Ranking of Cambridge/Boston BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools
A subjective ranking of Cambridge/Boston BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools offering early morning classes.
Have you ever wondered what BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools are out there in Cambridge/Boston area? I’ve prepared an entirely subjective ranking of Cambridge/Boston BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools for you to use :)
When I write that this ranking of Cambridge/Boston BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools is subjective, I really mean it. First, it is based only on my one-time visits to trial classes in the early morning. More than one class is needed to evaluate a school, and different instructors often teach morning classes, so it tells even less about the evening ones.
Second, I used my personal preferences. This is a ranking of Cambridge/Boston BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools that meet my needs:
- I needed a school with classes that would end early so that I could get back and start work before the traffic hit,
- I needed a school close to Cambridge — I accepted the need to drive, but not more than 20 minutes one way,
- I wanted to do specifically gi training,
- I had a preference for classes that would allow me optionally to train for more than 1 hour (for instance, 1h of a class and 30 minutes of live rolling),
- I was ready to commit to 10 months of payments, but I was also really looking for ways to find a plan that would take my preference for morning and gi-only into account (at some schools, it is a take-it-or-leave-it; at some — they adjust to your needs).
Additionally, I wanted a structured, thought-through approach (with a clear plan of what I am being taught and ample repetition in following classes), a good, well-prepared warm-up to avoid injuries (at 48 y.o. you really need to focus on that), cleanliness, and safety in training.
Overall, I visited 7 schools, and I can say that there is not a single one I’d warn against — all have some pros and cons. The first five, I could totally see myself attending regularly.
Below, I’m presenting (again, a super subjective) ranking of Cambridge/Boston BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) schools in the descending order of my final decision-making process:
Submit Your Friend — I attended a 6 a.m. class taught by a black belt instructor. The attendance was low, which is both good and bad — good, as I received a lot of instruction, and bad, as it was not allowing for much sparring variety. I was told that live rolling is typically done in a 7 a.m. class, and one can take one after the other. There was a reasonable focus on hygiene (students are asked to wash their hands and face before and after class). The class was really excellent overall, though; it was very nuanced and super detailed. I took away a lot from just one class! I was really impressed by the quality and also — given the varied schedule of classes — the flexibility of what I could get when signing up, so I did.
Ginsberg Academy — As it is conveniently located near Porter Square, I jumped on a bike and dropped to a 6:30 a.m. class. A black belt instructor taught it. It turned out to be a no-gi class, though, and it seems that it is the instructor who decides if the class is a gi or no-gi, on the day before (depending on the weather, as other students told me, as it is pretty hot in the summer, and pretty cold in the winter). The class was well-designed, and there was a lot of emphasis on safety in training. After the class, I was shown how to clean the mat (I understood that this is the responsibility of the newest student). My understanding is that the mats are cleaned thoroughly after each class, and students are required to pay attention to hygiene, which is actually great — other schools assume too much common sense. People just forget (and, e.g., go barefoot to the toilet and return to the mat, yuck!). Given the proximity (it is the only school I can actually walk to), some flexibility for my needs (just morning classes and only 10 months of commitment), and a friendly atmosphere, I was a no-brainer to join.
Brazilian Top Team Back Bay — I attended a 6 a.m. class taught by a black belt instructor. There were about four blue and eight white belts (including several with good competitive experience, kicking my ass with my blue belt — but I blame my age! I believe all students were under 30). It was a bit humid inside, and the room was smaller than elsewhere. The class was well-structured and detailed, with a clear focus on a specific technique (which, as I was told, is typically chosen for the whole week to improve memorization). There were 10 minutes of live rolling at the end of the class. There was some flexibility regarding my schedule and needs, and I really liked the class and may sign up at some point — the only issue was that I had to drive in traffic there (Boston being Boston is a bit unpredictable here).
KimuraBJJ — I attended a 7 a.m. class. The instructor was amiable and professional. There were about 30 people in the class, including several blue belts, purple belts, and one other black belt. The class had a perfect balance of warm-up, preparation, technique drills, and learning, as well as live rolling. The instructor gave excellent, nuanced, detailed tips for each level and paid attention to what was happening on the mat at all times. Students were friendly (and of various age), and did some serious rolling. Overall, I not only enjoyed the content of the class itself a lot, but also appreciated the critical mass of advanced students and the approach and professionalism of the instructor. I definitely considered attending the school — ultimately, alas, it was a little on the expensive side (although for three gi and two no-gi morning classes, it would be fair if I cared for no-gi… no negotiations on the plan though), but also ended a little too late for me not to worry about getting stuck in the traffic on the way back. Also, they require buying the school’s branded gi (about 200 USD), which increases the overall cost of entering.
MassBJJ — I attended a 7:00 a.m. class. The location is great for people in Cambridge, as traffic is really bearable, and also, there is a bike lane right along Mass Ave. Before the class, people were already doing some friendly, easy-going rolling (after the class, they stayed for rolling, too). A brown belt instructor taught the class. There were plenty of students — mostly white belts, but a couple of blue belts, too. The class was well-planned, and it was visible that it was a part of a larger teaching plan. Live rolling was not part of the class itself. The instructor also did not ask people to switch partners (which is generally a good practice, but less crucial if there is no sparring on live drills). Overall, I liked the structure and approach quite a lot, but eventually found the plans offered incompatible with my needs (just two morning classes per week were as much as unlimited plans elsewhere and there was no flexibility).
Brazilian Martial Arts Center: I attended a 6 a.m. class. It turned out it was a no-gi. The class was taught by an instructor who did not tell us his rank but was very clearly experienced (and was preparing for an MMA match, so there is also that). There were only two other students besides me, both absolute beginners. The class was run professionally, with attention to detail, and with a good balance between warm-up and simple drills, but it was very introductory. There was no live rolling, but that’s understandable under the circumstances. With the level and the number of students, as well as the no-gi focus, I decided it did not fit my goals and needs at the time.
617 — I attended a 6:30 a.m. class. The instructor was a brown belt. Three other students showed up (one blue belt and two white belts). There was no stretching or joint lubricating (limb/ head circling) before class, which I found problematic (as mentioned, as a 48-year-old, I really prefer to avoid injuries). The class began with running and general strength exercises (sit-ups, scissors, etc.), which took about 25 minutes. 10–15 more minutes were dedicated to another set of strength exercises, but more BJJ-related (shrimping, rolls, etc.) — this left time for only one technique drill, followed by 10 minutes of live rolling. The instructor spoke in a hushed voice, and with the music in the background, I virtually didn’t understand a word of instruction. The school put reasonable emphasis on hygiene, setting a higher standard than some other dojos: there was a disinfecting mat for students to enter before going on the practice mat itself, which I haven’t seen in other schools. Still, the level of instruction, the structure of the class, the balance of teaching, drilling, and rolling, as well as the suboptimal warm-up, made me decide I would not attend.
A couple of additional caveats: I was interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a distinctive martial art emphasizing a lot of free sparring. Thus, I excluded traditional or American jiu-jitsu (such as Theodorou Academy) schools.
I only went to schools that offered early morning BJJ classes, which excluded Brazilian Top Team Boston, WaiKru, Jamaica Plain Martial Arts Academy, Combat Sports Boston, and Florian Martial Arts Center.
I almost made it to MauMauBJJ, as they do offer morning classes, but according to Google Maps, my return from class could take between 18 and 41 minutes, which I assumed was too problematic.
