Been training with Greg at the adult BJJ class for a week now, and it's been the best training experience for me so far. Warmups aren't too difficult but they get your joints ready for drilling and sparring. The techniques are taught in a clear, step-by-step manner that has both street safety and sport effectiveness in mind. There isn't any aggressiveness but everyone trains respectfully and there are plenty of purple belts who have helped me really hone in on details. Everything is handled in a way that pushes you to strive for detail-oriented jiu-jitsu while respecting your training partner. read more

I have been going to Bartman MMA since November 2011, and have loved every minute of it. If anything as I've grown, I've craved the teachings even more, now going 3 classes per week. I started out at his other location in Bethesda, joined the "Women's Kick Ass" class and Brazilian JiuJitsu classes here in Glenmont too. It's amazing, Greg and Tori (Women's class co-teacher) are amazing at what they do. They have been doing it a long time and you can tell. Not only by their technique, but their true passion for the sport. Anytime Relson Gracie is comin to town, they're there, for support, to give accolades, to LEARN. Aside from being great people, they are great teachers too. They communicate clearly, are happy to show moves in slow motion, from different angles, and hear your questions at any time; I am often guilty of saying "so...I was watching TV, and saw this move on Criminal Minds..." They teach students of all kinds-shapes-and sizes. They have a kids class too, so you know what that means... if they can keep the attention span of little children and teach them how to protect themselves....they're super coaches! What you really learn is how what they teach you depends on using your body to your advantage. It doesn't matter if you're big or small, strong or "room for improvement," it's a matter of physics... like working your body angles, pivot points, and leverage.... like calculated chess moves. I've learned self defense for the street, and proper grappling moves as well. The other bonus I've taken away is the mental aspect learned through all this. JiuJitsu is a calm of mind activity. Yes, you may rolling around on the ground, defending yourself, breaking a sweat (which is also a good cardio workout), but you're also trying to keep your mind at neutral. You don't want to waste all your strength in a battle for bronze (especially if you're my size, you'd often lose that fight). You don't want to tense up either. You stay calm, you keep in mind you are worth fighting for and there is always a way out of this. You "turn on your spidey senses" to feel where your partner/attacker is grabbing you, and use your skills to maneuver around their grasp. Seriously--mind included--it's a full body workout. 3rd to last fun fact/tip: Greg and Tori hold seminars for private groups too (good for team-building activities, safety lessons, birthdays, maybe even bachelorette parties.... the moves I've learned, have definitely gotten me out of some tickle wars with my husband). 2nd to last tip of awesomeness: If you prepay for a class, or combination of classes, in bundles you get a discount! Be sure to ask when registering (because after this adoring review, how could you not sign up :-) am I right). Okay, the real last tip/fun fact: Students are also welcome to open mat Thursday nights for more practice!! read more

Bartman MMA and Self-Defense - Grateful to all the BJJ teachings of Greg & self defense trainings w/Tori. Passed my first belt test tonight (me-yellow stripe)! - Martial Arts Near Me - Kensington, Maryland

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I have been going to this Brazilian/Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Self Defense training for about a year and a half now and I love it. I found this place one night when I was just googling martial arts training schools. The website seemed legitimate and the classes seemed to be well rounded between the self defense, BJJ, and kickboxing. I sent an email through the website saying I was interested and received a call from Greg (owner, operator, bada**-black-belt) the next day. He was very thorough and took time to answer all the questions I had, and invited me to come in for a trial class. What attracted me the most was not only the skill set found in the students and staff, but also the outright friendliness and welcoming attitude that everyone there had. It seemed very inclusive, and encouraging. So, I bought myself a gi, and have been attending ever since. If you're looking for a bit of MMA/BJJ training with a group that stresses safety, technique, thorough explanation, and having a great time all at once, (along with social outings on occasion) this is the place for you. read more

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I have been going to the Women's self-defense class for about 3 months, and I love it! I'm brand new to self-defense and martial arts, and the class is great for both beginners and for those with more experience. Tori and Greg are great teachers - they break down the moves so that a beginner like me can understand them, and they are incredibly receptive to questions. My classmates are fun and down-to-earth, and I look forward to attending class every week! Not only do I feel like I can defend myself physically defend myself, but I also feel more confident responding to and defusing conflict in general. I didn't expect the psychological benefits to be so powerful - just an extra perk of this practice! I look forward to increasing my skills and to even checking out the formal ju-jitsu classes in the future! read more

I have been training here for 2 years and am very happy with my decision. Greg and Tori are extremely knowledgeable and patient instructors, and the environment is very supportive and welcoming to new students. Additionally the prices are very reasonable too compared to some of the other schools in the area. read more

I moved to MD from WI a couple years ago and wanted to find a workout gym but remembered I almost never went. So I decided to learn a style of martial art that would not only be practical for self defense but also provide a great all body workout. I happen to stumble across Bartman MMA in my internet search. I dropped in for a class back in October of 2014 and have been going consistently ever since. I have become obsessed with the martial art and have been attending seminars whenever possible. I've had the luxury of attending Grandmaster Relson Gracie's seminar when he's in town. The instructors (Greg & Tori) are professional and very knowledgeable. The jujitsu classes are very lax and organized with standard warm up drills followed by several stand up self defense drills, then going to the ground in learning offensive and defensive techniques. There is time set aside for controlled "flow-rolling" where students will participate in drilling the techniques they've learned toward the end of class. However, open mat is where I am able to test my skills against other classmates. The school really focuses on proper techniques and safety, so we have a very low to almost no injury rate. Just a side note we are NOT a competition/sport BJJ school in such that you are thrown to the "wolves" in order to weed out students. All students of varying ages and skill levels are trained properly and go at their own pace and comfort level. However, private lessons are available for students that are really focused on competing in MMA competitions. When learning anything new in life it takes time, effort and dedication. I only wish I discovered Gracie Jiujitsu in my youth. I highly recommend anyone interested or even thinking about learning a proven self defense martial art to attend class at Bartman MMA. read more

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Excellent self defense classes! My daughter recently started and enjoys going every Saturday. The teachers are just about the most patient folks I've seen with a class full of kids. I would highly recommend Bartman MMA. read more

Greg Bartman MMA opens the door up to an awesome work life balance. It is a place to go to free your mind of work and teach your muscles new tricks. Each move is taught slow and precise. The two bonuses? You get into fantastic shape and you are learning the real Gracie self defense moves. My son is in the kids class and absolutely loves it. read more

I started with the women's self defense and after a few months decided to try jiu jitsu and haven't looked back-- it's been fantastic for years now! I have some experience in other martial arts (karate, kempo, kung fu) and Greg stands out as an incredibly talented instructor. His many years of practice show in the depth of his knowledge of techniques but it's his easygoing style and humble attitude that distinguish him as a martial artist (some folks in martial arts seem to have outsized egos). He arranges seminars for his school with the Great Relson Gracie, which is a once in a lifetime experience you should definitely do as many times as you can! In class Greg uses different styles to help students learn -- see it, hear it, do it. He is super patient and encourages questions from students during and after class. Greg's assistant instructor Tori is terrific and her classes are always fun. The school is a really great place to learn and I'm hoping to train with them for many years to come! read more

I've been training with Greg Bartman for 7 1/2 years, and he is an extraordinarily skilled trainer, both in martial arts and also as a regular trainer in the gym. He is welcoming of women, and of all age groups. He knows how to encourage you to push yourself, while ensuring that you stay grounded in the basics and get the details right. I feel now as if I could defend myself against almost any type of attack, thanks to Greg's self-defense teaching, and I could also defend myself if knocked to the ground, thanks to the Brazilian JiuJitsu training. And, thanks to the time in the gym, I am as fit as I have ever been. All in all, you can't go wrong with Greg! read more