FOUR Elements Fitness

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.

I've taken both combat fitness and body positive yoga at Four Elements Fitness. Both classes had knowledgeable instructors who really tailored the activities to individual capabilities (a benefit of the gym's small footprint). The gym is a safe space for anyone who wants to train, and the care and respect shown by instructors and class participants is noticeable. I'll definitely be coming back for more.

This gym changed my life. I am not a gym person. In fact, I am afraid of gyms but my friends convinced me to go. Four Elements is more like a community studio and accessible to all sorts of levels/body types/genders/etc. When I started I was tripping over the ropes (literally) and now I'm breaking a sweat three times a week. Each instructor that I've been to has a different martial arts background and expertise in women's self defense. Yes, even the pilates class. They're great about tailoring the workouts to injuries, etc.

So happy that I found this gym! I started attending Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes at this gym about 2 years months ago and have since fallen in love. I had never done BJJ before, but found Shawn (one of the gym's owners and BJJ coaches) to be a warm, patient teacher who was excited to introduce others to grappling. She's created a space that's super welcoming to all and that feels more like a community than a gym. Because I haven't regularly trained at another gym I can't speak with much authority on how it compares to other BJJ gyms, but I think that FEF stands out in a few ways... For one, it's a small and unaffiliated gym that's low on politics. We all regularly roll with Shawn and the other coaches, and we're all encouraged to take opportunities to train at other gyms. The availability of Sambo and wrestling classes also makes the gym feel more like a "grappling" gym than a purely BJJ school. We regularly practice take downs and leg locks and are challenged to think of how Jiu Jitsu fits in with the other forms of grappling. The other classes are also super complimentary to BJJ. Judy and Mollii, both black belts in Jiu Jitsu, teach conditioning classes that have definitely improved my strength and mobility. Judy's Burn It to the Ground! class is heavy on kettlebells and HIIT. I always feel like Jello after the class is over but in the best way possible. And Mollii's Ginastica Natural class is unlike anything I've done before - it's like yoga meets Jiu Jitsu meets conditioning. It has a big focus on natural movement that use just your body weight. It, also, makes me feel like Jello. Also in the best way possible. Overall, this is a super great gym that feels more like a home. It regularly challenges me to push my limits and has introduced me to some incredible people who I feel lucky to call me friends. I now genuinely look forward to going to the gym, which is something that I never thought I would ever do. :P

I’ve trained at a few gyms over the years, but none have felt quite like home the way this one does. Coach Mollie creates a space that’s more than just a mat. It’s a true community. Her attention to detail is incredible. Every class feels intentional, with thoughtful instruction tailored to each student’s needs. She’s motivational without being overbearing, and she always keeps the vibe supportive rather than ego-driven. What really stands out is how much care she puts into the space itself. The mats and the bathroom are always clean, and the little hospitality touches go a long way: tea, tissues, books, sandals, a water jug, fans… even a spare gi if you forget yours. You feel taken care of before you even start rolling. Coach is on the smaller side, which means you learn to rely on technique, not strength. It’s humbling and makes you better, fast. The gym is well-equipped, and the belt tests are thorough, respectful, and a real chance to review and grow. If you’re looking for a place where people train hard, support each other, and stay grounded, this is it.