I quit to join a gym that was closer to my work and school. Tom called and said that if he had…read moreknown I was going to quit, he would not have given me my blue belt. Fine, I tossed the one he gave me away and went back to white. No skin off my nose, I'm in it for the journey, not the belt. His actions told me that he most likely gives belts to people whom he believes are "cash cows". Whatever with that, honestly. I told him I was quitting, he still charged my card. I had to call my bank, but the whole mess was such a hassle that I decided he could keep the $60. Hope this helps. There is also major preferential treatment towards women. I was given two weeks free whereas men who had called in to try out the gym were heckled into paying a $25 mat fee. Really? $25? I've been to better gyms with better instructors in this state and even they have charged less. You're not really the Mendes Brothers or Cobrinha, so how can you justify charging such an insane price, for a class that you barely teach? FYI, Tom did not teach most of his classes, he let Tarzan do it. If you call to request a free demo class, and they tell you that you need to pay a "mat fee", think twice, there are better gyms out there. If you do decide on joining, do not sign a contract. I know of people that have gone to that gym WITHOUT a contract. Tell them you will pay upfront in cash every month. They DO NOT need your credit card information, save yourself the trouble.
It's a shame honestly, because there were some really awesome people at that gym. Tom makes you believe that you're doing "legit", "real", "old style" jiu jitsu because i) he barely speaks English (so it ups the 'I'm from Brazil or where ever" legitness factor), ii) he urges you go BALLS to the WALL, and iii) he runs his gym like a totalitarian dictator runs a war-torn 3rd world country. Strength, aggression, and recklessness are valued over technique, pace, and skill here. I wish I knew what the turnover rate at that school was. I have tried again and again to understand why people stay. I think they're so caught up in the hype that Tom has created that they are simply TOO afraid to take a step back, realize what type of situation they're actually in, and walk out. Tom will harass you. He will call you up and threaten you. He will talk shit about you behind your back if you do not come back. There was a guy that left his place to go join Caio's. He talked so much shit about this dude, about how he was a pussy and wasn't a real man and was training with a bunch of fakes. Is that the type of instructor you want to teach you? If you get on his bad side, are you prepared to hear that shit coming from his mouth?
On top of that, Tom is also physically abusive. I witnessed Tom SMACK his brown belt because he was demonstrating a technique wrong, then THREATEN him with an instant demotion if he did not get it right. The technique was something like a rolling crucifix to lapel choke. Jesus, Tom, if he didn't get it right, why don't you step in and HELP him, instead of fucking with him like that? YOU ARE THE ONE THAT GAVE HIM HIS BROWN BELT, HE IS A PRODUCT OF YOUR TEACHING. That incident gave me the creeps. I distanced myself from the gym shortly afterwards. I am surprised that nobody I was with that night said anything, I assume that behavior is normal there. I kick myself often for not stepping up, I knew it wasn't right - the hive mind mentality is strong there.
Lastly, as if this wild ride couldn't get any crazier, Tom is a big proponent of DEMOTIONS. Have you ever heard of demotions in CA for BJJ? Have you ever heard of demotions by TWO belt ranks, even threats for THREE? Last year he demoted his black belt for "not training enough" (words taken straight from his FB). Jesus Christ, Tom. You gave that man a black belt because you believed he possessed the knowledge, wisdom, and experience to BE a black belt under YOUR style of BJJ. Does he lose knowledge if his training is interrupted by personal reasons? Does he lose his rank because he suddenly isn't paying you monthly tuition anymore? Which is it? How many other martial arts are as trigger happy with demotions as you are? Check their website and announcements page for past demotions (not sure if it's taken down by now, they used to have it up).
This review is long, but honest. This review is not a reflection upon the people that train there. This is a review about the owner, Tom Cissero, and the way that he conducts his business. I will not tell you to not train here, the choice is yours, but please - if you feel anything amiss, anything at all, do not let him scare, intimidate, or BULLY you into staying. Save for San Diego and LA, there is NO OTHER PLACE IN CALIFORNIA that is as densely populated with legitimate and amazing black belts as San Jose. You have a myriad of schools to choose from, take your time, choose with care.
