Picking a BJJ School

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Patrick-NC

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There are two main BJJ schools in Charlotte, NC. One is Alliance Jiu Jitsu that is taught by Romero"JACARE" Cavalcanti and Luis " Sucuri" Togno. The other school is Joe Hurst Jiu Jitsu. Both are BJJ Black Belts but the guys from Alliance seem to have more credentials. However the monthly rate for training at Alliance is $185 and Joe Hurst is I believe around $65. That is a big price difference. I've also heard the instructor at Alliance tends to hold his belts back (seems more commercialized.) I want quality instruction but how much would be sacrificed to opt for the cheaper school that has fewer weekly classes? Anyone know anything about these schools or the instructors? Suggestions?
 
i can only help you by saying:
the first thing you must do is try them both out, take a free introductory class at each school then weight the positives and negetives of your experience with the financial differences to figure out which school is better for you.

i'm kindof in the same boat as you. i train under a purple belt, who has less days a week to train and cheaper fees than other surrounding schools.
 
1.) Go to both schools for a trial lesson and see which one best fits your style
2.) Weigh the positives and the negatives concerning price and instructional quality
3.) Make your decision
 
It kind of depends on what you want to do. I know you probably can't say right now, but if you are going to embrace BJJ, a better school with more classes is worth the difference in price. Are you at all interested in pursuing a black belt? Or are you maybe more interested in getting in shape and learning a little grappling? If the latter, Hurst's school may be better suited to that.

It's hard to say. Since getting really involved in BJJ. I usually train 5-6 days a week, and want a lot of good guys to roll with. There is a cheaper place near me that I checked out, but it did not really compare in quality and quantity. The price difference, I think when looking back on it, will have been worth it.
 
Check out all of your possibilities. You never know until you try.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Talk to the main coach at each gym. Does he seem like a good individual? Is he even there for you to talk to? Is he interested in what your goals are?
2. Watch the highest ranking students grapple. Are they any good?
3. Watch the instruction period of the class. Are they teaching good techniques?
4. Is there alot of ego in the gym?
5. Are the students having fun?
6. Is training affordable?

Hope this helps.
 
try both. BUT...

If you're completely new to grappling your first year or two will be just learning balance and the basic positions so either school is going to be able to give you more than adequate instruction.
 
is 185 a month an outrageous monthly rate? i would like to progress to a black belt one day. the cheaper school is further away and the more expensive one is closer. i see what youre saying about in the beginning all i'll be learning is fundamentals and both are probably adequate. The cheaper school offers classes mon, wed, and open mat on sat.
It looks like the more expensive one offers classes mon-thurs and sat. as well
 
i would say it all depends on your goals... for me i only have time to train seriously 2x a week (im 27, work full time and i am married... no desire to become a pro fighter) so i train under a jeff curran purple belt at a small school for only 75/month...... if i had the time and desire to train 5x a week id probably pay the price and make the drive to jeff's real school that is about an hour away and id imagine 2x the price :)
 
Patrick-NC said:
is 185 a month an outrageous monthly rate? i would like to progress to a black belt one day. the cheaper school is further away and the more expensive one is closer. i see what youre saying about in the beginning all i'll be learning is fundamentals and both are probably adequate. The cheaper school offers classes mon, wed, and open mat on sat.
It looks like the more expensive one offers classes mon-thurs and sat. as well
Click to expand...

185 a month is definitely on the deep end as far as prices are concerned, especially for a location not in California or NYC. Also, consider where you'll be in 10 years if you plan on being a black belt. A lot of people will change schools as their lives change, you might move out of your state or get a job elsewhere.
 
id personally go with hurst. much cheaper, a blackbelt, works with law enforcement, did many other martial arts, trained with helio AT helios house and FOR THAT PRICE!! looks awesome to me, but just check both schools out but id go with hurst
 
Patrick-NC said:
There are two main BJJ schools in Charlotte, NC. One is Alliance Jiu Jitsu that is taught by Romero"JACARE" Cavalcanti and Luis " Sucuri" Togno. The other school is Joe Hurst Jiu Jitsu. Both are BJJ Black Belts but the guys from Alliance seem to have more credentials. However the monthly rate for training at Alliance is $185 and Joe Hurst is I believe around $65. That is a big price difference. I've also heard the instructor at Alliance tends to hold his belts back (seems more commercialized.) I want quality instruction but how much would be sacrificed to opt for the cheaper school that has fewer weekly classes? Anyone know anything about these schools or the instructors? Suggestions?
Click to expand...


I train at Alliance, and it's a great school. Although I have nothing against Joe Hurst, and from everything I know about him he's a good, reputable guy too.....my only question is about your comment about holding belts back being equated with being commercialized? Now, don't get me wrong, every 'commercial' school is, to some extent, 'commercialized'...I mean, they are in business to make money, but they wouldn't be doing it if they didn't have a passion for the art also. But I would more tend to equate a school that DOESN'T tend to hold back rank as more commercialized (belt factories, etc.). I just didn't understand that statement. I'm a blue belt at the school, and have been one for a couple years now. I often visit and train with people from other schools, and I've never felt as if I can't hold my own with any of their blues and often with some of the purples...so, personally, I would much rather rank be 'held back' a little. I'd much rather be the best blue belt than the worst purple....really though, it's not about the rank. Just train and have fun. Check both places out, and see for yourself what you think. Do whatever works best for you. If you do make it up to Alliance, I'll look forward to seeing you on the mat.

By the way, Jacare is the head of the Alliance team, but he's actually headquartered in Atlanta, so he is not a regular instructor at the academy, although he is up here usually at least twice a year.
 
Fight To Win head instructor Steve Hall is the only black belt in the Charlotte area that is certified by legendary fighter Royce Gracie, making Steve one of the most sought-after instructors both for novice students beginning their study of the art and for advanced students looking to refine their technique.
Click to expand...

lol.
 
There Is Also A Place In Harrisburg Nc Mike Kogan Runs It He Is Affiliated With Royce Gracie Its Only 50 Dollars A Month For 6 Days A Week Mon-sat Has Gi And No Gi Classes And Also Mma Classes Tue And Thurs, And Also Has Classes For Kids! And Its Only About Ten Minutes From Joe Hursts Place In Concord I Have Heard Good Things About It. There Is Also Paul Booes Place 2 Locations He Is A Black Belt In Jujitsu And Is Affiliated With Gokor Chivichyan 3x Olympian In Judo And World Champ In Sambo. And Rip Arrington At The Ultimate Gym Also Instructor Jujitsu In Charlotte. And Dan King At Black Belt Usa Has Bjj Also There Are Many Multiple Jujitsu Schools In Charlotte
 
anaconda,

For you to post lol to a quote on my website just shows your ignorance.

First of all, this is marketing. I am new to the area and I am using what I have to make a name for myself. There is nothing untrue about that statement.

You may have your own opinion of Royce, but if you disrespect him you have obviously not spent any length of time around him. He may not be a Marcelo Garcia, but I would be willing to bet he is a little better than you. He is also human and makes mistakes, so unless you are a saint you should re-evaluate who you are judging.

If that was directed towards me, again you have not spent any time with me. Come to my school and train with me, then feel free to make any judgment you feel fits. You have checked my site so you know where and when I am there, and my doors are always open to you. There is a reason I already have four brown belts under me.

Steve Hall
Fight To Win Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
929G Concord Pkwy S.
Concord, NC 28027
(704)785-9696
http://www.ftwbrazilianjiujitsu.com
 
Lol, you got owned anaconda. Also I'd double leg you Steve Hall.

P.S. The website looks great!
 
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