SBG SoCal

603 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101, USA

(53 reviews)

Disciplines

Gi MMA Self-Defense

Classes

Adults Classes

Facilities

Mat Space

Culture

Welcoming Environment

Access

Free Trial

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

Reviews

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katie jovel

SBG in Pasadena is by far one of the best gyms I've ever walked into. Not only do they teach multiple types of practice for both adults and kids (jujitsu, yoga, MMA, kickbox and even has a womens only jujitsu class!), but the people here are also ALL extremely kind, skilled, and welcoming. My husband found this gym first and gained passion for it immediately, then he joined our son, and even convinced me too! Never have we ever enjoyed working out as much as we do now. Shout out to coach Marco for running such an amazing gym, and having a fantastic team of coaches!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Marcy Liu

This is one of the best BJJ program in the region, coach Marco and all the coaches here have strong morality and principle. It's more than martial arts, they give kids great example how to be a decent human. We're grateful to be able to learn with the coaches here and see the kids grow and mature overtime. I would highly recommend whoever is looking for a BJJ class and a good community to raise their kids to learn martial arts to come to SBG.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Stephani Lewis

SBG SoCal is an amazing place for kids, Coach Marco puts so much love and care into teaching each child. The social and emotional lessons he teaches alongside the skills in his class are amazing.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Eric Koh

SBG is amazing. Clean, fun and great instructions. Coach Marco and his team are real champions of this area. They care about the kids and teach them valuable life lessons. Some things I’ve heard them touch upon are about bullying, making better choices, friendships, respect among other things. I wish I had a mentor like Marco growing up. Great kids to teacher ratio. He’s also been a super hero during the fires to the community. He helped people evacuate and move things. He helped displaced families settle at the gym. Super A++++

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Gabriela Fox

Can’t say enough about Coach Marco and his incredible and highly skilled team at SBG So Cal. My son loves attending jiujitsu class. The team at SBG is not only passionate in their work, but they all exemplify such a great deal of patience when coaching the younger kids class. It takes a great deal of skill to coach younger kids and SBG is hands down one of the best! I highly recommend .

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Amy Kamin

SBG offers many incredible classes for both kids and adults. Our experience is with the kid’s jiujitsu class. Coach Marco and his team have been an incredible and positive influence for our son. They provide a perfect combination of discipline and fun. Our son has developed a love for jiujitsu under their guidance and teaching. His confidence has grown since he started about a year ago. We are so happy that we found SBG for our son.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Juliane

This gym is my favorite place to be. The instruction is excellent and the community is extraordinary. I travel a lot and try out martial arts and especially BJJ gyms and teachers in different places, but nothing compares to SBGSoCal and I'm always so happy to be back here on the mats. No other place is as professional yet friendly and dedicated yet easy going. Another big plus is the great attention to hygiene and clean mats. It's surprising how many other gym owners don't seem to care about this as much as Headcoach and owner Marco does.

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Posted 1 year ago
Brennen Mace

Best gym in the Pasadena area possibly even the San Gabriel Valley. Shoutout to the classes taught by Coach Marco, Beto, Wuzie, Matt, Pete, Dakota and bi-weekly drop ins from BJJ Legend Chris Hauter. I highly recommend checking it out as it is very affordable, beginner friendly and the culture is unbeatable.

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Posted 1 year ago
Michael Heinz

This is the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu place you have been looking for. You won’t find a place more professional run! Marco the head instructor has great Jiu Jitsu and regularly trains with Rickson Gracie. The people in his gym are inviting and ready to help others. Their kids program is very popular and features multiple coaches per session to make sure everyone gets lots of attention. Last but not least it’s the largest facility in the area dedicated to BJJ and they keep it impeccably clean unlike many other gyms in this martial art. Don’t bother with other places, go to this gym and join today.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
george silva

I’ve been to many gyms across the country and this place is by far my favorite. You won’t find a gym with better vibes. The instruction is top notch. The students are respectful and safe. I train in the adult classes and enrolled my daughter in the kids classes. The kids program is amazing! It’s fun for the kids and also provides learning and growth in the martial arts.

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Posted 2 years ago
Jose Guardado

SBG SoCal is a great place for martial arts, they have class for all ages and a vast variety of styles for beginners all the way to advanced members who are looking to challenge and better themselves

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Kyle Cummins

Coach Marco's kindness and genuine connection with each child make SBG SoCal truly exceptional. The positive impact on my children's self-confidence has been remarkable since they joined his classes. What sets SBG SoCal apart is its commitment to instilling values of discipline, respect, and responsibility. It's not just about mastering physical skills; there's a strong focus on personal development. The emphasis on self-defense as a last resort further underscores SBG's commitment to a well-rounded approach. For parents seeking a martial arts experience that transcends the physical, SBG SoCal is the ideal choice. Coach Marco doesn't just teach self-defense; he plays a pivotal role in shaping the character of young minds.

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Posted 2 years ago
Colin

I was welcomed to train here for a few weeks while visiting the area by coach Marco and the rest of his awesome team and had a blast! This place has an inclusive atmosphere, solid instruction, and great rolls. I would highly recommend training here if you live in the area or are visiting. Thanks again for having me!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Benjamin Wild

My wife and I had a private lesson with head coach Marco a couple of weeks ago, and we'll definitely be coming back for more. The gym was easy to find, is well kitted out, and appears to have been newly refurbished (to a high standard, I might add - it looks wonderful inside). The lesson itself was fantastic - my wife and I have very little martial arts experience, so Marco ran through some self defence techniques with is in the session. Marco is confident, knowledgeable, and patient - he delivered his teachings with ease and good humour, and I can't recommend him enough. I will definitely be looking into the group sessions in the near future. Update 2023: I've been coming to classes a couple of times a week for the past year or so now and absolute love it. The atmosphere is great, the students are incredibly warm and friendly, and the teaching is top notch.

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Posted 3 years ago
Andrew ONeil

SBG SoCal is the best martial arts gym ever experienced. My daughter has been training here for some time now and she loves it. Her self confidence rises each week. There is a very unique vibe of community and friendship with the students and its all due to the creativity/ skill of the coaches. They work as a close knit team/ family that is teaching her high level Martial Arts- but also how to be the best person she can be! They discuss respect, kindness, and variety of values that bring out the best in any person- young or old. I could go on and on, but come in and see for yourself! A BIG THANKS to all the coaches for your commitment!

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Posted 3 years ago
Iley Sweeney (Keat Van Lowe)

This is my favorite place to be besides home!! All the coaches, Marco, Dakota, Linda, Pete, Wuzi, Matt, Beto, Petar and Alex are literally the best with a wealth of knowledge to teach!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Omar Kelly

Coaches are great!

Instructors
Posted 4 years ago
Roger Roldan

I have been training at SBG under Coach Marco for almost 2 years now. I have trained at many gyms over the past 12 years and I find SBG to be top notch. The instruction is well delivered and the vibe of the gym is welcoming to all. Young or old, experienced or not, this is a great place to train.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Dan Humphrey

I've been training here for over 6 months now, and it's an amazing place. I was training for a few years back in Massachusetts before I moved to Pasadena, and of all of the gyms I tried, this one was my favorite! The coaches are great teachers and provide detailed explanations of techniques. The classmates are fun and kind, but also super hardworking and will make you work really hard during training and sparring. I'm constantly trying to recruit my friends to come train with me because of how much I enjoy training here.

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Posted 4 years ago
Andrew Oneil

Great coaches!

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Posted 4 years ago
Marcella Hernandez

My husband and I received a self-defense class with coach Marco at SBG SoCal and it was great! This was our first time on the mats, and Marco made us feel so welcomed that our nerves quickly went away. Marco is very professional, passionate, and clearly communicates his teachings that clearly shows he has thought through how to tackle various situations where self-defense is needed. We left the gym learning a lot that day while still having fun. As a woman of color, I felt extremely comfortable being in this gym and can’t wait to attend more classes. I highly recommend this gym to anyone looking to gain or improve their skill set.

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Posted 5 years ago
will burns

Great training environment. Amazing children’s program. Great coaching. Highly recommend this gym.

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Posted 5 years ago
Todd Frank

Today could have been the day you first remember looking into SBG. Today could have been the first day you came by to see if SBG was for you. Today could have been the day you left understanding that there was more on the mats than you thought. Today could have been the day you decided to come back and join. I have had these days and I hope you will as well. If I meet you at SBG tomorrow I will greet you as the new friend you are.

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Posted 5 years ago
Alex Padilla

I have been training at SBG for a while now and it has been a great experience. Coach Marco is a knowledgeable, positive and patient coach. He is well versed in Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts. Above all, SBG has a very positive vibe and the coaching staff seeks to improve and bring out the best in every student. I would highly recommend this gym to anyone looking to start their Jiu Jitsu journey.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Mike Arellanes

Awesome coaching and lots of experience in this school.

Instructors
Posted 5 years ago
Tianna Tang-Lau

My oldest son has been with Coach Marco since 2010. Then my youngest joined in 2012. A few years later, my husband and I joined the gym. Coach Marco, Coach Petar, Coach Lynda, and Coach Dakota are great role models for my boys, both on and off the mats. The entire family is learning self defense while having fun together. What a way to spend quality time with some really awesome coaches! We love it here. You will too.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Juliane Gralle

This gym is great, like nothing I've experienced before. Head coach Marco is a dedicated and gifted teacher who always puts his students first. Instructions are very detailed and fun at the same time, so that in even just a few months I've learned a lot! Throughout the pandemic their team is constantly working on making things happen - for adults there are several classes weekly on zoom for exercise and BJJ technique as well as outdoors for MMA. And for the kids there are separate ones on zoom and outdoors to keep them moving and engaged. The vibe is super welcoming and friendly - it's helped me personally navigate 2020 in a better and healthier state of mind than I would've otherwise.

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Posted 5 years ago
Z “IT'Z Zzzzz”

I love SBG SoCal! My son has been with them for two years. His coach has helped him with self discipline and self confidence. Since attending SBG, my son is not afraid to challenge himself; he won a first place trophy last year. Want to give kudos to coach Marco's,Coach Linda and Coach Dakota!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
Glyn Powditch (Dream Agility)

Jon Boone is a fantastic coach running a first class academy. Whether it’s kids classes for education and self defence or adults looking for competition or just to get fit, SBG Socal is the place to be.

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Posted 6 years ago
Jimmy Quach

This gym is absolutely amazing! I've done Jiu-Jitsu for awhile on and off (mostly off) for almost a decade and I've never been to a gym where they have: an established thoughtful curriculum, a staff that is so knowledgable, and facilitaties where I don't worry about giving ringworm to my wife. From walking into the gym until leaving I always feel welcome and most importantly safe. I've been injuried more than once doing BJJ, but since coming to SBG I have no fear of someone holding a submission for too long or spazzing out. SBG has an incredible Foundations class which allows new students to learn the fundamental movements in BJJ in a structured safe manner. I'm so grateful to have met Jon, Marco, Peter and the rest of the instructors it's wonderful to know that there is a place where I can learn jiu jitsu without herniating discs or tearing my ACL!

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Posted 6 years ago
Mel Delgado

Heard nothing but great things about coaches Jon, Marco, and Lynda from a friend whose daughter was taking classes at the time. So when they announced their grand opening special I jumped right on it and decided to give it a try as I was in search for a new school that fit my schedule, after taking the BJJ foundations trial classes I was hooked! The friendly and welcoming vibe from the coaches, students and parents from when you walk in to when you walk out is an experience I've never felt, everyone introduces themselves and greets each other which makes it even better, I use to think it was like that because I was new, but six months later the vibe has not changed one bit. The BJJ classes are taught by top notch instructors who are super detailed in their techniques, very helpful, and always make sure every student is doing the drill properly and safely. Safety is a huge factor at SBG which I love, usually being the smallest guy at other gyms I've been to I was prone to getting smashed or injured, but since I've been at SBG I've been ok and so will you or your child.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
George Dominguez

I've been training for some time and during the holidays my academy is closed for a week. I recently moved to the area and passed by SBG a few times so when I was looking for a place to drop in during the holiday break, I reached out. Jon was very welcoming and let me drop in for a class. He's a very good instructor that is funny, easy to talk to, and most importantly, detailed in his instruction. The other students were also very welcoming and I left feeling like I got a great session in. Overall a great experience and I'll definitely stop by every now and then when I can't train at my academy.

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Posted 6 years ago
Phong Trang

Coach Jon and all the instructors at SBG SoCal are exceptional at not just teaching about the technical aspects of jiu jitsu but about life in general. My daughter has been takin BJJ here for a little over 3 years. I have seen the positive impact it has had on her confidence and has propelled her to try new things. Jon creates a positive structured atmosphere for the kids that allow them to learn as well as have fun. The most important thing is you can genuinely feel the love that Jon has for his students, he cares that they succeed beyond the mats. There is nothing negative I can say, if you interested in learning BJJ or having your kids try a martial arts, it would be a disservice not to take a look at this school. Come check it out you won’t regret it, I know I haven’t...

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Posted 6 years ago
Robbie Suguitan

My 9 y/o son has been going to SBG SoCal close to year. This was the best decision we made coming to SBG. Coach John is not only an outstanding practitioner, but the life lessons Coach John teaches and shares to the student has always been OUTSTANDING!!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Rebecca Lucas

Honestly, I have nothing to compare this place to, but from my experience, it's awesome. The atmosphere is welcoming, family friendly, and non-intimidating. The coaches are the friendliest people you will ever meet, funny, knowledgable, patient, and understanding. My kids started training almost a year ago, then my husband started, and I finally did my first class in March. I would recommend this place to anybody, and quite frequently do! SBG SoCal feels like family, I love it there!

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Posted 6 years ago
Adam Chen

每天經過，都會看看純真的孩子打架，滿有趣的誒，隔壁的裝飾演員店搬走了，他們也變大了喔！

Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
L R

My daughter comes here and she loves it, the instructors are always super nice and helpful and the place is always clean

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
Angie Rodriguez

Best school for your kids !!!!!! To bad my family moved but will never forget all the coaches and what they did for my children !!!!

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Posted 8 years ago
Jesse

Doesn’t get any better than this school. Every instructor is solid gold. I’ve trusted them with my kids for years now and am so happy with the positive impact they’ve had on our lives in a lot of ways. Expanded facilities will only improve on what already is the best martial arts program in SoCal.

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Posted 8 years ago
Tuananh Do

Great place, easy parking.

Facility Location
Posted 8 years ago
Matthew Gonzales

I am 12 and have done this for 3 years and I love it so much

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Posted 9 years ago
Daniel Scott

Amazing instructors with a world class knowledge of Brazilian Jujitsu and karate. Easy parking, and the kids and adults classes are fantastic. Great environment with people who push you to your limits, Beyond, and all without hurting anyone. Highly recommended.

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Posted 10 years ago