El Cerrito Martial Arts

10400 San Pablo Ave, El Cerrito, CA 94530, USA

4.3 (24 reviews)

Disciplines

Gi Self-Defense

Classes

Adults Classes Kids Classes

Facilities

Mat Space

Culture

Welcoming Environment

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Conveniently located in El Cerrito, our martial arts classes are excellent choices for self-defense, discipline, and fitness for all ages & fitness levels.

Reviews

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Alma Erami

We’ve had such a great experience at El Cerrito Martial Arts! My 4-year-old absolutely loves it here. Cody is professional, kind, and so patient with the kids. What I really appreciate is how flexible and accommodating they are, and how they meet each child where they’re at. All kinds of little personalities feel welcome and supported. Such a positive place for kids to learn an important skills. Highly recommend!
Posted 1 year ago
Peter Zatopek

My daughter has been attending El Cerrito Martial Arts for over a year, both in the after-school program and during camps. The environment has always felt safe and supportive. She’s learned valuable self-defense skills and built confidence through the classes. Cody, the owner, is respectful, communicative, and great to work with. You can tell he genuinely cares about the kids and their growth. Highly recommend!
Posted 1 year ago
Nirdesh Sapkota

Great camp experience! My child came home happy, tired, and grounded. They went outside every day, which I really appreciated. The staff creates a nice mix of structure, fun, and positive values. Highly recommend!
Posted 1 year ago
Kim Baeten

We really love the El Cerrito Martial Arts camps! We have done both week-long and day camps. Excellent way for our two high-energy boys (6 and 9) to get their energy out in a safe and padded environment. Wrestling, dodge ball,… my kids love it. As parents we also appreciate the easy-going nature of the coaches and the flexibility for drop off and pick up within the standard 8am to 6pm day and the fact they offer day camps for days when schools are closed throughout the year.
Posted 1 year ago
Marcos Gomes

Our family loves the program here! They have JiuJitsu classes and camps that my kids always have fun at. They also have a life skills program that has benefitted them at school and in home life

Classes
Posted 2 years ago
Monika Broecker

My 6 year old daughter loves this place. She did camps and weekly lessons there. The owner, Cody, and all staff are so nice and supportive. We love how kids of all ages play so well together. The absolute best place for kids and quite affordable, too.

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Posted 2 years ago
Eugene Bolotin

Awesome place for kids. Unmatched for flexibility and my kids love it. My son is getting really good at BJJ.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Jasmin Rashid

All of our kids (4, 8, 10, 14) have taken classes at El Cerrito Martial Arts. Whether as part of the after school program, in form of camp during the holidays or just weekend classes - and they genuinely like it. Which isn't surprising at all, because the teachers - mainly Cody, Brin & John - seem to also genuinely enjoy what they're doing. It's impressive how they run the show allowing the kids to have fun and run free playing games and ensure at the same time that the kids stay in line. Sometimes our kids even do homework there after school, which is quite nice. The studio has a back room with tables and chairs. And as far as Jiujitsu goes: our kids have learned a lot and they keep getting better and better!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Bobby Dhadwar

My daughter loved karate and the teachers here are friendly and made karate fun. Every week she is asking to go back to class and learn more and play fun games.

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Posted 5 years ago
Sergio Silva

Hands down one of the best Martial Arts School in the are.We had our son there for years and my son still remembers the amazing experience that he has in there.Amazing place to learn Martial Arts and Life skills!

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Posted 8 years ago
Krish Sailam

Great structured environment with teachers that genuinely care about the kids.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 10 years ago
Wendell Souza

This school is great! They have great trainers here. Whatever you want to learn, boxing, muay thai, bjj, mma, they have it. Their boxing coach is this grizzled old badass boxer that will turn you into a killer, their kickboxing coach has actual competition fight experience, and their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt instructor is right out of Sergio Silva's camp. There are no slouches here, only hard workers that will push you. I have been training here for a little less than a year, I have lost nearly 30 pounds, my joints are healthier, I am stronger, and I have met a great group of people that train there.

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Posted 10 years ago
Vladimir Tsvetkov

best martial art school

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Posted 12 years ago
Jon Burnett

Son

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Posted 11 years ago
Allison Crapo

Our children attended El Cerrito Martial Arts for over a year, so we have been able to observe the priorities and changes over time. When we began, we felt that there was a focus on teaching children, and there was a high ratio of teachers to students. While the teachers were high school students, they seemed to be well-trained and focused. However, over the last six months or so of 2018, we noticed big changes that have caused our attitude to change: we noticed that there was not consistent teaching and training - some of the high school students seemed to be more concerned with what Cody (the owner) thought of them than focusing on the children. There is no concern about making sure there is appropriate staffing: at some sessions, there might be 20 children and 3 teachers. This is absolutely NOT OKAY when there are children who are practicing jiu-jiutsu moves in an unsafe manner. One child was hurt during our last class, when we finally decided we had enough. What was most disturbing was that we, from the sidelines, had to point out the injury to Cody - who was busy chastising us for "coaching from the sidelines." We left unhappy and sad that while we started with a lot of hope in our children learning safe and respectful martial arts moves, we felt we were just "customers" at Cody's growing business, and if we were problematic, oh well. I would urge you to consider: if you want childcare, this might not be safe. If you want your child to learn martial arts training, this is definitely not a good long-term option.

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Posted 7 years ago