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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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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++++
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.
This gym has been absolutely incredible for me and my 3 kids! The prices are around the same from what I've seen in other gyms in the area, however, the coaches here are incredible! I've definitely noticed the difference in my kids' listening skills as well as confidence since they've started. I take the Jiu-Jitsu and MMA classes myself and it's most definitely better than any gym I've been to!
If you're looking for a class to take your kids to, look no further! SBG offers both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts where the kids learn important life skills while also learning discipline and body awareness. Coach Marco is fantastic with children. He's engaging, patient, and fun! The classes are a great mix of games and lessons. My kids are involved in a few
different activities but they definitely have the most fun in their MMA class.
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.
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.
...everything is explained in detail, with great patience, perfect articulation and with great attention to the details. I never felt intimidated and all the higher belts make an effort to make you feel welcomed and go out of their way to make sure you are doing the drills correctly.
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, knowledgeable, 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!
Training Jiu Jitsu empowers young girls by building confidence, teaching real-world self-defense, and fostering a growth mindset. It helps them develop resilience, form strong friendships, and understand their own strength through action. Beyond the techniques, Jiu Jitsu teaches them to stand tall, face challenges head-on, and know that they are capable of anything.
BJJ and MMA are powerful tools for helping kids develop focus, discipline, and confidence, all of which directly translate to success in school. Studies show that physical activity improves cognitive function, attention span, and self-regulation, making martial arts an excellent way to enhance a child’s ability to stay on task and manage academic challenges. At SBG SoCal, our youth programs are designed to build mental resilience, problem-solving skills, and respect, helping kids thrive both on the mats and in the classroom. Give your child the edge they need—bring them in for a free trial today!
Training only one martial art can limit your growth by creating gaps in your skill set and reducing adaptability. John Danaher emphasizes the importance of cross-training in grappling, while Chris Haueter promotes a holistic approach—”Think street, train the sport, practice the art.” Focusing too narrowly can leave you vulnerable in real-world scenarios, while integrating multiple disciplines fosters creativity, problem-solving, and well-rounded combat skills. To evolve as a martial artist, it’s essential to step beyond the confines of a single style and embrace a broader approach to training.
At SBG SoCal, we believe that every woman should have the confidence, strength, and skills to protect herself, which is why we offer a dedicated Ladies’ BJJ program every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 PM. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA are not just about fighting—they build self-defense skills, mental toughness, and physical strength while fostering a supportive community. Training in BJJ helps women feel safer, more empowered, and confident in handling real-life situations. If you’ve ever wanted to try martial arts, now is the perfect time—join us for a free trial class and see why so many women love training at SBG SoCal!
SBG has revolutionized BJJ and MMA by introducing aliveness in training, emphasizing realistic, resistance-based practice. Under Matt Thornton’s leadership, SBG made high-level martial arts accessible to everyone, not just elite fighters. The gym pioneered cross-training, integrating striking, grappling, and real-world applications into a seamless system. At SBG SoCal, we carry on this tradition—training in both Gi and No-Gi, with and without strikes, ensuring that our Jiu-Jitsu works in any environment. More than just a gym, SBG is a tribe, fostering growth, support, and community. If you want to train where technique transcends venue, environment, and attire, come join us!
Martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and MMA provide kids and adults with the confidence, discipline, and self-defense skills needed to handle bullies effectively. At SBG SoCal, we believe in training for life—teaching our students not just how to fight, but when and why to stand their ground. BJJ builds self-assurance, emotional control, and resilience, allowing practitioners to defuse situations without violence while knowing they can protect themselves if necessary. More than just a sport, training in martial arts fosters a strong community and transforms individuals from feeling powerless to becoming leaders in their lives.
Chris Haueter is a legendary figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, known for being one of the first non-Brazilian black belts and a key innovator in the art. A student of Rigan Machado, Haueter helped expand BJJ beyond Brazil and introduced a conceptual approach to training, emphasizing principles over techniques. His “Golden Rules of Grappling” and philosophy on the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu have influenced countless practitioners worldwide. At SBG SoCal, we are honored to have him teaching and guiding our students, sharing his deep knowledge, strategic mindset, and passion for the art.
At SBG SoCal, we train both Gi and No-Gi because good Jiu-Jitsu should work in any environment—on the mats, in the cage, or on the streets. The Gi helps develop grip strength, control, and patience, while No-Gi builds speed, adaptability, and movement efficiency. By training both, our students become well-rounded martial artists, capable of applying Jiu-Jitsu regardless of what they’re wearing or where they are.
Martial arts offer a wealth of benefits for children, fostering physical fitness, mental resilience, and essential life skills. At SBG, we are dedicated to supporting our students through every challenge, ensuring they thrive both on and off the mat. Building Physical and Mental Strength Engaging in martial arts enhances children’s motor skills, flexibility, reflexes, and […]
As people grow older, they begin to find ways to be more productive and make use of their time. For senior citizens, in particular, they find that there is even more time they need to utilize and want to do so effectively. Many will go out and find other jobs while others will pursue hobbies […]