Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu of Dallas — Local services in Dallas

Intro : I have been part of many gyms throughout years of Jiu Jitsu training. I have trained under Rafael Formiga from Soul Fighters in Danbury, CT. Roberto Abreu "Cyborg" from Fight Sports in Miami, FL. Steve Ficca from Odin's in Las Vegas, NV And eventually I moved to Dallas and joined Marcelo Garcia.

Teaching ( a bit about the Instructors) :

Rob Ables: After getting a free lesson under Rob Ables, I decided to sign up immediately. I did not need to visit other gyms.

The way he teaches is definitely incredible and refreshing to see. He is a true master. He cares about the students and will make sure to show you variations based on your age, body type, limitations, etc. He understands not every student is the same. Not all of us have the same goals in life.

I have met many gym owners who usually are great competitors, but lack in the teaching department. Rob Ables is a master, a teacher, a coach. He has taught me many valuable lessons, and often times they were just slight modifications to things I was doing that made a world of difference.

I have never seen a more selfless coach, he has never turned me down or any other student when we ask him to show us something after class is over. Not only him but the other coaches there are absolutely amazing.

Dan Butterfield is also a treasure filled with wisdom. Inside and outside of the mats, he's compassionate, wise and extremely good at the gentle. art of Jiu Jitsu.

He's a father figure to many. He's always glad to help and assist students.

Kevin : he's a new coach that started teaching just before I moved away from Dallas , but his classes are absolutely fun and he has no ego. He will spar with lower belts and let us test ourselves. Being that he's very competent at Jiu-Jitsu, it's great to have someone at his level allow us to practice.

School Philosophy: The Marcelo Garcia philosophy is basically to rely on technique above all else. We are taught to maintain our competence, respect and integrity once we step away from the mats as well.

Training Partners:

They are absolutely great. I have never had issues with anyone that had been coming to the school for a while. All my partners were respectful, took great care of me, had great awareness and are not "out to get you", they quickly became true friends. It was pretty comforting to find such a great school with really down to earth, respectful partners.

They also have a plethora of seasoned competitors that will definitely push you if you so choose, it's definitely good to push yourself against the very high skilled active competitors here. I always learned something new every time I rolled with them.

Conclusion : This is as 5 stars of a Jiu Jitsu school as it gets. Everything about the school is great and I'm very thankful to having been a part of this academy for roughly 2 years. I dearly miss it and have no doubts anyone who cares about good jiu Jitsu will...

Why is this my BJJ gym for 10+ years? Two major reasons but the 2nd comes from the 1st.

1st: Head instructor Rob Ables. 2nd: The mellow and unique culture.

I started training under Rob Ables prior to his opening this amazing gym. I then took a break from jiujitsu. However, even during my break, there was never a question where I’d come back.

Rob is my Master Splinter, and he puts as much care and love into his his students as Splinter does his turtles. It’s an honor to be a black belt under Rob and I still go to him 1st with my black belt questions.

“So he’s a highly talented communicator and technical jiujitsu practitioner… got it, sounds awesome.” It is, but the other thing that sets this gym apart is the culture that he has managed to cast and sustain. Marcelo Garcia Dallas BJJ manages to make you feel part of the team by the end of your first class. There’s a conspicuous absence of any aggressive energy or combative vibes, making this gym feel like an oasis in the desert of toxic martial arts gym cultures. It is in fact possible to learn controlled and effective martial arts without being a tool as it turns out folks! The energy at this gym has always been and remains worthy of the name of the notoriously warm and kind Marcelo Garcia himself.

In closing, I honestly thought I wrote this review 10 years ago. Now, ten years later I can look back and say it’s only become more true.

Here’s to ten more years under the teachings or Rob Ables at Marcelo...

Exceptional Instruction and a Jiu Jitsu Journey of a Lifetime!

I have been training at Marcelo Garcia Dallas for almost 5 years now. The connection to Marcelo Garcia is what got me to walk through the doors, but the people there are what made it become my home. The instructors at MG Dallas are truly the heart and soul of the academy. Their depth of knowledge, expertise, and dedication to teaching is unparalleled. It's evident that they genuinely care about each student's progress and are committed to helping them grow, both on and off the mats.

I would put Robs technical knowledge up against any instructor in the game today. Rob possess a remarkable ability to break down complex techniques into easily digestible concepts, making them accessible to students of all skill levels. He understands that everyone learns differently and takes the time to provide individualized guidance, ensuring that each student not only understands the technique, but the "why" behind the techniques.

What truly sets MG apart is the supportive and inclusive environment it fosters. The instructors and fellow students are not only passionate about Jiu Jitsu but also about helping one another succeed. The vibe and sense of community are really what makes every training session an enjoyable experience.

If you're looking for a Jiu Jitsu school with exceptional instruction, a supportive community, and a passion for personal growth, don't hesitate to join Marcelo Garcia Dallas. You won't be...