Golden State Athletic Club

Golden State Athletic Club has been an absolute game changer for my entire family! My 9-year-old son has been training here for nearly 2.5 years, and his confidence and discipline have grown tremendously. My 16-year-old daughter not only trains here but also helps teach the kids class, giving her valuable leadership experience as she prepares for college. Even my youngest, who is 4, has been thriving in the Little Ninja class for the past few months. I’ve personally been training here for 2years, and the results have been incredible. I’ve lost 30lbs and feel stronger and healthier than ever. Beyond the physical benefits, the mental growth and focus this gym instills in both kids and adults are invaluable. My middle son, in particular, has greatly improved his focus thanks to the structured and engaging training. The coaches are phenomenal they are dedicated, knowledgeable, and passionate about their craft. They create a welcoming, supportive, and motivating environment for people of all ages and skill levels. The sense of community here is unmatched. The gym is second family to my family. If you’re looking for an amazing MMA gym that builds confidence, discipline, and strength while fostering an amazing atmosphere, Golden State Athletic Club is the place to be!

Fun family friendly environment. Amazing kids classes and a good workout for the parents too! David is extremely knowledgeable and engages the kids to learn new skills and techniques. If you are considering kickboxing / Jiu-Jitsu for you or your kiddo, this is the place!

Our T-K aged son has been going to Golden State Athletic Club for over a year. He loves the Little Ninjas program. Each class consists of a warm-up, striking work and grappling. David is an amazing coach. He's patient and engaging. He teaches the students techical concepts in a manner easily digested. It is amazing to see the kids improve from week to week. Little Ninjas is a great introduction to striking and grappling/BJJ. It's perfect to keep a kid active, while building the confidence and discipline that comes with martial arts. The students wear belts but gi's are optional. Most students come right from school and don't change if they're already in shorts or sweats. Just one less thing to worry about.

So it looks like a real sports club where they teach useful fight combat combinations, not like dancing karate or something else. From the very beginning, the coach David focused on real fighting mechanics — how to stand, how to move, and how to strike with proper form. We didn’t waste time on fancy moves that look cool but don’t work. Instead, we drilled things like jab-cross-hook, low kick combos, knee strikes, and takedown entries. Every technique was explained with the idea of real application — how it would work in a street fight or in the cage. It felt practical, effective, and grounded in real experience.

My daughter has been attending for about 4 months and loves it. She has built confidence and more physical awareness and self defense skills which will serve her well as she gets older. Coach David is amazing and is so patient with the children. He incorporates both fun and games as well as discipline and technique into each class. We are glad to find this treasure in downtown San Rafael.