Oregon Triad Jiu-Jitsu — Local services in Albany

Tl;dr: This place is great. Friendly people, clean mats, super helpful instructors. Be here.

My experience with BJJ and Triad: I started doing Jiu Jitsu a couple months ago, to get back into shape. I was 5’11 almost 240lbs. After a few months of training 3-4x/week, without really trying to lose weight I’m down to ~225. I haven't worked out regularly in 5 years. If you’re thinking about trying martial arts to get in shape, this is definitely a great sport to try. Not to mention it’s way more fun than running if you’re looking for core/cardio workouts.

After training for a bit in Corvallis, I was stoked to see a gym open in Albany. The gym has great people, of various ages and sizes (I’m one of the larger guys, but I’m definitely not the largest), to train with. Amber, Travis, and Vlad are great instructors, and they really value each student developing their own style, which allows each person to try new things while also playing to their strengths. Being new, I make a lot of mistakes, and all of the upper belts are generous, both in instruction and live rounds. Quite often, in live rolling, they will point out when I am making a mistake, allowing me to make corrections or reset a position, rather than simply exploiting it. These folks don’t have an ego, and I am incredibly appreciative of that.

What to expect when you get there: Classes run for roughly 90 minutes being split into three main components (30 minute white belt class, 30 minute all-belt class, 30 minutes live rolling/practice). Although most classes are done in gi, you don’t need a gi to show up (gym shorts and an old t-shirt work great). The instructors will help you modify what they are teaching for a no-gi situation. Make sure to come with toenails and fingernails clipped, and with good hygiene.

At the beginning of the time we warm up. Along with stretching, we do exercises which may engage muscles that you may not normally use, and it may feel awkward at first. That’s totally normal, and folks are super helpful in learning those exercises!

White belt/beginner class is a good place to learn the basics and ask lots of questions. We are all learning, so ask away!

Advanced class you will probably be partnered with a higher belt who will help you through the moves. You can still ask questions! You might feel like you are asking too many/taking away time for others to learn (everyone I talk with has mentioned that they’ve felt this way before). You aren’t taking away any time from folks and it’s ok to learn here!

Live rolling is probably the most fun part of the class. If you’re brand new, it’s a good idea to seek out the higher belts. Not only will you learn more, but you’ll also see better technique (I’m saying this as a white belt… you might feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, but I feel the same way too.) It’s definitely a workout, but you often walk away exhausted and fulfilled.

Overall this place is awesome, and I cannot recommend it enough for folks who are: wondering If Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for them (it is), looking to learn realistic self-defense (you do), or just wanting to have fun and build a great community of folks within...

You have the right to be able to defend yourself and the responsibility to learn how. BJJ isn’t the only way to do that, but it’s a great place to start. It’s one of the few martial arts that allows you to safely spar at 100% intensity against a fully resistant opponent, giving you great experience and mindset for personal defense. If you think “I just see red, bro!” is gonna save you, you’re wrong.

Oregon Triad gives you a place to practice martial arts in a controlled environment with great mentors. You’ll meet tons of folks from all walks of life (and try to choke them). The instructors are experienced and helpful and will cheerily teach you devastating techniques that allow you to fold another person’s clothes (with them still inside).

You can drop in any time to watch or join a class (class times are updated on their fb page). Rates are reasonable, youth classes are great, and there’s a lot of different classes offered (with a gi, no-gi, Muay Thai, MMA, etc.). Don’t feel like you have to be a certain age or in great shape before you start.

If you decide to join, it won’t be easy, but you’ll have fun. Try to commit to several nights a week for a few months. It’ll change your life, if you give it the time. Everyone is welcome, and your journey can start right now at...

What can I say, this is a truly amazing group of people. The sense of community and strength of character emanates through everyone here. As someone new to the area, I struggled to find people focused mainly on self-development. That is what I see as the common link between each individual student and teacher who walks through these doors.

If you find yourself struggling with discipline and focus and feel the chaos creeping in, I encourage you to take the leap of faith and push yourself to do more and be more. We are plumbers, electricians, carpenters, educators, public servants, professionals, mothers, fathers,, brothers, and sisters. We are students, we are teachers.

Don't let yourself get lost in the sauce, become one with the sauce. Work hard, train hard.

I cannot thank these amazing people enough for what they add to...