What is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ)?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art with an estimated 7.5 million practitioners world-wide. Although its roots come from Judo, BJJ emphasizes sophisticated ground fighting techniques over the throwing techniques of Judo.
Often referred to as kinetic chess, BJJ is a highly specialized form of wrestling that features takedowns, pins, chokes, strangulations, joint locks, and total-body submissions.
Always evolving, the curriculum taught in the most respected academies in the world are driven not by tradition, but by the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the world’s most successful competitors. In a direct application of the scientific method, the techniques that have proven to be the most effective at the highest-levels of grappling competition are studied, scrutinized, and passed on to everyone from world-champion black belts to the recreational white belt.
Because many traditional martial arts do not emphasize competition or sparring, the real-world effectiveness of these arts is largely speculative due to the fact that there is no realistic way to test the efficacy of its most fundamental techniques and strategies. BJJ on the other hand, encourages its practitioners to not only spar regularly, but to also compete in tournaments for further technical refinement.
BJJ first gained international notoriety through the 1990s, quickly becoming the world’s fastest growing martial art as the direct result of Jiu Jitsu champions dominating in early “style vs style” fighting events in Brazil and Japan. These early bare-knuckle competitions which preceded mixed martial arts (MMA) events like the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC), often featured no rounds or time limits and few rules.
The style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu taught at Spartacus Gym is based on 3 separate criteria:
1. Personal Self-Defence: “Anything Goes” (Vale Tudo) Jiu Jitsu for the street
2. Gi and No-Gi Grappling Competition: Sport grappling for tournaments (IBJJF and ADCC-rules)
3. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Grappling: Jiu Jitsu with strikes
We train both Gi and No-Gi versions of Jiu Jitsu with the frequency of each variation cycling throughout the year.
To maintain the best possible student to instructor ratio, classes are capped at 16 students for each Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class. All classes are co-ed and everyone receives plenty of individual attention and personalized coaching.
About the instructor:
Spartacus Gym’s head instructor Roy Duquette holds the rank of black belt and has nearly 30 years of full-contact martial arts experience.
Spartacus Gym Martial Arts Fun Fact:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu hall-of-famer Emily Kwok first got her start at Spartacus Gym with her original trainer Roy Duquette in 2001, before eventually moving to New York City to continue her development at the legendary Renzo Gracie Academy — affectionately referred to as “the blue basement” in Manhattan. In 2007, Emily won her first of three world titles, becoming the first Canadian-born BJJ world champion, in addition to becoming Canada’s first ever female BJJ black belt.
FAQ
How much does it cost for Kickboxing or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Kickboxing OR Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) = upgrade to our all-inclusive Gold membership for $150/month (with a minimum commitment of 4-months) and you can take both classes for $150 as well as getting full access to unlimited infrared sauna sessions.
Other options:
One month of KB = $150
One month of BJJ = $180
One month of KB + BJJ = $200
With an all-inclusive Spartacus Gym monthly on-going Gold membership, you can take both Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for only $150/month (plus GST).
Can I drop in for classes?
Drop in for KB = $25
Drop in for BJJ = $35
Please contact Roy Duquette directly for a free class: email — roy@duquettestrength.com
What are the class times?
Kickboxing — Wednesdays at 6:15pm to 7:15pm, Fridays at 6:15pm to 7:15pm, and Sundays at 12:15pm to 1:15pm
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — Mondays (Gi), Wednesdays (No-Gi), and Fridays (No-Gi) at 7:15pm to 9:00pm, Sundays (No-Gi) at 1:15pm to 3:00pm
Do I need to bring anything?
For Beginner’s Kickboxing: hand wraps, 12-16 oz gloves (depending on size/weight), a mouthguard, and shin pads.
For Intermediate Kickboxing: i) a mouthguard, ii) 12 to 16oz gloves, iii) groin protector, iv) shin pads, and v) boxing head gear.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
For Gi class — i) a BJJ Gi, ii) a white belt, iii) a rash guard under your gi, and iv) a mouth guard is recommended.
For No-Gi class — a rash guard top (long-sleeve is preferred), spats and grappling shorts.
