The thing that really sets NLMA apart for me from other gyms is the number of teachers they have. You can realistically train with 4 different professors each week. On Mondays they've just added a beginner class, which I've really been enjoying where a purple belt will answer questions about positions and moves and demonstrate basics. Monday also has a drilling class and blue belt and up class taught by a black belt. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are taught by a different black belt, focusing on a move/transition/sweep for the course of the three days. Saturdays are taught by the gym owner, another black belt, who does take-downs and competition team.
This gym has the most black belts I've ever seen outside of a seminar. In addition to the three coaches, they bring in the two Zenith black belts for seminars twice a year.
While there aren't any female black belts (that I've met) yet, there is a great ratio for men:women. I am rarely the only woman in class, and on one special night, the whole class was women! I look forward to the day I can train regularly with a female black belt.
The higher belts are some of the most generous, nicest people I've ever met. Even as an awful white belt, they are open to rolling with me and talking me through the moves during drilling.
Long term I hope that the mat area can be expanded because as the gym gets more popular, sometimes it can be be a tight space for rolling. read more