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Dropped in for a No-Gi class while in Buffalo where I’ll be traveling now for work. Facility, staff, and instructors were great. They made me feel welcomed and got some good rounds in. Look forward to coming back next time I’m in town.
-Traveling Brown Belt from Philly
I was in town for work and Michael welcomed me to join any session that worked for my 42 year old white belt self which happened to be a 6:30am intro session on a cold November morning. Gym was very clean, spacious and well appointed with timers, cubbies, seating and changing space. I love their appreciation for foot hygiene! Great location with lots of windows and a big parking lot--super easy to find and convenient to Buffalo. Greg was the instructor for this session and he spent a lot of time with a thorough warm-up and individualized attention during reps. He even got involved in the gauntlet-style positional grappling which I seldom see black belts risk their noses and lips with us white belts! I hope to come back in the future... thanks again for the hospitality!
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Great Professor (Mike) and Coach Joao... Very welcoming and glad I was able to make class. My 67th school to train at and it was like I had trained here all the time. Tough rolls and all around good peeps... Not to mention a really nicely laid out facility. Being Born and raised in Buffalo and being home visiting it had that warm Buffalo welcome. Look forward to training here again.
I participated and competed in various martial arts in my life. Everything from Tae Kwon Do, Kempo, and Karate in my younger years and even trained in Muay Thai for two years in my late 20s. I was always a heavier set build and I thought I have experienced what I could out of martial arts regarding weight loss while pushing my body and confidence to the limits. That is, until, I took my first class of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Lake Effect Martial Arts (LEMA).
When I joined the LEMA family, I was the heaviest I been in my life and pushing an obese weight of 290lbs at the height of 6’0. I was extremely intimidated and embarrassed to start training in a martial art once again knowing how heavy I was, let alone a martial art I have absolutely no familiarity! However, due to the amazing culture and leadership of the academy, I felt right as if I was training on the mats there for months. Everyone is extremely helpful, friendly and always willing to assist (Professors and students); does not matter if your tall, short, heavy, skinny, everyone is training together on their jiu-jitsu journey. You’re not alone at LEMA or just “another number” at a gym, and the inviting family-like culture demonstrates the second-to-none leadership from the professors.
In only 5 ½ months I have shed 50lbs and counting! Along with the weight loss, I am the most flexible and mobile I have been in my life and this is including my earlier martial arts years. Jiu-Jitsu is very challenging and will push your mind and body to the limits, but, you’re not on this journey alone.
Regardless of what someone’s goals are: lose weight, get in better shape, compete or learn self-defense with arguably the most efficient martial arts in the world, there is no other place to train other than Lake Effect. I am grateful for taking the leap into the world of Jiu-Jitsu and looking forward to conquering more goals with the Lake Effect team!
Joining this gym was like joining a family. Very welcoming! Professors and coaches are true professional. Can't wait to continue my journey with this team.
Absolutely the best martial arts school i have ever had a privelage to visit. Excellent family atmosphere, top of the line instructors and an amazing student base. Everyone was extremely helpful and took time to explain how the techniques worked. I highly recommend this school no mat bullies no spazes just a nurturing environment to bring out the absolute best in oneself. I cannot stress enough the amount of time and care the professors take with their students. For anyone thinking about training there really is no better academy in western New York.
Lake Effect Martial Arts is the best place in WNY if you are interested in: learning or training jiu jitsu, learning self-defense techniques, trying to get your kid into a positive hobby/sport (or "bully-proofing"), or if you're looking to improve your MMA game strategies. This state of the art gym is a bright, clean facility unlike others in the area. The coaches have trained and competed jiu jitsu all over the world. They take the gentle art seriously, they are each very dedicated to learning and improving their skills, and teaching the most cutting edge techniques to their students. These guys are patient, articulate, professional and encouraging as coaches - they want to help people to be their best on and off the mats. Check them out!
I’ve dropped in a few places and the first half an hour of class is always awkward. You don’t know anyone, you don’t know where the lockers are etc. This is the most welcoming place you can find. There are just good guys there. They shake your hand, they like and want to help to white belts- great place to spend your time, can't wait to come back.
Awesome place to train, great environment with supportive teammates that makes the academy feel like an extension of your family.
Why BJJ is a Superior Form of Physical Activity, Better than Lifting Weights, Running, etc… When considering the best form of physical activity, many people default to traditional methods like weightlifting or running. While both have undeniable benefits, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) stands out as a superior option for overall fitness, mental engagement, and real-world applicability. […]
What you believe is fundamentally going to change how you build. Building a New Culture in Jiu Jitsu: Emphasizing Values with Students Jiu Jitsu can be more than just a martial art, it can be a positive way of life that blends physical skill with mental discipline and personal growth. As the sport continues to […]
The Importance of Training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that has gained worldwide recognition for its effectiveness in self-defense, sport competition, and overall physical and mental development. Rooted in traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, BJJ emphasizes ground fighting, leverage, and technique over brute strength. Whether you are a beginner looking to […]
Brazillian Jiu Jitsu – A Road Map for Parents We often get comments from people about how good our young students do in their competitions. We believe that competitions are an important tool for self development and goal setting but this does not completely represent the vision we have for our kids here. The competition […]
Our next community open mat will be held at Lake Effect Martial Arts South (113 Elmview Ave. Hamburg, NY 14075). On Sunday, November 24th, from 10am-12p, in collaboration with We Defy Foundation and JockoFuel, we are the official hosts of the Veterans Day based GoRuck/Roll. We ask that each participant donate $20 which 100% of […]
Relocating to a new city brings many exciting opportunities. Still, it can also pose challenges—especially when maintaining important parts of your lifestyle, such as martial arts training. Finding new martial arts schools can be difficult if you’ve trained for years in one place. For those moving to a major city like New York, where the […]
Today, we’ll talk about jiu jitsu for kids and why it’s something every parent should think about. I know, the moment I have kids, they’re heading straight to a jiu jitsu class. Jiu jitsu for kids is a game-changer. They’ll learn important life skills on the mats. Of course, they’ll learn how to defend themselves, […]
Like any sport or martial art, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can come with injuries. Here are some tips to avoid them: Tap out early. One of the studies above mentioned that the main reason why arm bars caused so many injuries was because competitors resisted it and didn’t tap out early enough. Know high risk positions. This will […]
As the school year approaches, students and parents alike are gearing up for new routines and challenges. While academic success is often the primary focus, the importance of extracurricular activities that build character, discipline, and self-confidence cannot be overstated. At Lake Effect Martial Arts, we believe that learning Jiu Jitsu is an invaluable addition to […]
Loyalty is generally one of the most important character traits that we must all have and strive for. In all aspects of our lives, whether personal or business, loyalty is such a priceless commodity. Be it in romantic relationships that grow into marriages, lasting friendships, or solid partnerships, loyalty must always be a top priority. […]