I've put together a list of "OG Friendly" grappling schools for the OG Nation because I've been asked constantly to refer places to train by OGs traveling on business (both US and abroad). So, if your school is a place where the average OG can go to get a good workout without being neck-cranked by your team's aspiring UFC hopeful send me an email at paul@thewisegrappler.com and I'll add it to the list.

The schools were recommended or considered OG friendly by the OGs in the "Recommended by" column. Trust but verify.

USA
Canada
Chile
United Kingdom

Recommended by

School

Website

Location

USA

Alaska

Molly Nevin

International Karate Assoc and College of Martial Arts
Welcome to all!

ikaalaska.com

Fairbanks

AK

Arkansas

Ron Trichel

Omega Bjj

www.omegabjj.com

Fort Smith

AR

Arizona

Randy Walker

North American Kajukenbo

www.gotthenak.com

Gilbert

AZ

Wendy Arevalo-Kaylor

Pure JiuJitsu Academy
This place is OG!

www.KendallGoo.com

Peoria

AZ

California

Martin Romualdez

Charles Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy

charlesgracieacademy.com

Daly City

CA

Nikki Smith

Capital City BJJ
Nice guys and girls there of all ages.

Capitalcitybjj.com

Sacramento

CA

Stephen Theard

Academy of Self Defense  

www.academyselfdefense.com

Santa Clara

CA

Colorado

Christopher DeNorch

Gumm Mixed Martial Arts

http://www.gummbjj.com/

Denver

CO

Delaware

Elite Jiu Jitsu
This is an awesome group of guys who train hard and respect everyone.

School is affiliated with Robson Moura/Nova Uniao, and welcome any OG's out there who want to train. You can find it on Facebook as well.

www.elitejiujitsu.com

Newark

DE

Shawn Bodie

Rip Tide BJJ
For anyone vacationing at the Delaware beaches

www.RipTideBJJ.com

Lewes

DE

Florida

Darryle Porter
William Johnson

Fighter's Alley
Gracie Melbourne without a doubt the best place in Brevard County Florida.

www.fightersalley.com/

Melbourne

FL

Jonathan Lowell

Master Lowell’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy
I'm an OG! If you are in the area you are welcome at my dojo Master Lowell's MMA academy. (321)255-3474

www.JLMMA.com

Melbourne

FL

Rick Villazon

Rick Villazon
54 year old blue belt. FFA open 24 hours 1-888-ffa-gyms

www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/
profile.php?id=576560567&v=info

Miami

FL

Derek Simonds

Gracie Barra Orlando 4 Locations and a ton of really classy OG's. I train at the downtown school and there a ton of over 30 guys there.

www.marciosimas.com

Orlando

FL

Georgia

Jay Fisher

Alliance BJJ
While they definitely have some tough fighters, Jacare and the classmates are generally very receptive to OG's and tailoring the sparring to a person's skills or limitations.

www.alliancebjj.com

Atlanta

GA

Iowa

Kenny B Ray Jr

Des Moines Jiu-jitsu
Perfect for any OG!

www.iowabjj.com

Des Moines

IA

Illinois

Kelly Ambrosius

Kray Maga Illinois
BJJ, Krav Maga, Boxing, Bas Rutten, and more.
Great place to train with a plethora of OG's to train with.
PEACE

www.KravMagaNorthShore.com

Highland Park

 IL

Doug Kimball

Team Combat Edge
Wwe are very OG friendly - half our team is over 40, and do this for the fun of it. From working with Robson's Association - I think any of his schools are very open to 'drop-in's' and providing a good, safe workout!

www.facebook.com/RMNUBJJ

Le Roy

 IL

Marcelo Corpuz

Cleverson Silva BJJ
Goddard BJJ (Wrecking Ball Fight Facility)-

www.wreckemall.com
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36738018683

Deerfield
Volvo

 IL

Indiana

Fight Barn

The Fight  Barn
Has the highest respect and regard for all who train with us. If you live near Munster Indiana check us out.
Fight Barn We are also on Facebook as The FIGHTBARN. Friend us to see what's going on.

www.fightbarn.com

Munster

IN

Maryland

Judy Riley

Clinch Academy
Has some of the best training partners around and awesome head instructor, Luke Rinehart. Afternoon and evening classes and open mat on weekends.

clinchacademy.com

Frederick MD

MD

Rajeev Divakar

Jeff Gordon MMA
I went as an OG to prevent my neck from being cranked!

www.jeffgordonmma.com

Gaithersburg

MD

DJ Bowman

Maryland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
My academy, Maryland Brazilian Jiu Jitsu located in Pasadena, MD is OG friendly.  The instructors are always safety conscious and go the extra mile to make sure that training is a positive experience.  Both my 7 year old son and I train at MD BJJ so I guess that means the school is little "g" friendly too.

www.md-bjj.com

Pasadena

MD

John Shaddock

Shaddock MMA
Owned by an OG, me. We have some young punks every now and again that need to be put in place but most are respectful.

shaddockmma.com

Sykesville

MD

Maine

Kevin Watson

Defense Tactics Systems
I'm a purple belt but I have a few good guys that I teach and we are always looking for friends to come and have some fun.

www.defensetacticsystems.com/ Defense_Tactic_Systems/ Welcome.html

Kittery

ME

Fournier's Karate, Forest Avenue
Choi Institute, Congress Street
Bear Essentials Fitness, Mill Creek Road

I had been studying Shotokan Karate at Fournier's for 4 years when Alexey began teaching BJJ at Fournier's in 2007. At that time I was 44 and had never done any sort of grappling in my life. Most of the other students are in their 20s and 30s -- a few 40-somethings -- but at the start we were all in the same boat experience-wise. Alexey, who is 39, has always stressed safety and helpfulness among students. He is a great teacher and coach for those that want to compete but he stresses BJJ as a fun martial art and something he wants us to enjoy and grow with for a long time. When I read your article about OGs and teachers whose classes are NOT OG-friendly, I shared it with my friends and we all had the same thought: man, Alexey is the complete OPPOSITE of that kind of teacher. I have taken classes with him at both Choi's and Bear Essentials, and he has other 40-somethings there, too. All agree that his classes are consistently OG-friendly.

www.portlandsbestkarate.com/
www.choishindo.com/
www.bearessentialsfitness.com/

Portland
Portland
Saco

ME

Michigan

Scott Atwell

Bassai Karate Academy
Bassai Karate Academy  has been granted
the honor of representing Team Caique in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Western Michigan. The Academy offers classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Shotokan (Kissaki Kai) karate, weaponry, and various cardio activities. It is very
well-supervised, and there are no 'meat grinders' in the Jiu-Jitsu group.

www.bassaikarate.com

Newaygo

MI

Todd Losie

MASH Gym
Provides training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, and Boxing.  They also have personal training.  I am one of several men in his early 40's and there are some guys in their 50's.  The instructors are in their mid-30's and the atmosphere is very welcoming and supportive.  There are a lot of young guys but everybody is very supportive and likes to help each other out.

www.mashgym.com

Detroit

MI

Mike Mahaffey

MAGIC BJJ
 I am 38. The head coach, instructor is 39. We have a 50ish gentleman with a double hip replacement training with us, as well as several folks in their 40s. There is a relaxed vibe at the gym, despite the hard training that happens there.

www.magicbjj.com

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages
/Magic-BJJ-Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-Martial
-Arts-Center/339129280928?ref=ts.

East Lansing

MI

Minnesota

Michelle Crow

Warrior's Cove
There are 3 locations in the Twin Cities area.

www.warriorscove.com/

St. Louis Park
Burnsville
Little Canada

MN

North Carolina

Mark Cukro

Integrated Martial Arts Academy
You are always welcome to come in. Good people

www.teamcoma.com

Charlotte

 NC

North Dakota

Dan Morgan

FargoBJJ

www.fargobjj.com

Fargo

ND

Nebraska

Jimbo Benson

Roseberry's Martial Arts  

www.shoreishobukan.org/index.html

Lincoln

NE

New Jersey

Randy Prause

Great instructor and training

www.combatathlete.com/

Fairfield

NJ

Mohammad Mohebbi

NJBJJ.com

Lyndhurst NJ

NJ

Nevada

John Helms

Team Mica and Don
From a forty-nine year old white belt.

bjjgroundfighter.com

Las Vegas

NV

Mike Felman

Cobra Kai Jiu Jitsu
As a 53 year old OG, I can attest the school and the students and instructors have been very good to me and the school is also exceptionally visitor friendly, being in Las Vegas and all.

www.ckjj.com

Las Vegas

NV

New York

Bill Dolan

Alan is a BJJ black belt under Carlos Machado.
The school caters to YGs & OGs who want to learn BJJ, muay-thai and self defense ...all the while getting in shape and developing a winning mindset in life! 

www.albanymma.com

www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Empire-Martial-Arts/102985018835?ref=ts

Albany

NY

D Maestro Patton

Ray Longo Mixed Martial Arts Academy
BJJ taught by a Matt Serra Black Belt, also MMA, Muay Thai and Kick boxing. I'm 43 and have been training with them for years. We even have a sometimes student who is 68!

www.Raylongo.com

Long Island

NY

Mark Ronquillo

Marcelo Garcia
As a 44-year old white belt, I've got nothing but great things to say.

marcelogarciajj.com

New York City

NY

Rob Golden

East Coast United Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (ECU BJJ)
JoJo Guarin (black belt under Sean Alvarez < Nelson Monteiro), the instructor, provides great instruction. I am a 43 year old blue belt and have been training under JoJo for years. JoJo just recently opened ECUBJJ and I gladly followed him there. Tough training, but he keeps everything fun and respectful, even for us OG's.

http://ecubjj.com/Home.html

North White Plains

NY

Ohio

John Tompson

Ricardo Pires BJJ
All classes taught by Ricardo or GB BB Ze Diaz. We have about 30 men and women over the age of 30 who regularly come to class.

www.ricardopiresbjj.com

Beachwood

OH

Taharka Ankhenaton

Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy -
4128 Erie St.
Willoughby, Ohio 44094
PHONE: 440.942.7179
FAX: 440.942.7179
E-mail: info@graciecleveland.com

www.graciecleveland.com/index.htm

Cleveland

 OH

Tfg Mma

The Fighters Guild
Where neck cranks are considered means for ejection.  

www.thefightersguild.org

http://www.facebook.com/
wisegrappler#!/pages/TFG-Combat
-Fitness-of-Indian-Lake/74264821470?ref=ts

Lewistown

OH

Oklahoma

Duane Maness

Lovato’s Jiu Jitsu

www.okbjj.com

Oklahoma City

OK

SanDa Fight Club

www.lawtonmma.com/

Lawton

OK

Oregon

David Tucker

Steeles Karate
We have Judo, Jiu Jitsu, and Submission Wrestling.

Salem

OR

Pennsylvania

Tim Watson

Team Defiant MMA
Just moved into a new facility that's pretty sweet.
School is affiliated with Robson Moura/Nova Uniao, and welcome any OG's out there who want to train. You can find it on Facebook as well.
Schools is affiliated with Robson Moura/Nova Uniao, and welcome any OG's out there who want to train. Can be found on Facebook as well.

www.teamdefiantmma.com

Oxford

PA

South Carolina

Bruce Lodge

Arts for Fitness
I'm 51, been going to a Rigan Machado school here in Charleston SC.  School is called Arts For Fitness.  Also has TKD, Yoga, and Dance, lots of programs for all ages.  You can go as hard or as easy as you want, and there are usually a number of OGs.

www.jiujitsucharleston.com

Charleston

SC

Kenton Allison

Alliance Jujitsu
Come to the night class. Plenty of OG's who have to work in the morning.

www.alliancegreenville.com

Greenville

SC

Daniel Kilpatrick

Linic MMA,(inside Brits Brothers Gym)
A very friendly school with tons of talent.

www.linicmma.com

Greenville

SC

South Dakota

Matt Schooley

Action Mixed Martial Arts
Very good group of guys. Even the young guys are very friendly and considerate of their training partners. The punks get weeded out pretty quick and stop coming to class. Stop in if you are in the area.

Actionmma.com

Sioux Falls

 SD

Texas

Tom Montana

Integrated Fighting Arts (IFA) Academy
Been training there for the past 7 years. Super cooperative student base, and technical instruction.

www.IFAacademy.com

Austin

TX

Steve Eledge

Gracie Juitsu Austin

www.gracieaustin.com

Austin

TX

Jason Rebsch

Elite Mixed Martial Arts on Westhiemer
I think you will be pleased.

www.elite-martial-arts.com

Houston

TX

Rico Thurwalker

Cypress BJJ
10 Black Belts in their 40s

www.cypressbjj.com

Houston

TX

Keith Reynolds

SMAA-Solis Martial Arts Academy and any of the Houston-area affiliates.
I believe you know Alvis Solis. I'm 52 and have been there 4 years.

www.jiujitsuhouston.com

Houston

TX

Dewey Cooper

X-Faxtor BJJ\MMA
Where most of the coaches are OGs, from a 44yr old blue belt.

www.xfactormma.com

Sachse

TX

Leo OBrien
Jimmy Walker

Marra Senki Jiu-jitsu
Head instructor Sergio "Marra" Correa is a very well respected instructor in these parts. I feel respected as an OG in this school.Several OG members train there. Fun atmosphere.

www.marrajj.com

San Antonio

TX

Virginia

Ward Good

McCoy Martial Arts Institute

mmainstitute.com

Richmond

VA

Washington

Mark Mestel

NW Jui Jitsu Academy
The instructor is Brian Johnson, a Machado black belt. I am 59 years old and have been training there for the past 4 years. Brian is a gifted and talented instructor as well as competitor. While I am the oldest student there are at least a half dozen others over the age of 40 who train there on a regular basis. Brian makes all feel welcome and the students respect each other and train and roll appropriately. I would definitely commend his School to anyone interested in quality BJJ instruction.

www.nwjja.com/instructor.html

Seattle

WA

Benji Warrior

We teach BJJ, Hung Gar, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Western Boxing, and Balintawak. We have students in their nineties. We've had disabled students, seniors, fighters, and kids. We're a family oriented school, and we take all aspects of our arts very seriously.

www.integratedcombattrainingcenter.com

Bellingham

WA

Karl Walters Jr.

Foster Bjj  ( South of Seattle ).
Head instructor/owner James Foster is not only a great instructor, but an awesome guy. And everybody at the school rocks ! No meatheads !

fosterbjj.com

Kent

WA

Canada

British Columbia

Jason Maclean

United Martial Arts
In all the trainers there are great and let you go at you own pace very relaxed but if you are looking for a hard training session all you have to do is ask . :)

www.unitedmma.ca

Delta

BC

Leyla Nikkel

Kokushikai Judo
Offers Judo and gi-less grappling.  Female and OG friendly.

www.islandjudo.info

Victoria

BC

Bergen Vermette

North Vancouver BJJ
Our school is definitely OG friendly. Our trainers actively encourage team training and support of fellow members. They also explicitly discourage'meat-heads' from joining the club.
I remember in one instance a big dummy joined the class and declared that he'd be tapping out everyone by the end of the night. Sensing the obvious, my coach rolled with him first, and confirmed that he was only out to hurt people. After asking him to calm down repeatedly, to no avail, my coach decided that his attitude was one that didn't vibe with our club.
He prevented the guy from rolling with some of our smaller members (the big guy wanted to show how tough he was by cranking on some young white belts), and instead put him with our higher belts who could handle his size and show him that technique trumps steroids. After being tapped by several guys much smaller than him the big guy never came back.  No surprise there.

northvanbjj.com/North_Van_BJJ.html

Vancouver

BC

Ontario

Mike A.

www.shahfrancomma.com/

Toronto

ON

Chile

Bjorn Weeks

Real Fighting Club
Great atmosphere at the BJJ classes.  The black belt instructor Victor Vasquez is competition oriented but promotes a really positive, protect-your-training partner attitude.  Lots of good attitudes, and quite a few english speakers.  International drop-in students are a pretty regular feature at the club, and are always warmly welcomed (higher belts are especially treated with respect - not as a challenge to the status quo).

www.chilejiujitsu.cl/

United Kingdom

England

Andrew Johnson

ECBJJ
It is a great, friendly club, no mat bullies tolerated. My professor encourages women, children and oldies like me. He also gets his daughters (14 and 15) to train younger children with special needs. We have guys who like to compete of course and they can turn it up with the other competitors in the group, when they want to. Mat bullies are spoken to politely and explained how the club works (technique over power) and failing that, they roll with the boss! To be honest, I have seen very few of them anyway. Our professor and club doesn't seem to really attract this type.

Check out the website and you will see what I mean. My instructor is a great guy and an inspiration.

www.ecbjj.co.uk

London

England

Kent

Dave Dolan

Larkfield Leisure Center
Wednesday night 830 till 10ish
We have all the time in the world so there’s no time to waste. All are welcome and nobody is left out

www.larkfieldleisure.co.uk

Larkfield
 

Aylesford