Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club

- 341 Galvez St, Stanford, CA 94305

For California residents seeking a unique approach to fitness that goes beyond traditional gym equipment, the Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club offers a dynamic and engaging solution. This isn't just a gym; it is a dedicated martial arts community focused on the intricate and highly effective combat sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and submission grappling. Located within the heart of Stanford University’s world-class athletic facilities, the club fosters an environment of rigorous physical training, mental discipline, and inclusive community building.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art renowned for its focus on leverage, angles, and technique, allowing a smaller person to successfully defend against a larger, stronger opponent using ground fighting and submission holds. The Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club specializes in passing on these principles, catering to everyone from absolute beginners who are stepping onto the mat for the first time, to experienced practitioners looking for high-quality training partners. The overarching mission of the club is to cultivate a friendly and supportive atmosphere where students can improve their physical health, develop practical self-defense skills, and build a strong sense of community.

Location and Accessibility

The Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club is located at one of the region's premier sports facilities: the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation (ACSR).

Address: 341 Galvez St, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

This prime location within the ACSR, at the corner of Campus Drive and Galvez Street, ensures access to comprehensive campus amenities and a dedicated space known as the ACSR Mat Room, where training takes place.

Accessibility has been a priority in the design and management of the Arrillaga Center, ensuring that all local users in California can access the facility:

• Wheelchair accessible entrance: The main entrance of the Arrillaga Center, located on the south side of the building, is fully accessible and includes power-operated doors for ease of entry. Elevators inside the building provide access to all levels, including the downstairs area where the mat room is typically located.
• Wheelchair accessible parking lot: Disabled parking spots are conveniently available along Galvez Street and/or Memorial Way. The facility is also served by the Marguerite shuttle, with a designated stop on Galvez Street, providing excellent transportation options.
• Building Amenities: The Arrillaga Center is a state-of-the-art facility featuring wheelchair-accessible restrooms on all floors, ensuring convenience and comfort for all members and visitors.

Being housed within a 75,000-square-foot multi-purpose center means that members also benefit from the atmosphere of an elite recreational and athletic environment.

Services Offered

The core services offered by the Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club revolve entirely around submission grappling training, catering to a range of styles and commitment levels. The class structure is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to members of all backgrounds and experience.

The primary training programs include:

• No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Training sessions focused on submission grappling without the traditional martial arts uniform (gi). This style often emphasizes speed, wrestling, and clinch work, making it highly applicable to modern combat sports and self-defense scenarios.
• Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Traditional training sessions where practitioners wear the gi. This style incorporates gripping techniques using the uniform to control the opponent, adding a layer of complexity and highly technical skill development.
• Open Mat Practice: Dedicated, less-structured time for practitioners to engage in live sparring, drill techniques, or receive personalized feedback from instructors and training partners. This is often scheduled on weekends to allow flexibility for busy California professionals and students.
• Beginner-Friendly Instruction: A fundamental commitment to welcoming and teaching individuals with no prior martial arts experience. Instructors focus on ensuring a safe, supportive, and unintimidating start to BJJ training.
• Focus on Self-Defense: While BJJ is a challenging sport, a primary benefit passed on to students is practical, real-world self-defense skills, teaching students how to manage conflict in a non-violent manner using ground control and leverage.

For the convenience of all local members, the club accepts various forms of Payment, including Credit cards and Debit cards for membership dues and any associated fees.

Features / Highlights

Choosing to train with the Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club provides several distinct advantages for California-based individuals looking to immerse themselves in martial arts:

• Inclusive and Welcoming Community: A central feature of the club is its dedication to fostering an "inclusive and friendly community." It promotes a culture of tolerance and respect, welcoming individuals regardless of their background, political beliefs, or previous athletic experience, ensuring a safe space on the mat for everyone.
• High-Quality Training Environment: Training takes place in the dedicated Mat Room within the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation (ACSR), a modern, spacious, and well-maintained university athletic facility.
• Mixed Experience Levels: The training sessions host a diverse range of practitioners, from total novices to individuals who have been training for many years, including higher-belt ranks. This allows beginners to receive mentorship and immediate, challenging growth opportunities by training with experienced partners.
• Focus on Ground Fighting and Submission Grappling: Unlike other martial arts studios that may diversify into striking, this club’s specialized focus on BJJ and grappling ensures deep, high-level skill acquisition in the submission arts.
• Strong Endorsements for Beginners: The club is highly praised by its members, with one key review stating, "Best place to start bjj," underscoring its successful commitment to being beginner-friendly.

Contact Information

As the Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club is primarily a university-affiliated club sport, direct public-facing contact information like a dedicated phone number may not be readily available for non-affiliates. However, the physical location for training and the general contact point for the facility are as follows:

Address: 341 Galvez St, Stanford, CA 94305, USA (Inside the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation, Mat Room)

Phone: Prospective members are generally directed to contact the Stanford Recreation Club Sports administration or visit the official club website for current practice times, registration links, and email contact information to learn about participation requirements and due payments.

What is Worth Choosing

The Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club is an outstanding choice for California residents interested in submission grappling, particularly for those who value community and high-quality instruction within a professional facility.

It is worth choosing this club because:

**Unmatched Value for a Unique Sport:** You gain access to dedicated mat space and instruction in an intensive, engaging sport—BJJ—in a facility that has few rivals in the region. The positive emphasis on inclusivity means that everyone, regardless of fitness level or athletic background, will find a supportive partner and an opportunity to grow. The presence of both Gi and No-Gi training ensures a comprehensive development of grappling skills.

**Exceptional Starting Point:** The club’s reputation as the "Best place to start bjj" validates its beginner-friendly approach. It is an ideal environment for those who have always wanted to try a martial art but were perhaps intimidated by traditional combat gyms. The focus on technique over brute strength, as well as the culture of respect, makes the initial learning curve safe and rewarding.

While the club is primarily affiliated with Stanford University and its student body, its general location in the Arrillaga Center makes it a landmark facility for martial arts in the greater Stanford/Palo Alto area. For any local grappling enthusiast, or for someone seeking an active way to improve self-confidence, discipline, and physical fitness—far beyond the treadmill and weights—the Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club provides an enriching and challenging experience that is highly recommended.

Stanford Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling Club

341 Galvez St, Stanford, CA 94305, USA