I never got around to writing a review at the time, but passing by the gym recently reminded me of an experience I had about a year ago. I want to share this not out of frustration or blame, but simply to provide honest feedback that might be helpful to the club and others considering joining.
On my third day at Misfits, I attended an evening "mixed" class. The session began with standup grappling, which appeared to be more advanced in nature. Many participants were blue belts or higher. As a new white belt with only a few introductory classes under my belt, I wasn't familiar with standup techniques and communicated that to both my partner and the instructor.
The instructor kindly came over to demonstrate some takedowns with me. We traded a few techniques, and during one of them, my right ankle became caught underneath him as he dropped his weight to the mat. I heard a loud pop and felt immediate pain.
The instructor expressed concern right away, and I appreciated that. I didn't leave the gym immediately--likely due to wanting to push through--but in hindsight, I probably should have. I stayed for the remainder of the class, which focused on back chokes, and tried to participate without putting weight on my ankle.
Looking back, I felt a bit uneasy about how the situation was handled afterward. There were some lighthearted remarks made about quitting jiu-jitsu, which I know weren't meant maliciously, but they didn't sit well with me given the circumstances. A few members did check in with me, which I appreciated.
The next morning, my ankle was significantly swollen and painful. I was unable to drive, attend classes, or manage basic tasks at home for several weeks. I ended up canceling my membership shortly after. I recall that Misfits was accommodating in pausing my billing, which I appreciated, though the pause didn't fully align with the duration of my recovery.
I don't believe the injury was intentional, and I understand that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a contact sport where injuries can happen. I signed the waiver and accepted those risks. Still, this was a tough experience--especially as someone just looking to explore a new hobby. The injury impacted my academic life and required ongoing rehab and physical therapy.
I waited to write this review until I had time to reflect and approach it with a clear head. My goal is simply to share my experience transparently and constructively. I hope it's received in that spirit. read more