Cant decide which gym to join...

[ffejk]

So Ive take Muay Thai for the last 2.5 years and decided to try bjj. I plan to take BJJ full time and maybe some muay thai, one or two sessions a month.

I live in W. LA and work in Vernon area. Ive narrowed it down to two schools. Renzo Gracie LA or BH JJ (Shawn Williams and Marcus Vinicius respectively). There are both on my my way home from work.

Never taken BJJ before so step by step instruction would be the best. Prob take those random MT sessions at the Yard or maybe even at BHJJ with Rob Kaman. (I know some will just say go to BHJJ and do both there, but I dont want to be tied to taking a class all the time. Just want to go when I feel like it) Also, I know others will say take the class, which Ive done.

I just want to hear other peoples perspectives and opinions who have more experience in the BJJ world.

Thanks in advance!

 

[lts5025]

You have the opportunity to train with a legend like Rob Kaman at a very well-respected BJJ school like BHJJC and you don't want to be "tied down?" Come on, that's world-class training in both disciplines right there at your fingertips.

Sign up for a BJJ membership at BHJJC and pay the $30 mat fee when you want to take a Muay Thai class.

 

[ffejk]

You have the opportunity to train with a legend like Rob Kaman at a very well-respected BJJ school like BHJJC and you don't want to be "tied down?" Come on, that's world-class training in both disciplines right there at your fingertips.

Sign up for a BJJ membership at BHJJC and pay the $30 mat fee when you want to take a Muay Thai class.

I agree w u. I can still do the $30 and learn from Rob Kaman. What Im saying is, i dont want to pay the monthly and commit to two classes every week.

 

[lts5025]

Just pay the mat fee every time you go then.

 

[ffejk]

So Ive take Muay Thai for the last 2.5 years and decided to try bjj. I plan to take BJJ full time and maybe some muay thai, one or two sessions a month.

I live in W. LA and work in Vernon area. Ive narrowed it down to two schools. Renzo Gracie LA or BH JJ (Shawn Williams and Marcus Vinicius respectively). There are both on my my way home from work.

Never taken BJJ before so step by step instruction would be the best. Prob take those random MT sessions at the Yard or maybe even at BHJJ with Rob Kaman. (I know some will just say go to BHJJ and do both there, but I dont want to be tied to taking a class all the time. Just want to go when I feel like it) Also, I know others will say take the class, which Ive done.

I just want to hear other peoples perspectives and opinions who have more experience in the BJJ world.

Thanks in advance!

Just pay the mat fee every time you go then.

Ha congrats on the blue belt. Sorry I guess my question is...should I go to Renzo Gracie or BHJJC? (for BJJ, muay thai aside)

 

[kying418]

I'm sure Marcus and BHJJC teach great bjj, but I wholeheartedly recommend Shawn Williams/Renzo Gracie LA.

I've known Shawn for almost 10 years...he is not only an amazingly technical teacher, but more importantly a really nice guy too. I'm sure if you visit his academy, you will see exactly what I'm talking about.

I've visited and trained at many academies in my bjj lifetime, and Shawn is definitely one of my favorites. You will have an awesome time there- I guarantee it!

 

[lts5025]

Try both. You really can't go wrong with either, but you might decide that you click better in one school than another. Different instructors foster different gym atmospheres. As a casual, make that very casual, student, you might not feel comfortable in a competition-oriented gym.

 

[lechien]

Try both but the closest is best

 

[ItsArun]

Since you live in West Los Angeles (as I do), I will obviously recommend Robot BJJ (where I train) under Lotus Club through Giva "The Arm Collector" Santana (15-1 in MMA). Our main instructors Laercio Fernandes & Tim Peterson both placed 1st at nationals this year (http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/l...-caio-terra-become-2x-national-champ-1368425/). Also, our Muay Thai instructor David Huerta is 12-0 in MT and will be fighting this Dec (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/Street_Poet/sup_2010.jpg). We also offer an excellent wrestling program with Alex Leavitt from ASU (same alma mater as Cain Velasquez & Ryan Bader).

Here's a sample of the instruction:



If you are interested in what the day-to-day training is like, check out my training log (I used to drive 1hr each way to train till I moved out to West L.A., see pg 7): http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f49/aruns-bjj-training-log-1130234/index7.html

Here are some reviews from Yelp: Robot Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - West Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA

Here's a thread where fellow sherdoggers can vouch: http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/best-jiu-jitsu-school-west-los-angeles-area-1301867/

 

[BJJ Coffee Drinker]

I trained with Marcus for a while before and I got to say, I enjoyed my time at his gym. He is serious about his bjj and has developed many guys from the ground up. He has so much experience teaching not to mention training fighters also. Marcus is a well respected member of the BJJ community who doesn't buy into all the politics BS and just focuses on providing quality BJJ to his students. Not only is his bjj badass, he is also a 2nd degree black belt in judo. He has trained many pro mma fighters who have gone to him for help. the guy gave Genki Sudo his brown belt. not to mention, ROb Kaman being there? That is top notch bjj and thai boxing right there. If you plan to do mma in the future, Marcus is the better bet.

Nothing against Shawn who is awesome, I really enjoyed his classes also but I have to go with Marcus. But nowadays, where is Shawn teaching? I visited when he was still Hollywood BJJ.

 

[Hellboy31]

I trained with Shawn Williams for a few months... You will not find a better instructor or a nicer guy. Plus my buddy Red, just started training there when he moved to LA so there's at least one guy who trains there who's cool as fuck

 

[tlrnick]

Trained at both. Shawn Williams would be my pick. Top notch instruction and an effing really cool guy.

 

[esum80]

shawn's gym is called five star martial arts. i can't say enough good things about the place: awesome teacher, really detailed and technical; great atmosphere to learn in.

 

[ffejk]

Since you live in West Los Angeles (as I do), I will obviously recommend Robot BJJ (where I train) under Lotus Club through Giva "The Arm Collector" Santana (15-1 in MMA). Our main instructors Laercio Fernandes & Tim Peterson both placed 1st at nationals this year (http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/l...-caio-terra-become-2x-national-champ-1368425/). Also, our Muay Thai instructor David Huerta is 12-0 in MT and will be fighting this Dec (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/Street_Poet/sup_2010.jpg). We also offer an excellent wrestling program with Alex Leavitt from ASU (same alma mater as Cain Velasquez & Ryan Bader).

Here's a sample of the instruction:



If you are interested in what the day-to-day training is like, check out my training log (I used to drive 1hr each way to train till I moved out to West L.A., see pg 7): http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f49/aruns-bjj-training-log-1130234/index7.html

Here are some reviews from Yelp: Robot Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - West Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA

Here's a thread where fellow sherdoggers can vouch: http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f12/best-jiu-jitsu-school-west-los-angeles-area-1301867/

Thanks, Ive heard good things about Tim and David Huerta. David is actually a friend of one of my instructors. The only problem with Robot is, after work, its a hell of a drive across the 10 to get there, even tho I live in W LA. I was thinking of Renzo Gracie and BHBJJ because its like a stop at the half way point before I get too tired and pissy from the traffic. But I prob should go check it out before I make a final decision.