Highlights: 13 classes/wk · Gi · Kids classes · Women's classes · Members only · Free trial · Competition team
Looking for Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside in Riverside, CA? It's a Brazilian jiu jitsu academy at 3457 Arlington Ave Unit 108, Riverside, CA 92506, USA, rated 5.0/5 across 16 Google reviews. Below: programs, schedule, pricing, reviews, and how to book a free trial.
Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy in Riverside, CA offers BJJ classes and martial arts training for kids, teens, and adults of all skill levels.
Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside runs about 13 classes a week. Call (951) 742-5733 to confirm the current timetable.
Instructor trained directly by Helio and Royce Gracie; Instructor is one of Royce Gracie's first black belts in California; Kids BJJ program for ages 3+; Kids BJJ curriculum with character development and safety awareness; Dedicated Women's Self-Defense program
Rated 5.0/5 across 16 Google reviews.
Summary: Marcellini’s martial arts academy is great. The instructor (Sam Marcellini) is amazing. Training is very comprehensive and well-rounded. If you have had a bad experience with a school or instructor, or if you want to learn self-defense, I would encourage you to come to Marcellini’s and meet Sam. Detailed Review for more information. Instructor: I really enjoy Marcellini’s martial arts academy. I’ve trained at over a dozen different martial arts places across the country, and I can say without doubt, that Sam is the best instructor -hands down he is 100% a tier above other instructors. He trains every class and is always on the mats with the students. Sam is approachable and makes everyone feel welcome, he has a great energy and makes everyone at ease. Sam has a martial arts philosophy that is calm, cool, and collected - he reflects that in a very smooth manner. Facilities: The Dojo is always clean and well maintained. Plenty of
I’ve trained under Sam since 2006, and one of the things that immediately stood out to me is how rare it is to find jiu-jitsu that truly applies to real-world self-defense. Many schools focus almost entirely on sport jiu-jitsu, which is great in its own right, but not always practical when it comes to personal safety outside the gym. Sam’s approach fills that gap perfectly! Jiu-Jitsu has been a huge blessing in my life—not just in terms of the fitness I’ve gained, but in the confidence and ability to keep myself safe in a violent encounter. On top of that, the friendships I’ve built on the mats over the years have been invaluable. The school is filled with highly skilled practitioners, yet the atmosphere is always welcoming and respectful. There’s no ego, no intimidation—just a genuine culture of learning. Advanced students consistently help newer students, making everyone feel supported from day one. Everyone is always more than welcom
Facility is clean, instruction is world class, and training is safe. More details below. In a world where kids are constantly being pulled from one distraction to another it is refreshing to have a jujitsu class where students have the opportunity to learn to focus and practice maintaining attention while receiving excellent martial arts instruction. A skill that spills over into their home and academic lives. I have watched students go from distracted and unknowing what and where to pay attention to... to hyper focused in a few months of classes. The facility is very clean and inviting. The instructor has a tremendous base of knowledge and is able to communicate it very well to all age levels. Above all else the training is extremely safe. Students are taught how to keep themselves and others in the class safe. The classes are taught to minimize the risk of injury and Sam does a great job of educating the dangers of each position which
I’ve been training at this Martial arts gym with Sam for a while now, and it’s honestly a great experience. Sam is one of those rare instructors who’s not just skilled, but also a genuinely gifted teacher. He knows how to explain things in a way that clicks, keeps the training challenging, and makes sure everyone is progressing safely and with good technique. The gym is always clean, the sessions are structured, and the atmosphere is super welcoming. Whether you’re brand new or already have some experience, Sam makes you feel comfortable while still pushing you to level up every class. If you’re looking for a place to build real MMA fundamentals with a knowledgeable instructor who cares about his students, I highly recommend training here.
This Jiu Jitsu gym is absolutely top-notch. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed into a clean, professional, and friendly environment. Sam Marcellini is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping every student improve—no matter their experience level. Classes are well structured, challenging, and fun, with a strong emphasis on technique, safety, and respect. The community here is supportive and motivating, making it easy to stay consistent and keep learning. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this is an excellent place to train and grow. Highly recommend!
I’ve been training here for over a year, (almost two now!) and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made for staying active. I came in with zero martial arts experience in my late 20s, which made me nervous, but Sensei Sam makes everything easy to understand. He’s incredibly knowledgeable across multiple martial arts disciplines, and that really shows in the way he teaches. He breaks down both fundamental and advanced movements in a safe way that actually sense for me. I always feel safe, the facility is clean, and everyone is welcoming. It’s a great environment for beginners and I noticed it’s great for experienced martial artists too. The classes are structured so you repeat and refine the fundamentals. The evening class schedule works perfect for me since I work during the day. I’m happy I picked up this hobby, and I highly recommend people to sign up, stay consistent, and feel yourself improve!
Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside is at 3457 Arlington Ave Unit 108, Riverside, CA 92506, USA. Call (951) 742-5733 to confirm class times or book a trial.
Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy - Riverside doesn't publish pricing. Riverside BJJ typically runs $150-$250/month for unlimited. They offer a free trial so you can test the room first.
Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kids BJJ, Little Kids (3-6), Teens BJJ, Women's BJJ, Competition Team, Wrestling, Self-Defense, MMA, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Striking.
Beginners are welcome. Use the trial class to watch a fundamentals or all-levels session and meet the coach before signing up. No experience or gear needed for your first class at most Riverside gyms.
See all BJJ gyms in Riverside or browse jiu jitsu in California.