Two Part Question: Picking a Location around LA and Weight Issues

[Mike Miller]

Hey there,

I'm really interested in training jiu jitsu and I love the way Eddie and 10th Planet approach it. That said, living in LA (Mid City specifically) I have quite the choice. Three amazing locations are within 20 minutes of me: HQ with Eddie and all the rest, Weho with Einstein and co., or Burbank with Eisner, Carlsten and their notoriously clean mats.

Woe is me, eh?

Naturally, the best way is to see for myself and I plan on taking advantage of the free week to check each one out, but I'm a full time student right now and graduating in a few months time so it's hard getting out on a regular basis.

I suppose what I'm asking is for stories or experience from folks who actually train there and which they would suggest for a newcomer. Obviously, while all 10th Planet, I presume there are at least some differences between the locations beyond mat color.

My second question involves weight. Namely, my surplus of it. As I said before I'm in school (for CG animation and VFX) which means many many hours in front of a computer, which for me means putting on weight. Currently I'm 6'1' and pushing 280. My original goal was to get down to at least 250 before I even stepped foot in a facility, but I'm realizing that diet and home exercise alone wont get me there. My main wish is to train jiu jitsu but I know damn well folks dont like rolling with "the fat guy". Right now my idea is to start out with muay thai, which will get me moving around and I've always wanted to learn to to throw a good knee, just not as much as wanting to leanr the rubber guard.

Typing this out has made me realize that really, I just need to get my ass down to a location and check it out. But I would still love to hear some suggestions or anecdotes about getting started with 10th Planet.

Cheers,
Mike

[Enrique "Kiko"]

Hi Mike. First of all I commend you for acting on your desire to improve your health and to try out something new. Most people "wait for the right moment," and more often than not, that "moment" never comes. As far as which facility and who has most training partners of your body type, that is a legitimate concern, but don't let that limit you. You and your training partner can certainly learn while rolling despite a weight disparity, especially if your rolling partner is a smaller and highly skilled player. You'll learn how to defend against back takes a lot better since little guys usually pressure hard for back takes on much bigger opponents since we really don't want to be in your side control. The same could be said for butterfly guard to a lesser extent for the small guy vs big guy type rolls.

Your game plan for trying all of the gyms out for their 1 or 2 free week trial is spot on. This way you can get the feel for the teacher and the culture s/he has established at their respective gyms. Even within the open minded, laid back, cool, 10th Planet System, there surely are different vibes at different schools. Not to say that one is "better" than the other, but there surely is one that fits your persona and possibly your schedule better than another. I'm glad you're taking advantage of the fact that you have the option to shop between multiple 10th Planet schools. Most of us would kill to have the option to train at a moon with a high skilled/experienced 10th Planet coach, let alone be able to choose between multiple coaches/schools.

Enjoy the selection process brother and feel free to post which one you choose.