Caio Terra Academy

San Jose, United States

5

Closed now

18 reviews

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Telephone:
+1 408-396-3223
Website:
www.bjjsanjose.com
Address:
855 Park Ave, San Jose, CA, 95126
Downtown
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.2 miSan Jose Diridon
0.3 miAutumn & Park (northbound)
0.3 miMontgomery & Park (souhbound)
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Bussiness info

Good for Kids
Yes

Today

Today 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (San Jose) 2:22 AM Saturday, May 31, 2025

Business hours

Monday 6:30 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 6:30 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 6:30 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 6:30 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

The Caio Terra Academy, San Jose is one of California’s premier martial arts academies. With programs for men, women, and children specializing in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Judo and self defense we invite you to come check us out and see all we have to offer.

With over 7000sf of the best equipment and mats you’ll find anywhere, we ensure that you and your family will have a safe, fun experience every time! Whether you have extensive experience or never been on the mat in your life, you will find a family friendly, professional academy ready to help you achieve your fitness goals. In addition to Gracie Jiu Jitsu and our martial arts programs we also building strength and conditioning area for all members to use! All of our classes are taught by professional certified instructors and overseen by 9 time world champion Caio Terra.

History

Established in 2011.

In 2011 we opened as the Institute of Martial Arts, San Jose. Due to phenomenal growth, in the fall of 2014 our Muay Thai and MMA instructors opened their own gym and retained the name the Institute of Martial Arts. It seemed more fitting as in addition to Muay Thai, and MMA, they also have a Kenpo and boxing program.

We became the Caio Terra Academy, named after our founder, head instructor and world champion Caio Terra.

Meet the Business Owner

Caio T.

Business Owner

Welcome to the Caio Terra Academy and thank you for taking the time to read my story! When I started Jiu-​Jitsu in 2003 I never imagined I’d have my own academy. Being small for my age (I weighed 85lbs) I was often bullied in school by the younger kids who thought it was «cool» to pick on an older kid. My mother, worried about me, felt I needed to train a martial art in order to learn how to defend myself so she enrolled me in Jiu Jitsu. Initially I did not like it as I felt I was getting bullied again. My mom didn’t know what to do because I refused to train so she decided to enroll herself. She took me to the gym and I could either watch her train or train myself. After awhile my mother told me I no longer had to go but at this point nothing could stop me, I fell in love with Jiu Jitsu! It was also around this time the bullying at school stopped, and I never had to fight. Jiu Jitsu is more than a great work out or self defense, it changes lives and I know because it changed mine.

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18 reviews of Caio Terra Academy

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
My son is practicing here. The atmosphere is welcoming and the instructors are wonderful and genuine. Caio Terra is a champion on and off the mat, truly a gentle hearted guy with an incredible passion for jiu-​jitsu. I’m happy to have my son learning with him.
Enjoy!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Best BJJ school ever. As a 95 lb girl, I get scared going into new academies because I am scared of injuries when rolling (you can’t learn in an environment when you are scared that someone is trying to hurt you/​where egos are rampant). But Caio, Vitor, Kim, Kristina and Yuri do such a great job in explaining and instilling the concept that technique is the most important. They are always willing to help you out. While this is obviously a great school for serious competitors it’s also great for those who are casually coming in to get better at jiu jitsu. I feel fortunate to be able to learn from these great people :)
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Clean, welcoming academy, with top notch, detailed instruction from world class black belts.
This was my first time visiting another Jiu Jitsu academy while traveling. I was in San Jose for the holidays and contacted the academy to see if it was ok to drop in. Caio Terra himself called me back. COOL! I was a little upraised and forgot to ask which class I should come into. I wanted to be conservative, so I came for a mid day fundamentals class. I arrived a bit early and was welcomed by Mr. Nick Haloski. He showed me the facility, talked about their history, and made me feel welcome.
Class started on time. As a fundamentals class, there were mostly white belts, a female blue belt, and a brown belt. This is no McDojo. The fundamentals class was taught by current ADCC world champion Yuri Simoes. He was very clear and detailed with his instruction. Another win in the column came from his students, and the culture they promote. I felt very welcome, even while rolling with upper belts.
If you are looking for a gym in this area, I could not recommend it more. I will be dropping in every time I visit my parents.
P. S. The facilities are very nice as well. Tons of mat space in 2 different rooms, weight lifting area, changing rooms and lockers, and separate bathrooms for each sex. All very clean.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Amazing gym with a 10 time world champion who teaches both Fundamentals and Advanced classes.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Great instructors! I wish Kim Terra was a permanent. Jiu-​Jitsu has changed my life in a positive way. I don’t think I will be able to give it up ever.
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
Very clean, very good classes, Caio is around often. Really enjoyed my time here. Very respectful people, very playful but hardworking. Osss
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
Exceptional staff, facility and atmosphere.
Instructors are knowledgable, easy-​going, and great teachers.
Quality academy that provides a quality service.
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
After 20+ years in wrestling, I started Jiu Jitsu on the advice of a friend. Not knowing anything about Jits, I did an internet search and decided to try out the first academy I could find that was close to home. Little did I know how much that simple search would end up changing my life (thank you Google!).
From the first minute I walked in the door I was welcomed and treated like a longtime friend and colleague. The positive energy and collaborative spirit I felt on my first day had me hooked! The sense of community and camaraderie between the students and professors, regardless of ability level, truly makes Caio Terra Academy a second home to anyone joins.
The professors are not just world class competitors, they are empathetic educators who focus on helping each individual reach their potential. Caio, Yuri, Vitor, Flavio and staff are not just passionate about making their students the best Jiu Jitsu players they can be, they also strive to help us be the best people we can be in all that we do! It’s this aspect of the Academy that I feel sets it above the rest.
Oh, and the facility is amazing too, with multiple mat areas, changing rooms, showers…
Whether you’re a former wrestler like me looking for a new challenge, someone looking for athletic, character-​building activity for yourself or your kids, or someone that is looking to take their game to the next level, Caio Terra Academy has you covered.
I feel very fortunate to live where I do… OSS!
Place rating: 5
Potrero Hill, San Francisco, CA
Great gym with a very high talent to n00b (like me) ratio. Professor Terra and the other black belts are all really helpful and kind instructors. By far my favorite bjj gym, not even a question.
Place rating: 5
Draper, UT
I have had the pleasure of spending the past week at Caio Terra. I am from Utah, but wanted to experience a REAL BJJ gym.
I cannot compliment this place enough!!!
The staff is AMAZING, going out of their way to make your time there a positive one.
The instruction is WORLD CLASS, and the people who go there are the finest, most respectful, folks I have ever met.
I HIGHLY recommend Caio Terra for children, adults, beginners, and professional level BJJ practitioners.
You will not find a better place to train ANYWHERE!!!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I’ve been here for about a year now, and I have enjoyed every moment here. I really feel like I can call this place my home away from home. The students and teachers here are the real deal. They’re dedicated, helpful, and friendly. The teachers here are very accommodating to new students. Unlike some schools I’ve seen where they just throw you into the lion’s pit, the people here will try to help you out. If you have questions, someone will be willing to answer them.
The philosophy here is that technique conquers all, and it really shows in their instructions. Compared to other school’s I’ve been to, none of them have gone into the level of detail that you see here. I learn something new every class.
Also if you’re looking into the kids program, it looks like a great program I wish I had done as a kid. I’ve seen their class prior to mines, and the kids always look like they’re having a great time. There’s a lot of energy, but at the same time they teach them discipline as well.
Place rating: 5
Aiea, HI
Best Jiu Jitsu Academy in the area.
No nonsense payment system, no contracts. Great culture with a wide variety of practitioners, kids and adults, from hobbyists to world champions.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Great Academy and staff. A great place to train BJJ and stay fit. All of the Professors are very helpful and make you feel welcome. I highly recommend this Academy to anyone who wants to start or continue training BJJ at a high level.
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
I’ve been attending Caio Terra’s Academy for 2 years now and can honestly say that I consider this place my second home.
I’m over 40 and haven’t had any formal Martial Arts training so it was quite intimidating for me at first.
That quickly dissipated as all the Instructors and Students accept everyone and truly make you feel part of the «family».
When you have a 10x World Champion (Caio Terra) and other proven (and active) World Champion Instructors (Yuri Simoes and Vitor Paschoal) guiding you on the mats, it can be overwhelming but these are the most humble and understanding Instructors I’ve come across. Their experience shows in their manner of training; always pushing students to improve at their own pace without stressful pressuring.
Everyone in the Academy dedicates their knowledge and time to not only better themselves but their colleagues as well.
For a white belt newbie like me, that makes a world of difference.
I can write a novel singing praises about this Academy but I’ll keep it short to these following positives: friendly atmosphere, family-​oriented (top notch kids program), world class training, newly remodeled facility, various classes to accommodate everyone’s busy schedules, no egos.
Those who join will not be disappointed.
Oss!
Place rating: 5
San Jose, CA
Disclaimer — I left a review under the old gym name.
What can I say, this place really does feel like my second home. I can go into the high quality of instruction, but I really like the people the most. I personally attend the AM classes before I head to work. It just works for my schedule. I initially had Flavio as an instructor (great guy), but we transitioned over to Vitor (also a great guy). See the theme? When you train in something as complicated and some might argue a slow progress martial art such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (ex: to get a black belt in BJJ can take up to 10 yrs or more to earn as opposed to 3 – 4 yrs in some, not a bad thing, it’s just a fact), it also helps having a patient instructor as well. No Cobra Kai stuff in our class lol Anyways check out the website if you can. All the instructors are/​were world champs at one point too. Imagine getting to train with your favorite pro athlete, that’s what you get to do here on a daily basis. Check it out.
Place rating: 5
Roseburg, OR
I’ve had the opportunity to visit The Caio Terra Academy a few times now. Every time both Caio, and Nick have been extremely welcoming and friendly.
On a technical level you’ll be hard pressed to find better instruction. I participated in Fundamental, Advanced BJJ, Judo, and Pans camp training, all were phenomenal. As a youth instructor myself, I was very impressed with their kids program as well.
If you are in the Bay Area and you haven’t tried out the Caio Terra Academy you’re missing out on something special.
Place rating: 5
Santa Clara, CA
I’ve been training at CTA for a little over two years. Mostly the early morning classes. All of the instructors are world class competitors and very good pedagogues to boot.
As a student, that’s what is important, a teacher who loves sharing his passion and answer questions… and no complaint there.
On top of that, as a father, having early classes (6:30am) is a blessing. I wouldn’t be able to train everyday otherwise. And what better way to wake up than share the mat with a group a friends who share the same passion for the gentle art? I can’t think of any :)
Place rating: 5
Rockwall, TX
The Caio Terra Academy is by far one of the best choices for martial arts training in the world… let alone the US or California. It is far more than a place to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu…you’ll learn about yourself — and reach new heights you never knew existed.
I am fortunate to call the students and staff my teammates, but more blessed to call them my family.