I have been checking out gyms here in toronto, and realized i'd never bring myself to go to the gym and work out mindlessly and as such i started looking for an MMA gym where i can learn something while i workout. I found quite a few I am actually surprised with the amount of martial art gyms here, that was pretty encouraging. I found Torontobjj they are 10 minutes from my house, and offer a free 2 day trial, i am going there tomorrow probably from 7-9pm to catch their evening Maui Thai and MMA classes and see how it all feels. their site looks nice, not too pricey, and they seem to have reputable coaches.

I was wondering if any of TLers go there, any other gym in Toronto or have any experience in these types of gyms, and
any tips would be great, especially when it comes to buying the gear that i will inevitably have to buy. I do not know which brands are cost effective, which ones are rip offs, etc etc.

I am about 5'7 160 pounds, average build, I have been in quite a few fights, so I know what it feels like to take one to the face lol, and how it is to wreck your hand on someone's jaw. ( not so lol)

thanks in advance.

by request here is a list of instructors and their qualifications

+ Show Spoiler [Saulo Ribeiro] +

Saulo Ribeiro

BJJ Black Belt 4th Degree

* Co-Head Coach of SRJJA (oversees our program)
* BJJ Instructor
* Sub- Wrestling Instructor

* 6x Black Belt BJJ World Champion
* 2x ADCC World Champion
* 2x Black Belt Absolute World finalist
* Co-founder of the University of Jiu-Jitsu
* Founder of the Saulo Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association
* Author of the seminal book on technique "Jiu-Jitsu University"
* Author of the best selling and most widely acclaimed DVD instructional series "Saulo Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Revolution"
* Saulo's teachers have included the legendary: Helio Gracie (founder of the art) and Royler Gracie.

+ Show Spoiler [Mauricio Veio] +

Mauricio Veio

Chute Boxe Black Belt

* Muay Thai Instructor
* MMA Instructor

* Co-founder of UDL
* Head Muay Thai instructor of UDL
* 15 year member of Chute Boxe
* Instructor in Chute Boxe Academy
* Professional MMA Fighter
* Professional Muay Thai Fighter
* Professional MMA Cornerman
* Professional MMA Trainer
* Mauricio's training partners have included the legendary: Anderson Silva, Murillo "Ninja" Rua, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Wanderlei Silva.
* Mauricio's teacher's include the legendary Mestre Rafael Cordeiro and Mestre Rudimar Fredrigo.

+ Show Spoiler [Andre Dida] +

Andre Dida

Chute Boxe Black Belt

* Muay Thai Instructor

* Co-founder of UDL
* K-1 World Max fighter
* K-1 Heroes fighter
* Professional MMA Trainer
* Dida's training partners have included the legendary: Anderson Silva, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Murillo'Ninja" Rua, and Wanderlei Silva.

+ Show Spoiler [Josh Rapport] +

Josh Rapport

BJJ Purple Belt

* BJJ Instructor

* 2008 NAGA Worlds Masters Expert Gi 200+ Champion
* 2008 NAGA Battle at the Beach Masters Advanced Gi 200+ Champion
* 2008 Grapplers Quest Copa Atlantica Purple Belt Super Super Heavyweight Silver Medalist
* 2007 World Championships Purple Belt Super Super Heavyweight Quarterfinalist
* 2007 SRJJA Annual Purple Belt over 210 Champion
* 2006 Grapplers Quest Copa Atlantica Purple Belt Absolute Silver medalist
* Josh's teachers have included the legendary: Andre Pedernieras, Leo Santos, Wagnney Fabiano, Saulo Ribeiro, and Xande Ribeiro. Josh is a proud student of Jorge Britto, Saulo Ribeiro, and Xande Ribeiro.

+ Show Spoiler [Robert Currie] +

Robert Currie

Judo Black Belt

* Judo Instructor

* 2x Mens Junior Canadian National Champion
* Canada Games Champion
* Ontario Mens Senior Champion
* 2007 BJJ Pan-Am Blue Belt Silver medalist

+ Show Spoiler [Ryan O'shea] +

Ryan O'shea

BJJ Blue Belt

* Teens BJJ Instructor

* 2008 Bravado Int. 170 No-Gi Champion
* 2007 BJJ world Championships Blue Belt Leve 2nd round
* 2007 Joslins BJJ Silver medalist (teamate took first and we do not fight each other)
* 2007 Naga Ohio Blue belt Silver medalist
* 2007 Salvosa BJJ Silver medalist (teamate took first and we do not fight each other)
* 2006 Grapplers Quest NAGC Silver medalist
* 2006 Bravado Silver medalist (teamate took first and we do not fight each other)
* Member of numerous Toronto BJJ tournament team championships

+ Show Spoiler [Yael Young] +

Yael Young

BJJ Purple Belt

* Womens BJJ Instructor

* 2007 ADCC North American Qualifier Silver Medalist
* Multiple time Grapplers Quest Champion
* Yael's teachers have included the legendary: Wagnney Fabiano, Leo Santos, Saulo Ribeiro, and Xande Riberio.

+ Show Spoiler [Chris Sit] +

Chris Sit

* Muay Thai Instructor

* Fmr. Canadian Amatuer Champ
* Chris's teacher is the legendary Ajahn Suchart

Update ~~i couldn't go today T.T..... but will be going sometime this or next week, and update this with impressions~~ + Show Spoiler +

I went to the MMA class today, and everyone was extremely accommodating, all skill levels were present, and I realized how infinitely out of shape i am. The facility is pretty cool, they have a cage, and a ring, a gym style work out area with all kinds of shit, separate showers, lockers, and a Brazilian instructor ^ ^.

I am definitely going to sign up, at lest for 3 months, and see how much i improve in that time, I will probably only be attending 3 times a week for an hour during the first 3 months, because my stamina is completely shot.

all in all if anyone in Toronto, wants to get into shape, in a way that will keep them motivated, and learn something while they are at it I encourage TorontoBJJ, they offer a 2 day free trial, with no obligation what so ever, just show up 10 minutes before the class you want to take and the staff at the front desk, who is extremely friendly, will guide you completely.

GET INTO SHAPE TORONTONIANS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! + Show Spoiler +

you guys know im going to harass you at the lan, so i have someone to talk sc to in an MMA class right?

clazziquai

6685 Posts

July 24 2009 07:56 GMT

hey you're like me. im 5'7 but around 150 pounds...haha :D

i have nothing really in mind but just dropping by to say the best of luck, sir!

micronesia

United States24773 Posts

July 24 2009 07:58 GMT

Ah, linking your plans for getting 'active' to a sport or activity is always a great idea. If MMA doesn't work out for whatever reason, then definitely considering linking it to something else. For me, what worked was linking it to watching videos so to each his own I guess.

Etherone

United States1898 Posts

July 24 2009 09:10 GMT

On July 24 2009 16:58 micronesia wrote:
Ah, linking your plans for getting 'active' to a sport or activity is always a great idea. If MMA doesn't work out for whatever reason, then definitely considering linking it to something else. For me, what worked was linking it to watching videos so to each his own I guess.

I used to have rugby practice twice a week and BB practice twice a week, for 2 years and then i stopped suddenly when i moved, and it has been almost a year with no real exercise. So i am used to have an objective while working out other than staying active and being healthy, and they are clearly not enough if the last year is any evidence.

of course i had some massive stigmas i attached to my exercise habits because they are not all that i stopped doing when i moved.

I believe MMA will work out fine, i have always been fascinated with martial arts, and I've had to defend myself quite a few times, although not since i came to Canada, Canadians are peaceful individuals. it was always a great rush trying to pick apart my opponents, well except the getting hit in the face part, and wrecking my hands. hopefully MMA will make it more of a mental challenge, and offer my hands protection ^ ^.

A big plus is the gym offers pure Muai Thai, Brazilian Jujitsu independently of their MMA classes, so in case i get tired of one aspect can always invest more in another. Considering my size, flexibility and build I am going to be much more inclined to invest in the "ground game", and consequently BJJ. One positive aspect of this is the BJJ instructors are actually all Brazilian as is the MMA instructor and i speak portuguese, and spent 5 years in Brazil, yay kissing ass. If i do in fact choose that gym.

JohnBall

Brazil1272 Posts

July 24 2009 13:27 GMT

Edit: Wrong thread lol.

On topic: I thought that after Machida victory the hot thing would be Karate?

GreEny K

Germany7312 Posts

July 24 2009 13:41 GMT

Who are the coaches, you gotta look into their fighting records and so on. Dont want to get into a gym that is run by a bunch of guys who cant win, tehy might know basics but not he winning formula. I understand that you are doing this for a workout not to fight but still, if you want to learn something might as well learn it the right way.

KingofHearts

Japan562 Posts

July 24 2009 14:39 GMT

you need to eat a lot of eggs!

Etherone

United States1898 Posts

July 30 2009 01:48 GMT

Update, I went to the MMA class today, and everyone was extremely accommodating, all skill levels were present, and I realized how infinitely out of shape i am. The facility is pretty cool, they have a cage, and a ring, a gym style work out area with all kinds of shit, separate showers, lockers, and a Brazilian instructor ^ ^.

I am definitely going to sign up, at lest for 3 months, and see how much i improve in that time, I will probably only be attending 3 times a week for an hour during the first 3 months, because my stamina is completely shot.

all in all if anyone in Toronto, wants to get into shape, in a way that will keep them motivated, and learn something while they are at it I encourage TorontoBJJ, they offer a 2 day free trial, with no obligation what so ever, just show up 10 minutes before the class you want to take and the staff at the front desk, who is extremely friendly, will guide you completely.

GET INTO SHAPE TORONTONIANS ! ! ! ! ! ! ! + Show Spoiler +

you guys know im going to harass you at the lan, so i have someone to talk sc in an MMA class right?

AoN.DimSum

United States2983 Posts

July 30 2009 01:53 GMT

all the instructors have great experience :3