We tried a couple of different gyms for my son as a next step after doing Kidstrong for a couple of years. From the moment we walked through the door we have been nothing but impressed with the coaches, professors, and really everyone at Alliance San Marcos. For the kids, they do an absolutely mind bogglingly amazing job of meeting each child where they are and never holding any one of them to an expectation that is too high for that individual. The skill, knowledge, patience, and sheer situational awareness to be able to do that with a full classroom full of 3-5 year olds doing something as complex as jiu jitsu is astounding. Coach Nick was Sage's first instructor at Alliance and a favorite of mine - his passion and patience are visible in everything he does. Everyone does an incredible job of breaking the skills down in a fun and digestible way for the kids and they are clearly learning and retaining! I ended up joining the fun as well and as a 37 year old out of shape dude I gotta admit I was in my head before my first time on the mat wondering "WTF am I thinking starting something like this at this stage of my life?" But the crew and the members are SO welcoming and remind me every day that we all started at zero. The community is amazing and the culture is friendly and supportive no matter your skill level. If you're like I was and thinking you cant possibly.... trust me, this is the place to put those doubts to rest!

This review reflects the view of my entire family. We absolutely love this place! The community feeling is wonderful - supportive, encouraging, and completely ego-free. What sets Alliance apart is the exceptional quality of coaching. Every instructor demonstrates technical expertise and a genuine commitment to each student's growth. They take the time to understand your goals and limitations, adjusting their teaching approach accordingly. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced practitioner, they meet you exactly where you are. The family-friendly environment has been perfect for us. Since starting, my daughter has gained so much confidence, and my husband and I have found a shared activity that is challenging and rewarding. When I asked my daughter who her favorite instructor was - she said, "I cannot pick one favorite because they are all awesome" :) The facility itself is always clean and well-maintained. Class schedules are flexible enough to accommodate various work and school commitments. If you're considering jiu-jitsu for yourself or your family in North County, I would highly recommend Alliance in San Marcos!

Where to start with the positive impact Alliance San Marcos has had in our family's life! Our 3 daughters (21, 12, 10) all attend classes at Alliance. It has helped their confidence, physical strength, mental endurance, and overall attitude and we are so excited to see them grow and learn. All the professors and coaches take their time with the students, they encourage them and remind them of their potential. It is such a "safe space" for the kids and the families have a strong sense of community and we support and cheer one another on. We are so happy to see our girls grow in the sport and grow and thrive as individuals and can't wait to see how Alliance will keep growing and having a positive impact in the San Marcos community. Run and sign up, you won't regret it!

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu San Marcos is truly a step above the rest. My kids trained at another gym for six months, but we came to Alliance seeking more advanced coaching—and it was the best decision we’ve made. In just one week, we noticed dramatic improvements in their technique and confidence. The coaches here are exceptional. They take time with every student, tailoring their instruction with a level of patience and care that is unmatched. My kids absolutely love training here and look forward to every session. I train at Alliance as well and can confidently say it’s one of the best gyms I’ve experienced. I’ve trained at many other places, but I always come back to Alliance for their top-notch coaching and incredible culture. Whether for kids or adults, Alliance Jiu-Jitsu San Marcos is the place to be for anyone serious about growth in Jiu-Jitsu.

Vinni and Nick have one of the best gyms I have ever had the pleasure of training at. The culture is awesome from the instructors and the members. They have an awesome fundamentals class for beginners that will build you up so that you can roll in more advanced classes confidently and safely. I learned more in the first week at this gym than I learned in my previous gym in the past 6 months. If you are a parent and your kid is not training here they are seriously missing out. They have put together the most exhaustive and comprehensive plan I have ever seen from toddlers to teenagers. They kids program manages to do the impossible of balancing fun with top notch instruction all in a single hour. The facilities are amazing and are kept impeccably clean. It's the country club of BJJ gyms. Multiple showers with clean towels, bathrooms stocked with band aids, mouthwash, deodorant, etc. Even though they vacuum and disinfect the mats constantly, it's also nice to have 2 full walls of windows to let in sunlight to utilize natures disinfectant on the mats.

Alliance San Marcos is hands down the best Jiu Jitsu gym you could choose for you and your family. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth and enthusiasm that make you feel right at home. The gym is always clean and beautifully maintained. The community here is nothing short of amazing. The instructors are highly skilled and incredibly supportive, ensuring that everyone—from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners—feels encouraged and challenged. As a woman, finding a gym where I feel comfortable and respected can be tough, but Alliance San Marcos exceeds all expectations. As a parent, the coaches are exactly the kind of role models you would want for your children navigating sportsmanship. If you’re looking for a place to train that’s welcoming, supportive, and filled with great people, you found it. Alliance San Marcos is a gem in the community, and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

My 9 year old daughter had trained for two years at another gym prior to switching to Alliance. We made the decision to seek out another gym after realizing that she had learned the basics, but her progress had stalled and she was no longer advancing her skills. We have seen incredible growth with her techniques and confidence over the past 7 months. It has been an exceptional experience for our family (my husband is now a member too!). The gym itself is spacious and well-maintained. The mats are always clean and in excellent condition. The coaches at Alliance are top-notch and highly experienced. The classes are well-structured and cater to all skill levels. The kids are expected to learn the history of jiu jitsu by completing short homework assignments each week. Parents can feel confident that their kids are not only learning valuable skills but also building confidence, discipline, and respect. Hands down, one of the standout aspects of Alliance Jiu Jitsu is the sense of community. The gym fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for men, women and kids of all ages where everyone, regardless of their experience level, feels like part of the team. The members are supportive and friendly, making it a great place to train and make new friends. Professor Vini and Coach Nick take it a step further by hosting activities each month to bring everyone together (UFC watch parties, seminars, self defense classes and family beach days). We are grateful to be a part of the Alliance San Marcos family!

My two sons and myself have been training at alliance BJJ for just under a year now. Prior to joining alliance, my oldest son had been training at a different big BJJ gym nearby for about 7 months. At the other gym, he never wanted to go to the classes and would complain about how much he disliked jiu jitsu, saying it was boring, etc. We decided to try another gym, and after joining alliance he immediately changed his attitude towards bjj. He would get excited to go to class, he’s built friendships with a number of the students and truly enjoys the instruction now that he’s being challenged. Shortly after joining alliance, I realized how little my son had retained from the other gym, after 7 months he barely knew the basics, and even then was riddled with poor technique and missing steps. The instructors at alliance are on a different level with the detail and attentiveness. They are very good about giving the kids individual attention, walking around to help during the techniques, making classes fun and interactive for the kids and helping them build confidence in themselves. I can tell a massive difference in my son’s ability and progress since switching, and honestly feel like the other place was just a huge waste of time and money. Alliance is friendly and family oriented, while taking training very seriously at the same time. This place is certainly a top tier training facility. If you are looking for a place to take your kids for BJJ, this is the no brainer spot in San Marcos. For the adults, the team of coaches and professors are highly skilled and do a great job breaking down the details. There are fundamentals classes for beginners as well as advanced classes for those who have been training, as well as female only classes for the ladies, they’ve got all the basses covered. To sum it up, I highly recommend alliance if you are interested in upping your game for yourself or your kids.