Patrick O
Oct 4, 2023
“Impact Jiu-Jitsu Fountain Hills is truly unique in every way; seriously, this place is special. Starting with the first impression, I was greeted at the front door by a really nice owner who helped me sign in and understand what to expect, as well as how to stay safe while training. The gym is immaculate and interesting. Most of the gyms I have visited are industrial, dark, kinda dirty, and lack character, but Impact is the exact opposite. It's a synthesis of a cozy mountain lodge, clubhouse, art museum, and Jiu-Jitsu gym. There is a real stuffed bear next to a fireplace. There is a real bison mount and elk mount on the main wall, each flanking a large illuminated Jiu-Jitsu banner, making it clear what this place is all about. The walls are also adorned with lots of fight posters that the members of Impact have competed in; there are also numerous competition medals hanging near the entrance, including an IBJJF World Championship Gold Medal—clearly, they take competition seriously. The mats are pristine and clean white, and they have a foot washing station to help maintain a clean and, more importantly, a healthy environment to train. I've never seen a foot washing station at any other gym, kudos to Impact for this, no one likes training partners who have smelly feet... The members were very welcoming, smiles all around, and they were keen to ensure I felt at home. The instructor that evening was a black belt who was super knowledgeable, attentive to individual questions, and very entertaining. I appreciated how they slowed down to demonstrate important details that could be easily missed. The instructor would teach and then work with us as we drilled with our partners. After the instructional portion, we went into a faster-paced exercise where we implemented what we had just learned, which was a good way to pressure test our understanding. For the final portion of the class, we were encouraged to "roll" with our partners in a free-form manner and try to implement what we had just learned. All in all, I had a lot of fun and learned some very practical techniques and got to experience the coolest gym environment I have ever seen. If you find yourself in Arizona, swing by Fountain Hills and check out Impact Jiu-Jitsu. I give them my full endorsement!”
