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Portland's First & Best BJJ, MMA, Self-Defense and Kids Martial Arts School. Est. since 1992. Home of world class martial arts and fitness. Beginner & Female Friendly
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Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Straight Blast Gym Portland - BJJ & MMA Gym. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
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Very receptive and welcoming group of people. The advanced BJJ class held varied positional sparring rounds and informative lessons provided by Coach Tim. I plan to return again on my next vacation.
What a great gym! I was just there for a seminar. Everyone is super friendly and knows their stuff. From what I see the founder is always pushing fundamentals of self denfense and is always seeking to improve, a true martial artist. He shares so much free online content you can get an idea of what your signing up for. If you live in Portland and are serious about training this is where you go.
Such an outstanding martial arts facility. I doubt you could find more professional and systematic coaching anywhere else. I came through town some months back and they opened their doors to me so I could train. Coach Cane’s class was so well structured I was in awe. I had never seen someone use best practices for teaching in martial arts gym. Everyone was friendly to me and I didn’t feel like I had a target on my back as new guy. Don’t miss an opportunity to train here.
Great experience!
I was a member of SBG Idaho for several years before moving to Centralia, Wa and joining the local gym. When I was in Portland for business, I really wanted to check out the Headquarters.
Great instruction, safe environment, and the always amazing SBG culture made for a great time. I’ll definitely be back when I’m in town next time!
Good gym, great instructors, better community still! I've been a gym rat for decades and not only does SBG keep a clean, well run facility but they promote and maintain one of the healthiest gym cultures I've ever seen. Worth every dollar!
This is Coach Justin, one of the excellent BJJ teachers at SBG Portland. Justin signed me up to the gym, guided me through my entry process, and always has a kind work or thoughtful insight to share with me. Today’s class with Coach Justin was all about escaping your opponent when they’re going for your head on the ground, and boy was it fantastic. And humbling. Coach Justin said today something today like, “if you want to succeed at BJJ you have to let your ego go”, and of course he’s absolutely right. When I got into powerlifting seriously about ten years ago, I took to it like flies take to sh*t—I was naturally strong, and good coaches were able to take me to really incredible strength numbers. But I’m not naturally good at BJJ, and for me to get better, I have to admit that. I have to think through what I’m doing, how I’m doing it, and why in the moment I’m doing it. I absolutely love BJJ, and am grateful that I have this gym within walking distance to train at. The three coaches I’ve worked with—Vanessa, Justin, and Franklin have challenged me like no other, and I’m grateful. And I won’t back down. I’m slowly getting better, but there is a rich depth to this sport that I don’t know if I’ll fully ever explore, but that doesn’t mean I dang well won’t give it my best. I highly recommend this place, both for complete newbies and experienced athletes as well. You will be challenged, and you won’t walk away disappointed.
A middle-aged blue belt visiting family for the winter holidays. Arranged by e-mail to attend a couple of classes before arriving. The e-mails from staff were prompt and informative.
Arriving at the gym all the staff and students were welcoming and felt at home immediately.
I participated in a CAP and a Foundations class. Both instructors were very knowledgeable and taught in a progressive fashion that was very easy to understand. As a result, walked out to the gym with a couple of new techniques and a few solutions to problems I was having in my game.
Highly recommend if you are in the visiting the area or if you live in the area and are looking for an excellent place to train!
Online Member! The scientific method and their constant search for truth and excellence produces great techniques and teaching styles. Coach Matt mentioned the organization was a bit behind with leglocks and would work on it. Coach Frankl puts his brainpower to work and problem solved. Coach Whittier, ahead of the parade with his 40 plus series. Gamification... is a new lingo, concept is exactly what Coach Matt had us do at a seminar. The MMA instruction is excellent. Self-Defense-Fight based education! Very impressive commitment to constant improvement. Highly recommend!
Great gym and very knowledgeable coaches. Traveling thru Portland so I decided to drop in and it was a fantastic experience. Coach James was awesome and showed the side control defense/offense with every detail. Thanks a lot SBG!
PS: the monkey rashguard is awesome!
Everyone at Straight Blast Gym was welcoming and friendly. They offer a wide range of classes, and the facility is clean and spacious. I took Rick and Vanessa’s Foundations- Stand up classes, and both instructors taught techniques with clear instruction and attentiveness to all members in the class. Would definitely commend this gym!
What a great place!
Flew in from France for business. Really appreciated their ethos after researching the gym online. I was not disappointed. Instructor was deeply knowledgeable welcoming and helpful. The class mates were mixed abilities but considerate to my newbie status and open (staff even helped me tie my Gi 😅). If I lived in Portland would be here three times a week.
I have twins that are five years old. They go twice a week. I have nothing but great to say about this place. It’s the best thing the twins have done. Great people. Not only are they learning about self-defense. They teach them about everything on the steps to get where are you from time is it will take longer but if you keep trying you will get your there. It’s been definitely worth the money that we pay. You guys are great keep up the good work
I had a great experience. The coaches are very approachable and kind. The gym overall is very welcoming. I recommend starting with bjj it’s really fun!
Just visited from out of town. My experience was limited but good! Zack (sp?), skillfully broke down some foundational guard retention and passing with good detail. Very friendly and welcoming atmosphere. My girlfriend even commented on how the instructor remembered her name and gave her helpful pointers.
I wanted to get in a few BJJ classes while visiting family, and SBG gave me a fun, flexible gym to do so! I really appreciate the warm welcome from the team. The foundations class with Franklin was solid, and the professors are attentive. I'll definitely come back when I'm in the area again!
I started training here after an almost 10 year hiatus from jiu-jitsu. The instruction, pace, and welcome atmosphere have all been top notch. The mats are always clean, instructors always start on time -- and they're very knowledgable. Jiu-jitsu is the hardest and most frustrating martial art I've studied and I think many people would agree...SBG is set-up really well for complete beginners to start making progress immediately, without getting frustrated or injured.
The process of re-learning jiu-jitsu and getting my body back into fighting shape has been really fun. I look forward to training here more.
I couldn’t recommend this gym more highly. I started my martial arts journey here and they have been nothing but welcoming and fun. The entire crew that runs the gym and the upper belts and coaches are exactly the kind of people you would want to train with and learn from. Their jiu jitsu is perfect for self defense and competition. This gym is the first of its kind in Oregon and still is one of the best. If you’re looking to get into martial arts, check this gym out first.
In my 40s and I love training with my kids and world class fighters all in the same gym. A solid safe place for those looking to defend themselves to learn.
Initially, I was nervous and a little reluctant to start training at an MMA gym. I’m the least flexible person that I’ve ever met and I haven’t committed to any form of athletics in years. However, after a month I can safely say that joining SBG was one of the best decisions I’ve made in recent years.
I was not sure of what to expect, but I immediately felt welcomed by the entire SBG community. My coaches and peers have all been very accepting and friendly to me. My skill set is still rudimentary, but in this short amount of time I have seen so much growth and have learned so much.
I took MMA for a few months when I was living in Japan and in just a few weeks I have learned so much more here than in the few months of training that I’ve had in Japan.
Scott and Vanessa are both excellent teachers for stand up. Zach and Justin have also been awesome for Jiu Jitsu. I highly recommend this gym to anyone and everyone interested in learning MMA and self defense.
Great coaching. Zach and Justin really know their stuff. They can explain it simply and effectively. Safety is prioritized over everything here, which is great for beginners who want to avoid injury. Thanks, everyone!
Thank you! These classes I've come to have been the most fun and most productive thing in my life in a long time.
Coming from a wrestling background, I wanted to get back into that kind of sports atmosphere. A friend recommended SBGI and gave me their card. I called, scheduled an appointment and as soon as I walked in, met Scott and he sat down with me and got an idea of who I was and what I wanted to get out of my time with SBGI. After that, he gave me a quick tour of SBGI's extensive and impressive history ( I had no idea SBG was such a prestigious gym). You could never tell because of the welcoming family-friendly atmosphere but SBGI was once home to some of the very best competitors in the UFC. After learning about all this, Scott and I walked onto the mat and got right into the good stuff. He showed me the ropes of basic ju-jitsu ground defense as well as the fundamentals of stand up- striking( posture, striking, stance and movement). Scott worked closely and intimately with me for 2 hours and when I had it all down, we ended my private session, we both bowed down and I walked out that day more than satisfied and very, very impressed by this gym.
I was given full access of all beginner foundations classes for three days to get an idea of what I wanted to do. In those three days I attended like 10 classes. I even called off work for a day just to come in and take advantage of these classes.(Brazilian ju-jitsu foundations, Stand up foundations and "Primate Power" (a fitness class offered to members) ).
Its hard for me to express my appreciation for everything offered at SBGI. I have had a straight blast (no pun intended). I wish I could spend all day, everyday there. I can't wait for Saturday like an addict can't wait for his next dose. Thursday, I attended 8am BJJ foundations, 9am Primate Power, 10am Stand up Foundations and 7:30pm Stand up foundations. I felt that I learned more in one day than most would learn in weeks and am so grateful for the opportunity. I might add that I still have not had to pay a single penny.
I have such a great respect for the martial arts and of course, the coaches and students that practice them and SBGI is full of these top notch, elite Martial artists and members who are all very friendly. I would feel proud to call myself a member of this Tribe. I want to thank every member of the SBGI Tribe, there is certainly no better gym in Portland. If you live in the Portland area and are passionate about the Martial arts, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN SBGI!!!!!!!!
This place is phenomenal!
Inviting, accepting and best of all incredibly competent.
I brought my oldest son here (10 years old) with high hopes but low expectations. My son is slight, shy, anxious and has never participated in a sport in his life. After watching a YouTube video he expressed interest in exploring BJJ which resulted in me making an appointment to meet a representative for a orientation.
We were met in the lobby by Marvin and Zach who immediately made both of us incredibly comfortable and welcomed. We had a very pleasant and informative conversation and I could already see my son’s nerves start to calm.
When we got to meet Justin, the real magic started. This guy was phenomenal! Made my son comfortable, answered every question, and there were ALOT! They let him try on a Gi and then headed out to the mat for more questions and some demonstrations.
I was blown away when my son told me that he wanted to do this part on his own, saying “I got this daddy!” I was super proud, and also thankful as Justin’s approach was just what he needed.
Ultimately, the gym was too far from us to be sustainable, but when I let them know that we had decided to join a bjj gym closer to home, but we’re forever indebted for Justin’s gift to my son, I heard nothing except approval and happiness that he was getting involved in the sport.
My son is now entering his second week of training, and while he is loving it, he still mentions Justin and Marvin and how he hopes they are doing good, and hopes they will be proud of him!!
Thank you SBG from the bottom of my heart!
Great gym, great experience training there. The original SBG is in Portland, which is now worldwide. They draw from multiple disciplines to teach a well rounded approach to martial arts. Jiu jitsu, boxing/kickboxing, yoga, MMA, conditioning classes throughout each week. Hobbyist or aspiring pro it's all set up for you.
Such an amazing gym! Everyone is super helpful and welcoming. I was travelling for business and wanted to continue my training so I emailed ahead and they were super facilitating. I will 100% return the next time I'm in town. I can't recommend this place enough.
I have a friend who trains here and invited me to come check it out, so I dropped in for one of the fundamentals classes a few weeks ago. I'm very new to the sport, and didn't know what to expect from a different gym. Everyone was so friendly from the moment I walked in the door, and the gym has a very welcoming atmosphere. The class was great, the instruction was concise but thorough, and I feel like I benefitted a lot even from just the one class. I also appreciated the number of women in the class, and the availability of a women's changing area. If I lived in Portland I would certainly want to train here regularly. As it is, I'm hoping that I can drop in again in the future and learn more from the great people they have teaching and rolling here. Thank you Straight Blast for letting me come check the gym out!
Visited the area for a week and was in need of a gym to train for a few days. All the other gyms I called wanted some type of payment to participate in their class which I understand because it’s business. Team SBG on the other hand said I could train there for free, no payments needed which shows they actually care about the people in BJJ and the growth of the sport itself. Little acts like that may not seem much but to others it’s HUGE. The only way BJJ can grow even more is if we all help each other out. Thank you for the hospitality team SBG.
Nobody flies from LA to Portland for the weather, but I would do it all the time to visit Straight Blast Gym. My last trip there was in April of this year and it was awesome. I'm a long-time Jiu Jitsu practitioner but new to the SBG scene. Despite that, everyone there was welcoming and warm. I was invited to train immediately and had the best time. I trained in Coach Stearns' class; almost the nicest human on earth. I trained in Coach Amanda's class; clear and detailed instruction and generous both in helping out and in rolling, another awesome human. I trained in Coach Diggins' class; was promptly destroyed in the best way possible, with solid, thoughtful Jiu Jitsu. I trained in Head Coach Matt Thornton's class; had a wonderful time working on some Mount material, all of which felt like seminar-caliber information and has helped my Jiu Jitsu exponentially. If you want to learn Jiu Jitsu in a safe environment with structured lessons and a clearly laid out path, you really couldn't do any better than here. I have nothing bad to say about this gym other than it's too far away from my home. :( Can't wait to visit again.
Cannot praise SBG Portland enough on how it's methodology and coaches have enhanced my jiu-jitsu and functional martial arts. Those in the Portland area are extremely privileged to have such a world class gym on their doorstep. Truly a special gym!
I came from the other side of the world to see what goes on here and wasn't disappointed. Excellent coaching, great facility and you can trust that you will be looked after. SBG Portland is simply world class. I will definitely be making the trip back.
I have know the owners and coaches of this establishment for over 25 years. The training received and expertise of the staff is top notch and hard to find anywhere else. This a reputable school with awesome people and a tremendous tribe. You will find amazing people invested in you and your goals.
I have just hit my 2 year anniversary and can say that this has become a second home. Bjj has become a staple of my self care in terms of what it brings to my mental sanity as well physical fitness.
If you want to learn technique-oriented martial arts that focus on time tested fundamentals, this is your place. Whether ground grappliing or stand up striking there are many different to meet your needs.
I would also highly recommend the kids program as my daughter gets to learn many life lessons that she would not get otherwise in a relaxed playful environment.
During a visit to Portland, I dropped in for a class and it couldn’t have been a better experience. The overall atmosphere was friendly and welcoming, and the instructor was super clear in breaking down the techniques and the reasons and concepts behind why they work. The other students during the open mat portion that I rolled with were all focused on sparring technically and the environment was very safe. After we all got to ask the instructor any questions about techniques which was really cool. Overall it was a great experience and highly recommended.
Was in Portland for the day from San Diego. This academy was recommended and I’m glad I came here. Great atmosphere and the group was super inviting. Professor Chris was very thorough and practical. He had a great attitude and was easy to follow along with. I have been doing BJJ for 10+ years and I really appreciate a welcoming academy where there isn’t anyone who needs to prove themselves. A+ group here and will be back for certain.
I had the privilege of visiting SBG Portland when I was on vacation back in May 2019. Having trained Brazilian Jiu-jitsu since 2013, I have had opportunities to visit a good number of gyms during that time. The SBG Portland crew was very welcoming when I was visiting. I had the chance to attend a mix of classes over three days, and all the coaches from Mark, Amanda, John to Cane made the experience thoroughly enjoyable. The camaraderie between members and instructors was readily apparent- from a visitor’s perspective, it’s always nice to find a place where you can feel safe and comfortable training. For anyone looking to train BJJ, Muay Thai, or MMA, you should definitely pay SBG Portland a visit!
I visited SBG during a business trip to Portland. Instruction was awesome and the training environment is super friendly and supportive. If I lived in Portland I would totally train here.
I trained at this gym for two years and enjoyed it greatly. One of the MMA industries true founders Matt Thornton still teaches and is highly involved in Portland as the home location and in his other worldwide SBG locations!! Thank You !!!! I wish I still had the time to train like I did 15 years ago.
This isn't just the original Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA school in Oregon, it's still the best by far (and I've seen many schools and instructors). There's a reason this is a destination location for martial artists all over the world. You'll get world class coaching in a welcoming, friendly environment. Can't recommend it highly enough!
It is not an understatement to say that this gym has exponentially improved my quality of life. As a newcomer to Portland, the SBG tribe took me in as one of their own and I have made powerful friendships that are surely built to last. I would best describe the teaching here as "functional fundamental martial science". The staff are awesome and free weights, locker rooms, bathrooms, and shower available.
I just joined Straight Blast Gym. I am so impressed with their ability,service and welcoming attitude. I have never trained in Martial Arts, but look forward to learning.
Scott made my intro session so awesome! My first class was incredible. I can't say enough how grateful I am to be part of this wonderful family! Thank you so much!
Here
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I travel a lot, so I "drop in" to a fair amount of BJJ gyms. I've experienced all kinds of gyms, from the ones where tapping is viewed as "losing" and a last resort (I tend to avoid those), the ones where they are exceptionally military about the rules (you have to wear a gi with their patches, in the colors they want, and heaven forbid you are friends with anyone in a "rival" team) and a bunch more.
While I love BJJ, it's strictly a hobby for me - I'm not interested in training 40 hours a week with the hope of beating up the biggest and baddest. I'm interested in a gym that has a welcoming and friendly environment, where people are willing to work on technique over just trying to out-muscle their partners, and where questions are encouraged and the instructors will take time to explain things and keep everyone safe.
My experience with Straight Blast Portland is all of these things. For anyone who doesn't know (I certainly didn't!), while Straight Blast began here in Portland, Oregon, it now has over 50 locations and a lot of claims to fame. In fact, I believe Conor MacGregor trains regularly at a SB in Ireland and is trained by one of SB Portland's top students - but I could be wrong on the details here.
Regardless, the gym sure has a lot of trophies on display, and the guys training here are no joke, that's for sure. But as I said, no one tried to rip my arm off - if anything the rolls were all very relaxed and playful, though if you want to take things up a notch these guys will match you without getting rough, which is a wonderful experience. And unlike many gyms, the founder is still heavily involved, teaching classes on a Friday night for example - which again, is something sadly missing in some gyms out there.
The schedule was fantastic - there are classes seven days a week and lots of variety. They cover BJJ fundamentals, advanced classes, intermediate classes, striking classes, no-gi classes, competition classes... and that's just for the adults. On any given day they run 8+ hours of classes, so I'd be shocked if you didn't find a groove that worked for you.
In addition, they have bags for striking practice and even a modest gym with barbells, dumbells, power racks, and a couple of machines - probably all anyone needs unless you're a pretty serious bodybuilder. My understanding is this is all part of the membership, but I would confirm that with staff to be sure.
There are also change rooms and showers on site, which is nice if you have to get to work after a class or whatever. And the mats are kept clean (they had just finished mopping as I walked in at 5 pm, so they probably do multiple times a day) which is super important but sadly, often-ignored by many BJJ gyms out there.
In terms of "cons", the space is a little dated but functional. I really dig that in a place - I think it shows a lot of character, but if you want a place where everything is shiny and unused, probably not the space for you. There's no parking lot, although street parking has been easy to find in a one-block radius every time I've been in.
In conclusion, love the place, love the people, love the BJJ. If I lived in PDX full-time this would be my BJJ "home" for sure. Whether you're planning to compete or just like to train, I really think it's worth stopping by!
Dropped in to train here while on tour, everyone was nice, courteous and the facility was great! Amanda taught the morning class and was very welcoming, Id definitely stop by again.
We were lucky to be stopping by SBG Portland on the weekend when there was a Chris Hauter seminar on. Two days with Chris Hauter & Jack Taufer...followed by a Tuesday evening class with Coach Cane Prevost. A brilliant experience all round. Thank you SBG for making us feel at home!
Great gym with plenty of room, access to free weights. All the coaches are personable and approachable. The classes have an emphasis on training smart and discourage " meat head" behavior. It's a very welcoming atmosphere and has plenty of storage for belonging
Very comfortable environment. I never feel intimidated or judged. The coaches are fantastic at what they do! I've been going for about three months and have zero desire to stop any time soon!
Love this place!
I'm very new to Martial arts of any kind. At the time I was so scared and overwhelmed by all of the choices. I had my orientation with Zach, who helped me decide where to start. Zach was extremely personable, and knowledgeable. Coach Amanda has also been amazing what an inspiration!
I can't say enough about the atmosphere. Such a vast group of people all striving to thrive not only physically but emotionally, spiritually and mentally. All helping lift each other up.
Very Impressed by the professional staff and friendly Vibe at this gym. It is a place I feel I can really grow as a Martial artist and have the chance to get world class instruction in a safe, professional environment. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be apart of this Awesome place.
My husband is a former college wrestler and coach. He took me to SBG after I had a scary incident on transit. We started out at SBG so I could feel more secure out at night. What we got was something that built our marriage. No matter how busy we are, we now have this thing to do together. SBG is positive, kid-friendly, female-friendly, and couple-friendly. This is not the kind of gym that is going to treat you like less of a person if you aren't a perfect build/weight/height. They teach you to work with what you have.
Recently, I started Primate Yoga because of tension in my hips and shoulders. Salome and Stephanie are great yoga instructors. SBG offers more than just jits. It gives members a chance to build on their training in different ways.
As a teacher I can vouch for the skills and talents of the coaches. They can do and they do teach well. There is no such thing as a bad coach at SBG.
SBGi has friendly coaches and members who are all very accessible and knowledgeable. The classes for both children and adults are thought out and paced carefully to adjust and teach in a manner that really encourages exploration and learning. The schedule can accommodate most any parent or working professional. There's a great diversity of people and community/family feel to the gym that is warm and inviting. It's a place where you learn, work, and earn your stripes through trial and error in an environment where it's safe to learn through your mistakes and ask questions.
The children's classes are well thought out and planned with time to learn and play games. My daughter has fun but she also learns a lot that she is happy to recount and show me at home after class time. It's also a boon for her that her head coach is female and is a great role model for her and the other kids in class.
It's been one of the best decisions for my daughter and I to take classes here!
SBG really is a great organization. I have been training there for a little less than 4 years and it has completely changed my life. The coaching and training at the gym is top notch, and it is just a great group of people. If you are thinking about training in the Portland area you owe it to yourself to check out SBG.
I love this gym! I have never been into sports or even a regular workout kind of person but SBGI changed that I"v been going to BJJ and yoga classes for almost two years and see no stopping in my future. I'm in the best shape of my life at almost 33 but that is the least of it.Its taught me about problem solving, self confidence and brought me closer to my husband as we train there together. recently I competed in my first tournament and and thanks to there world class coaches ended up with a medal.VIVA SBG!
The Straight Blast Gym International head quarters in Portland Oregon has quickly become than just a gym. Over the past 6 months I have had more fun than I have in the past decade. I have learned more about myself and my capabilities than ever before in my life. The quality of the coaches and training is top notch, so much so, that I have aspirations of taking their coaching program in the future. Everyone from the newest member to our head instructor Matt Thornton has been friendly and helpful. I can promise you SBGi has turned out to be more than just a gym for me, and it could easily be much more for you. See you on there.
Awesome gym with great coaches! These guys know their jiu-jitsu, and most importantly they know how to teach each individual to be their best. All of the other students are great to, there's a real social atmosphere in the gym. If you're looking to get into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Mixed Martial Arts, there's no better gym in Portland!
I had an intro session with Justin which was absolutely great, I'm a complete beginner so it was nice to hear they have a graduated program that helps you progress without having to get continuously pummeled for 3 months. If you wanna get into MMA this is a great place to start
Nice gym for beginners i learned alot in the short time i expeirenced the gym nice people good coaches very understanding i had to leave early due to not as much time on my hands as id like but ill be back in the future i recommend checking them out
Mixed results here. I was a member for 6 months and really enjoyed the instructors I worked with (Scott and Ben are amazing) and thought everyone in the classes were always very friendly and supportive. At first there was a bit of a sticker shock because of the price, but the reputation of the gym was enough to get past that. This was my first membership at an MMA gym, but I had taken classes and price shopped others in the area to get an idea of what it’s like.
It doesn’t take long before you graduate to the next tier of classes though, which adds an additional $20/month to the price. $187/month is A LOT of money for a gym with a contract. There is a small weight lifting area that has all of the basics, but aside from that there aren’t a ton of amenities that justify price other than instructor led classes. Class sizes varied by the day and time, but I always felt like I got the attention I needed to do well.
My problem was that I always got a “used car salesman” vibe from the management. Seems like they always had something to sell, or some way to get you to pay more money. They make it very difficult to get out of the 6 month contracts and really push trying to get it all paid for up front and having two forms of payment on file. At one point I had switched my account and caught them before they had tried to withdraw from the wrong one which would’ve resulted in a fee.
Ultimately I discontinued my membership because my wife and I are in the process of moving and buying a house and a gym membership elsewhere is 1/3 the cost. They do allow you to cancel the contract if you move outside of a certain radius, but I didn’t really get a good vibe that the process would be very easy or reliable.
I was looking to have my kid join. Went in to ask simple questions. The person sitting at the desk didn't answer a single question. All I got was "that varies" over and over again. I simply said, "Umm, I guess thank you?" Because there was nothing to thank them for. After reading some reviews, this seems to be common. I should have read the reviews first. After seeing them, I wouldn't have gone in there. Will simple look somewhere else.
Haven't been here in a few years so may be different but they aren't a gym I'd recommend whatsoever. Unless you wanna get locked in a too expensive contract and not be able to cross train don't go here. Way better gyms in town
DO NOT DO THE FREE TRIAL CLASS
I went to one free trial class with this gym (thinking I was trying a women's self-defense class when I was not, more on that later) and it turned into a 4 month financial nightmare. The person who took me into the office afterward explained their membership structure and told me I would get a discount for signing up that day. I told her I couldn't do that because I was doing a free trial class with a few other gyms later in the week to compare. She assured me that I could give her my card information but hold off on the first charge for a few weeks, try the other gyms, and if I decided I didn't want to do the membership before the first charge set in I could call and cancel it all. I asked multiple times if I would avoid all charges as long as I called to decline the membership before the first charge date and she reassured me yes. Sure enough, I called early in the morning the day before the first charge/membership was set to start and explained to someone else that I wanted to cancel and that the person I met with assured me I could cancel by said date and avoid all charges. He said that doesn't sound like their policy but it was fine, he just needed to check with the person I met with to confirm she said that and they would get back to me in the afternoon to verify that my membership would be canceled with no charges. They never got back to me. I called several times later in the day and did not get an answer. Worried I would be charged since I never received verification of cancelation, I had to cancel my credit card and have a new one sent. Sure enough, they tried to push a charge through the following day despite assuring me it would be taken care of but thankfully the charge couldn't be processed due to the change in my credit card number.
Well, somehow a month and a half later they managed to charge my new card number. They continued charging me 3 months in a row, $167 each, for a total of around $500 before I noticed the fraudulent charges and called my bank. All this while, I was paying interest on these charges and ended up with a late payment fee because I never use this card and didn't expect any charges to show up on it. If I hadn't noticed sooner it could've wrecked my credit too. What's more, when I called my bank, they told me the gym had actually manually input my new credit card number. I've never been back to the gym since that initial visit or given them my new credit card (or even used the physical card as I don't keep it in my wallet) so I have no idea how they got that information. The number was close to my old one so it's almost like they were trying different variations until one worked, especially since the charge showed up 6 weeks after the initial attempt to charge me failed. Sooooo shady!!!
ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS, my first trial class was extremely uncomfortable for me. I showed up expecting a women's self defense class (as that's what I inquired about) and was thrown into a jiu jitsu class with all men. I told the person who greeted me that I didn't feel comfortable with that but I felt pressured by them to join the class anyway. I'm not super comfortable with physical touch with strangers, especially men and especially being the only woman in the room with no knowledge of what jiu jitsu even is, and I didn't like that this wasn't even considered by the person who did my intake. This was why I decided not to go with this gym in the first place, and the financial nightmare that ensued was cherry on top. It's too bad they feel they have to pressure folks and engage in scammy behavior because it did seem like a great gym for people who are sure they want to do jiu jitsu and are willing to lock themselves into a contract, but after the way they sneakily charged my card without my knowledge and ignored my calls, I cannot recommend this gym to anyone.
Trying to charge you $380 for a contract when you only go to one lesson... AND MAKE IT CLEAR YOU want to just try it out before you commit. I've been to multiple gyms and never had this happen... More about the money than the passion
Sad....
BE WARNED!!! Horrible experience in multiple ways.
SBG Dishonest example #1.
Fraudulent in taking money after One year contract is over.
Shame on U Straight Blast Gym (SBG).
P.S. Bad Contract word structure, totally favors SBG in locking U into payments.
Be Warned!
SBG Dishonest example #2.
Before I signed the.contract we Discussed weapons training with emphasis on weapons take away & some boxing. but, what got was beginner, on the mat martial arts.
I'm talking Beginner grade school instructions.
SBG Dishonest example #3.
Customer Service is so bad,
it's so bad it's indescribable in its behavior when it comes to complaints.
Take ur name & number & never call back..
These R My Top three Complaints
4 now
3/14/19 UPDATE: A FEW WORDS TO THE OWNER
Why do you respond to other reviewers' posts? Albeit, you are emotional, self-aggrandizing, and ripe with rancor. Yet with my review, your silence comes off as diminutive. My question is rhetorical. However these are statements of fact:
1. You owe me money.
2. I jumped through your hoops and produced all the required paperwork in order to cancel a membership on time. One, I never actual did start.
3. My proof included: a copy of my new, signed lease -- showing I moved 50 miles away from your gym, my landlord's phone number, a bill with my new address, a bank statement with the membership charge, and a freaking hand-written termination letter.
4. I even hand carried all of this nonsense to you in a folder, tucked securely in its pockets.
Because, I figured you'd say it was never received. I was wrong; Instead, you say nothing. Integrity looks nothing like you act. You should eat crow and correct your wrong. We all make poor decisions and knee-jerk reactions. It's difficult to correct something when you've hunkered down in your wrong for years. But, so what. Life is annoying like that.
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INITIAL REVIEW
I can't tell you if this place has merit for its actual program. Their management and policies are a farce. I signed my daughter and myself up for a year. Approximately $1,300. Only because I also signed a contract that stated that I could cancel and receive my money back should I move outside of their vicinity and with proof. My job, unplanned, moved my position over 50 miles away to another office. I provided a copy of my new lease, a bank statement with my new address, and a handwritten letter stating my circumstances. Oh, and we never did make it to a single class. I literally spent about $1,300 for nothing. They have refused to refund me. This has been going on since 4/17. Don't go. Seriously. That's such an unethical, disingenuous, ill spirited approach to people and your reputation.
There coaches are great. I really liked the classes. I have nothing bad to say about their training programs and coaches.
As for their business model... very deceitful and unethical to say the least.
I recently had a job change unexpectedly. I was told I could 1.)cancel within 60 days and receive money back. 2.) I could show proof of address change and receive a refund.
I prepaid 6 months in advance and attended under 2 months of classes.
I was really bummed I had to move because I enjoyed the training and the people, but when they wouldn't refund me I was like...? seriously...? That greedy?
Pretty bummed out to say the least because I did like the atmosphere and the coaching.
The front end guy Justin has some of the worst communication skills in history.(sorry dude) just a suggestion you need to work on that.
I am typically an honest person when It comes to reviews. If for any reason you think you will move, or cancel within 60 days I would not waste your time and money and go to another gym.
As for Matt Thornton, the guy is a world class coach and I am sure an incredible human being, but I can't say the same for his education on how to run a business. There are a few other areas if this gym that lack any sort of business education.
I am sure he gets paid nicely and likely has the attitude of "idc what this guy would say because im getting paid" (im assuming). If thats the case just goes to show you how terrible you are at running a business.
In my business I get negative reviews for things outside of my control, it happens to the best of us. In this case I can honestly say its just pure greed and selfishness.
Never would recommend their services to anyone. Two reasons why. 1.) they have liars working for them 2.) the training is very slow pace and although the coach I had was awesome, the overall experience was too slow for my learning abilities and not a very good workout for the money. I am happy at a new gym and I can tell you the experience is 10000000X better.
Very unnecessary they wouldn't let me out of the membership.
I have no idea how good the actual training is, because I've never been able to navigate the financial hoops you have to jump through to find out how much it actually costs to train here. Notice that they do not--and in my experience, will not--tell you how much your classes will actually cost on their website or on the phone--you HAVE to make an appointment first. Why not just tell us how much joining this gym will cost right up front? Yes I know there may be a range of options--just TELL us what those options are up front. Going to find a gym that is more open about how much I'm going to have to pay to join right off the bat.
A total scam.
I signed up with their "Iron-Clad 60 day guarantee" and when I asked for my money back, they flat-out denied me.
Zach Thornton acts like your best friend at first when you sign up, but when you realize that it's not for you, he turns a complete 180.
