-
March 2024 by T Sripun
Amazing martial arts gym owned by women and is queer owned! Queer/trans friendly and open to all genders! Very beginner friendly and good for advanced practitioners too. I've been coming here for over a year and travel from SF because I love the community and the various kickboxing/mobility classes. The kickboxing is technical and is sanda/sanchou style. I found it very complemetary to Muay Thai when I was doing that as well. I've enjoyed having a healthy outlet for stress, learning new techniques to defend myself, and having a friendly gym to learn techniques. All the instructors are knowledgeable and wonderful to learn under. There's sometimes guest instructors each month to learn from too and it makes it vary in if it's slower pace or faster pace and new skills to learn. There is also BJJ/jiu jitsu martial arts classes that I haven't tried yet.This is also a nonprofit gym called Tuff Love and they organize free self defense classes for women, POC, LGBTQ+ people, and assault survivors. I found it very helpful to do a self defense class here too and would recommend to feel more confident in those situations. With it being a nonprofit they are lower cost and more affordable than other gyms too.The space:Masks required/masks optional depending on surges, hepa filters used. Gender neutral bathroom available and one changing room with curtains to partition. One open gym with mats, storage space for items, and a water cooler.
-
May 2023 by A Montenegro
My 16yo daughter loves this place.
-
March 2023 by Barbara K.
lovely people and very professional. Highly recommend this place. Totally worth it!!!!!
-
March 2023 by Paranoi!a
My 16yo daughter loves this place.
-
May 2022 by Juanita Talbert
I really like this location, staff is nice, a lot of different machines to choose from and not bad for the price. They also have extra spray bottles for guests to use to wipe down the machines.
-
April 2022 by Daniel Tondeau
Excellent experience- the instructor is fabulous! ?
-
August 2019 by Mushtaq Ali
One of the most innovative and inclusive martial arts schools in the East Bay
-
July 2019 by Salvatore R.
Messaged on IG to see when Open Mat training is happening and got no response. Doesn't seem like the sort of place. They don't seem as inclusive as they purport to be
-
June 2019 by Warren Buckland
Warm and caring instructors, dedicated classes for ladies and queer people, and a perfect balance of challenge and support.
-
January 2019 by Clara S
Fantastic place to learn, the instructors are very patient and welcoming.
-
January 2019 by Clara S.
Fantastic place to learn, the instructors are patient and welcoming. I have injuries from prior sports and instead of pushing me to an uncomfortable pace, they're accommodating.
-
December 2018 by Uriah C.
Four Elements has been such a great place for me. They accommodate me and my needs, never pressure me into things I don't feel up to, and help me reach my goals. Furthermore, it's been an incredibly safe environment for me as a member of the LGBT community. I've never felt safer as my whole self in a gym. The owners and other attendees have been instrumental in me seeing the gym as something accessible to a disabled lesbian, like myself.
-
December 2018 by Kitty S.
I took a class here and I really enjoyed it, excited to get back into it now that I have workout clothes! I felt really safe here. The exercises were adjustable for ability, and I learned something I could practice. I didn't feel awkward as a fat person exercising, which is a big concern for me!
-
December 2018 by Crystal S.
This gym is like no other...women owners (badass black belts in their respective disciplines), community-oriented programs and scholarships, and recently upgraded facility that is spacious and well equipped.
-
December 2018 by Michele K.
This is the MOST inclusive and welcoming martial arts gym I have encountered in my 20 years of training. This small and mighty gym has THE MOST TOPNOTCH instructors in one place - jiu jitsu, kickboxing and jkd/kali. The teachers meet beginners where they are and encourage all levels to succeed...and they push national competitors to excel in tournaments! LGBTQ friendly - ALL are welcome!
