Barrios Martial Arts — Local services in San Francisco

I have been taking adult Hapkido at BMA for over a year now and absolutely love it. It's given me a sense of community and I look forward to our weekly classes (3x per week). It's a great workout and they actually incorporate some other forms of martial arts which keeps it interesting (e.g., jiu-jitsu, judo). They also help you apply it to the real world for self-defense purposes should you ever need it. You can pay just a bit more than the monthly hapkido fee and have free access to all the adult classes you like (e.g., Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, Muay Thai, etc.). I don't have time for that right now but most adults do this and love it.

What I like most about BMA is its culture. This is a SAFE space for LGBTQIA+ kids. Of course, that includes adults but I want to mention the kids here because that is what stands out and what I think is most representative of what Master Barrios and the other instructors have done with this studio.

The values of dignity, respect, and celebration of self are evident in the way that BMA instructors talk to the kids in the class that takes place right before mine. It really is the small things - pronouns are discussed and honored; if one of the boys is wearing cool nail polish, the instructor compliments it just like he compliments the polish on the girl next to him. Self-control, emotional intelligence, and mental health are themes regularly discussed with the kids, woven in seamlessly to an activity seemingly about sparring. It seems silly but in a martial arts environment, these comments and interactions are refreshing. Things like this are happening throughout an entire class and accumulate to create a true sense of belonging and safety for these kids. Everyone can...

I have been taking the kickboxing and Muay Thai classes for over 2 years now, and I couldn't be happier with my choice to join the BMA community. BMA truly has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the instructors are not only extremely skilled in martial arts, but also genuinely care about the well-being and growth of their students. I specifically want to shout out my amazing instructors: Coach Allan, Kru Mije, and Coach Bush, who create an environment where learning is fun, challenging, and rewarding. BMA is more than just a place to train; it's a place where you become part...

I've tried out a couple of martial arts gyms and this is one worth dedicating to. The instructors here care about students as individuals and pay attention to our different levels and styles. Carlos and his team have a wealth of knowledge and offer the variety of classes I was looking for - jiujitsu gi and no gi, and kickboxing. The other students are supportive and respectful, and in martial arts peers make up a big part of the learning environment too. It's a great community and...