910 Richards St #201, Vancouver, BC V6B 3C1, Canada
At Marcus Soares BJJ Academy in Vancouver, Langley, and Maple Ridge, you get Authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training like it was meant to be.
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
My 5 year old son recently joined the kids classes , first time doing jiu jitsu and he loves it! That’s all he talks about ! He loves Master Marcus and all the other kids in his class
Have dropped in twice for prof Eden’s nogi class while in town for business - excellent instruction and great rolls
Best BJJ gym in Vancouver taught by the highest level black belt in the country Marcus Soares
Fantastic place! I have zero martial arts experience + I am a lady, so I was naturally very scared to go. But the team is so welcoming to newbies and Jiu-jitsu is so much fun, I highly recommend to try it! Especially for people who do not like gym and do not have fun working out!
An absolute must-visit for any serious BJJ practitioner. Training under Mr. Soares is an incredible experience. As a living legend and the highest-ranked Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in Canada, his instruction is top-tier and no-nonsense. He might be the friendliest person I have ever met. One of the best features of his Jiu Jitsu class is the opening Q&A session. It’s an invaluable opportunity to get direct answers to the exact problems you're working on in your game. Beyond the world-class training, the facility is pristine, clean, and highly organized with plenty of storage for gear. Walking into the Vancouver school feels like stepping into a mini-museum dedicated to the Carlson Gracie style, with the walls completely lined with incredible history and memorabilia. If you are a visiting student, do not pass up the chance to share the mats and train with a true legend. Watch out for those killer warm ups…
We are absolutely pleased with how our daughter has improved in confidence, strength and overall self defence since starting at Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jistu Academy. Our daughter was not the most athletic prior to attending Marcus Soares academy. We worried about her being able to defend herself and we also worried about her being hurt when she happens to fall. Now she knows how to guard herself/ safely land when falling and she has improved very much in her self defence. The instructors, Marcus and Dana are hospitable and great with kids. They make it fun for the kids. They are very friendly, caring and patient yet firm. All the kids that attend the classes love it. The place is close to rainbow park so the kids usually go to the playground after classes. The place is also very clean and safe. We are glad we found this place.
I have been training with Marcus since 2019, and I can tell you that it has greatly enhanced my life. The training from Marcus and his coaches is truly world class, and the community at the gym is exceptionally friendly and helpful and safe when rolling. I recently brought a friend who was trying out jiu jitsu and has recently attended two classes at a gym in Nashville. He told me after the class that his experience training with Marcus amazed him. The attention and instruction given to him as a brand new beginner by both marcus the coaches, and the blue and purple belts it made him way more excited to commit to doing jiu jitsu than he had been with his initial curiosity had made feel. Marcus and Dana truly have made a wonderful community and place to train and learn BJJ from a Grand Master of the sport.
I’ve trained with Marcus Soares for over 8 years and earned my black belt with him. Great coaching and an excellent BJJ family.
Our experience at Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy has been nothing short of outstanding! My 5-year-old son joined a couple of months ago, and we feel incredibly honored that Marcus himself leads the classes, often alongside his wife, Dana. For those who may not know, Marcus is the only red belt in Canada—a testament to his unparalleled dedication and expertise in Jiu-Jitsu. This academy truly feels like a family-run business in the best way possible, with Marcus, Dana, and their son all involved in teaching. We even had the pleasure of having Marcus’s son lead a class, which was a wonderful experience. The patience and care they show with the little ones is exceptional; all three are not only highly professional but also incredibly kind and invested in each student's growth. What impresses us most about Marcus’s teaching is his emphasis on respect. He instills core values such as being a good teammate, a supportive friend, and a caring family member. Classes are fun, engaging, and designed to bring out the best in each child, with Marcus’s teaching style fostering both confidence and character. If you’re looking for a Jiu-Jitsu academy with world-class instruction, a warm and supportive atmosphere, and instructors who genuinely care, I highly recommend Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
While Marcus’s gym is the only BJJ gym that I have been part of, I know it is everything that I could want or need from a gym. Instruction from Marcus is concise, and his style is clear. He allows us to learn by doing, and comes to correct us as needed. He is always there to answer any questions too. Aside from learning proper techniques, the conditioning classes have kept me in great shape. The team is friendly & helpful regardless of what your intentions are. Some come to train to compete, and others for health & fitness. For many people it’s their home away from home. Children gravitate towards Marcus, he has a way with them, and it’s always amazing to see them train before the adults’ class. Aside from that, I believe it’s the cleanest gym that I’ve been part of!
Posted 3 years agoBeen practicing since before the pandemic. The folks I train with as well as the instruction is top notch. Marcus is approachable and highly knowledgeable. His casual interactions belie the strict adherence to the spirit and fundamentals of his craft. He loves what he is doing, and it shows. The other senior belts are a chip off the block, ready to correct or help me improve with positive feedback. My main focus is to learn self defense in concert with improved physicality. I feel welcomed and am treated the same as more talented students.
Posted 4 years agoI've been training at the Marcus Soares downtown location for a little under a year now, and it's made a huge difference in my life. I'm in better shape than I've ever been, and generally happier & less stressed in all areas of my life. Marcus & all of his coaches are extremely knowledgeable, and fantastic instructors. The environment is always friendly & I found it very welcoming from the first day I started training there. It's a wonderful place to train, and every time I leave I'm already looking forward to the next time I'll come back!
Posted 4 years agoLost 30 lbs in 3 months! Joining was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Marcus is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and not just the most qualified BJJ instructor in the country, but a patient and thoughtful teacher. The confidence I’ve gained, lifelong friends I’ve made, and skills I’ve learned are worth far more than the cost of the classes. And to top it off, I lost 30 pounds in 3 months (!) and I feel fantastic. Hands down the best investment I’ve ever made. DO IT!
Posted 8 years agoThis gym has exceeded my expectations. I've never trained at any other gyms, and that's something I should do to get another perspective, but Marcus Soares' Vancouver gym is great. Everyone I've met there, whether instructors or students, has been super welcoming and open to training with a newbie. That's been consistent in every class I've gone too. The gym is always pretty clean even when it is busy and there are multiple classes in a day. Marcus and Dana always do good to tidy up before the next class. I don't regret joining this gym. I gave it only 4 stars here because when I first joined a few months ago, they didn't seem to have any specific curriculum for new people who had never trained jiu-jitsu before. Everyone was learning the same techniques from Marcus. Fortunately, they're changing that now since they have started teaching the fundamental positions weekly, cycling through a new one each week. I'm happy they're adapting the programming to have something for all levels!
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