Simmler BJJ Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

I’ve trained at this academy many times over the last 10 years and it’s hands down the best place in Massachusetts to learn legit Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts. Coach Dan is a wonderful instructor who goes above and beyond to make sure his students get the techniques and do well within the classes. I highly recommend checking this place out. It’s the best of the best.

Dan Simmler is one of the most legit black belts in new England. Class sizes are small enough that you don’t feel like you get lost in the mix. Dan teaches most classes and his teaching style is easy to follow. If you want to compete or just get in shape and learn to defend yourself this is the place. If you’re going to do something you mine as well learn from the best, and Dan is one of the very best.

Where do I begin… well a few years ago I was looking for a school to start training Mixed Martial Arts. I had been doing American style boxing under a USA Certified Boxing coach and loved it and the conditioning but I wanted something more. I was randomly talking to a friend of mine about my search when she told me that she was actually training Jiu-​Jitsu at this great academy in Worcester. At first I was a little hesitant because I lived out in Framingham and that was kind of a hike for me especially when I worked out in Brookline. I came to the Simmler BJJ one after noon and saw that a class was just beginning to start.
I might have been there four minutes when the Owner and Head instructor jump off the mats (not before bowing of course) and came up to me and said hi you must be Jon. The strange part is that I never called and told them I was coming (my friend mentioned earlier that week that I might come by) by that day. First thing he asked me was «so you want to hop on the mats and take class, we have an intro process but I can get you on the mats warmed up and have one of my assistants run you through it and then you can join in on the class». I told him it was best that I wait but would love to watch and see what I am clearly about to get myself into. So I watched the class and was instantly hooked, the way he instructed was different then anything I have seen before and I had checked out a few other schools in the area before his. I took an intro that week and started taking classes and never looked back.
I fell in love with his style of teaching and BJJ in general. It was one of the best choice I had ever made for myself. I loved it so much that I decided to take a teacher training program that he offered there so that I could start to learn more about how to instruct as well as how to really break down different techniques and moves to further my skill and knowledge. It was truly a great experience. Now fast forward two years to now.
I recently moved to Las Vegas Nevada where some of you might know is the UFC capital of the world. There is academy’s and gyms all over and especially for MMA and BJJ. I have checked out the majority of them to try and find one that meets up to my expectations of a solid all around great Academy. I will be honest with you I have found a few good ones and one even that I have started to train at here and there when I have time in my new hectic life out here as a personal trainer. But what still remains to be the biggest issue with all the schools out here is that the level of intensity and instructor knowledge just does not even come close to what I have experienced at Simmler BJJ. I can only hope that one day I can finish my quest of receiving my black belt and open a school under the Simmler name, style, and caliber of teaching because there is nothing that compares to it out here.
If you live in the Worcester area or even in Massachusetts for that matter I highly recommend that you go check out Simmler BJJ. The school is top notch and all of the staff and instructors have a huge passion for their craft and would love to have you. I promise you will not be disappointed and will definitely catch the same bug that I did that kept me going back day after day and keeps me itching till this day to hit the mats at Simmler BJJ.
OSS!

Great school to train at! Very clean and organized and Dan is an amazing coach! :) if your in the area and don’t at least come check it out you are doing yourself a great disservice

Simmler BJJ is owned and run by the inimitable Dan Simmler, a black belt in every sense of the word. Having attended several seminars with Master Simmler, I can tell you that his teaching style is universally appealing, from the more basic level all the way up to the most advanced. He has worked with my son both in a group seminar setting and one-​on-​one and has a great rapport with kids (elementary through high school age), which not every black belt instructor does. If we lived up north, we would definitely train with Simmler BJJ — can’t say enough good things about them!
NOTE: While we certainly like and appreciate Dan Simmler, we aren’t close friends who hang out every week and we are not related; therefore, we gain nothing from relating our positive experiences with Simmler BJJ. The bottom line is that we hand-​selected our training center in Maryland specifically for the instructional skill of a black belt teacher and international competitor, which is the same thing that would motivate me to be a part of Simmler BJJ if we lived in Massachusetts. Period. In fact, I actually joined Unilocal right after one of Dan Simmler’s seminars down here, so as I went to post this review, I just realized that my «Yelp» profile picture is one of Dan and my son from way back then. Too funny!

I highly recommend people get involved with bjj as a form of exercise, however there are several better options than Simmler BJJ in the central MA area. I’m not here to promote any other school, but rather to give a real review of this school. The positive reviews shown are from friends of the owner so they don’t carry much weight.
Many people choose to participate in brazilian jiu jitsu for the exercise benefits, but all health benefits are thrown out the window when you’re inhaling motorcycle gas fumes the entire time you’re there as the school is located directly above Gabriel Racing. Not to mention the «locker room» which has been under construction for about 6 months with saw dust and who knows what else in the air. This is not a clean environment for exercising. To parents considering bjj for their kids: BJJ is great for kids, but don’t subject your children to these conditions here. There are better BJJ schools nearby.
Secondly, if you’re going to pay $ 150+/month to learn bjj you might as well find a another school where the classes are taught by qualified instructors. The owner of this school puts his name on the door, but is rarely training his students leaving it up to blue belt students to teach the classes. It’s not rare for him to be late or not show up at all leaving students locked outside of the building. This is a common complaint heard from ex-​students as to why they left for other schools.
Lastly, God forbid you experience an injury while training as the owner doesn’t allow you to put your membership on hold while you heal so that he can continue collecting his $ 150/​month.
My recommendation would be to Google other schools in the area online to find a more reputable school and get what you pay for. The owner may know bjj, but he doesn’t know how to run a business.