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Everyone at LEMA has been very welcoming and it is a great place to learn from knowledgeable coaches. I started jiu jitsu there last year and at 43 years old it's gotten me in the best shape of my life.
As someone with a previous history in various martials, sports and overall fitness, my experience with Lake Effect Martial Arts has been nothing short of transformative. Having achieved high-ranking belts in different forms of marital arts, I can confidently say that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at Lake Effect is an unparalleled and enriching experience, offering both physical and mental challenges that have helped me focus and redfine my approach to life.
One of the most striking aspects of Lake Effect Martial Arts is its inclusivity. Regardless of age or skill level, the discipline embraces all ages, skill levels (even if you have none), backrounds (ethnic, social or professional), creating an environment that fosters growth and development. As someone who joined later in life, I found a welcoming community that accommodates beginners and advanced practitioners alike. The diversity of students creates a supportive atmosphere that encourages everyone to push their limits and strive for improvement.
The challenges posed by BJJ are genuine and multifaceted, developing and demanding both physical prowess and mental acuity. Yet, it's precisely these challenges that have helped me discover a newfound purpose and focus, especially now that my children are at the age where they are on their own. BJJ at Lake Effect has become more than just a physical activity; it has become a source of clarity and peace of mind in this new chapter of my life.
One of the distinguishing factors of Lake Effect Martial Arts is the exceptional quality of its instructors. Deeply knowledgeable, patient, and accommodating to practitioners of all levels and ages, they play a pivotal role in creating a welcoming, positive and enriching learning environment. Their guidance has not only improved my BJJ skills but has also extended to personal and professional development, making a tangible impact on various facets of my life.
In the two years since I joined Lake Effect, I have not only gained physical strength, conditioning and agility but have also experienced emotional and mental benefits that extend beyond the mats. The sense of community fostered by the academy is akin to a family, where members challenge and support one another, both on and off the mats. This sense of camaraderie has become an integral part of my life, creating lasting connections with people who share a passion for personal growth in their heart, mind and soul
In conclusion, Lake Effect Martial Arts has been a beacon of positive change in my life. It offers a unique blend of physical and mental challenges, a welcoming community, and expert instruction that extends beyond the realm of BJJ. For anyone seeking a transformative journey that goes beyond traditional fitness routines, Lake Effect Martial Arts stands out as a place where one can discover purpose, focus, and a supportive community that enriches both personal and professional aspects of life. I am profoundly grateful for the impact it has had on my journey, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone ready to embark on a holistic martial arts experience
Looked up some possible places while in Buffalo for the week for some work related training. Found this place and reached out. Coach Michael quickly responded, welcoming me to drop in and provided some good info. When I got there the environment was very welcoming, from the instructors down to the newest white belt. I never felt like anyone wanted to prove themselves against the "stranger", a vibe I've gotten on occasion when I drop in on classes during my travels. Got some good drilling in to work on muscle memory, and some good positional rolling for practice and to get the heart rate up. Overall great class.
I’ve lived and trained jiu jitsu in New York City, Pittsburgh PA, Toronto Canada and Frankfurt Germany for Work at some of the most regarded Jiu Jitsu academies in the country.
Lake Effect Martial Arts located in Buffalo, New York stands out among all of them not only for the technical quality of the jiu jitsu instruction & self defense development but mainly for its sense of community. For reference’s sake I spent 2 full years with Lake Effect.
Head Professor Michael Katilus is a well respected professional in WNY and runs this academy as a passion project outside of his daily living. For this reason everything is done for the right reasons and for the positive development of his students. His supporting cast of over 6 jiu jitsu black belts share the same through line and are a highly respectable band of Police officers, University Professors, Master Chef, Military Airplane Mechanic and more. Special mention of Coach Chris Former Active-Duty Marine turned stand up comedian and butterfly guard master in his retirement.
The students of Lake Effect are equally interesting individuals and i’m happy to call many of them friends.
If you are looking for great life development of your kids or nephews/nieces look no further.
If you are an adult looking to become a great jiu jitsu fighter and challenge yourself in a positive community look no further.
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.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a deeply personal martial art—one that humbles, tests, and hopefully, transforms.It’s unlike any other martial art for that reason. But beneath the chokes, sweeps, and submissions lies something just as vital: the team. The academy is more than just a place to train; it’s a second home, a forge where resilience […]
From White Belt to CEO: Building a Career in Martial Arts Without Ever Leaving the Mat: Guest Author Jen McGregor Some people punch clocks. Others punch bags. If you’re the type who’d rather wrap your hands in gauze than shuffle papers in a cubicle, you’ve probably wondered whether a life in martial arts could pay […]
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 […]
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 […]
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BJJ Coaches, Instructors, And Professors before we explore the entertaining world of BJJ coaching let’s get a few nomenclature questions out of the way. Very often, in academies across the globe, you’ll encounter a few terms that refer to Jiu-Jitsu coaches. The most widespread are coaches, teachers, instructors, and professors. While they all might refer […]
Why do we primarily teach the world’s fastest growing martial art (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu)? JUST A FEW OF THE MANY BENEFITS OF JIU JITSU Many martial arts schools will offer a wide variety of different disciplines, here’s why we’ve stuck with teaching primarily jiu jitsu: PHYSICAL BENEFITS Jiu jitsu is an incredible workout that builds […]
Some helpful suggestions to consider: What are the characters of the instructors like? Find out a little bit about the coaches. Do they lead a lifestyle that will encourage and promote a positive influence on you? What is the culture of the academy? By and large, does the student body get along with one another? […]
We have been proudly affiliated with Checkmat BJJ for many years. Let us tell you a little more about this long-standing relationship. In just 13 years since being founded, they have created numerous world champions within their affiliate academies. Here is what you need to know about Checkmat BJJ, including everything from their founding to […]
BJJ attracts more and more practitioners by the day. Different people have different reasons to start training, but each hopes to gain some benefits. But do you know what they can be? BJJ brings immense benefits, both physical and mental. Many people start because they want to learn self-defense skills. Still, you will see many […]
The Importance Of Wrestling In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Wrestling is one of the oldest forms of grappling, there are techniques in wrestling that have been around for hundreds and thousands of years. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a relatively new martial art when compared to so many others. The essence and core of bjj has been […]
Every student pays to be a member of the academy. It isn’t fair when some people pay and some people don’t. A free membership might seem like a perk to you but its usually an indication of a bigger issue: covering bigger blemishes, lack of coaching depth, insecurities of the legitimacy of the team. […]
Nearly 80+ years have passed since Lena Horne sang “Stormy Weather,” but the title of that song still stands as a metaphor for the personal troubles that are part of everyone’s life. In one way or another, we all experience “stormy weather.” Our relationships with family members, friends and colleagues can turn stormy – not […]
Developed over hundreds of years, the ancient martial art of Muay Thai is known for its tremendous power, maximum efficiency, and raw simplicity. Often referred to as the “Art of Eight Limbs”, Muay Thai utilizes a beautiful symphony of kicks, punches, knees, and elbows with fluidity and grace. Muay Thai is now one of the most well-known […]
Did you know that Buffalo’s longest running Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament, The Buffalo Open and The Buffalo Classic, was co-founded by Professor Michael Katilus? The inagural Buffalo Classic first took place in 2014 at the Four Stallions Bar in Cheektowaga, NY. At the time there was only a small handful of jiu jitsu […]
Humans are emotional; we can choose from angry, happy, sad, scared and frustrated. Our emotions are healthy responses to the stimuli that helped our ancestors survive the trials and tribulations of a harsher and ruthless environment. Emotions can still help us cope with unexpected danger, but they also make us wrong decisions. We must learn […]
Article originally by Brian Halstrom Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that has been around for centuries. It is based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. BJJ is an effective self-defense system that can help you protect yourself in dangerous situations. It also provides a great workout and can help improve […]
I was a lifeguard on Lake Erie for seven years and witnessed many rescues. People of all walks of life needed to be saved not only because they didn’t know how to swim, but because they didn’t know how to control their fear. I remember numerous occasions where I had to save people in panic, […]
July 12, 2021 Lake Effect Martial Arts (LEMA) is proud to announce a new location in Hamburg, NY. After much research and planning, Lake Effect Martial Arts is bringing the beautiful art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the South Towns. This new location will serve the Hamburg, Orchard Park and surrounding areas (North Collins, East […]
Hello Friends of Lake Effect Martial Arts! If you’re out and about this weekend, might we suggest a good podcast to listen to? Awhile back, Professor Michael Katilus was a guest on the BJJ Brotherhood Podcast with the well known Jiu Jitsu Practitioner, Author of The Black Belt Blue Print and Entrepreneur (founder of […]
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Contact us today to reserve your spot. This is going to be a very special promotions and seminar day and we really hope you can join us. leo-vieira-flyer