SBG Athens

Prior to moving to Athens I had 5 years of experience training at another gym and was amazed at the size of the facility, level of training, and quality of people at SBG. If you are looking to start a martial art, hoping to train self defense, prepare for an amateur debut, or find a group of friends, this is the place for you. I’ve had the best training, the most fun, and built great friendships on these mats. I’m sure you will too!

I've been at SBG for a couple of years now, and I can't put into words how much this tribe has changed my life.Originally, I joined the Training For Warriors program to lose weight and build strength.I was very nervous about going. I have social anxiety and was extremely anxious at first. The coaches and other members were great.The coaches take their time making sure you're learning to lift weights correctly using proper form. If you can't do the exercise yet, they help you build up to it. It's like having a trainer, but also having other folks to work out and laugh with.I joined at 48 and was concerned about being the oldest most out of shape person there. There are people of different ages, in all different stages of their fitness journey, and I've only ever felt motivated and accepted.I was eventually lured(happily) into MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.I have been amazed by the incredible coaching and so grateful for the culture and community that we signed our daughter up too.SBG is more than martial arts, and our family is thankful to be a part of it.

I've been a member of SBG for one year now and couldn't be happier that I signed up. The coaches are phenomenal, as are the classes. The lesson plans are well thought out and coaches will take time to answer questions thoroughly (but also make you think about your own question, in a good way!), and you're also getting a great workout in!Starting jiu jitsu was something that I never knew I needed in my life, but I'm glad that I found my way to it. From helping with confidence and alleviating anxiety, to becoming a better husband and human being, SBG has helped turn me into a more well-rounded person. Improvements mentally, physically, and emotionally all came from day one and only continue to grow.What I love most about this gym is the 'One Tribe One Vibe' mentality. I've found life-long friends in the coaches and members here. I'd argue that any member of this gym would give the shirt off their backs to another, and you can feel that camaraderie when you sign up and begin taking classes.Don't let the anxiety of signing up and trying this gym out steer you away from getting into BJJ/MMA. I'll be a member for life and cannot wait to attempt to give back what it has given me. I can't imagine the amount of growth in my life and relationships that would have never come to fruition had I never given it a chance. "This is SBG, you will be ok."

SBG is a great gym to train at. I have only been training here for 1 month, but so far the structure of the classes have allowed me to grow at the pace that fits me. There is so much opportunity to learn valuable jujitsu skills as well as life lessons that you can apply to anything you pursue. The people inside the gym make it a comfortable enviornment to learn and ask questions. My favorite part about SBG is waking up Saturday morning to roll with upper level belts and trying the new skills I have learned or seen on Instagram, and getting graciously humbled in the process.

I've been attending for six months and have been impressed with the format of the courses. The instructors are highly qualified and professional while still making it fun to attend. The class schedule allows for early morning, afternoon, and evening training. Best yet, this gym actually has lesson plans that help you develop skills and techniques in a logical format. I've attended gyms where you're shown two or three unrelated techniques before you do an hour of heavy rolling or sparring. That type of format makes it hard for beginners to learn, since you're mostly getting your face smooshed into the mat by the more experienced students and coaches. SBG allows you to learn a technique, drill it again and again, and shows you where it fits into the large pattern.One of the most remarkable things about SBG Athens is the level of respect everyone shows each other. Students and instructors display an attitude that everyone is there to learn. Coaches provide individual attention during the group lessons, so that everyone gets pointers. And if you happen to be training with someone who is more experience than you, they keep in mind that you're still learning yourself and scale their efforts to aid you in your journey.I really wish I had joined sooner.

Let me start out by saying I have had anxiety surrounding gyms and group fitness for as long as i can remember. Last November I was facing one of the hardest times in my life and I was struggling to even get out of bed and accomplish my daily tasks much less do anything above and beyond that. However, I knew that as a stay at home mom I couldnt stay in this depression for long and I got it in my head that by learning to surprise myself again and tackling a lifelong source of anxiety would be the key to rebuilding excitement, self esteem and so much more. This is when I first looked into SBG and they reached back out to me almost immediately. Each coach I spoke with was very understanding and encouraging- very informative and easy to talk to. It didnt take long to take the plunge. The coaches and fellow students have made a safe space to learn new things, a safe space to fail and get right back up, a safe space to grow together... Only a couple sessions in and my anxiety surrounding the gym went away and going in became what I looked forward to most in my day. And in my quest to get back on my own two feet I was able to find a confidence I never had before, friendships I so desperately needed and a skillset I can work on improving for the rest of my life. With the added bonus in feeling like I am more able to defend myself should the need every arise. I have SBG to thank for all of that and so much more. Life changing.

"More than a gym" is frequently used to describe SBG Athens and it could not be more true. When I joined SBG, I was in a really low place and searching for a community outside of my lonely work from home life. My expectations were to find a place where I could learn a new skill and maybe meet some new people along the way, but SBG provided more than I could ever imagine.Not only am I learning BJJ and MMA from some of the best coaches and athletes in the industry, but I've found a second home and made some of my closest friendships here. What I love is that the gym has so many social events to cultivate those friendships, and they also give back to the local community through road clean-ups, toys for tots, the hunger bowl fundraiser, etc.You will never feel alone when you join this gym. You will feel like you have people in your corner that truly care about you and want the best for you. You will find authentic connections and learn new skills + get a great workout while you're at it.All around, this gym has top notch vibes and if you're a quality human being, you'll likely end up here and love it :)

In regards to SBG Athens,In retrospect, this place was the ideal community for me. I saw many of my peers evolve in character and martial art abilities. In return, I grew because of them and thank them for that. I reasonably don’t think I’ll ever see the quantity of wholesome coaches as it was here. From enabling long-insightful conversation, to respectfully asking where I was (when not training), and supporting me wholeheartedly at a tournament, they gave their time to me when I did not necessarily deserve it.Coach Rory, Luke, Adam, Cate, Lee, Blackmon, Eric, Steve, Travis, Kane, Katrina, Alex, Payton and many of my training partners, thank you guys for an impact I can take with me forever.

Wouldn’t provide pricing info over the phone. Insisted we needed to set up class to learn about schedule and pricing. Sketchy.Update: Owner’s response says it all—unwilling to provide pricing info unless you attend a free class. Looks to be a marketing strategy that has been in place for over two decades, which has worked really well. Sounds like a scam.

Never been to a mma gym before and I’ve only been going here for a month, but I really enjoy how the coaches preach their word. They really do mean “one tribe, one vibe” and I really appreciate that.