Reviews of Straight Blast Gym Niagara (Gym)

tyler furlong

SBG Niagara is an awesome place to be, not just the top notch training but just the overall "it's going to be okay" vibe. The coaches are very understanding and are willing to help you at any monent.

Sarah Christie

My three boys have been training at SBG Niagara for more than 3 years now. They started as absolute beginners and have grown immensely both as martial artists but more importantly as young men. Rich Beaupit is a gifted coach and an even better human being. His classes focus on fundamental principles as well as vital life skills in a fun and engaging environment. He has a genuine passion for his work which rubs off on his students. My kids love coming to the gym and have bonded with the community that is SBG. I wouldn't dream of having my kids anywhere else.

Mitchy Pryde

Amazing place, amazing coaches and just an all around great experience. Would recommend to anyone of any age. Great atmosphere.

Daniel Smith

I trained with Rich for a few years and it was the most positive experience I've had in my life. He makes you feel like family. The way he teaches is as good as it gets. I have looked at other gyms and Rich's is still the best i've seen. I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me.

Michael Goizman

I started training at SBG Niagara when I moved to St. Catharines as a student in September of 2016. On the first day that I met with Coach Rich, I knew immediately that it was unlike any other gym I had previously attended. There is a certain vibe to SBG Niagara that cannot be replicated. I highly recommend this gym to people of all ages and skill levels looking to learn from coaches that are extremely knowledgeable, passionate about the sport and focused on creating the best training environment possible.

Rodrigo Manoel

The best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes on the Niagara region! The best vibe! The best infrastructure!

DUARTE

I have known coach Rich Beaupit for almost 20 years now (since 2001), and though it is a bit of a hike to get to his gym SBG of Niagara since I live in Cambridge, ON, all of my experiences of training there have been amazing, highly educational (whether for a technique, a combination, self defense or even for life in general), and a fun experience. Coach Beaupit's experience, skill, energy and motivating personality, plus the quality of SBG's style of training methods makes every road trip there completely worth it. Highly recommended.

leander jose

I have been training at sbg Niagara for the past 2 months and I'm so happy I decided to join the gym. coach is very friendly and knowledgeable. The vibe at the gym is amazing, everyone’s helping each other to get better every day. I highly recommend everyone to try out this gym to get better physically and mentally.

D. Roussos-Maney

SBG Niagara is a place where the children learn Brazilian jiu jitsu and life skills at every class. Coach Rich teaches the children to have respect, punctuality, empathy, strength, awareness and much much more. Thank you Coach Rich!

Harry Tournemille

Rich Beaupit's coaching abilities were apparent the first time I walked into Straight Blast Gym of Niagara and saw him run a kid's class. The students were laughing, playful, but not reckless. They listened carefully to instruction and acted respectfully with their partners. They also had a lot of fun. To my mind, these are important markers for a quality gym. Straight Blast Gym of Niagara is a safe environment open to people from all walks of life. You don't need to be a super-athlete. You just need to be willing to learn. That's the starting point. The goal then is one of group learning, rather than a mechanism of enforced hierarchy. This sets Coach Rich's gym apart from so many others. Here, community means more than notoriety. And the seriousness of training is not trumped but ego, but predicated on the idea that we can help each other be better - both on the mats and out in the real world.

Patrice Vander Meer

My son 9 and my daughter 6 are part of this amazing tribe...we joined 2 years ago when we started having issues with our kids attitudes and self esteem...to see the transformation our kids have had in attitude and self confidence no words can say...we are lucky to be part of this amazing tribe!!!

Mike

Great

Thrilla In Manilla

A gym full of great people. Start with the foundations, learn the basics, and then get invited out to more "advanced" classes to incorperate progressive resistance, preparing you for sparring (striking/MMA), as well as many rounds of rolling in BJJ. An open, safe, and practical environment for all walks of life, all skill levels, all body types, all personalities. Highly reccomend.

Pixel Graphics

This is the best martial arts studio I have ever worked out at. The coaches are all super cool and helpful and I have learned more about my physical capabilities here in a couple of months than I did in years doing other types of athletics. I'm glad I chose Straight Blast!

Mike B

Been training here at straight blast gym stand up striking and nothing but great things to say about coach rich and the sbg team. Highly recommend coach Rich and SBG for fighters with all levels of experience.

Patty & Darik

being a parent is not an easy job it takes a village to raise kids and in that village is a great tribe we call SBGI Niagara whose great leader is Coach Rich Beaupit. We started at SBGI to find a place for our son to make friends and learn how to appropriately deal with life issues. My daughter also started because we knew that it would be good for her to grow with a strong group and learn valuable life skills and make friends. As a parent we can only do so much and thankfully over the last 5 years thanks to an amazing tribe of coaches athletes and parents both my kids have grown into more confident and strong kids. I'm proud to call SBGI Niagara our family. This place will make a difference in your kids life and your life as a parent!!! They don’t just teach Jitsu they also teach life skills!!

Darik Vander Meer

Being a parent is not an easy job it takes a village To raise kids and in that village is a great tribe we call SBGI Niagara whose great leader is Coach Rich Beaupit. My son was born with a very special birthmark and I knew this world would be curl to him. It Started a couple years back he was a very angry quick to temper kid we started at SBGI to find a place for him to make friends and learn how to appropriately deal with issues. My daughter also started because we knew that it would be good for her to grow with a strong group and learn valuable life skills and make new friends. As parents we can only do so much and thankfully over the last 2 years thanks to an amazing tribe of coaches athletes and parents both my kids are growing into more confident and strong kids. I’m proud to call SBGI our family!! THIS PLACE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR KIDS LIFE AND YOUR LIFE AS A PARENT!!! Thank you SBGI NIAGARA

Dave Mettler

Word can not explain what SBG Niagara offers. The vibe is unmatched. I've been a student here for 5 years now and every day I step onto the mats I am greeting with a smile. The toughest part of joining an MMA gym is walking through the door. I assure you that is not the case at SBG Niagara. Walk through these doors, chances are I will greet you with a genuine smile and a handshake.

Brent Beamer

The owner Rich Beaupit is a great man who truly cares about people. I am amazed at his dedication to the sport. His attention to detail and inate ability to teach children cannot be matched. My child's jiu jitsu had improved ten fold and he LOVES going to class. I wholeheartedly endorse SBG Niagara! If you want someone to train your kids and teach them important life skills.......look no further! Brent.

Harry Althorpe

Coach Rich is a very rare combination of passion, knowledge, and skill. He is also amazingly patient and builds genuine rapport with his students. SBG Niagara is an amazing place for young children (and just about anyone else!) to learn what it means to be a true martial artist.

Andrea Moyer

My son has been training at SBG Niagara for almost 5 years. The fitness aspect is great - but i would have to say the boost to his self-esteem, confidence, and life perspective is even more impressive. Coach Rich (and his team) are all fabulous. SO happy we found SBG Niagara!

joy frendo

Excellent philosophy, fantastic teaching. Thanks

Ben

Rich is mma in St. Catharines. Also, he is a teacher, through and through. Whatever level you're at, he's passionate not only about his craft, but also about the whole teaching aspect. Great. And I didn't mention the other coaches. Get with it people!

Maddy M

Coach Rich is quite easily the most patient and understanding instructor. His ideology and methodology combined with support from the other coaches in addition to the inclusive atmosphere altogether make SBG Niagara the best martial arts school in the region.

Robert Bohlken

I started BJJ and striking classes at SBG Niagara two months ago. A big part of why I chose SBG Niagara was the stellar reviews, so I thought I'd add my own. It's impossible to overstate what a great martial arts gym this is. Coach Rich has managed to create the most friendly atmosphere I have experienced - anywhere, ever. Every single person at SBG Niagara treats you like you're just as much a part of the team on day 1 as the guy who's been going for years. On top of that, the coaches are extremely knowledgeable. As a complete beginner, they immediately recognize what I'm doing wrong and help me correct it. It's easy to learn quickly with such excellent coaching. If you're searching for a MMA gym, look no further. This is where you want to be: don't settle for anything less.

Brant Creelman

Coach Rich is truly the best in the Niagara region. His knowledge, culture and expectation cannot be matched. He has formed a tribe that truly cares about each other and everyone is determined to better themselves but also assist in bettering others.

Rich McDonnell

The curriculum and coaces at SBG Niagara is leaps and bounds beyond anything else out there. When training with SBG Niagara things just make sense. The coaches as well as the students set this gym apart from any other gym in Niagara. From the minute you walk in the door and speak to Coach Rich, the other coaches or any of the students, you just feel like you belong and have become part of the tribe, not just watching ringside. This is SBG, you will be OK.

Riley Brady

SBG is the best gym in the niagara region. Within a few classes coach Rich can assess you and see where ur strengths and weakness are regardless of your skill level or physical shape and really start developing you and your body. Everyone treats eachother with such respect and the vibe is awesome. Its a place I felt excepted for who I was. Coach Rich is very honest down to earth person and is always looking for ur best intrest. My favourite place to be!

Jen Ciszek

My son started with Coach Rich a year ago and has loved every minute of going to training. My son is very shy and quiet and being at the gym with coach has definitely helped him become more social in everyday life. Would highly recommend!

stephanie gordon

I highly recommend this gym! It truly is an amazing vibe, you can feel it as soon as you enter the gym. Coach Rich is amazing with the kids. I love that he reinforces the same values at the gym that we instill in our children at home! My children love coming to class, they look forward to learning new BJJ moves as well as life skills! Coach Rich has taught both of my children how to be confident and stand up for themselves. In my personal opinion this gym is top notch!

Jason Hodges

Two years ago I was researching a mixed martial arts gym in the Niagara area for my son. After meeting coach Rich I ended my search for a gym. Since then he has been a strong mentor and a positive role model for my son. Jiu Jitsu is a great workout but it also provides confidence, self-discipline and many other life skills. It is true SBG is the "most beginner friendly" classes in the Niagara area. After a two months of watching my son, I decided to give it a try. It does not matter your skill level or your age. Coach Rich and the other coaches provide a great atmosphere and environment to learn in. The attention to detail on the techniques amazes me and always learning something new every class. I would strongly recommend SBG to anyone looking to improve there life.

jeongu kim

I've never really exercised in my life. I improved a tremendous amount of fitness levels and MMA here. My favroite sport is now MMA. I swear I didn't know much about MMA before but if you come to train at this gym, you won't have to worry about anything because sbg coaches are experienced and they have an amazing methodology. I've been to the other gyms as well because I wanted to check these following conditions in the gym : 1. safety x2 2. cleanliness 3. Instructor 4. Good training partners 5. A gym where DON'T value the money first than their students All the gym I've visited told me they fulfill all these criteria but nope, Sbg was the only gym that genuinely follows all these things. If that is also what you are considering, this gym will be the best fit for you. I know other gyms will also say they satisfy all these criteria but I recommend you try out all the other gyms and sbg. You will find out!

M Howe

I have spent much of my life as an educator in the College system. I like to think we try hard to keep up with the education theory and the needs of our learners. I can say with certainty that the learning principles used at Straight Blast Gym of Niagara are state-of-the-art. The atmosphere is friendly and fun. Participants are encouraged to ask questions. I feel I gain knowledge and technique in every class, and the entire process is really fun.

G Colonna

Where to begin about all the positives with this gym.. That being said I believe you should start with the coach and philosophy of the institution as a whole. Coach Rich is an amazing human being, who's passion for coaching is only surpassed by how pure his love for craft is. SBG's overall philosophy is something that resonates with me, and I believe it should and does with most. The environment of this gym is what holds everything together. You can have an amazing coach, but if the environment is toxic it doesn't matter how amazing the coaching is. That is NOT the case here, the environment resonates with all people on all levels. You could be hardcore fighter or a person who has never done martial arts on any level before and you will still feel very comfortable in this environment. For anyone wanting or thinking about coming in to try the gym, and perhaps you are a little hesitant.... Rest assured you are in great hands, and you will enjoy every aspect of your experience.

Brad

Amazing gym with an incredible atmosphere.