In summary, you get the best coaches for Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, MMA, and Muay Thai for just under $200/month! That's a bargain. Try finding a good BJJ place for that much alone. GOOD LUCK! Besides the unbeatable price, its super difficult to find a gym with a pleasant culture. It feels like you're hanging out with your friends when you come in. You build strong relationships with people here. A lot of people get hooked and don't leave. They go to each other's competitions, hang out at each other's homes, go to parties together. It really is one big happy family that only adopts more children as time goes by.
I can't say enough good things about this place. This place is MY HOME away from where I actually sleep. I DRIVE AN HOUR TO THE GYM AND AN HOUR BACK HAPPILY WHILE I WORK AND GO TO SCHOOL TO BE HERE AS MUCH AS I CAN. When I have to take time off from the gym for several months, I definitely get sad and figure out a way for me to come back to train and socialize :D.
The owners (Maggie and Danny) are fantastic, friendly, welcoming and warm people. Don't be fooled though. Just because their nice doesn't mean they can't pack a punch! They are phenomenal instructors. I have tried many places all over Brooklyn before. They come around the room and help you with your techniques constantly, ESPECIALLY if you are new! When you pick up speed and improve, the superb gym members are kind enough to give you as many pointers as you can muster. They have a bunch of amateur fighters training at the gym for Muay Thai competing in AFL. Your average Muay Thai training partner can give you great advice to help you improve your techniques!
The wrestling class coach, Kevin is a fantastic grappler. He is a very experienced wrestler as well as Jiu Jitsu practitioner. He is very helpful with preparing members for competition as well as grappling in class.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach is none other than Jon Calestine, who needs no introduction but I'll give one anyway. Jon Calestine is a first degree blackbelt who teaches with John Danaher style articulation of techniques. If you want to get to the nitty gritty of how to perform moves, he is the right person for you. Besides being basically having a PhD in killing, he's the nicest guy you will ever meet. If you didn't see his fetus-shaped cauliflower ear, you would have no idea that he has the ability to take your legs apart surgically. Jon Calestine is not as active as he used to be in the competition scene but he has won many notable BJJ competitions like EBI. He dedicates a lot of time teaching students and really cares about his students. Personally speaking, when I had to take off from the gym because I was working and going to school, he would message me asking me when I was planning to come back to class. When I was preparing for competition, he was teaching me how to cut weight. When I competed, he came to my competition to cheer me on and coach me. He's as golden as a person as he is a killer on the mats.
Coach Leor teaches at Renzo Gracie headquarters and teaches Jiu Jitsu at Kings when Jon Calestine is not available. He always answers questions and tweaks your techniques until you really nailed it. He's such a great instructor!
Coach Mike teaches some beginner classes as well as the kids classes for Jiu Jitsu. He is always down to help you work on your technique and is passionate about teaching.
Coach Jasik runs the MMA class. You're only going to be as tough as you train. Jasik will run you through the ringer and make you tough whether you like it or not. His warm ups alone will get you sweating and out of breath. Coming to his class really prepared me for BJJ competition by learning takedown defense as well as different entries and sequences for takedowns. He also competes as an amateur MMA fighter.
If you are looking to train and live anywhere close to this place, do yourself a favor and sign up to come to this gym. There's no regret coming here. You are lucky that you live close to this place. I'd gladly pay $400 a month for this place to be a couple of blocks from my house. read more