Werneck’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Hands down best place to train Jiu Jitsu and have fun. Some of my best friends were met at this place. Cassio is a true class act that is a great teacher, person, and coach.

I started training back in 2012 with Cassio… I had went to a few other BJJ gyms in the Sacramento area but always walked away feeling frustrated. Not that I was frustrated at loosing, but frustrated with how many other gyms were very cliquey. As a white belt I was trying to learn. And by learning, I have to ask questions and learn the techniques. I was never really given that opportunity. I was about ready to give up when my brother in law at the time told me about Cassio. I went there and immediately was greeted by the students. They were very humble and welcoming.
They showed me the gym, how to sign up and gave me a quick run down of how classes work. Cassio came in and I introduced myself to him. Right off that bat I knew I was going to be training here for good. Cassio is a very down to earth man and very humble for how great of an athlete he is. He interacts with ALL of the students… from White belt to Black belt. When we drill, he walks around, knows everyone by name, and helps them improve.
I remember one class in particular when some guy came in with a horrible attitude. He was an MMA guy and had an attitude issue. Cassio quickly put him in his place and told him to settle down or get out. This is really what solidified me wanting to train here.
In 2013, I was involved in an accident that forced me to take a year long hiatus from BJJ due to several surgeries I had in both of my feet. When I came back after the break, it was like I never left. The students were happy to see me and helped me get some of my form back.
There is absolutely nothing bad to say about this class. Cassio teaches a majority of the class and that says a lot. We all get direct instruction from one of the best BJJ practitioners out there. And when he’s not there, his other black belts instruct the class. They follow the same method that Cassio does so there are no curveballs.
Cassio breaks down every technique and makes sure everyone understands them. If you are looking for a down to earth BJJ gym with no attitudes, world class instruction and great atmosphere, look no further. Come to Cassio Wernecks BJJ and start training. You won’t be sorry that you did. See you on the mat!

I can finally say I found a home. Cassio Werneck is by far the best instructor I have had. He truly pays attention to every single student, whether he/​she be a white belt or black belt.
Cassio is a decorated blackbelt, he is a world champion but he is also very humble, he knows each student by name and is always happy.
Is you are looking for an academy where all the classes start on time, where there is no cliques, then you have come to the right place.
They are open 7 days a week so you can get plenty of time on the mat.

As a long-​time student of this academy, I can say with confidence that Sacramento is home to one the best jiu jitsu instructors in the United States. Cassio’s competition record puts him among the elite of the elite in the jiu jitsu world, having won the most prestigious tournaments in the world, including the 2003 World Championships in the Adult black belt category. His accomplishments are too long to list. What is even more impressive than his competition record, is his knowledge of jiu jitsu. He is a veritable encyclopedia of jiu jitsu techniques. Every time I’m around him, I am learning something new.
What impresses me the most about Cassio is his class, integrity, and strong values. Despite his impressive resume, he is an incredibly humble and down-​to-​earth person. Because of this, Cassio has attracted a legion of long-​time, loyal students. His student base definitely mirrors his behavior. As a result, his students are some of the nicest people that you can meet. They are warm and welcoming to new students, which has been a large part of this school’s success.
Last but not least, the academy itself is truly impressive. Having visited jiu jitsu schools all over California and the western United States, I’ve seen few schools that compare to this one. This state of the art, 7,000 square foot plus facility, has everything one could wish for in a jiu jitsu gym, including several mat rooms, a fully equipped weight room, large locker room facilities, and a shower.
I highly recommend this place.

A great place to train and learn bjj. The members are very welcoming and Mr Werneck is extremely knowledgeable. He remembers names as well as faces. I have enjoyed my time and look forward to learning more.

Great instruction from a patient and accommodating person. Cassio has a way to teach a lesson and stand back to let you find your groove and help with corrections when needed. He has a great understanding of the sport and shows a tremendous passion to help you further your journey.

I moved out of Sacramento and was training here for a little over a year. After visiting various other schools in the South Bay I think I’m ready to write my review of the Werneck Academy.
The facility — The gym has recently moved to a new location which is huge! Plenty of space on the main mat and there is even a crash pad so you can safely work take-​downs. The fitness are has plenty of crossfit type equipment and standard weightlifting equipment making Werneck’s a one stop shop for getting a full body workout. Men’s and women’s changing rooms upstairs with lockers and a shower in the upstairs bathroom comes in handy when you need it after an intense training session. Downstairs has two bathrooms and they are always clean. Actually, this gym is all about cleanliness. Hand sanitizer is easily accessible wherever you might be and the mat itself is kept exceptionally clean at all times. There is a filtered water cooler that always has cold water. I know it sounds like little stuff you would think is everywhere but you would be surprised at what they don’t have at other gyms, or how unclean some places are.
Instructors — Cassio Werneck is a multiple world champion from Brasilia who has dedicated his whole life to Jiu Jitsu. He is the main instructor and the person you will be learning from most of the time. He has proven himself on the mat and he is refining his skills as a teacher and instructor. He is very attentive to what is going when he is teaching and he is always watching to make sure you are safe and performing the techniques correctly. Nothing slips past him you can be way on the other side of the mat and he WILL notice when you do something incorrectly and guide you through the proper way to do it. He is also one of the most down to earth people you will ever meet. I always tell people that he is not only my instructor, he’s my friend, advisor, mentor, therapist, and nutritionist and counselor. He’s always willing to not only your jits but with any problem you might have.
Daniel Goodwin has been a black belt for two years he is always there to lend a hand. His instructions are always clear and detailed.
Toby Staley taught the early morning class while I was there and I learned a lot from him. The early classes are small and you will get a lot of one on one time with toby. I highly recommend the morning classes as my game quickly progressed when I started attending his classes.
Instruction/​classes — The classes follow a curriculum that is constantly updated and refined by Cassio himself. Through his many years of experience he has created a program that anyone can jump in to at any given time. The techniques the instructors use are highly effective and with time can be easily performed by anyone. There are no shortage of training partners of all levels at this gym and everyone is always willing to help with anything you need to work on. The level of intensity of your workout will depend on who you work with and like most martial arts skill level is determined by belt color. Injuries are very uncommon at Cassios and everyone is always looking out for each other to make sure no one gets hurt. A typical class begins with 15 minute warm up, followed by a instruction and drilling and finally a full fledged sparring session. Visiting other schools I do think this is the best format. Some places are very focused on drilling which can get boring or positional situations which can get frustrating. Classes always start on time and also, while class is going on there is nothing going on but that class. I have been to other gyms where they have MMA classes going on or kids classes and the place is so crazy that you can’t even concentrate on what you are trying to learn.
All and all this is a great place to learn something new. Jiu jitsu is a great full body workout and best of all you will learn something you can use in the real world instead of lifting boring weights at the gym. If your thinking about stopping by don’t hesitate, there is a free trial offer and you will be welcomed like family from day one.

Cassio’s school is the best, plain and simple. I have been going here for about a year now and I’m hooked. I have learned a lot and I’ve also lost 20 pounds. If you are thinking about thinking trying JiuJitsu try this place first; you won’t find a better environment to learn in

Best Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu in all of Northern California. Cassio has excellent BJJ skills that have been tried, tested and proven victorious in many tournaments, both Gi and NOGI. Cassio is a great instructor, Needless to say, I’m proud to be a student of his.

I’ve trained at this school for almost 4 years now and I have nothing to complain about. This is not only a great place to learn jiu jitsu, but also a good place to meet some great people that are willing to help you any time they can. Cassio brings a very friendly atmosphere where you won’t be scared to ask any questions and he will always be willing to jump in and show you himself if you are unsure about something. I am proud to call him my instructor and friend. He is someone that is very serious about his craft (which is evident by his accomplishments) but he is also a very playful friendly guy. There is also a gym in the back with plenty of weights where it can help anyone trying to get into shape or maintain. A great thing about the school is that Cassio will teach any type of student whether they are training for competition or just to get into shape. There are too many good things to mention it all in this review. My suggestion is for you to go in there and experience it for yourself. You will not be disappointed!

I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Werneck Jiujitsu Family since 2003, and in that time I’ve become an instructor and have had the honor of being awarded My Brazilian Jiujitsu Black Belt under Cassio. Beside having some of the best training in the area, I’ve probably met and became close friends with some of the best people in my life. Bottom line is there is no better place to be and fell blessed to be part of it.

Vast experience in multiple re-​known jiu jitsu schools which is important to amalgamate all the skills and techniques from a diversity of schools from De La Riva to Machado. World champion, disciplined extremely talented, respectful honorable considerate with all his students, highly recommend Cassio’s gym and Cassio as an instructor and a friend. He is the example of a professional row model. Hope to be back sometime. Moranga !!

I haven’t been training for too long (almost five full months now), but I did try all the other Jiu Jitsu academies in Sacramento prior to settling with Cassio. The following are reasons why I chose to stay there:
1. Cassio’s record. Why wouldn’t you train under the best? Simply do a Google search of Cassio Werneck and see for yourself. We are truly lucky to have a World Champion here at Sacramento.
2. Cassio’s personality, teaching style, and attention to detail: Cassio’s lessons are very detailed, and really makes no assumptions about a person’s understanding of a technique when teaching it. He remember’s everyone’s name, and pays attention to each individual as we are practicing. Not to mention he’s just a genuinely nice, down to earth, and warm person.
3. Class structure: Classes are split into two groups. I have been attending the beginners portion, and the techniques are very well explained — the mechanics, the purpose, the consequences — everything is explained thoroughly. So, if you’re a beginner, great, Cassio will catch you up to speed. If you’ve been doing it for a long time, I venture to guess that you’d probably learn from a Mundials champ.
4. The fellow classmates: The people who attend Cassio’s academy are genuine, helpful, and very easy-​going. There’s absolutely no douchie-​ness involved. The upper belts are very friendly and accessible and will help you learn a lot. Most of all — they are encouraging — they understand how frustrating it is for a beginner sometimes and try to be as positive and encouraging as possible. In this sport, that’s very important, especially for someone like me whose self-esteem’s already kinda low.
5 The facility: The academy just moved to a new, large, two-​story facility that houses several bathrooms, a full-​on gym, one large training area, one smaller training area upstairs, separate dressing rooms for men and women, on-​site parking, air-​conditioning, etc. The mats are always kept clean and sanitary, and there are several alcohol/​hand-​sanitizer stations throughout the facility. Health and wellness is not a problem.
6. The workout: A class generally includes physical conditioning/​warm-​up, technique instruction and practice, then safe sparring. At the end of each class, I believe you will have burned around five to eight hundred (perhaps even more) calories.
7. The tuition: Cassio’s tuition is, in comparison to other unaffiliated academies in the Sacramento region, much more reasonable. The tuition pricing is simply unparalleled for instruction and personal attention from a world champion (I must stress that this is a rare, rare thing).
8. Separate kids’ classes: I have not personally attended these classes, but I have had the privilege to observe the kids’ classes on several occasions. From what I can see, it’s a great way to have children learn a valuable skills while keeping physically fit and mentally sharp. The lessons learned here will last them a life time — I sure have learned quite a few lessons myself.
All in all, great experience. Would highly recommend it to anyone.

This academy is easily the best place to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the Sacramento area. Not only will you receive instruction from a World champion (Cassio teaches nearly 100% of the adult classes), but you’ll be training with several high level competitors. With only a couple years of training, I can’t help but appreciate the fact that I have more than one set of experienced eyes to help me improve my technique. The environment is also extremely safe, clean, and friendly.

It never ceases to amaze me, the diversity of the students at Cassio’s Jiu Jitsu academy. Training along side professional MMA fighers are lawyers, doctors, law enforcement officers, students, parents (and their kids). This is a testament ot the type of environment that Cassio nurtures.
I’ve had the luxury to train at numerous other Jiu Jitsu academies when traveling and can honestly say this is the best.

Cassio Werneck’s World Class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Sacramento is by far the best Jiu Jitsu school I’ve ever trained at, and I’ve trained all over the world.
I’ve been practicing here for over 3 years, and everything about the place is and has always been top notch.
Cassio’s top priority is his students’ safety. He keeps the mats very clean to protect against infections; he pairs new students with higher belts so that they can learn without getting injured; he looks out for people getting overly aggressive and will call them on it… not that it happens often.
Everyone at the school is very friendly and eager to help others learn while avoiding injuries. We’re like one giant family. This is not a place where meathead wannabe MMA roidfreaks come to train. However, don’t be surprised if you see some of the world’s best fighters pop in once in a while. Cassio and other blackbelt instructors like Marcos Torregrosa are world-​renowned jiu jitsu champions. The level of instruction here is amazing.
I did karate for 3 years in my teens and I thought I was a pretty tough guy but when I first started jiu jitsu I was getting utterly destroyed on the ground. it wasn’t even funny. Most real fights are going to the ground so you better get comfortable with it. Even with just 1 month of training, vs the random guy on the street who doesn’t know anything, you will have such a huge advantage. it’s unbelievable. While we do cover some simple tactics for street fights once in a while, most of the training is focused on sport/​tournament style jiu jitsu. Everything you learn will be useful on the street though.
The school offers kids classes and adult classes. For teens, I’d recommend the adult classes. You’ll get more people your size, and on top of that you’ll get to know a lot of positive, successful guys who would make good role models. If your kid lacks confidence, lacks an authority figure, lacks respect, is out of shape, send him our way.
This is a great sport for older adults as well. It’s very low impact, and the pace can be as fast or slow as you want.
For kids, the school offers only gi classes. For adults there are both gi and no-​gi classes.
I basically stopped going to the gym because this is such a good workout. It sure beats the monotony of lifting weights and running the treadmill. You learn a useful skill, you get a great workout, you make some cool friends, you build confidence… the list goes on. Why aren’t you on the mat already?

This is not one of those places that you want to give a bad review to if you ever want to go back. The owner and head instructor could kill me with his bare hands… literally.
But in all seriousness this school is great. The atmosphere is positive, welcoming, and it doesn’t attract a bunch of tough guy-​wannabe-​cage fighters. Solid instruction and good membership prices.
The facilities are a tad lacking though. Plenty of mat space to train but the changing area is cramped. Cassio is a very friendly guy and has a great philosophy when it comes to training, instruction, safety, promotions, and competitions. Check out his website for more info.
There is also an affiliate school in Woodland CA that is taught by Marcos Torregrosa. Check out
for more info if you’re closer to that area.