Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu By Way of Jenkintown

With the holiday eating season just around the corner, many people wait until January to make a New Year’s health resolution to become fit, stronger and healthier. Those people could get ahead on their fitness resolution with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission wrestling, Muay Thai or Mixed Martial Arts training at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United in Jenkintown.

“You can be small, short, tall, thin, big, young or old. Absolutely no experience is necessary. Our instructors will teach and develop a style that works best for you,” owner and instructor Jared Weiner said. “We have students from ages 4 to nearly 70; some people come to lose weight, others for self-defense. Whatever they come for, they get hooked, and the keep coming back.”

Weiner is a world-renowned competitor and has traveled all over the world competing. He recently took second place in a competition in California.

“I got started when I was 16. My best friend and I used to skateboard together and he said, ‘You have to try this Jiu-Jitsu class,’” the Cheltenham grad said. “I did and never stopped.”

Weiner has been in the Jenkintown location for about five years and was in another location in Northeast Philadelphia for about five years. He said the average children’s class has about 15 to 30 people in it and an adult class yields between 25 to 55 people. 

“We don’t push the competition aspect of the sport,” he said. “If I see someone in class who I think I should talk to about competing, or someone comes up to me, then we will talk about it, otherwise it is not the main focus here despite the caliber of teachers we have.”

All of the school’s eight teachers are professional competitors who have earned countless medals and awards worldwide.

“If you are coming to my school, you are learning from the best,” Weiner said.

Weiner said Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has its roots in, and is similar to the Asian martial arts. The difference is that in Jiu-Jitsu the goal is to get your competitor into submission in a variety of locks and to keep the fight on the ground.

Unlike Karate or the other martial arts, there are only a handful of belts to be earned — blue, purple, brown and black.

“It could take someone eight to ten years before they earn their black belt,” Weiner said. “The first belt can take 9 months to two years to earn. It took me 10 months.”

In addition to building confidence and strength, Weiner said Jiu-Jitsu also is a great way to lose weight.

“I have had guys come in and start at 270 or 280 pounds and now they are 175 to 190 pounds,” he said. “There is a substantial amount of cardio in the beginning of the class – running, jumping jacks, and then we go into drills and holding positions. You would not believe how people sweat the weight off.”

The academy also offers a Muay Thai Kickboxing program, and a kettle bell program.

To the business end, Weiner offers a 30-day free trial period, and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

“I want someone to come in, try a class or two and see if they like it before they commit,” Weiner said. “If they are interested then we sit down with them and create a personal program based on their goals. Even then, there is a 60 day money back guarantee if they are not satisfied.”

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United is located at 428 Old York Road, Jenkintown. For more information, call 215-886-1079; visit bjjunited.com; or email BJJUnited@comcast.net.