Mass BJJ – Arlington

DISCLAIMER: I’ve never set foot in this place, let alone gotten any closer than walking or riding past. I don’t know anyone who’s employed there or even anyone who’s been or still is a member.
So why am I posting this? It all has to do with the way I was treated despite being merely some random dude asking questions & making no promises to join. Last night I e-​mailed the «arl​.info» address, anticipating at best an auto-​reply form letter that would take until sometime today for an employee to click «send» on.
That’s not what ended up occurring at all. No less than «an owner» of the place, Mike, was ON IT. Mere minutes had gone by before a detailed, informative, and clearly one-​on-​one personal response hit my inbox. The friendly opening salutation — «Hey Spencer» instead of «Mr Unilocaler,» or whatever — set the tone. It turns out that a perfect «fit» for «fitness» as far as I’m concerned probably lies elsewhere. But Mike pulled no punches (characteristically enough, LOL, I mean, seeing as how he’s a martial artist and all.) He outlined the limitations of the facility in terms of my criteria, right along with stating that there’s a no-​contract policy and scheduling flexibility — strong selling points. Someone less honest and ethical would’ve been all about stressing those selling points, downplaying or ignoring the weaknesses, and holding out some BS offer like «one free class» the way so many gyms & such do.
If Mike’s any indication, I say Mass (no period?) BJJ should be a solid contender for your rollin’-on-the-mats $$$.

I’ve known Mike (one of the co-​owners and instructors) close to four years now. I was attending his classes and rolling with him at Boston BJJ. Mike is extremely technical practitioner and attentive instructor.
That’s why I was bombed when Mike left BBJJ to open his own school.
I was occasionally stopping by Mass BJJ — Arlington to attend his classes. What I noticed right away was the energy on the mat. Combination of great instruction and determination from students was creating great atmosphere for training. I was always welcomed and left the mat with new detail or technique.
In two years it only got better. I am a member of Mass BJJ — Arlington now. The school is some 18 miles away from my home, but it’s definitely worth the commute and I can’t be happier with my choice.

This is a great school. I train jitz here. The owners are great and caring and nice people train here.

I am writing this review even though I have never trained at this location. I have been training at this academy’s sister school in Newton for the past 6 years. Today we got a visit from Mass BJJ Arlington Head Instructor Mike Pellegrino. He was in to train with fellow Black Belt John Frankl and our Head Instructor and 4^th Degree Black Belt Roberto Maia.
I watched as these three trained together, trained with them a little bit myself and listened as they took the time to demystify some of the finer details and key strategies of BJJ.
In my opinion, an academy and its culture are nothing more than a reflection of it’s leader. At least that has been my experience. It didn’t take me more than a few minutes of being around Mike to conclude that his academy would be a great place to train. Mike knows his BJJ, is great at it himself and, like Roberto and John, is a great communicator with a great attitude.
Thanks for the time and input Mike. Greatly appreciated.

What I could do is copy and paste my review of Mass BJJ in Acton, MA and leave it here. But, I’m not feeling as lazy as I normally do today so I will go ahead and write something.
I’ve been training with Nate and Doug (two of the three coaches) for well over 4 and a half years. I have also trained brazilian jiu jitsu at a number of other schools around the country. Many of these schools are exceptionally good and full of extraordinarily talented players. But, training here and at MassBJJ in Acton is something special to me. For starters, the level of instruction is on par with any of the great BJJ schools in the country. But Nate, Mike, and Doug go out of their way to ensure that not only is everyone learning something, but that everyone is safe and having fun at the same time. I have yet to have a boring night of training here.
Maybe I’m biased though. :)

A great place to learn Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu in a fun and safe environment! (I am biased though).