me appreciate anything, this amazing community is at the top of that list. I truly can not wait until I can return to the BEST JiuJitsu instruction in San Jose and certainly the best community to grow, learn and thrive. Ranulfo Gonzalez Jr.
Awesome academy! Professor Caio teaches in easy understanding manner and with a humor. Osss
One of the top jiujitsu academies in the world!! Absolutely amazing and friendly atmosphere, the best instructors and coaches - absolutely top notch !
It's an amazing academy with top notch training and technique.
I had a fantastic experience here when I dropped in to a class while in town. Everyone was very welcoming, the instruction was great, and there were plenty of fun, tough rolls. I can't wait to come back!
If you are looking to train bjj to go out and be tough on the streets, then go train somewhere else. If you are looking to join a family that teaches traditional Brazilian jiu jitsu techniques and lifestyle, then CTA is the academy for you. My review would to long if I wrote out all the benefits of this place, just try the free lesson and get ready for your life to be changed.
Best BJJ Academy of Bay Area. Strongly recommended!
Best spot to train Bjj in the Bay Area!
This association is a well run organization. Thank you Nick and Caio for the awesome support you have given over the years to the coaches and students of Performance Martial Arts Academy in Roseburg and Springfield, OR. Being a part of your association has been a positive experience.
I haven't been training as much as I want to especially because of my work being hectic. But any time that I'm able to I do. CTA holds a special place in my heart and the people in it. The instructors and coaches don't just come here to teach. For most it's their passion and a way of life. I'll soon be moving closer to the dojo and I can't wait to be a regular again! What are you talking about? Ciao! 5 stars!
I've been training here for six years. It's my favorite place to be. The instructors are amazing. Caio's level of technical mastery and the detail provided through instruction is exceptional. Yuri and Vitor are phenomenal instructors as well. I've been to well over one hundred classes with each of them, both gi and no gi. They care, they are smart, and they are amazing at Brazilian jii jitsu. Special shout out to Vitor as I primarily train in the morning these days. He's a gifted instructor and is very willing to hang after class to answer questions and go over details with each of his students. Lastly, it's a good group of humans that train here. I sincerely enjoy my time with teammates and always look forward to after class conversations. There's always at least a touch of ego, as there should be, but it's in healthy check and we still get after it with one another.
Absolute best competition Jiu Jitsu. World class talent and instruction.
Felt like family from the moment I walked through the door . World class instructors that actually care about ALL of their students. It’s hard not to fall in love with Jiujitsu when you train at a place like this , with so many wonderful people .
I've learned so much so far and I plan to continue with this amazing program.
A truly wonderful place to train if you ever come to San Jose. Professor Terra is intense in his efforts to improve students' abilities, and everyone made me feel welcome. One of the best academies I have trained in.
Best place to learn BJJ
Gem in San Jose! Hats off to everyone who makes this place be an enjoyable place to learn & train in Jiu Jitsu.
I had the opportunity to train at Caio terras academy while on vacation from new York where I train at Serra BJJ. They welcomed us with open arms. Nice friendly academy. Instructors were great. They teach good solid jujitsu. Caio and his brother taught the advanced class. 3 very interesting armbar setups from guard. If you're in San jose, I highly recommend stopping in. Glenn
My son is practicing here. The atmosphere is welcoming and the instructors are wonderful and genuine. Caio Terra is a champion on and off the mat, truly a gentle hearted guy with an incredible passion for jiu-jitsu. I'm happy to have my son learning with him. Enjoy!
I love Caio Terra Academy and staff. The instructors are clear in their demonstrations. I am new to Jiu-Jitsu and any art. I love this art.
Clean, welcoming academy, with top notch, detailed instruction from world class black belts. This was my first time visiting another Jiu Jitsu academy while traveling. I was in San Jose for the holidays and contacted the academy to see if it was ok to drop in. Caio Terra himself called me back. COOL! I was a little upraised and forgot to ask which class I should come into. I wanted to be conservative, so I came for a mid day fundamentals class. I arrived a bit early and was welcomed by Mr. Nick Haloski. He showed me the facility, talked about their history, and made me feel welcome. Class started on time. As a fundamentals class, there were mostly white belts, a female blue belt, and a brown belt. This is no McDojo. The fundamentals class was taught by current ADCC world champion Yuri Simoes. He was very clear and detailed with his instruction. Another win in the column came from his students, and the culture they promote. I felt very welcome, even while rolling with upper belts. If you are looking for a gym in this area, I could not recommend it more. I will be dropping in every time I visit my parents. P.S. The facilities are very nice as well. Tons of mat space in 2 different rooms, weight lifting area, changing rooms and lockers, and separate bathrooms for each sex. All very clean.
LOVE! My game is improving immensely. We roll hard and sometimes it's frustrating, but my teammates and professors have taught me an incredible amount in a short amount of time. Most importantly, I have never been treated differently from my male teammates. Some guys at other gyms will say "oh I'll go easy on you," or the professors will lower their expectations for you because you are a female. Never once have I experienced this at CTA. Please join us! : )
What other sport in the world exists where you get to train with superstars? Caio Terra, Samir Chantre, Flavio Meier, Augusto Queixinho, Manny Diaz...they're all here. I can't believe how much I've learned in my 1 year here. Some of the best competitors in the world at all belt levels here. It's a true privilege to train with champions and learn from the best. Being a smaller guy at about 150lbs, the techniques here are perfect. I love the non-stop 45+ minute sparring too. Exhausting but awesome.
There are two mat spaces, and they are very clean. There are individual changing rooms, and two showers. Nice people all around, families training together etc. Instructors are really good as well, sometimes people are good athletes but not good instructors. It is not the case here. I also love situational drilling at the end of the classes, I learn better that way. -1 star: You are required to wear the official rash guard for nogi classes (like Gracie Barra). As a hobbyist I really don't like this rule. Most of the other people that I talked to doesn't like this policy too. Update: It started getting crowded. Especially I feel like the mat space is usually not enough during nogi classes.
This is a great BJJ gym. Gabriel is an excellent instructor, he conveys moves and concepts very clearly. I like Marco's playful dog-like energy, and Denis' seasoned warrior vibe. Also the gym is spacious. The people are nice as well. The conventional old BS like bowing etc. is minimal. There are not enough nogi classes. Only 3 nogi classes per week (out of 21 classes). Recently, rolling after classes without official supervision is not allowed to prevent injuries. But at the end of most of the classes there is a 10 minutes extra time to roll. I don't know how to feel about this. Now the bad: There is a uniform policy for nogi, you have to wear gym rash guard and shorts. Not that I would support it otherwise, but rash guards are not even good, the letters and logo are peeling off. I don't like this at all.
Respectfully, I would not recommend this place for a drop in
The membership is 300 a month, expensive side for jiu jitsu. Tons of RED FLAGS. First red flags are you're told you can not cancel verbally and you are given a "rulebook" that says you can not ask higher ranks to roll and you have to wait outside the mats if youre late.A black belt told me caio had him give up his purple after training 5 years because he didnt know the curriculum, but that's wrong because jiu jitsu is an art to express yourself not a method."Caio is never there himself. If you want to roll NoGi they will force you to pay an extra 60 bucks for their rashguard if not you can't train. That'll add up quickly and if you thought the weights were included you're wrong you're gonna be milked another 75 dollars a month for a small weight room, might as well train somewhere else cause they try to rip you off as much as possible. Their saying is "One team one family" I got late to class and I was told I could NOT train after driving an hour to get there while paying 300+ for that very service the instructor said it was company policy. Then when canceling my membership the manager tells me its up to the instructor its not a part of the rules, so the 6 am instructor lied to me and wanted to kick me out just because. This instructor vitor paschol has a record of 8 wins 20 losses. Family cares for each other. I treated them like family, I would help clean the mats even but they didn't want to help me by letting me simply train after I paid for that and also drove from an 1hr+ away on multiple occasions(instructor knew this). I canceled my membership immediately. So if youre new dont think these things are normal because theyre not. I helped clean the mats a couple times this one time I was told I could use the shower only on the condition I helped clean the mats? They also make students clean the mats in general. Every gym ive ever trained in had their front desk management doing it and I was paying alot less than 300 all those times for better service and training. It's bad culture and bad business if I'm paying for a membership I should be able to attend if I'm late thats what youre paying for, in the 8 years I've been training I never had a problem with this before in any of the gyms I've gone to. I only saw caio once in the whole month I was there, and he was just attending not teaching, he also sounded very frustrated and impatient with a student I could hear him across the mat scolding him. Save your money and go somewhere where they're going to treat you with respect and as a paying customer. Dont believe this family thing because its clearly a gimmick. UPDATE: the intro packet was given to me after I signed up not before, that's why I posted the review so you know what yall are getting yourselves signed up for. Real leaders are going to help you the best they can for you to succeed, not send you home because it hurts their feelings you unintentionally showed up late. You can see their professionalism and willingness to grow in their responses. The fact they continue to lie saying they gave me the packet before signing up is an interesting strategy. I'm gonna say what they responded with in another review "I don't know what they are teaching you there but it's clearly not integrity" I chose CTA first when I arrived to the bay area because in the pictures you always see caio smiling and the video where he got his black belt he seems like he would be very humble and I thought I could relate. I had then read some things about him on reddit being on his phone during seminars and rude to students. With the beautiful website and gym I didnt want to believe this but after being there a couple weeks I can say this is more than likely true considering I saw him annoyed and being rude to students myself( the one time I saw him). So no I never had any problems with any gym here. On the contrary if your gym has such good rules and caio and vitor are great instructors why did Mikey Musumeci leave? No comment from Caio on his goodbye post as of today and other cta commenting saying he is a traitor?
they wont let you train if you arrive a bit late after paying them 300 bucks to just train. low tier instructors Caio is never even there. The 2 head instructors are people i've never heard of before you cant even find their records online, and the one instructor who's record you can find, vitor paschoal has lost 20+ fights and only won 8 times. Expect to get trained by losers and nobodies and then expect them to not allow you to train if you dont arrive exactly on time, even though sometimes the INSTRUCTORS ARRIVE LATE THEMSELVES, maybe that's the recipe that got vitor where he's at 20+ losses 8 wins and that's the recipe you're gonna get.They also FORCE you to buy their overpriced rash guard if you want to train no-gi. anywhere else a rashguard costs 10 bucks, they want you to buy theirs for 60 or else you cant train. you cant bring your own rashguard because they want to steal as much of your hard earned money as they can take.
I am a Behring Purple Belt In town under unfortunate circumstances my newborn is in Intensive Care in Santa Clara .. called early to explain circumstances was hoping to get a roll in to clear my mind …was told no problem just would have to buy a uniform which i had no problem with …I get there the front Desk Girl wants to charge me 200$ for the night !! Where is the compassion and sense of community that BJJ is supposed to be ?!?! If you are a visiting athlete I highly suggest you go somewhere else that has more love for the fellow practitioner more than their love for Money
Very bad. I learned more at a smaller school in Sacramento and they didn't teach spanish
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