WNY Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness

Anyone who looks at my checkins will see that they pretty much oscillate between dissertation writing in the Wegman’s café and training BJJ at WNY MMA. After getting a taste of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Cleveland, I was looking for somewhere in Buffalo to train. My criteria included a school that had a dedicated BJJ program, a kids program, and a women’s program. The presence of those goes a long way in telling you about the values of that gym.
Another huge priority was safety. I need to train in a gym where I feel safe and respected, even as a white belt. I don’t want cauliflower ears, broken bones, popped joints, or — let’s be honest — my confidence getting completely beat to hell because training partners aren’t supportive.
Before checking out WNY MMA I read the reviews on Unilocal and did what research I could about them. Then I stopped by in person during one of the BJJ times and got a tour of the facility and a chance to watch some of the class. The gym itself was impressive, though it was so big with so many offerings I was afraid maybe they weren’t serious about BJJ. But everyone in the class seemed to be having a great time and everyone I talked to was very friendly and had incredibly positive things to say about the gym. One even said frankly that he had no personal benefit in telling me good things about the gym except that he would end up with good training partners if what I was looking for matched what they had to offer and so I could take his word as honest assessment.
A few days later I met with Corey, who teaches boxing and MMA fitness, but who could also speak very knowledgeably about the BJJ program. I came out of that meeting feeling very comfortable with what the gym offered, as well as the culture that it fosters. I was looking for a family type atmosphere that encourages people to grow as they train and to train in a safe and effective way. WNY MMA has a lot of people who compete and who do well in competitions, and a huge part of that is knowing how to train properly.
I also appreciated that there were a lot of different payment plan options. Training BJJ is not inexpensive for someone in my economic broke*** grad student bracket but there was an option that worked for me. And I definitely felt like the pricing was comparable with what I had seen in Cleveland.
This is a somewhat long review (though not long enough) but there’s a good reason for that. BJJ is a long term commitment. You’re talking about a decade plus to go white belt to black belt, so you want to be sure that you’re training somewhere you want to be for a long time and that has an approach to training that will allow your body to be there a long time.
WNY MMA is absolutely my long term choice for training. I have been so impressed with the welcome and support I have received over the past month and a half and I know that won’t change. If there are things I don’t address in this review (and there are a lot) don’t hesitate to send me a message. I had a lot of questions when I was doing my research and I’m happy to share anything I’ve learned or point you in the direction of someone who knows more.
Hope to see you on the mat!
Update:
Several months in and still here and loving it. There are a whole new set of noon BJJ classes in addition to the night ones. Plus they have someone really awesome running the women’s BJJ program. So all around awesome is still all around awesome. :)

this place is super great. been going for a long time and have gotten in the best shape of my life. either for fitness or if you want to do a fight everyone is very supportive of your goals. a great place for women too who want to work out with other women who become friends. a family and a gym. no better place to train!

I have been going to this gym for almost 2 years now. both of my instructors left the gym I was at before to train here. All in all we had about 10 guys leave my old gym to come to WNY MMA & Fitness. I was actually resistant to leaving at first because my old gym is where i STARTED training so I felt kind of obligated to stay, but there was nobody my size to train with (230 pounds) and nobody with any experience either. So glad I left! We get about 30 guys in every BJJ class and the experience level ranges from brand new guys to guys who are brown belts and have been training for 9 years. The ages range from 16 to 53 in the adult classes. Weights of guys range from 120 in adult classes to close to 300 pounds.
Everyone is super nice and down to earth. Definitely nice to be welcomed every time I walk into the doors. The striking and MMA classes are well attended and have great coaches and there is a women’s fitness class too.
The gym is about 7,000 square feet with 2,200 feet of mats, a cage, boxing ring, etc.
If you are thinking about training MMA, BJJ or just want to get in shape i would highly recommend this gym! The have free trial classes do you have no excuse. See you there!
Update: it’s been a year since my post. We are moving to a 14,000 foot place in the same building as we are in now! 2 times as much space=2 times the fun!