I've trained at ZMATA since January 2017, nearly 3 years. When join, you'll get whatever it is you're looking for because the gym has a lot to offer....camaraderie, high level BJJ and Judo instruction, amazing youth program(no reason for you to not show up) the gym is all about family, and championship medals if you're willing to put the time and effort inside and outside the gym. There is a 7 day trial offered, so you have nothing to lose by giving it try. Sign-up and roll with us today.

A great location to learn self defense and to enhance wrestling, judo, and BJJ skills! A great family environment run by the best coaches in the business. My 2 kids have trained with both Coach Steve and Coach Aaron’s daughters. The coaches teach their students discipline and respect. Castro Valley is lucky to have such dedicated coaches and business owners who truly care about their community! They have a huge impact on athletes from all over. I highly recommend ZMata to anyone who wants to learn self defense or who wants to level up in their competition space. They make us feel like we are one big family!

We’ve only been part of the ZMATA family for a short period but the kids and I LOVE the Academy! Great coaches that motivates you and brings out the best in you. Conditions you to never give up. A family oriented atmosphere that provides top notch training from kids to adults program. Thanks to this place I have a better outlook in life and I’m proud to be part of ZMATA family!

The depth of knowledge that the instructors here provide is top notch. They have decades of years of experience in the art of grappling - Jiu jitsu, wrestling and Judo. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned student you'll fit right in. This facility is probably the best in the Bay Area with elevated mats with springs which in the long run will increase the longevity of your martial arts journey. The people here are amazing so you'll definitely make friends and they also have an amazing kids program. If you're looking for a place to train definitely consider training here as it is one of the best dojos in the bay.

One the best experiences for young people in the Bay Area. The Zmata family instills our young people with tons of pride, compassion, respect, and responsibility. Zmata students have so much fun while giving great effort and learning world-champion techniques. Simply the best!

Training at ZMATA has been one of the best ventures I have taken in my life so far. Beginning as a 17 year old kid that lost interest in most sports I participated in growing up, starting my Jiu-Jitsu training here really changed my life. I grew a deep passion for Jiu-Jitsu here and that's all because of the community, a great balance of intensity in training, and the coaches here that really make this gym special. They produce both killer adult and youth fighters here and plus the gym is very spacious. You're able to develop wrestling, judo, jiu-jitsu all in one. Out of the many gyms I've tried this is for sure the best.

ZMATA is the best martial arts training academy! They have the best coaching team! They make champions on and off the mats! My two boys (now 8 and 10) have been taking judo, wrestling, and jiujitsu classes at ZMATA since 2018. Coach Stevie and Coach Aaron have treated us like family since the day my boys did the free trial. We knew immediately that this was the place for us. ZMATA has a very positive and uplifting atmosphere. They are very welcoming, kind, patient, and generous. They teach the kids respect, self-discipline, and integrity through leading by example. There is also a strong emphasis on being a team and having good sportsmanship. They build personal relationships with their students (and parents of their kid students). They encourage and motivate their students to push themselves beyond their limits physically and mentally and to do their best in everything they do, not just on the mats. I have witnessed my kids use the skills they've learned from their coaches at ZMATA in other sports that they do, at school, and with their friends and family. I highly recommend ZMATA to anyone, kids and adults, who want to learn judo, wrestling, and jiujitsu and other life skills from the best! P.S. Their academy is also very clean and the mats have springs so it's not hard on the body!

Zmata is a great learning academy. Clean environment and good instructors. Everyone trains there like a family, young and old.

5 stars all the way. I wish we would have enrolled our son sooner. It is so very heartwarming to see my son in class. The coaches here at Z Mata are amazing they really make training fun for my 6 year old. And it's really helping him with his confidence. Super cool.

ZMATA is one of the best Brazilian Jiujitsu schools in the bay area, maybe even the best. The kids competition team is very elite, dedicated and they love the challenges from each tournament. My son Adrian trains not only BJJ with coach Aaron, but also judo and wrestling with coach Steve. They are both very good and motivational to make kids do their best in class as well as the tournaments.

I have been training gi and no-gi Brazilian jiu jitsu at ZMATA for 6 months. I trained at another gym before joining the team, and everything about the move has been an improvement. There is a fantastic family mentality to the gym that comes from all the people who train here as well as the coaches/owners. All the instructors are truly passionate in what they teach and care deeply about the people they coach and their improvements on and off the mats. We love having new people join the gym, please come by.