I've been training at Five Rings for over two years now and I my experiences there have been great! Head coaches Tom and Eric have done an outstanding job of fostering a warm, positive, family environment with a light-hearted vibe that's fun to be a part of. I liken it to the old sitcom Cheers, "where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came." When I started, I was at the end of a very stressful time in my life. Over a year of eating badly and not exercising had resulted in me gaining about 50 lbs. Eventually, when I stopped fitting into my previously roomy jeans, I decided I had had enough and that I wanted to get back in shape. Running on a treadmill is boring though, so I wanted to do something fun that was also a social activity, so I'd be more likely to stick with it. Five Rings ended up being a perfect fit! After a few months of consistent Jiu Jitsu training and group fitness/conditioning classes, I dropped the extra 50 lbs., had a great time doing it, and made a lot of great friends in the process. Tom and Eric work very hard putting together a top-notch, well-rounded BJJ curriculum. It's clear that they care a great deal for their students at all levels and they constantly strive to be the best coaches they can be. BJJ is a constantly evolving sport, and they do a great job of keeping the curriculum up to date, often bringing some of the biggest names in the sport to teach seminars and semi-private classes, including Saulo Ribeio, Xande Ribeiro, Rodrigo Pagani, Leandro Lo, Rafael Lovato Jr., Mat Jubera, Cadu Francis, Rafael and Guilherme Mendes, and Jeff Glover. Local heroes like James Puopolo and Ben Baxter also make regular appearances. Just like other contact sports like football, wrestling, and hockey, injuries do happen in BJJ, but the coaches take every safety precaution possible. Believe me, if there were a culture of recklessness and disregard for safety at Five Rings, I would've switched gyms long ago. The one time I did suffer an injury and had to take some time off, Tom and Eric were very supportive. They were genuinely concerned about me and wanted to stay in the loop as I recovered. All in all, they went above and beyond, doing everything they could to support my rehabilitation and get me back on the mat as soon as I felt ready. So yeah, that's my story. I'm not a coach, not on the payroll, just a very satisfied customer. If you want a fun way to get in shape, stay in shape, and to be a part of a fun and positive community, Five Rings has all that and 14 oz. cans of delicious coconut water in the vending machine. (They also stock it with Coke Zero and protein drinks for those who don't like coconut water as much as I do.) read more

I've been training jiujitsu with this group for 4.5 years. I've seen this facility change over time, some stuff added, some stuff taken away. Three consistent things have really stood out to me. One is the fitness training; it is fun-natured and effective. Two is the structured jiujitsu training that follows a legitimate lesson plan built to advance students through their study of jiujitsu. The class schedules for both are generous, which makes committing to training easy. The third consistent thing is probably the most relevant to this site. It is the number of people who join and then stay, making five rings their "permanent" fitness or jiujitsu home. For sure, I've seen new faces show up and leave after a few months, but lots and lots of folks from really diverse backgrounds have tried the gym out and stayed on for years. I've met students, doctors, cops, nurses, aestheticians, barbers, pastors, bouncers, elementary school teachers, teens, kids, computer programers, artists...lots of people who are successful in their chosen careers. It has always been an honor to share my avocation with them. I was new to the sport when I joined and did not have a particularly athletic background. I am 41 and have worked through some injuries during the past five years. The staff at the gym has always been very supportive. The facility itself is very clean and there are options for accessing other affiliates/locations based on membership options. At this point the training is very focused on fitness and gi and no-gi jiujitsu. It is definitely a safe and welcoming environment that I would recommend to anyone interested in improving their fitness or in learning jiujitsu as a sport or past-time. read more

Being one that practices many types of the arts in many places, It has been my understanding that the foundations of the Arts is: RESPECT: For the art within itself. For others. For yourself. DISAPLINE: For the art within itself. For your lifestyle. For yourself. INTEGRITY: For the art within itself. For your lifestyle. For yourself. At Hondo Dog Park there was an issue with these two people regarding their conduct and their dog. There are signs (two actually) regarding food items NOT allowed in the park. This could cause a dog fight and it did. These two decided to bring dog treats into the park and became dismissive of others when told to read the sign and follow the rules. They became angry, arrogant, threatening, and down right rude to all around them. When told to leave the photo with them near the car shows how they conduct themselves when they are proven wrong. What does this teach the ones that learn under the trainers of this establishment? You teach children as well. Is this what you teach? That the rules do not apply to you? That if the rules are pointed out to you because you failed to be an informed person on your very own, that you will disregard said rules and treat everyone else around in a disrespectful manner? Where is YOUR respect, discipline and INTEGRITY? You can take this down all you wish, but it will be put up as well on more Facebook Pages, Twitter, Yelp, and any other social media sights available. The conduct you showed as well as having a business that teaches such conduct to others is shameful. If they cannot conduct themselves in public how does one expect them to within their own business practices? read more

I started at Five Rings a little over a year ago, and I love it. It can sometimes take me two hours to get there and back home again on the bus, and I'm still willing to make it happen. For a while I considered switching to a different gym that was in a more convenient location, but after continuing my training with my coaches and peers at Five Rings I decided I could never leave. They have truly become my family. The gym is the place I go to forget about the stress in my life and spend some quality time with some great people doing what I love to do. The people I train with and my coaches have become very good friends, we go out to eat together after a training session, or just hang out at coach Eric's house. I can say confidently that I really love them. Coach Tom is an incredible athlete and a supportive and friendly coach. I've rolled with him multiple times even though I am a white belt and a woman. He always approaches me and has great feedback and a couple cheesy jokes. Coach Tom is so cheesy! It is very apparent that he's a teacher in the way that he conducts his classes and himself. He also works so hard developing our lesson plans and in running the business. In terms of skill in the sport, the grapplers who compete under the Five Rings flag have a ridiculous success rate! Our results in competitions can speak for themselves! I think we have some of the most talented grapplers in the country. I would highly recommend this gym! Come on down and check it out at least!!! If you're a lady, don't be shy! We have the most incredible women, including myself, and we'll make you feel right at home. It's also a great gym for kids, parents! read more

Tom has a great thing going here in Portland. I've trained at a bunch of Jiu Jitsu schools in my years as a grappler and 5RJJ is one of the few gyms where I think not only is there fantastic training but also a great learning environment. Tom is always there to answer my questions and help me grow my game and better understand the art and science of Jiu Jitsu. The gym itself is also one of the cleanest places I've ever trained- definitely something to watch out for when if you are looking to start grappling, some gyms are absolutely foul. On that note the entire facility is super decked out, big fitness area so you can get all swole (if that's your thing), big map with a spring loaded floor, and changing rooms with showers that are actually clean! Also the community at 5 Rings is fantastic; a few weeks ago I was competing out in Seaside and a good 10 people showed up to watch my matches and cheer me on. read more

My 11 year old son has been doing Jiu Jitsu for 4 years, the last 2 of those years with Five Rings. Five Rings is AWESOME! Coaches Tom, Eric, Robert and Dan are fantastic instructors. They focus not just on the technical skills of Jiu Jitsu but also on developing respectful, disciplined, and ethical athletes. They are patient and always emphasize safety. Tom is a former school teacher and recognizes the need to teach a skill in many different ways to help students with different learning styles excel. They have also been very successful with children with different learning and behavioral challenges. They foster a sense of community amongst their members and welcome everyone into the Five Rings family. My husband and I have also joined their fitness program - which has been transformational. Join Five Rings and you will not be disappointed. It is a truly remarkable experience. read more

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is unlike other forms of exercise in multiple ways. One of the most significant is in the bonds practitioners create with each other through their training. Grapplers become part of a team when they join an academy, a team that encourages its members to train hard, compete in tournaments, and grow as people. Over time, the connections can become familial, because Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu requires so much of those who pursue it, and because teammates and instructors put so much time and effort into helping each other progress. And that is exactly what Five Rings Jiu Jitsu is, it is family! Everyone here genuinely cares and tries to help others succeed in their journey. The first thing that I felt was a comfortable environment not filled with egos and hostility but welcoming and encouragement. I would highly recommend Five Rings Jiu Jitsu any day! read more

What can I say about Five Rings and the head coach/owner Tom Oberhue? Besides the facts that the facility is amazing, the curriculum is well thought out and delivered, the staff (and yes, I am a coach and the orientation ambassador) is caring and professional, and the community is safe and supportive? Five Rings is a family and a team that fosters growth. My experience has been one of transformation. Coach Tom has been a huge part of my journey of recovery and success. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a contact endeavor and injuries DO occur. However, I don't think I've ever experienced a safer facility (elevated floors and full wall padding) or a more thoughtful community of training partners. If you are looking for a great culture to learn BJJ, then Five Rings is a fantastic option. Check it out for yourself ! read more

My boys, ages 9 and 11, have attended 5 Rings Jiu Jitsu for over a year now and I am very pleased with their progress. Even though they both have behavioral and learning challenges, each and every coach is patient and consistent with them on a daily basis. I observe every lesson and have not had any complaints since they began. Both Coaches Tom and Dan have extensive experience teaching in the school setting and it sets 5 Rings apart from the competition. Coach Robert has incredible dedication and he never misses a practice even when he is injured. Tom Oberhue has applied his knowledge of education, discipline/reward and combined it with his innate ability to inspire others for a 5+ star jiu jitsu gym. I highly recommend 5 Rings. read more

I've been training off and on at 5 Rings for several years and can honestly say it's the best academy I've been to. Tom and Dan run a very accepting gym which focuses on personal growth and development despite individual skill level. There's a comradery that is hard to encapsulate in words, the instruction is tailored to each student and the instructors employ different methods depending on your learning style. read more

New Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy, but boasts the most experienced and highest-regarded instructor around. The environment is friendly and easy going, yet hard working. The focus is on technical curriculum. read more