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 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.

In this guest blog Jeremy provides some excellent advice for the travelling jiujitsu practitioner, stuff that’s applicable to both on and off the mat.

Tips for Visiting and Training in Brazil

So you’ve made the decision to go to Brazil. You’ve got your passport, your visa and you’ve packed your luggage. You have searched the internet and checked out the travel section at your local book store, but oddly you still feel unprepared. Don’t worry, I’ve been in your shoes before and I’ve taken the time to write down the eight most important things about traveling to Brazil.

Tip 1- Beware the Jet Lag
You have been waiting weeks, months, even years to go to Brazil. When you arrive you’re going to be overwhelmed and if you’re anything like I am, you’re going to want to train as soon as you step off the plane. If you can stifle this urge, wait until you’ve had a good nights sleep.

If waiting is not an option then keep in mind that you are not going to be at the top of your game. At the very least your timing will be off, your blood sugar will be wacko (compliments of airplane food) and you’ll probably be sleep deprived because you’ve been traveling across the world. But don’t stress, because you wont feel any of it. You’ll still be on that adrenaline high of making one of your life dreams come true.

As much as I would like to think you will heed my advice and skip the very first training session, I know better. Just keep in mind that it’s going to take some time to get adjusted to the intensity, high tempo and the climate. The heat and humidity in Rio has a way of trashing your cardio (even if you do P90X).

Tip 2- Buy an English to Portuguese Dictionary
When I arrived in Brazil I did not speak a single world of Portuguese. The plan was to learn through immersion. I’m not exactly sure how I envisioned my lack of Portuguese working out but when the Brazilian Federal Agent at immigration laughed at me I should have taken it as a clue. I was in over my head.

Every time I tried to communicate with someone I became frustrated. I would flip through my phrase books looking for the words that I needed, but could never find them when I needed them. At restaurants I resorted to ordering from my phrase book (via the “food” section) instead of from the menu. I quickly learned the words for “chicken” “rice” and “beans”.

Directions were impossible and at one point I even tried charades. In the end I resigned to looking pitiful and saying “gringo” (foreigner). It’s amazing how much success you can have with looking pitiful and pointing at objects. That’s right folks, I had reverted back to the basics, to my origins, a 2 year old toddler.

The answer to this problem is simple. Get an English to Portuguese Dictionary (or a dictionary that corresponds to your native language). I have found, through much trial and error, that one single word (as long as it’s the right word) can get the job done.

When the waiter is standing in front of you and you want some more ice in your drink you look up the word ice. When you have a headache and you need some medicine you go to the counter at the pharmacy and look up the word “pain” and then point at your head. Really the possibilities are endless and infinitely helpful. I can not tell you how much use my dictionary got.

Tip 3- Listen to Your Body
No one knows your body as well as you do. You’re going to have to return to work, school or at the very least go back to your life. Be real with yourself and plan your training according to how long you’re going to be staying. If you are only in Brazil for a week then try to make as many classes as you can. Drag yourself even when you’re tired, sore, or don’t have a dry kimono, even if it’s to watch, because you’re on a limited time table.

The people staying longer than a week should pace themselves. Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re going to stay for two weeks and on day three you’re sore and have trouble moving around it’s time to do a little cost-to-benefit analysis. If you go to class and you injure yourself then you’re out of another whole week of training in Brazil. Sometimes it’s better to take that day off! Remember pain is part of the game but injury is not.

Jeremy training as a brown belt in Brazil

Tip 4- Bring Your Sunscreen
You will find out quickly that space is limited when packing for Brazil. There will be a 1,000 things that you will want to bring and only enough space for half. Some things like the camera and kimonos will be non negotiable, but other objects will seem easy to replace once you get to Brazil. One of those objects that usually doesn’t make the cut is sunscreen.

The Brazilian economy is extremely bizarre. Some things in Brazil are dirt cheap. Juice, for example, is INSANELY cheap. You can get a litre of freshly made juice for less than $2. If you’re a meat eater you can get a package of six filet mignon for $10. If you like fresh produce, a tomato is like 5 or 10 cents.

Now if you want anything that is electronic and that could be considered a luxury item the price is outrageous. Shoes can cost three or four times as much as they would in your home country, computers are at least twice as expensive and for reasons unknown to me things like sunscreen are crazy expensive.

Regardless of what you decide to bring and what you decide to buy upon your arrival there will be some instances where you will be left scratching your head in wonder. Just realize that it usually works out in your favour in the long run. From my experience it is extremely cheap to survive but extremely expensive to thrive.

Tip 5- Get Private Lessons
This is one of the best tips I can give anyone going to Brazil to train. Set this aside into your budget. Typically the cost is about R$100 per lesson, although I’m sure you can get them for less if you buy in bulk. Check the exchange rate and make sure to negotiate.

If you’re only going for a week I highly recommend getting one every day you train. Allow it to replace one of the training sessions in the day. This can be a way to still get in great training while saving something in the tank for later.

Do not limit yourself to the same instructor for every private. Vary it up and try to have the instructor show you things that they are good at. If you have a favourite position or just want to know a specific technique look around the academy during roll time and see if anyone is doing it. If you cant find someone it’s a good idea to ask around.

Do not limit yourself to only black belt instruction. There will be some amazing talent that is a bit young. There were three or four brown belts that I would take classes from (and I’m a black belt). You need to remember that some of those guys that are wearing brown belts are in their late teens and early twenties and have been training for 13-15 years. As an added bonus when you ask one of the brown belts to teach you a private they often will give you a discounted price, give you extra attention and are more enthusiastic to do it.

Tip 6- Make Friends
Wether you’re going to Brazil to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or just taking the family on vacation, it is important to become friends with someone that knows their way around and can show you the real Brazil. As much fun as the beach in Copacabana is, it is nice to get away from the touristy parts of Brazil and enjoy some of the more cultural experiences that Brazil has to offer. Some of my fondest memories were made possible because of my Brazilian friends. These things would never have been possible as a gringo because I wouldn’t have even known they existed.

Remember that foreigners are exotic by definition and people are drawn to exotic things. People will want to be your friend, they will want to talk with you (even if you only speak cave man Portuguese) and they will want to introduce you to their friends. Immersion is easy, just be light hearted, smile a lot and don’t be afraid to get involved.

Just about everything is in your favour. It is almost impossible to say something stupid (or at least get held accountable for saying something stupid). Not only is it amusing to a Brazilian when you cant say something, it’s hysterical when you say the wrong thing. Play it to your advantage, if you don’t get it right they’ll laugh, feel sorry for you and then help you out.

Tip 7- Take Notes
You are going to experience so much BJJ in such a short period of time that it can easily slip your mind what you worked on yesterday morning never mind last week. After you return home everyone is going to ask you what you learned and it would be a shame to show them one or two techniques and then say “well, we rolled a lot”.

Every day when you get home from class write down what you did. Don’t be afraid to ask the other people that you’re staying with (if they train BJJ) what you guys went over in class. When taking notes write down key words in your description that can help you recall the technique when you return home. Do your best to record everything because when you go home and you don’t have a classroom with 15 black belts in it you will want to rep out the techniques.

I can not stress this enough, write it down!

Tip 8- Take Photos of Everything
Buy a digital digital camera, maybe even two (in case you lose one or one breaks) and take photos of everything. The time you spend in Brazil is going to be a memory that you have forever and the photos you have will be very important to you.

I have close to 3,000 photos of the time that I spent in Brazil (although in my defence I was there a long time) and I constantly look at them. Aside from Brazil being beautiful and wanting the photos, I have a terrible memory and when I look through the photos it instantly transports me back to that time. And in case you didn’t know there is a huge difference between looking at a photo of a monkey and looking at a photo YOU took of a monkey. If you don’t believe me…well you probably never took a picture of a monkey.

Jeremy is a black belt in jiu-jitsu and the head instructor at Great Grappling in Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC.

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The post Training BJJ in Brazil: A Black Belt’s Advice appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Here is a list of five of the most commonly seen mistakes people make when they’re here to train BJJ in Rio.

Expecting different? Jiu-jitsu is jiu-jitsu wherever you go.

1: Expecting it to be amazingly different

Alright, let’s just put this one to bed right now. No, you will not be taught mind-boggling secret techniques the Brazilians have been keeping to themselves for decades. You won’t encounter revolutionary training methodologies that make your own efforts seem half-hearted in comparison.

In fact, what you will find is actually very, very similar to what you already know back home: a big group of people rolling around on a mat trying to choke each other out.

If you’re expecting something magical, then the truth is that you’re in for a disappointment. The way the Brazilians teach has been rolled out as the standard practice in gym across the world, so classes follow almost exactly the same format: warm up, technique, drilling, sparring.

What you will find is many grapplers with years of experience, more black belts on one mat than are in some cities elsewhere, and a depth of knowledge unlike anywhere else in the world.

Always work what you’re shown, even if it seems boring.

2: Writing off the techniques as ‘boring’

When people arrive to train jiu-jitsu in Rio they expect to be exposed to techniques they’ve never seen before. Everyone secretly hopes to see some techniques that have until now been guarded from the eyes of curious gringos, but again, the reality is very different.

Almost without exception, the techniques that are taught in BJJ gyms in Rio are almost always fundamental moves and positions. You won’t see the teachers demonstrating a flying reverse berimbolo or an upside-down X-guard back take, but instead you will be taught core positions and submissions that work for everyone, regardless of skill level, size or age. After all, this is the BJJ that works.

That’s not to say you won’t see guys in the gym busting out slick moves in sparring, but these are techniques they’ll have picked up and developed by themselves or with a small group of like-minded training partners.

Regardless of your level, suck up your ego and treat this as a back-to-basics exercise. You may think you’ve seen that mount escape before, but look closely and you’ll probably find subtle details of pressure and movement that could completely change your game. More than once we’ve been blown away by minutiae that we’ve never seen before. Keep an open mind at all times.

Knowing when to take a break can save you much agony in the long run

3: Not knowing when to back off

When you first arrive to train jiu-jitsu in Rio you’ll be pumped up, full of enthusiasm and raring to go. “Training twice a day? Why not three times a day?” is a common battle-cry of those fresh off the plane, and is by far the most common cause of scuppering training plans of eager grapplers.

If you normally train a few times a week back home, or even as much as once a day, upping the volume of your training by over 200% in the space of a week isn’t exactly a recipe for success.

Let’s say you normally do five 90-minute classes a week. That’s seven and a half hours of training. If you suddenly jump to doing two sessions a day Mon to Fri, with another session on a Saturday morning, then you’ll have spent 16 and a half hours on the mat.

How long can your body hold out under such an increased demand? Barring injuries or illness, the average is about two to three weeks. We’ve seen this happen again and again. Guys come out here and charge into their new training schedule, only to end up destroyed when their body crumbles under the pressure.

Pace yourself, don’t be afraid to take a day off if necessary and above all listen to your body. What’s worse than coming to Brazil and not making the most of your training? Coming to Brazil and being unable to train at all. Listen to people who learned this lesson the hard way.

Train competitively but always be respectful

4: Trying to take home trophy taps

You’ve been paired up with an older black belt who’s tired after a few rounds of sparring. Though you’re only a blue belt, your youth and athleticism mean you’ve got him on the run. You go after him, hell for leather, trying your hardest to get that tap – because if you do, that means you’re one step closer to black belt, right? Wrong!

The only thing this will get you is a subsequent beatdown from the rest of the black belts. Be warned, they notice everything, and if you’re going after higher grades in an effort to show off or prove something, they’ll be more than happy to put you in your place.

Be respectful when you roll and remember that to tap is training is no big deal – it’s not a competition and it’s all a learning experience. And just because you caught a higher grade on an off day doesn’t mean the same thing can’t happen to you. Forget trying to take home trophies.

Drilling your weak areas is important, but especially so when training jiu-jitsu in Rio

5: Not drilling by yourself

One thing you will find in Rio jiu-jitsu gyms is that not much time is given to the drilling of techniques. You’ll be given time to try the move out with a partner but few gyms run rounds of specific drilling, leaving you little time to get in quality reps against a resisting partner.

That’s why getting to class early or staying late is so important. Instead of just going straight home after rolling, stay for a few rounds and put in some work on specific positions. The effort will be likely noticed by others in the gym and they’ll usually be happy to offer advice or feedback, which can go a long way to plugging those holes in your game.

Taking responsibility for your own training is important in a laid-back culture like the one you’ll find in Rio de Janeiro. The teachers and coaches will never force you to put in any extra work than necessary, but they will always reward those who display a genuine desire to improve by giving you important advice.

Make the most of your time training jiu-jitsu in Rio and you’ll be amazed at what you can get back out of it.

Photos by Train BJJ in Rio, Connection Rio and BJJ Pix.

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The post 5 BIGGEST Mistakes People Make When Training BJJ in Brazil appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Checkmat is one of the most prolific teams on the competition scene right now, thanks to their massive association of worldwide affiliates and elite level black belts. As a result, their Rio-based academy is high on the list of places many visitors wish to train at. Located right in the heart of the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, the area most popular with tourists, it is close to many hotels and hostels and the attractions of the city are never far away.

Formed in 2008 by brothers Leo and Rico Vieira, both multiple time world champions, the Checkmat team grew rapidly and expanded across the world, yet they retain a strong presence in Brazil. Leozinho lives and teaches in Sao Paulo, while Ricardinho remains in Rio not far from where the two brothers grew up. They both travel extensively, teaching and going to tournaments, but Rico can almost always be found on the familiar red mats of FightZone.

The gym is set at the back of a nondescript building sandwiched between a shoe store and a mini-market. The green gates and tiny faded sign give little indication of the jiu-jitsu powerhouse within. Walk up 2 or 3 steps and to the end of the long corridor to find the front door of the gym.

You will always find many visitors from around the world training at Checkmat. It’s not unusual to see people from the US, the UK, Canada, European countries and even Japan. There is a open-door policy to people from other gyms. Ricardo leads almost all of the classes himself. The techniques are taught in both Portuguese and English.

The warm-ups are your usual mix of running, breakfalls and bodyweight exercises. There is a strong conceptual bias to the tuition, and plenty of rounds of positional sparring. C Classes last for 2 hours.

‘King of the mat’ drills are popular and used frequently. There is rolling every class, yet Wednesday is known as ‘sparring day’, as Rico will match the partners (instead of just grabbing someone to roll with, as happens on the other days).

The attitude at Checkmat is casual yet the training is spirited and the sparring is competitive. Rico is a strong leader yet can often be found on the mats rolling, or joking around with the guys.

Our Thoughts
Probably one of the top 3 most competitive BJJ gyms in Rio de Janeiro Checkmat is full of young guys eager to become tournament winners, but it is also suitable for those who don’t wish to compete. The training is innovative and you’ll see positions and techniques popular on today’s competition scene. There is a strong camaraderie in the gym and this bond explains much of the team’s success.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Ricardo Vieira, supported by Sandro Vieira (no relation).
Price: 1 class = R$350 / month (updated May 2015)
Matspace: Approx 100sqm
Facilities: Matted floors and walls, shower and changing rooms for both sexes.
Average number of BB’s at training: Between 5-8, 30 blacks belts training there regularly (not all at the same time)
Av number of people per class: 20-30
Speak English?: Just enough.
Location: Copacabana, 2 blocks from the beach, less than 5 min walk from Ipanema.
Suggested transport: Multiple bus stops within one block.
MMA / no-gi: No-gi.
Years open: 10.
Titles / champions / championships:
1st Place Europeans Adult (2009);
1st Place Europeans Female (2011);
1st Place No-Gi World Champions (2008, 2009, 2011);
1st Place Europeans Master & Senior (2010, 2011);
2nd Place World Championship (2011)
3rd Place World Championship (2010, 2009)
Notable students: Based at Checkmat Rio, Yuri Simoes, Marina Ribeiro.

Address:
36 Rua Francisco Sa
Copacabana
Rio de Janeiro

Location:
Well positioned in the southern end of Copacabana on Rua Francisco Sa, Checkmat is two blocks from Copacabana beach near the historic Posto 6. Only 5 minutes walk away in Ipanema is the subway station General Osorio, which has major bus links to Barra da Tijuca and subway to the rest of the South Zone. The location is difficult to spot first time due to the lack of an external sign.

Website:

http://www.checkmatbjj.com

Timetable:

Video:

External links:

Ricardo Vieira BJJ Heroes profile

Checkmat team profile BJJ Heroes

The post Checkmat appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

The most common accommodation options available to you if you want to stay in Rio and train jiu-jitsu are:

• Hotels
• Hostels
• Apartments
• Staying with a friend
• Staying in the gym

Hotels
The obvious choice when booking accommodation abroad is a hotel, but it’s not always the best option for someone looking to train BJJ while they’re in Rio. There are hotels to suit all budgets in Rio but be aware prices are generally higher than some other major cities, even for ‘budget’ hotels.

It’s great having a nice quiet room to go back to after a hard session, but the lack of facilities (no laundry / can’t dry your gi / no self-catering) means you’ll soon rack up costs. Laundromats are insanely expensive as they charge by weight and a smelly wet kimono can cost up to R$30 to wash!

You’ll also be forced to eat out a lot, which will increase your daily spending budget. On the brightside, hotels are located in the best spots throughout the city and are comfortable and safe. Maybe suited to those in Rio for a short time, or those travelling with family members.

Hostels
Backpackers hostels are common and an inexpensive alternative to hotels, but as the old saying goes “you get what you pay for“. You’ll likely be sharing a room with many other people from around the world so keep this in mind if privacy is a concern. Hostels are generally safe but the likelihood of ‘losing’ something valuable is higher in such a busy, open environment. Unless you spring for a private room, hostels are not as quiet as a hotel as you’ll be at the mercy of people coming and going at all hours.

A typical shared dormitory

Hostels often offer budget food which meets the needs of money-conscious travellers, and they usually have self-catering facilities as well. They will mostly NOT have laundry facilities though, which makes washing dirty gis troublesome.

Apartments
Renting a short-stay apartment is a popular choice but among the most expensive on this list. ‘Temporadas’ (temporary rentals) are common across the city and are listed online and in local papers. Apartments range from plain and simple places to sleep to luxurious penthouses.

Apartments can be a nice option as they will often come with things such as wifi, a fully-fitted kitchen and a washing machine. It’s nice to be able to throw your stuff down on the floor after a hard day’s training and put your feet up in front of the TV.

An average apartment bedroom

If you’re after an apartment expect to pay for the privilege of having your own place. Prices run on average higher than hotels so if you’re here for a longer period the cost can be considerable.

Staying with a friend
If you know someone in Rio, taking advantage of their hospitality can staying at their house can certainly save you a lot of money. You’ll also have the benefit of having a guide to the city and you’re more likely to get a ‘real’ Rio experience rather than the standard tourist fare.

But this option doesn’t come without it’s pitfalls. Cariocas are extremely friendly and hospitable but their generosity does have limits so don’t expect to move in with them for a few months rent-free!

Staying in the gym
This option only exists at a few jiu-jitsu gyms in Rio, and it’s not recommended. One guy we know wanted to train at a well-known fight gym and was told he could stay there for free. He arrived to find the gym has had no beds and everyone slept on the mats (which had cockroaches running around all night). They had no bedding and ‘forgot’ to tell him to bring his own. The only toilet in the gym was blocked, there was nowhere for him to keep his stuff, and nowhere to make food. He lasted two nights before moving out to a hostel.

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The post What type of accommodation is best for me? appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

This is a guest post by BJJ black belt Dennis Asche of Connection Rio.

Nobody wants to offend the locals upon arriving, so the subject of team patches is one that many people worry about. From my experience here training jiu-jitsu in gyms across Rio, wearing patches from your home academy makes little difference when visiting local academies.

BJJ team T-shirts at the Rio Open

Being proud of your school and what you have been taught is important; if you don’t believe in your professor or what he teaches, why would you train with him in the first place? There is nothing wrong in wearing your patches to another school as a visitor, what it really comes down to is your attitude and how you interact with the other practitioners at the academy you are visiting.

In Rio de Janeiro I know for a fact that De la Riva, Brazilian Top Team, Gordo Jiu-jitsu, Oswaldo Alves, RFT, Nova Uniao, Nova Geração and many other academies have a open door policy to all who would like to train.

Through first hand experience I have witnessed how visitors are treated at the academies and can honestly tell you that there is little or no difference in how they are received in relation to what patches they are wearing on their kimonos.

On the same note, if you are an affiliate from another part of the world visiting your flagship academy in Rio, wearing your team patch is likely to get you a warm welcome.

If you’re training at more than one academy to experience different games, or just to find more people to roll with… Whatever the reason, there is nothing wrong in visiting other academies with your patches. Remember where you came from and be proud of your home academy.

For those spending extended periods of training BJJ in Rio, if you’re training for competition it is a sign of respect to represent the academy you are currently training at by wearing a patch or representing their team in whatever event you may enter.

Again, training as a visitor at an academy here wearing patches from your home academy is acceptable. What will really make the difference of how you are treated is your attitude and respectfulness during the visit.

– Dennis Asche, BJJ black belt, Connection Rio

This was originally posted on the Connection Rio blog in early 2012, and was refreshed and updated for our site in September 2012. Our thanks to our friends at Connection Rio for the guest post.

Our Thoughts
Dennis is the man to consult on this kind of thing – he’s taken people to and even trained himself at multiple academies across Rio, so he really knows his stuff. His advice is solid and comes from extensive experience, but if you’re STILL worried about getting your arms torn off and sent back home in disgrace then we suggest packing a plain kimono without any kind of team patches just in case.

The post Wearing your team patch when training in Brazil appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

During the boom period of the 80s and 90s, jiu-jitsu in Rio was serious business and team affiliations ran deep – you fought for your flag and training anywhere else other than your home gym was an act of treachery. To do so would see you branded as a ‘creonte’, or a traitor.

BJJ black belt world champion Felipe Costa once said in an interview that as a high school student he wasn’t even allowed to train with his friend from school because he training at a different gym.

Training at multiple BJJ gyms in Rio can make for a great experience

Things have mostly changed nowadays. There are many competitors who represent multiple teams or academies, or who train at multiple gyms with friends from different teams.

As gringos, we mostly get a free pass when it comes to training at more than one gym. It’s not unusual for visitors to visit many academies during their stay here, and we encourage you to try out as many as your can.

With so much high-level jiu-jitsu in Rio, there are many different options to choose from. You may know in advance exactly where you’re going to train, but we still recommend trying out a few different places to gauge the particular teaching methods, techniques and style of training.

Make the most of your time training BJJ in Rio and try out a few different academies

If you’re an active competitor, it’s a slightly different matter. For example, if you’re coming to train BJJ in Rio and you’re going to compete at the same time, it would be disrespectful to visit a rival academy and train with guys who you may well face in the upcoming competition. After the event is a different matter: still, it’s worth checking ahead to see if you’re going to be welcome or not.

Many gyms have an open door policy to recreational players, but competitors should always try and check in advance if their presence is going to cause any problems.

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The post Can I train at multiple BJJ gyms in Rio? appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

What’s really important is to consider the distance to the gym from your accommodation. Rio traffic can be brutal at times, and sitting on a bus for three hours a day probably isn’t on your list of priorities – you’ll probably be more interested in training jiu-jitsu. After all, why waste half your time in Rio on a bus?

If you’re planning on doing two sessions a day, you’re going to want to stay somewhere close to the academy, though not all gyms are in areas where there are hotels or hostels.

Copacabana beach, where most of the tourist hotels can be found

Also, some academies are not in the best of places, so you don’t want to stay next to the gym if it’s an unsafe neighborhood that’s deserted at night and miles from anything.

Consider also the facilities available to you. Will you be able to wash and dry your kimonos? And depending on your length of stay and your budget, self catering might be something you’ll need.

Generally, hotels in the traditional tourist areas in Zona Sul (eg Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon) are only a few minutes from the beach and seconds from somewhere to buy acai! But facilities in a hotel will be limited and you’ll need the services of a local laundromat (lavaria in Portuguese).

The character of neighborhoods varies greatly and it might actually make sense to stay a short commute from your gym of choice. Rio is well served by a network of buses and has a decent if not extensive subway system, making it easy enough to get around even as a tourist.

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The post Where to stay when you train jiu-jitsu in Rio appeared first on Train BJJ in Rio.

Founded by Carlos Gracie Jr in the early 80s, Gracie Barra is one of the most successful teams in BJJ history with an almost endless list of champions and top competitors.

Due to their wide-reaching international association of schools, Gracie Barra is a popular choice for jiu-jitsu practitioners to visit when training BJJ in Rio de Janeiro. There are many jiu-jitsu gyms in Rio but Gracie Barra Rio is probably the best-known of all.

A simple yet huge space, Gracie Barra is located on the top floor of a large health club. The sprawling blue mat is one of the largest in Rio de Janeiro, and it needs to be – evening classes can contain well over 50 students.

Though he remains head of the association, co-founder Carlos Gracie Jr stopped teaching and moved to the USA some years ago. Training at Gracie Barra HQ is now overseen by former world champion Jefferson Moura. It is not uncommon for many Gracie Barra alumni to return to HQ throughout the year, with well-respected Gracie Barra black belts and teachers like Marcio Feitosa and Draculino (who respectively head the Gracie Barra academies in Irvine, California and Houston, Texas) training in the same place they began their long jiu-jitsu careers. Even Roger Gracie, who started his jiu-jitsu journey there, is known to drop by when in Rio.

Visitors are welcome and it is not uncommon for there to be a number of foreigners training at Gracie Barra at any given time. All students must wear an official Gracie Barra gi to train, so if you are not already a Gracie Barra representative you will need to purchase one or more kimonos if you plan to train regularly. Jefferson speaks no English, but some of the other black belts do and there are always at least a few fluent speakers in the class. Classes are taught solely in Portuguese, but there will be people able to help translate technical details.

The warm-ups are strictly regimented and follow a specific curriculum that has been standardised throughout Gracie Barra jiu-jitsu schools across the world. Students will move through a series of exercises including various calisthenics, stretches and conditioning exercises. Counting of reps is done together and the knowledge of 1-10 in Portuguese is essential.

Gracie Barra uses an extensive curriculum of techniques, which determines what will be covered in the class. The class usually begins with a self-defence technique from standing, before moving onto ground techniques – instructors deliver around 3-4 techniques per class. The emphasis is very much on fundamentals that will work for all levels.

The students must line up along the wall to witness the instructors demonstrate the technique, and then will pair off to complete repetitions until time is called. Discipline is paramount at Gracie Barra and the extensive code of etiquette determines how you should behave during class, including bowing on and off the mat, bowing to your partner, and even how you tie your kimono.

The Gracie Barra motto is “Jiu-jitsu for all” so expect a wide variety of people in a session, from white belt part-timers to blue belt competitors and experienced brown and black belts.

Our Thoughts
There is a reason Gracie Barra is one of the sot powerful names in BJJ, so while some people may disagree with their business practices or way of doing things when training, results speak for themselves. The discipline and order suit some people more than others, but you will certainly find excellent jiu-jitsu here.

Academy Fact File:
Head instructor: Carlos Gracie Jr / Jefferson Moura
Price: R$172/ month, R$30 joining fee. Discounts available for 3/6 month payment terms.
Matspace: Approx 200sqm
Facilities: The jiu-jitsu academy is a separate, very large plain matted room on the top floor of the ByFit health club. There is a gym, a pool, pilots studio, physio rooms and more.
Average number of BB’s at training: 10 each session.
Av number of people per class: 10-20 (AM), 50+ (PM)
Speak English?: Some people, yes.
Location: Barra da Tijuca, 10m from the main street, very easy to find.
Suggested transport: Major bus stop that serves most of the city only 5 min walk away.
MMA / no-gi: Yes.
Other martial arts: Muay Thai.
Years open: 28
Titles / champions / championships: One of the most successful teams in history. GB has produced multiple World, European, Pan-Am, Brazilian and Rio state champions, and won many team championships.
Notable students: The list is almost endless.

Address:
Av. Comandante Julio de Moura, 300 (above ByFit health club)
Barra da Tijuca
Rio de Janeiro
22620-012

Google Maps link

Location:
Gracie Barra is one block away from the amazing Barra beach, Rio’s longest beach and a major surfing hotspot. The gym is metres away from the street Avenida Olegario Maciel, which has many cafes, bars and restaurants. There is no shortage of places to get açai! There are many nearby hotels; some are reasonable (The Royalty Hotel) while others are at the upper end of the price scale (the Windsor Barra, the Sheraton).

Connection Rio can place visitors in an apartment only one block away from the gym. The apartment is modestly sized and can house a single person or a couple. It is clean and well-kept and on the third floor of a secure building located on Avenida Olegario Maciel, though it is shielded from traffic noise and offers a quiet and comfortable experience.

Website:
http://www.graciebarra.com/br/

Timetable:

VIDEOS

External links:
Carlos Gracie Jr BJJ Heroes Profile

Jefferson Moura BJJ Heroes Profile

Gracie Barra BJJ Heroes team profile

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