The most popular area of Rio de Janeiro (and the area most frequently visited by tourists) is the south zone, known locally as Zona Sul.

Zona Sul is where you’ll find the famous hotspots (and postcard beaches) of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, and the famous Sugarloaf mountain. It’s also where the concentration of BJJ gyms in Rio is the highest.

This is where most visitors will end up, but depending on which neighborhood you stay in, you won’t always be closest to the gym best for you.

Traffic in Rio is heavy and commuting from one neighborhood to another can be time-consuming and tiresome. A simple bus journey of a couple of kilometers can take an hour or more, and so it makes sense to stay in the local area of the gym where you plan to train.

There is a saying that you can find a jiu-jitsu gym on almost every street corner in some parts of Rio, and while it’s an exaggeration many visitors are surprised by the sheer number of BJJ gyms in Rio. But not all gyms are great, and not all are good for visitors.

There are BJJ gyms all over Rio, with many being located in the west zone of Barra da Tijuca and Recreio, neighborhoods in the north zone and suburbs. Some of these are easily accessible via public transport, whereas others are far out of the way and can be difficult to travel to and would require some local knowledge to find. For these it is best to go with a guide.

Akxe Jiu-Jitsu in Barra da Tijuca (ZO) – Photo by BJJPix

Where Are The Best BJJ Gyms in Rio?

The following neighborhoods can lay claim to having the strongest teams and most famous BJJ gyms in Rio. We’ve listed the neighborhoods below and included the zone in abbreviations.

We recommend choosing a gym to train at and staying in a nearby area.

Zona Sul (ZS) – South Zone
Zona Oeste (ZO) – West Zone
Zona Norte (ZN) – North Zone

Copacabana (ZS)
Carlson Gracie
Checkmat
De la Riva

Ipanema (ZS)
Terere

Leblon (ZS)
Alliance
Nova Geracao
Brazilian Top Team

Humaita (ZS)
Gracie Humaita

Flamengo (ZS)
Nova Uniao

Gavea (ZS)
Escola de Jiu-Jitsu
Muzio BJJ

Barra da Tijuca (ZO)
Gracie Barra (HQ)
Gordo Jiu-Jitsu
Akxe Jiu-Jitsu
Brigadeiro Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Top Team (affiliate)

Recreio (ZO)
X-Gym (Behring Jiu-Jitsu)
GFTeam (affiliate)
Team Nogueira (MMA/BJJ)

Tijuca (ZN)
Soul Fighters
Gracie Tijuca

Meier (ZN)
GFTeam (HQ)

The post Where To Find The Best BJJ Gyms in Rio (And Where You Should Stay) appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Taking lightweight BJJ gis to Rio is essential for a number of reasons:

• They take up less space in your suitcase, so you will be able to make more gis and avoid excess baggage charges
• Lightweight gis dry faster after washing
• Not many gyms have air conditioning, and many visitors find the heat in Rio uncomfortable at first, so lightweight gis make training more bearable!

Choosing the right lightweight BJJ gi for you is going to come down to a number of factors. If you’re a fan of a particular brand you may just get the lightest model they make. You should always research the cut and fit of the gi, as certain brands fit different body types (tall and slim / short and stocky) better than others. And of course price is always a factor on everyone’s mind.

Here are a number of lightweight BJJ gis you may want to consider.

Sub Zero Ultralite by Tatami Fightwear

Price: $118.43

Tatami’s Sub-Zero ultra light BJJ gi is designed for competition and is one of the lightest non-ripstop gis on the market with an A2 gi weighing only 1.2kg (2.5lb). With a 350gsm pearl weave jacket and 8oz twill cotton pants, the gi also features minimal branding perfect for going undercover when visiting gyms.

Buy here

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2015 VKN Pro BJJ Gi

Price: $169-179

Super light weight and comfortable with a classic look, this Brazilian-made gi is made with the same honeycomb fabric used across all Vulkan products. Strong and reliable enough for everyday training but still lightweight, these gis are preshrunk. Available in both men’s and women’s sizes.

Buy here:
White // Blue // Navy // Black // Red

Women’s lilac // Women’s black // Women’s White

==

Atama New Light Kimono

Price: $169-189

The is one of Atama’s lightest BJJ gis and is made from the same cut as the popular Mundial model. Ribbed taped on the inside of the cuffs at the wrists and ankles, the collar and pants are both made from high-quality rip stop. Approved for IBJJF competition.

Buy here:
White // Blue // Black

==

Bull Terrier Ultra Light BJJ Gi

Price: $149.95-166.95

This is a stylish yet simple gi from leading Japanese BJJ company Bull Terrier. Made of single weave 425gsm fabric with 9oz lightweight cotton pants. All the seams are reinforced to ensure long lasting durability.

Buy Here:
White // Blue // Black

==

Fuji Suparaito Gi

Price: $134

The ‘Suparaito’ (meaning “super light” in Japanese) is made with a pearl weave jacket and ripstop pants. Seams are triple reinforced and there are extra rows of stitching on the collar. IBJJF approved for competition. Available in white or blue.

Buy here:
White // Blue

==

Gameness Air

Price: $118.95-138.96

One of the most popular lightweight BJJ gis on the market and considered one of the very lightest, the gi comes with a 450gsm preshrunk jacket and lightweight ripstop pants. Approved for IBJJF competition.

Buy here:
White // Black

==

Keiko Raca summer gi

Price: $124.95-134.95

Designed to be both lightweight and breathable, the Keiko Raca summer gi still boasts a thick and stiff collar making it harder for your opponent to grip. Pre-shrunk, these gis are known to suit tall and thin builds due to the slim cut.

Buy here:
White // Blue // Black

The post Best Lightweight BJJ Gis For Training in Rio appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

How long do you think it takes to learn a new language? Six months? A year? Ten years?

I naively thought that 10 weeks of night classes would be a good start. 2 hours of talking, listening and learning Portuguese would be a great start, right?

Wrong.

When I arrived in Brazil I was completely disheartened to find that almost nobody understand me, and the few phrases I had mastered were of almost zero use in my day-today life. Great.

I made the decision to move to Brazil in early 2011 after a short trip to Rio. My first time there, I spoke a few words – numbers, colours, etc – but couldn’t even hold the most rudimentary of conversations.

Returning with two suitcases (one full of BJJ gis) and enough money to last six months, I figured I could pick up enough of the language to get by in that time. It couldn’t be that hard, right?

Again, wrong!

As many other people have found out, very few people speak decent English in Brazil. Even in major tourist destinations like Rio de Janeiro, only a wealthy and well-educated minority will be able to speak English, and even then it’s usually pretty bad. The the vast majority of the 200million + people won’t have a clue what you’re saying.

Therefore, learning Portuguese before you arrive in Brazil can make your stay a lot easier and more enjoyable.

You’ll have an advantage over the many clueless tourists, you’ll make new friends and meet hot Brazilian chicks, you’ll win the respect of locals and avoid getting crushed when you rock up to a new BJJ gym, and you’ll avoid getting scammed.

Read on for our hard-learned lessons in learning Portuguese for jiu-jitsu and beyond.

Photo © Antonio Thomas https://www.flickr.com/photos/antoniothomas/

Before You Arrive

1: Get a Good Dictionary

You may think that Google translate will be your best friend, but a small pocket dictionary will be far more useful and reliable than any app. Cellphone reception is notoriously slow and patchy in Rio, and flashing expensive smartphones in public is widely discouraged due to the risk of often-violent robbery. Therefore, good old-fashioned paper will serve you well.

From ordering in restaurants to figuring out travel directions, a pocket dictionary saved my ass more times than I can count. We recommend The Oxford Portuguese Mini Dictionary. It’s small enough to carry in your pocket and contains handy vocabulary and verb conjugations.

Our beloved (and battered) dictionary – still going strong!

2: Practise at least an hour every day

The only way you’re going to get good at ANY language is practice, practice, practice. You need to put as much time in as possible, and at a minimum you should be doing 1 hour of active study per day, every single day of the week. If that sounds like a lot, think about this; it only adds up to 7 hours a week. You probably spend more time than that messing around on Snapchat, watching technique vidoes on YouTube or sat in traffic.

An hour a day working through a textbook, online learning program or what have you is nothing – in that time you can memorise vocabulary, rep your conjugations and practise your prepositions.

If an hour of active study is too much, then you should at least spend that time passively studying.

3: Can’t Study? Try Passive Exposure

Passive exposure to the language means listening and surrounding yourself with Portuguese wherever possible. This is a great way of preparing yourself for the environment you’ll experience when you arrive in Brazil.

Go to your phone and Facebook account and turn the language settings to Brazilian Portuguese. Now you’ll see common words and terms every single time you look swipe, click or scroll. It may seem confusing at first but you’ll soon adapt and feel comfortable, which exactly mirrors how it goes when you actually get to Brazil. You’ll pass through a period where everything is confusing, soon you’ll start recognising common things and later you’ll treat them as second nature.

It doesn’t matter if the movie is any good, you’ll be surprised how much you can learn by watching with Portuguese subs

Downloading Portuguese subtitles for English-language movies is a great way of learning new vocabulary and can help you pick up slang words that formal teaching may not expose you to.

4: Focus On What You’ll Use

If you’re going to train BJJ in Rio then it makes sense to learn as much jiu-jitsu specific terminology as possible! Most of your conversations will be about jiu-jitsu with other jiu-jitsu people, so master these first and the rest will follow easily.

Knowing the names of body parts, techniques and common commands are all essential. From there you’ll learn verbs and action words, and you’ll soon discover the difference between present and past tense. Asking local black belts to coach you on finer details of techniques is way more fun than trying to talk to a taxi driver or a rude waiter!

Take a look at our free guide to BJJ vocabulary to get started.

5: Listen Carefully

Reading and writing are great for understanding how the language works, but spoken Portuguese is completely different to how it’s commonly written, and the strong city accents will leave you bamboozled and wondering if you’ve learnt anything at all. Mushy Carioca accents and harsh Paulista accents don’t match words as you probably imagine, so you need to familiarise yourself as much as possible with the rhythm and cadence of the language before you arrive.

Music, TV shows and films are a good place to start and can be easily downloaded or found on YouTube. Try to familiarise yourself with the sound of the language and don’t worry too much if you don’t understand everything. Pick out words you do recognise and listen to how they sound. Common films people like to watch include The Elite Squad (Tropa De Elite) and City of God. As for music, people love O Rappa.

6: Mimic Other People When You Speak

It may sound obvious, but try your best to speak like a local! You may feel weird like you’re putting on a fake accent, but Portuguese is a language that relies heavily on correct intonation (how the words sound). You may think you’re saying the words correctly, but a foreign accent can make it indecipherable.

You won’t find phrases like “Coê mermão, tu vai treinar?” in any textbooks!

Copy the sounds people make when they speak, don’t just sound out the words as you think you should be spoken. An up-twang or glottal stop will make all the difference between effective communication and complete dumbfoundedness.

Something that’ll feel really weird but will actually make you sound like a very proficent speaker, is to say English words with a Brazilian accent when speaking Portuguese. That means Facebook becomes “Facie-bookie”.

7: Just Like Jiu-Jitsu – Drill, And Get Your Reps In!

When you practice BJJ you learn a new technique and you try it out on someone. If it shows promise, you try it out on other people until you’ve nailed it. Speaking Portuguese is kind of the same.

Learn a particular phrase or series of questions that can create a basic conversation and try them out on someone. See how if they can understand, how they respond, whether they correct you, and what answers they give you. Then adapt and adjust based on their feedback, and try it out on somebody else. Go through the same process over and over and soon you’ll become more confident and comfortable in speaking with different people.

8: Speak Up! Don’t Be Shy

The only way to learn how to speak Portuguese is to actually SPEAK it as much as possible. That means getting out among the locals and not just hanging out with other English speakers (a common trap many visitors fall into). Going out and hooking up with new groups of people in bars will usually mean you meet Brazilians who speak English, but asking them to help you learn Portuguese is cheaper than any language class!

This may be obvious but getting a Brazilian girl/boyfriend is ideal, but be careful they’re not just using you to practise their English!

Conclusion

You have to really, really want to try if you’re serious about learning Portuguese. It’s not going to happen overnight but even a little bit helps and can have a massive impact on your time in Rio. People will appreciate you making the effort, you’ll get less hassle in stores, restaurants and in taxis, and you’ll have a completely different experience to most visitors.

The post 8 Rock-Solid Tips for Quickly Learning Portuguese appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Open since the early 1980s, Gracie Humaita is a direct offshoot of the original Gracie Academy with strong ties to Helio’s side of the family. Owned and operated by Helio’s sons Rolker and Royler, the Gracie Humaita name is internationally known and is one of the most prolific teams in the Rio area. Royler moved to the US a few years ago to oversee the growth of Gracie Humaita in North America, leaving Rolker to head up the original academy by himself.

Photo courtesy of Flashsport

The head professor is Rolker Gracie, 7th degree black and red belt. While not as immediately recognisable as some of his brothers, Rolker’s pedigree as a teacher and coach is indisputable and he heads up an academy considered by many as among the best in the world.

Rolker speaks a little English but regularly receives guests from overseas, and warmly welcomes people who visit his academy. Classes are taught in Portuguese, but many of the people on the mat will speak English and be able to translate.

The gym is divided into two rooms. The larger main room is where group classes take place, while the other is generally reserved for private lessons or smaller group classes that may be running at the same time, but is also regularly used as an overflow for when the class gets busy.

A Typical Training Session
Classes are busy and it is not unusual to see 50 people on the mat for an evening class. Sometimes there will be no warm-up to speak of, and class will go straight into a technique demonstration. Expect the usual mix of bodyweight exercises and stretches at any other time.

There will be one to three techniques given, with ample time to drill each position. Techniques can range from the ‘simple’, such as a scarfhold escape, to highly-refined guard strategies.

Rolling is both competitive and technical. The high number of black belts (usually over 20 in a session) means the technical level in the room is always high, and the coloured belts are very proficient. There are no easy rolls at Gracie Humaita.

Photo courtesy of Flashsport

The style found at Gracie Humaita combines the best of the solid old school, fundamental-focused game with the most effective of modern jiu-jitsu. It’s not unusual to see those on the mat seamlessly combining between butterfly guard, X-guard or deep half and “day one” submissions.

The depth of talent at the academy is considerable, and it is with good reason their famous logo is held in such high regard. Black belts of all levels can be found, from 20 year veterans to high-level competitors. Coloured belts tend to be particularly proficient and very game.

Note: Only white or blue kimonos are permitted to be worn in training.

Our Thoughts
Innumerable decades of experience have led to Gracie Humaita being one of the few schools to represent the old and the new; they maintain the traditional values of the art and while still producing pedigree competitors and practitioners of the art.

Every academy has a different flavour and feel to it, and Gracie Humaita is one of an old-school martial arts dojo as opposed to a fight team, and the people who train there tend to make up the upper echelons of society; expect to meet many well-off professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and even the occasional actor.

This is an academy that would suit anyone with an interest in access to the ‘source’ of jiu-jitsu yet it offers an equal reward to those keen to develop cutting edge competition tactics.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Rolker Gracie
Price: R$180 / month, drop-in fee R$35 for one class
Matspace: Room 1: 70m2 / Room 2: 44m2
Facilities: 2 large matted rooms, ample changing facilites for both sexes, drinking fountain.
Av number of people per class: 40+
Av number of black belts per class: 15-20
Speak English?: Some
Location: Humaita
Suggested transport: Bus
MMA / no-gi: No
Other martial arts: No
Years open: 29
Titles / champions / championships: Extensive!

Address:
Rua Humaita 52,
Humaita, Rio de Janeiro
22261-001
Tel: 21-2266 6094

Google maps link

Location:
Based on the top floor of a prestigious private Catholic school. There are no signs from outside, enter through the gate and let the security guard know you are going to the ‘academia de jiu-jitsu’, he will point you to the entrance at the right of the building. Walk up the stairs to reach the gym.

Website:
www.academiagracie.com.br

Timetable:
Open Adult Lessons Mon-Fri: 19.00-21.00

Video:

Royler Gracie for BJJ Hacks by Hywel Teague

Links:
Gracie Humaita BJJ Heroes team profile

The post Gracie Humaita appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

What are the major differences between a BJJ academy Rio de Janeiro and one back home?

1: The Sheer Number of Black Belts
Outside of Brazil it’s common for most BJJ academies to have one or two black belts, some higher belts and a lot of coloured belts. In Brazil, when you walk into a BJJ gym it’s more likely you will see anywhere from 10-15 black belts, a large number of higher belts and only a handful of white and blues. But people of all levels are welcome. If you’re new to the sport, a black belt will usually work with you until you’re ready to join in the main class, and many gyms are now introducing dedicated classes for beginners.

2: Less Instruction, A LOT More Rolling
In Rio de Janeiro it’s common to only drill one or two techniques before sparring starts. People are often shocked by how little instruction there is. Instead, you’ll likely go through round after round of king of the mat and rolling. Some large academies, such as Nova Uniao and De la Riva, will only teach one move before sparring starts, whereas others (inc Terere and Carlson Gracie Academy) will teach up to three inter-connected moves.

3: Things Are A LOT More Laid Back
If there’s one piece of advice we can give you, it is this: don’t expect anyone or anything to be on time. Sure, the class will start at the scheduled time, but there may only be two or three people in it. People will filter in for the next 20 minutes or so, conveniently time enough to skip any warm-ups or technique, so they can get right to the sparring! Cheeky, but nobody bats an eyelid.

Article written by Hywel Teague for TrainBJJinRio.com
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If you’re travelling to Rio to train BJJ, then you should choose carefully which academy to train at depending on your goals.

Some people are looking to take home the latest technical developments, some want to prepare for an upcoming tournament, some are visiting their master to get promoted, but the truth is most just want somewhere to roll between hanging out on the beach.

But it’s difficult to judge what kind of person a gym caters for until you actually step on the mat, which involves the possibility of wasting time and money. Read on for some advice on choosing the right BJJ gym in Rio for you.

You Want To Be Up On The Latest Technical Developments

With the explosion of online training resources, such as the popular MGinAction or Mendes Bros Online, it’s easier than ever to get cutting-edge material from world-class coaches. But there’s still plenty of world class jiu-jitsu in Rio de Janeiro.

Gyms such as Checkmat, Terere’s new academy and Alliance in Leblon are among some of the trend leaders in sport jiu-jitsu. It’s true that Nova Uniao and Gracie Humaita enjoy plenty of success in tournaments but many see the styles of instructors such as Rico Vieira and Terere as being more modern, creative and dynamic.

There are many highly technical, modern BJJ coaches to train with in Rio

In cases such as this, it may be worth checking out some of the more old school masters such as Jose Henrique ‘Leao’ Teixeira of Escola de Jiu-Jitsu, as the gym receives 5th, 6th and even 7th degree black belts on a daily basis. Though the attitude of the gym is less directed toward competition, the level of insight and technical detail is off the charts, though it would probably suit someone with an already solid foundation looking to refine their skills rather than someone looking to ‘take home’ the latest techniques.

You Want to Prepare For an Upcoming Tournament

If you plan on competing in Brazil there’s no better way to get ready for an upcoming tournament than to spend a week or two in a competitive BJJ academy to finish your preparations. In cases such as this, it’s imperative you find an academy that is like-minded, as you’ll need everyone to be willing to train at the same level of intensity.

Right before big competitions the training always picks up a gear, but more so in academies such as Carlson Gracie, Nova Uniao, Gordo Jiu-Jitsu and of course GFTeam.

Get tournament ready by heading to one of the many BJJ gyms in Rio that focuses on competition

GFTeam, Carlson Gracie and Nova Uniao historically have always produced huge teams of competitors and so it goes without saying that training is spirited during competition season, but the gyms are more inclined to receive grapplers from within their own associations during these periods so as to avoid any political problems.

Somewhere to roll between hanging out on the beach

Not everybody wants to come to Rio and go balls to the wall. Many are here on vacation and simply want to experience jiu-jitsu direct from the source. In cases such as this, it’s obviously best to find a gym that welcomes visitors, but the vibe of the gym is probably more important. You don’t want to find yourself in the middle of a tough roll after a week of drinking beer on the beach!

Where you’ll likely be when you’re not in the gym

Summary

Whatever level grappler you are, there is a place for you to train here in Rio. From white belt to black belt, hobbyist to professional, you can find a BJJ gym in Rio to suit your needs.

Article written by Hywel Teague
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The post Which BJJ gym in Rio is right for you? The 3 Types You Will Encounter appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Terere’s competition career peaked around 2003 and he fell away from the scene when he sadly suffered a series of personal problems. An incident on a plane in America saw him briefly jailed and the stressful experience saw him turn to drugs. He spent a number of years suffering with his addiction and various efforts were made to rehabilitate him, yet it wasn’t until an undiagnosed mental illness was finally given the correct treatment did he achieve balance.

After a period spent in Europe teaching at various academies and giving seminars and even a return to competition (including a silver medal at the 2013 European Championships) Terere has returned to Rio de Janeiro and worked hard to open an academy. Though new, it already boasts a strong team and is sought-after by visiting grapplers due to it’s ideal location in Rio’s south zone, close to the nearby tourist hotels of Ipanema and Copacabana.

A Typical Class
After a standard warm-up Terere will usually show around 3 connected techniques. His detailed instruction brings new light to old positions, and while he is comes from the ‘old school’ generation he is very much a modern grappler as evidenced by his recent use of techniques such as the reverse berimbolo in competition. You’ll be given around 5 minutes to drill each position he shows.

Rolling is competitive and spirited. Terere’s reputation as a former champion and high-level grappler has drawn hungry competitors from humble backgrounds keen to experience a similar level of success. He is building a strong team of highly competitive young guys, with extremely sharp and technical teenagers at white and blue belt, yet you will find belts of all colours on the mat including his friends from other academies.

The guys at Terere’s academy are versatile players and fight well from top and bottom, with grip fighting an important part of their toolbox. Though the gym is not large there is enough space for 4 pairs to roll comfortably at the same time.

During competition season the training becomes much more intense, with the team led through high-paced conditioning exercises and takedown drills at the beginning of each session. The team will also do a lot of supplemental training by swimming in the ocean and running on Ipanema beach and up the nearby hills.

Our thoughts
Healthy and happy, Terere has returned to the Rio de Janeiro community in which he was raised and he has opened a BJJ gym in Ipanema. The newly-opened academy is fast becoming a popular spot for visitors and in one session at his gym there were grapplers from France, Italy, Holland and Poland.

Following their leader’s example, everyone at Terere’s gym is extremely friendly and he warmly receives guests to his gym.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Fernando ‘Terere’ plus 2 assistants.
Price: R$180 / month, drop-in fee R$35 for one class
Matspace: Approx 60sqm
Facilities: Matted room, shower, drinking fountain.
Av number of people per class: 12-20
Speak English?: Some
Location: Ipanema
Suggested transport: Bus stop within 5 min walk, General Osorio subway station within 10
MMA / no-gi: No
Other martial arts: No
Years open: Less than one. Opened late 2012.
Titles / champions / championships: Aside from Terere’s own accomplishments, he has Rio state champions at coloured belts training and assisting him with instruction.

Address:
Rua Alberto de Campos
Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Google maps link

Location:
A short walk from Visconde de Piraja, the main street running through Ipanema. Walk along Farme de Amoedo away from the beach, turn right on Rua Alberto de Campos and walk to the large concrete tower that houses the elevator up to Favela Cantagalo. The academy is just above the entrance and visible from the street.

Website:
www.facebook.com/AcademiaFernandoTerere

Timetable:
Mon-Fri: 9.00 / 10.30 / 8.00 / 10.00

Videos:

Links:
Fernando ‘Terere’ BJJ Heroes profile

The post Terere Academy appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Located right on the central avenue and main thoroughfare of Copacabana, Fabricio Jiu-Jitsu is easy to spot thanks to it’s large yellow signs, just one floor up from street level. In a city where many jiu-jitsu gyms are tucked away and often difficult to locate, Fabricio’s gym is incredibly easy to find.

Fabricio Martins, 7th degree BJJ master

The mat space is ample for the number of people in a class, and the matted walls allow for almost non-stop rolling. The two rooms allow for multiple classes to run at the same time, though unusually they are actually separated by a hairdressing salon! Each studio has it’s own changing area and toilet.

A Typical Class
Warm-ups are your usual mix of bodyweight exercises and some partner drills, done in reps of 10-20 and directed by the teacher. The pace is higher than some gyms, but doesn’t quite stray into conditioning territory.

The technical instruction is detailed and you will be shown a position or technique multiple times, before being partnered up to get a feel for it. Instructors roam the room correcting any details or mistakes. Usually you will be shown between one to three techniques before being partnered up to roll. Techniques range from basic fundamentals through to modern competition-effective tactics.

Rolling is competitive yet not crazy. The instructor will match up partners to roll based on size, grade etc. The high number of black belts means sparring is of a good level, though most of the black belts are part-timers with dayjobs, so it is not a room of high-level competitors. There are fewer coloured belts on the mat, but they appeared to be of a higher level on average than you might find in some other gyms. During a 7.30pm class, there was only one white belt (a visiting foreigner).

Our thoughts
It’s said you can find jiu-jitsu on almost every street corner in Rio de Janeiro. It is worth remembering how deep the talent runs here in Rio. With a team of experienced black belts and many years of history, Fabricio Jiu-Jitsu warmly welcomes visitors.

Academy fact file:
Head instructor: Fabricio Martins, supported by Onofre Ribeiro, Emanoel Morreira, Joaquim Malta,
Price: R$180 / month
Matspace: Room 1: 60sqm, Room 2: 120sqm.
Facilities: Two rooms matted wall-to-wall, small changing area / shower.
Average numbers of BB’s at training: 10
Av number of people per class: 20-25
Speak English?: Enough
Location: One floor above ground level, located on and directly facing main street in Copacabana
Suggested transport: Walk / bus / subway
MMA / no-gi: MMA
Other martial arts: Karate, female MMA
Years open: 21
Titles / champions / championships: Black belt adult state champions

Address:
Av. Nossa Senhora 1017 (201-203)
Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro RJ
22060-000

Tel: 21-2247-3452
Email: contato@equipefabricio.com.br

Google Maps link

Location
Highly visible from the street, just two blocks back from Copacabana beach. Enter through the glass door, pass the porter and go up the stairs to the left.

Facebook page:
Equipe Fabrício Jiu Jitsu

Timetable:

Mon: 8am-10am, 10-11.30am, 4pm-6pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Tue: 8am-10am, 6pm-7.30pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Wed: 8am-10am, 10-11.30am, 4pm-6pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Thur: 8am-10am, 6pm-7.30pm, 7.30pm-10pm.
Fri: 8am-10am, 10-11.30am, 7.30pm-10pm.
Sat: 10pm-12.30pm.

Video:

Video by Hywel Teague / BJJHacks for Connection Rio

Links:
Fabricio Martins BJJ Heroes profile
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The post Fabricio Jiu-Jitsu appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Gracie Tijuca boasts one of the largest mats in Rio,and they maintain a proud pedigree and still produce many active competitors. Though they have an excellent competition record they still make sure to promote the art of jiu-jitsu, making it accessible for hobbyists to train jiu-jitsu too. The gym is directed by 4th degree black belt Vinny Aieta, a close friend and long-time student of Royler Gracie.

Gracie Tijuca head coach Vinicius Aieta – pic by BJJPix / Connection Rio

A Typical Class
The training at Gracie Tijuca is well-structured with an emphasis on both the sporting and self-defence application of jiu-jitsu. Beginners (iniciantes) classes focus on fundamental positions but also the traditional Gracie method of self-defence, such as bear-hug and headlock counters. For the more experienced practitioners, there is the open class (graduados). Here blue belts and above learn various positional techniques and roll. Beginners are welcome in these sessions but only after engaging in the ‘iniciantes’ program until considered ready.

Techniques are taught to the class in the traditional manner before the group is split into pairs to practice. Instructors roam the room correcting mistakes and offering feedback. Beginners classes focus more on technical instruction and practice than drilling or rolling. Open classes will feature a few techniques taught before rolling.

The huge mat allows for free, unimpeded rolling. Even when the class is busy, there is plenty of space. Rounds of sparring last 6-7 minutes, though sometimes more. The rolling is competitive, yet technical and often relaxed. Intensity varies depending on the proximity to a competition. Partners are usually left to pick who they wish to roll with rather than being paired up.

Our thoughts
Along with their parent academy Gracie Humaita, Gracie Tijuca is a BJJ gym with a focus on the traditional side of jiu-jitsu yet not at the expense of competition effectiveness. The sheer number of active competitors, plus the excellent tournament results, prove that Gracie Tijuca is a a gym that offers something for all jiu-jitsu practitioners.

Though maybe off the beaten path for some visitors, it has a number of attractive qualities. The huge tatame is rare, with only a handful of BJJ gyms in Rio boasting such mat space. The added bonus of training with such high-ranking professors and a powerful competition team marks Gracie Tijuca as a place one may wish to spend time at before a competition. And because Gracie Tijuca is not located in the expensive (by comparison) South Zone of Rio, the price for training is among the lowest in the city.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Vinny Aieta
Price: R$170 / month (updated June 2015)
Matspace: 170sqm
Facilities: The dojo itself is a large matted area with nothing else, but there is also a weights gym next to the mat.
Av number of people per class: 35-45 people
Av number of BB’s at training: Anywhere from 5 to 15
Speak English: Yes
Location: Tijuca, Zona Norte
Suggested transport: The nearby Metro (subway) station Afonso Pena, which is also served by buses, is an easy 400m walk from the gym.
MMA / no-gi: No
Other martial arts: No
Years open: 20+
Titles / champions / championships: IBJJF Brazilian team titles, numerous individual IBJJF titles.
Notable students: Alexandre Ribeiro, Vinícius “Pezão” Magalhães, Letícia Ribeiro, Fabrício Morango, Jorge Britto, and many more.

Address:
Gracie Tijuca, Clube AABB
Rua Hadock Lobo 227, 4th floor
Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
20260-141, Brazil

+55 21-8795-6354
viniaieta@hotmail.com

Google maps link

Location:
The gym is only a few minutes walk from the nearby subway station of Afonso Pena. The neighbourhood is not considered dangerous but care should be taken in and around the station and any surrounding dark streets, which can often be quiet except for traffic.
The gym is on the top floor of a large gray building, easily identifiable from the street by the large sign outside. Rua Haddock Lobo is a busy 4-lane thoroughfare with heavy traffic, so be careful and make sure to use a crossing if coming from the nearby subway.

Website:
www.gracietijuca.com.br (Portuguese)

Timetable:

Timetable for Gracie Tijuca

Video:

Leticia Ribeiro training BJJ at Gracie Tijuca video by Hywel Teague for BJJ Hacks

LINKS:

Vinicius Aieta BJJ Heroes profile

The post Gracie Tijuca appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Located deep in the North Zone of Rio in the neighbourhood of Méier the GFTeam headquarters is a modest academy with few facilities, yet it boasts a huge team of competitors. Few foreigners ever venture there, as it is far from the well-trodden tourist areas of the South Zone (Zona Sul). To get to the academy in Méier from Zona Sul requires either multiple bus rides, a local train service, or sometimes a combination of both. It is an area of the city not exactly friendly to tourists – the local population are mostly lower-income working class, and there are many favelas nearby (some as yet unreached by the growing pacification program).

The academy is best left to those who either speak Portuguese or have strong local connections, preferably with transport. A few outsiders have made numerous trips there, including Canadian black belt competitor Jake MacKenzie, who spends seven months in Rio every year based at that academy. Aside from Jake, who is happy to help visitors, few people based full-time at the academy speak English.

A Typical Class
Classes are always well-attended. Warm-ups vary depending on the day. Some days will see standard bodyweight exercises mixed with stretching, whereas on other days the emphasis is placed on sports-specific movements. On these days, the class will perform sets of entries to judo throws, moving onto armbars, sweeps and other jiu-jitsu movements. During these warm-ups the pace is kept high.

The instructor will show 2-3 moves, giving about 10 mins to work each position time before sparring commences. As mat space is limited, around 6 pairs will roll at the same time while the rest of the class line the walls and watch the space.

Rolling is, as to expected, very competitive. Due to their strong reputation and excellent results in competition, many athletes from other teams have decamped to GFTeam in the hope of also tasting success.

Competition team training sessions are only for brown and black belts (with some purples, but by invitation only).

There is a strong camaraderie in the gym, with a number of the team living in the academy in a small space above the mat. Conditions and facilities are basic and below what a tourist would expect; one English visitor who thought he might save money by staying there left after 36 hours as it was not what he expected at all.

Our thoughts
One of the best-known teams in BJJ, the competitive powerhouse that is GFTeam is not exactly a hotbed for visitors due to it’s remote location and relative inaccessibility to foreigners. But it still has the power to attract brave and dedicated souls who wish to experience one of the best training environments Rio has to offer.

There are a number of satellite GFTeam academies closer to the areas of Rio more popular with visitors, including one in Ipanema and one in Recreio. TrainBJJinRio recommends visitors to consider checking these out before attempting to visit the main academy in Méier.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Julio Cesar Pereira
Price: TBD
Matspace: Approx 70 sqm
Facilities: Basic (mat, punchbag, small changing area)
Av number of people per class: 40
Av number of BB’s at training: Up to 20-25
Speak English?: Some of the guys in the gym may speak limited English, but not many
Location: Méier, Zona Norte
Suggested transport: Bus / train
MMA / no-gi: Yes, both
Other martial arts: No.
Years open: 10+
Titles / champions / championships: IBJJF Brazilian national and state team titles, numerous individual IBJJF titles.

Address:
GFTeam
Rua Arquias Cordeiro, 478
Méier, Rio de Janeiro

Google maps link

Contact:
0055 21 3497 0478
gfteam.diretoria@gmail.com

Location:
The gym is an anonymous blue building next door to a mechanic. There is a small sign on the outside of the academy next to the entrance. The gym sits next to the train tracks from the nearby station Méier.

Website:
www.gfteamglobal.com

Timetable:

Coming soon

VIDEO:

An inside look into GFTeam by BJJPix.com

LINKS:

BJJ Heroes team profile

The post GFTeam HQ (Meier, Rio) appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.