A little bit about myself...
I'm 27yo from Queens.
I've been a fireman in NYC for 5 years and currently going to school for a second career.
Between going back and forth between work and school, I am so stressed out.
I barely work out anymore. I used to be a gym rat but now just get lazy when it comes to motivating myself to get into the gym.
My job entails mental focus and physical conditioning and I feel like I'm not as strong in both areas as I used to be.
I need some sort of discipline in these areas and a friend of mine told me this training could be extremely beneficial.
I have no fighting experience whatsoever, and I would definitely consider my 6'7", 260lb frame out of shape. I would love to get back down to at least 240, and instead of just going to the gym, I would like something different.
So that is why I am here.

My question is, what does the Serra academy offer for a beginner like myself?
After getting married last year, I've been saving hard for a house in addition to leaving my second job in order to attend school...so needless to say my budget is a little tight. What is the cost of attending an academy like this?

Any feeback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

-Vinnie

Vinnie:

I would suggest that you call Serra BJJ and sign up for intro program soon. It's only $20 and you can check out Serra BJJ, and talk to the senseis and the members.

In the past, like you, I have wasted money on gym memberships. Reason: I would sign up and after a several weeks, stop going there. Motivation just wasn't there.

I am a beginner trainer at Serra BJJ (less than five months). Before joining Serra BJJ, I was in really bad shape. I had no background or experience in martial arts. I have found Serra BJJ tranining to be far superior to anything else that I have tried. All you need to do in the beginning is train 2 times a week. Each session lasts about 1 hour, including warm ups, technique explanation, execution practice, and "rolling session."

You will get in shape quickly if you do BJJ (even 2 time/week) because you get: (1) a great cardio workout; and (2) fantastic upper body, abs, and lower body workout. You will find it interesting (and hard) to learn how to use your legs like arms. Mentally, I feel better and more focused than ever.

Serra BJJ is an exceptional place to train because of the extremely positive environment. All of the senseis and the members are very helpful and will motivate you. If you train there, all of the senseis will call you by your name and give you personal attention that you require. Also, it's hard to train in BJJ by your self. You need a partner to practice moves. I have found people at Serra BJJ to be really nice and very helpful to me. Basically, you will find your training at Serra BJJ to be a team effort. So your motivation will remain high at Serra BJJ.

You do not need any "fighting" experience. While some members do compete in events, fighting is not a prerequisite.

As for fees, fees are based on how many times a week you want to train (2,3, unlimited etc). I find the monthly fee, while not insignificant in absolute terms, one of the best bargains around. Where else will you have a former champ and a master motivator (see TUF) and his colleague senseis and fellow members motivating you?

Mind you, BJJ is not easy by any means (actually, it's very challenging) and is a very humbling experience. At your height and weight, you will be one of the bigger guys at Serra BJJ. But since the key in BJJ is technique and execution (though size is a factor), don't be surprised if during rolling sessions, someone who is 160 pounds and who has been training longer have you tapping. Unlike other martial arts, you don't get a black belt in a couple of years. Nor is there any guarantee that you will every get one. But Serra BJJ will get you wherever you want to be.

Vinnie,

I too would suggest that you call Serra BJJ and sign up for the intro program. You'll get a chance to see first hand what its like. You cant go wrong, and then you'll be able to see if its for you or not. Speaking from my own perspective ive been training since the middle of June. Prior to that I was in a similar situation in being way too stressed and just in a bad place. Since June, its been a complete 180. I owe it all to Serra BJJ. Not only do you get a fantastic workout and stress relief, but the people there are great. From the trainers to the people you train with, everyone there is out for each other. There are no ego's and its just a fantastic learning environment. I look foward to training there every week and im sure it would do the same to you. Take it from me, not only will you learn BJJ from some of the best in the world, but it really could have a dramatic effect on your life outside of the academy.

Nick

The cost of not joining is insurmountable

Hey Vinnie,

I am one of the head instructors at Serra BJJ. Some of the guys here on the forum pretty much summed it up. (No, I didn't pay them to say that)

Anyhow, I would like to add that before joining any academy or fitness center, you should definitely look at it as a well spent investment to your health and well being. I'm sure if you come down and visit us, you will find not only a great atmosphere to train at, but also an academy that will produce results.

You're more than welcome to come down and observe at any time. If you want to give it a shot, call either academy and schedule an intro class. At the very least, you get to meet some good people and learn a few submissions in the process.

I am going to call this week. Hopefully tomorrow I will have a chance. I've been doing a ton of research of different places to try out and I get nothing but positive reviews about the Serra academy. So i will be coming down to visit (hopefully this week).

I hope I didn't make it seem like I was looking for any sort of discount by crying the "budget is tight" card. My main concern is that while I do have a tight budget, I don't want to just throw it away on any old place and get nothing in return. I want to make a good investment and it seems like I am headed in the right direction here.

So, I really look forward to meeting you guys. Like I said, hopefully this week.

Thanks a ton for all of the feedback. I really appreciate it.

-Vinnie