Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

Lost 30 lbs in 3 months! Joining was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Marcus is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and not just the most qualified BJJ instructor in the country, but a patient and thoughtful teacher. The confidence I’ve gained, lifelong friends I’ve made, and skills I’ve learned are worth far more than the cost of the classes. And to top it off, I lost 30 pounds in 3 months (!) and I feel fantastic. Hands down the best investment I’ve ever made. DO IT!

BJJ gym with legendary Carlson Gracie lineage.GM Marcus Soares (only red belt in Canada) has created a friendly, inclusive, ego-less place to train legitimate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. If you are interested in getting in shape, learning self-defense, making new friends or all of the above I strongly recommend you stop by for a trial. You will not regret it.

I've been training at the Marcus Soares downtown location for a little under a year now, and it's made a huge difference in my life. I'm in better shape than I've ever been, and generally happier & less stressed in all areas of my life.Marcus & all of his coaches are extremely knowledgeable, and fantastic instructors. The environment is always friendly & I found it very welcoming from the first day I started training there.It's a wonderful place to train, and every time I leave I'm already looking forward to the next time I'll come back!

I've really enjoyed the first few months at Marcus Soares Jiu Jitsu Academy. The quality of coaching is amazing, with well thought out classes. I had no prior experience of Jiu Jitsu and felt welcome right away.

Dropped in here for work. Really enjoyed the atmosphere of this place, got to roll with everyone is well which is important to me as a visitor. The details the instructor provided for myself personally were also great. My training partner during the technique section was also excellent. Highly recommend if you're in the area.

This gym has exceeded my expectations. I've never trained at any other gyms, and that's something I should do to get another perspective, but Marcus Soares' Vancouver gym is great. Everyone I've met there, whether instructors or students, has been super welcoming and open to training with a newbie. That's been consistent in every class I've gone too. The gym is always pretty clean even when it is busy and there are multiple classes in a day. Marcus and Dana always do good to tidy up before the next class. I don't regret joining this gym. I gave it only 4 stars here because when I first joined a few months ago, they didn't seem to have any specific curriculum for new people who had never trained jiu-jitsu before. Everyone was learning the same techniques from Marcus. Fortunately, they're changing that now since they have started teaching the fundamental positions weekly, cycling through a new one each week. I'm happy they're adapting the programming to have something for all levels!

Been practicing since before the pandemic. The folks I train with as well as the instruction is top notch. Marcus is approachable and highly knowledgeable. His casual interactions belie the strict adherence to the spirit and fundamentals of his craft. He loves what he is doing, and it shows. The other senior belts are a chip off the block, ready to correct or help me improve with positive feedback. My main focus is to learn self defense in concert with improved physicality. I feel welcomed and am treated the same as more talented students.

I'm very happy I joined Marcus' gym. Here I'm reaching my weight loss and fitness goals. I find the environment very friendly, and the gym well kept. BJJ is very fun and empowering, and I 100% recommend it to anyone curious!

I’m attended for about 6 classes before the pandemic lock down.Marcus is such a good guy.Very down to earth. Humble. Empathetic. I attended classesOn Thursday evenings, which Marcus did not teach.There was a brown belt who taught our classes. I didn’t feel he was suitable as a coach as his mentality was, in my opinion, counter productive in terms of elevating students and teaching them new skills. He did have some positive coaching abilities but not the most important tyoe.

While Marcus’s gym is the only BJJ gym that I have been part of, I know it is everything that I could want or need from a gym.Instruction from Marcus is concise, and his style is clear. He allows us to learn by doing, and comes to correct us as needed. He is always there to answer any questions too.Aside from learning proper techniques, the conditioning classes have kept me in great shape.The team is friendly & helpful regardless of what your intentions are. Some come to train to compete, and others for health & fitness. For many people it’s their home away from home.Children gravitate towards Marcus, he has a way with them, and it’s always amazing to see them train before the adults’ class.Aside from that, I believe it’s the cleanest gym that I’ve been part of!