Moving to Seattle

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 7/14/2011 2:56pm

I've recently accepted a job offer at Microsoft, and as such will be moving to Seattle. I'm looking at Gracie Barra Seattle. I'd like to stay in the Redmond area, to maximize my training time, while minimizing my commute.

However, the great folks at Bullshido gave high marks to Sea-Town SAMBO as well. While it's a bit farther afield I'm willing to travel for better training. I've also heard there are some wonderful Judo clubs in Seattle.

My current background is in Judo, but I'm looking to move more towards BJJ. I have no experience with SAMBO, thought I'm not adverse to learning.

I'm looking for grappling over stand up, as I found Judo to be difficult at 6'3" 285lbs. However, I'm also looking for a solid workout, and I found that to be the case with Judo.

I guess I'm asking for advice, given a Judo background, and the fact I'm a big guy, would I get a good workout with Gracie Barra, are there any issues with the school, or the politics? Would Sea-Town SAMBO be worth the commute? Is there another viable option?

Thank you for the feedback.

**Permalost** · Posted On: 7/14/2011 3:58pm

You could go see Bruce Lee's grave if you're into that kind of stuff.

**lionknight** · Posted On: 7/14/2011 4:57pm

Originally Posted by ignatzami

I've recently accepted a job offer at Microsoft, and as such will be moving to Seattle. I'm looking at Gracie Barra Seattle. I'd like to stay in the Redmond area, to maximize my training time, while minimizing my commute.

However, the great folks at Bullshido gave high marks to Sea-Town SAMBO as well. While it's a bit farther afield I'm willing to travel for better training. I've also heard there are some wonderful Judo clubs in Seattle.

My current background is in Judo, but I'm looking to move more towards BJJ. I have no experience with SAMBO, thought I'm not adverse to learning.

I'm looking for grappling over stand up, as I found Judo to be difficult at 6'3" 285lbs. However, I'm also looking for a solid workout, and I found that to be the case with Judo.

I guess I'm asking for advice, given a Judo background, and the fact I'm a big guy, would I get a good workout with Gracie Barra, are there any issues with the school, or the politics? Would Sea-Town SAMBO be worth the commute? Is there another viable option?

Thank you for the feedback.

I travel anywhere from a half hour to 45 min (hell an hour if their is really bad traffic) to train at Sea-Town, in my opinion it is worth it. I have closer options that would allow me to include grappling / throwing into my game (or school for that matter) but I find the knowledge level at Sea-Town SAMBO hard to beat. You can find my review here on Bullshido, just do a search for it.

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 9:06am

Originally Posted by lionknight

I travel anywhere from a half hour to 45 min (hell an hour if their is really bad traffic) to train at Sea-Town, in my opinion it is worth it. I have closer options that would allow me to include grappling / throwing into my game (or school for that matter) but I find the knowledge level at Sea-Town SAMBO hard to beat. You can find my review here on Bullshido, just do a search for it.

Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking. I'm most likely going to be in the area of Redmond Town Center, any idea what the commute would be like?

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 9:12am

I also can't find the fee schedule for Sea-Town, is it somewhere on their website and I'm just blind?

**RWaggs** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 11:40am

Originally Posted by ignatzami

I've recently accepted a job offer at Microsoft, and as such will be moving to Seattle. I'm looking at Gracie Barra Seattle. I'd like to stay in the Redmond area, to maximize my training time, while minimizing my commute.

However, the great folks at Bullshido gave high marks to Sea-Town SAMBO as well. While it's a bit farther afield I'm willing to travel for better training. I've also heard there are some wonderful Judo clubs in Seattle.

My current background is in Judo, but I'm looking to move more towards BJJ. I have no experience with SAMBO, thought I'm not adverse to learning.

I'm looking for grappling over stand up, as I found Judo to be difficult at 6'3" 285lbs. However, I'm also looking for a solid workout, and I found that to be the case with Judo.

I guess I'm asking for advice, given a Judo background, and the fact I'm a big guy, would I get a good workout with Gracie Barra, are there any issues with the school, or the politics? Would Sea-Town SAMBO be worth the commute? Is there another viable option?

Thank you for the feedback.

SeaTown Sambo is awesome, and worth the drive if you have the time. I do KK primarily at this point, in Kirkland but I've also started going to Coga MMA in Woodinville (VERY convienent from Redmond) because they offer BJJ (under instruction of a brown belt at this time, and he's very cool), boxing, kickboxing and some additional fitness classes, all for a pretty good price. PM me if you want to know more details.

**lionknight** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 12:41pm

Originally Posted by ignatzami

Where do you live, if you don't mind me asking. I'm most likely going to be in the area of Redmond Town Center, any idea what the commute would be like?

I come more from the South side of Seattle (Kent or Issaquah) so sorry I can't really help you their.

Originally Posted by ignatzami

I also can't find the fee schedule for Sea-Town, is it somewhere on their website and I'm just blind?

It's listed here:
http://www.seattle-jujutsu.org/contact.html

Originally Posted by Sea Town Web Site

Practices are held at 7pm on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

They practice more often than that however, those are just the posted times.

**TheMightyMcClaw** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 1:15pm

I guess I'm not the only one!
I'm also planning on moving to Seattle in the Fall, and was looking at Sea-Town for a place to train.
We should like, all hang out or something.

**ignatzami** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 1:19pm

Well, I've contacted Gracie Bellvue, and Seat-Town SAMBO, I think I'll spend a month, shop around, and then decide but you've given me some great food for thought.

Thanks guys.

**RWaggs** · Posted On: 7/15/2011 2:37pm

Originally Posted by TheMightyMcClaw

I guess I'm not the only one!
I'm also planning on moving to Seattle in the Fall, and was looking at Sea-Town for a place to train.
We should like, all hang out or something.

Seriously, guys, PM me when you get to the area if you want to just meet some people in your new town. I've got a fun circle of friends who like to BBQ, go out, watch football, see shows and stuff. We're not cliquey assholes.