Top 4 MMA gyms in San Francisco California
Okay, there are gyms everywhere, but the MMA and Fitness gyms based in San Francisco are not your regular gyms. They range from competition-intense gyms to fitness-focused MMA gyms, and those that’d equip you with self-defense skills. Let’s look at the top 3 MMA gyms in San Francisco.
1. American Kickboxing Academy
UFC fighters Khabib Nurmagomedov, Daniel Cormier and Cain Velasquez pictured with fighters and coaches at American Kickboxing Academy.
Is there a bigger gym in California or the whole of the United States than AKA? This is one large gym geared towards feeling like a family and with lots of great coaches and fighters. Whether you’re there for competition or weight loss, AKA has a 27,000-square-foot facility large enough for weights and cardio rooms, an outdoor lap pool, two squash courts, and lots of mat space in the gym.
It has over 50+ heavy bags, and Exclusive ‘box master’ pad holder. 2 boxing ring rooms, an MMA cage room, and lockers and recovery rooms.
American kickboxing academy was opened by Javier Mendez in 1995, and since then, he has gone on to coach UFC fighters like Daniel Cormier, Luke Rockhold, Cain Velasquez, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and now the UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov pictured after winning the UFC lightweight championship world title
Besides Head Coach Javier Mendez, they’ve got Derek Yuen (Muay Thai), Wayne Philips (MMA/Kickboxing), Ron Kesler (Jiu-jitsu), Thomas Diagne, Mark Climaco, and Felix De Leon among others.
But despite its great pedigree of coaches and fighters, AKA offers much more than the competition. It is open for kids 4 years old or above. They hold kids’ classes between 4 pm and 6 pm from Monday to Friday teaching the fundamentals of kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and MMA. And for adults, classes are held between 5 pm to 9 pm every Monday to Friday teaching kickboxing, Muay Thai, boxing, MMA, jiu-jitsu, and No Gi fundamentals.
This gym looks to apply the most effective fighting techniques. No wonder it has an emphasis on combining striking with grappling-heavy techniques (jiu jitsu, wrestling) and strategies.
If you’re still doubting this gym’s standards, they offer a free trial for any of their classes and you’d be able to take multiple classes every day, and use the gym’s facility, but with an exception of sparring.
https://www.facebook.com/AKAGymHQ
2. Empire Jiu Jitsu
Logo for Empire Jiu Jitsu
Especially if you train Brazilian jiu jitsu and plan to transition to MMA, this gym will take your game to the next level. Empire Jiu Jitsu was opened in 2018 by two veteran black belt BJJ practitioners Kurt Osiander and Jake Scovel. When it comes to introducing unique approaches and techniques on the mat, they are the best.
Kurt Osiander believes the only way to advance is through persistence. Whether you’re sharpening your skills as an hobbyist, a world-class competitor, or just starting jiu-jitsu, all are welcome at Empire BJJ.
On the other hand, Jake Scovel’s approach to jiu-jitsu is founded on the economy of motion, focusing on using the body’s natural structure to maximize both efficiency and offense.
The philosophy that’s driven Kurt Osiander to win world championships, teach seminars everywhere from Sacramento to Shanghai, and amass a cult following still rings true today — real jiu jitsu is never watered down.
Kurt believes the only way to progress is through persistence. Whether you’re sharpening your skills as a world class competitor, improving as hobbyist, or just starting jiu jitsu, all are welcome at Empire BJJ.
Practicing jiu jitsu means starting, or continuing, a journey unlike any other. Above all, Kurt believes you should have fun along the way — just don’t expect any shortcuts.
On the mats, every detail counts. After years and years spent competing, Jake executes techniques with precision and a passion for showing others how to improve their game.
Empire BJJ is an academy in the truest sense. When you step on the mats, you’re there to learn. Jake takes that title to heart, helping anyone and everyone refine their game.
At this gym, they have several packages of different scheduling and budgets, so based on what’s best for you, you can always pick one. Even better, the gym offers personal training if you need that focused training or if you love training alone.
But while the gym emphasizes a lot on BJJ (Gi and no-Gi jiu-jitsu), notwithstanding, they offer striking martial arts classes and other grappling martial arts like wrestling.
Their schedule consists of Gi and No Gi BJJ classes, wrestling classes, and competition classes to test your skills and prepare you for fighting. But it doesn’t stop there. The gym is a great option for kids and is scheduled for evenings including well-instructed classes with great trainers.
If you're not quite sure what your schedule is looking like for the next couple of months — a prepaid 10–class pass might be what you're looking for! At Empire Jiu Jitsu they offer a 10-class pass valid for six months.
3. Rise Combat Sports
Fighter pictured working out at Rise Combat Sports
If you’re interested in a well-loved MMA gym with lots of expert instructors, then look no further than Rise Combat Sports. Here, everyone is offered personal attention and welcomed with open hands. Even better, it is family-owned, so there’s that feeling of unity there.
The gym is built by two passionate fighters Chris Cariaso and Bunkerd Faphimai and offers courses in Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Boxing, and Dutch kickboxing. Chris Cariaso is a former UFC fighter and he instructs on Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu Bunkerd Faphimai is an expert coach who has over 350 Muay Thai fights. Other Coaches are boxing coach Paris Alexander, and jiu-jitsu trainer Marcos Yunes, among others.
Bunkerd Faphimai pictured with his multiple belts and in training.
Rise Combat sports is an avenue for those looking to pursue MMA competitions, and by offering strength and conditioning classes, it is a great choice for those looking to lose weight and build muscle.
If you’d need some prepared knowledge on how it operates, how they teach, and if it is a right fit for you, you should try their free trial offers. The gym is open from Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 9 am,
The gym is located at 123 South Van Ness in San Francisco, so make sure to check it out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm3EWoZpL1
4. One Martial Arts
Front of the gym pictured at One Martial Arts in San Francisco
But perhaps, there is none more diverse than One Martial Arts. It is not just a martial art school, it is also a fitness school, so if you really need an enthusiastic method for losing weight and staying athletic, then get on your way to One Martial Arts!
It is owned by Professor Brannon Beliso and he leads a reputable team of service-oriented instructors who will give you the best gym experience and excellent role models also. The classes are optimized to fit each student’s needs. Here, you’d acquire self-defense skills and you can even be trained to competition level. But more importantly, it offers great fitness classes through kickboxing, karate, and boxing training.
Professor Beliso is an 8th degree black belt and has won over 100 trophies in such major tournaments as the Internationals and the California Karate Championships. He has studied Kenpo Karate for forty eight years and has also trained in Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Arnis, Boxing and Kickboxing.
At One Martial art, their fitness classes offer stress relief, increased flexibility, full body workout, Muscle toning, improved balance, increased heart rate, improved coordination, and of course FUN!
It is an MMA gym located by Taraval street across from the city bank, adjacent to the Mr. Szechuan restaurant. But unlike your regular martial arts gym, the instructors at One Martial Arts create time for you to get quality virtual classes through Zoom calls.
They have special programs for youths and kids. Their tight-knit community will help you reach workout heights you never thought you could.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzQKWroYBO
San Francisco has got lots of great teams, but out of the multitude, these are the must-checkout gyms. Make sure to access your needs, and choose either of these diverse for your MMA and fitness training.
