FOUR Elements Fitness

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.

If you want to have real tactical skills for self defense that you can immediately apply after 1 session, go here.

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.