Gracie Barra Henderson

"HORRIBLE. First off, there are way too many kids in the class, and not enough instructors. Not only does each kid not get enough attention on what they're doing wrong/right. It's just dangerous that they can't supervise all the various kids. They're attitude is that they don't care. Find a better one that has more attention to each kid and doesnt risk them getting hurt."

"I recently turned 40 and wanted to get serious about my health. Several friends expressed their enthusiasm and obsession with Jiu Jitsu and I was curious. I walked in to my first session with Professor Nathan at 315 lbs and unable to jump over 5 rows of 6 inch orange cones (if you’re reading this I challenge you to try to bunny hop 5 times consecutively and see how that skill is totally perishable from when we were kids on playgrounds). I still remember the confidence I had when he told me it would only be 3 exercises for 3 circuits for 1 min on/1 min off and how that confidence was replaced by drenching sweat and deep gasps for air after 6 mins. Having survived the first half of exercises, we begin drilling basic Jiu Jitsu moves. I was again confident in my size and weight advantages and also quickly found that confidence replaced with astonishment and wonder as I lay on my back staring at the ceiling lights wondering how I was able to be treated like a rag doll and flipped so easily. As I wobbled out of my first session in total exhaustion, soaked in sweat and filled with a new found appreciation of techniques that can bring down 300 lb men, I realized I was hooked. 12 sessions in, 25 lbs lighter and now able to touch my toes when I stretch, I’m also still amazed after every session of a new technique that can bring a man of my size down. Professor Nathan’s approach to Jiu Jitsu has helped me begin reversing the last 10 years of neglecting my health. There are many Jiu Jitsu gyms in Vegas and most are filled with raging PED’upped dudes that will tear your knee ligaments or pop your shoulder and mats that smell like dirty socks. By comparison, GB Henderson mats are incredibly clean and instead of wild injury inducing rampage I was treated with tactile precision as Professor Nathan drilled every technique with me and brings together all the conditioning exercises to relate to basic Jiu Jitsu techniques. If you’re in a similar situation of being middle aged, unsure if Jiu Jitsu is for you but want to get healthy, I can confidently say my sessions with Professor Nathan have been the best investment I have made and completely life changing. Professor Nathan brings his years of experience and knowledge to help you reach your own fitness and Jiu Jitsu goals. Besides the obvious health benefits, I have the additional confidence by having gained basic self defense skills. Also now having joined the group class, GB Henderson is a very welcoming and extremely supportive community. Students of all levels of belts were above and beyond in helping me with mastering concepts and sharing their basic tips in a safe environment where everyone shared with me any injury concerns before we began “rolling.” Getting started was the hardest part! See you on the mats!"

"BEWARE bringing your kids here. Any parents thinking of this location should think twice. Background: our whole family does jiu jitsu...myself and my 2 young boys, and we travel a lot to different Gracie Barra locations. I've seen many different locations, coaches, etc. and have always had a nice experience. That was until we came to this Henderson location... My son is a tough kid who's been doing competitions since he was 5. He's still young though. I brought him to try out the Henderson location. First, there are far too many kids in the class with not nearly enough instructors...both from a safety standpoint, and from an optimal learning environment. During the class, my son was rolling full speed with kids roughly his age and weight, and everything was fine. Now at that point, Professor Nathan moves him to a kid that is 2 years older, a head taller, and ~40 pounds more weight. Keep in mind, when kids are just 7 or 8, this is a huge increase. My son fought really well, but over time, the bigger kid started throwing him around given his size. My son was then holding his neck and clearly hurt. To my son's credit, even though he was clearly sniffling and fighting back full crying, he stayed on the mat to continue to roll with this kid. Now at this point, ANY CARING AND OBSERVANT professor would move the kid back down to kids his own size after seeing that the level of competition with the older/bigger kid was too high. Especially when the younger kid is crying and injured. You don't want kids to get hurt emotionally or physically. Bigger/older/heavier kids can seriously hurt smaller kids...it's not like adults going up against bigger opponents. NOPE. The professor was so careless and reckless, he then immediately paired him with an EVEN BIGGER kid, with a higher belt. In which the whole painful ordeal continued for another 3 minutes of rolling with this even larger and older kid. Still crying and holding his neck, my son tried to stick it out, visibly in anguish. Finally, I insisted my son come off the mat to end this nonsense and take a breather. I have NEVER SEEN such recklessness and lack of care for a young kid like I did that day. I confronted Nathan at the end of the class, and calmly and respectively, explained how dangerous it was what he did, how we wasn't paying attention, how damaging a session like that could be for a kid, and how we wouldn't be coming back. I also said my son was hurt, and that his confidence was clearly shaken. NOT ONCE, did Nathan say "How's he doing?" or "Can I go speak with him to encourage him?". In other words, not a modicum of care for this little kid. NOT ONCE. Not a single mention of his well-being. Nathan just immediately became defensive and arguing with me that he did nothing wrong. Finally, he literally just motioned me to leave the gym as I pressed him (again, calmly and respectively) telling me to leave. The way Nathan behaved during our conversation was outrageous. Even for kids who are at the competition level like my son, SAFETY, SELF-CONFIDENCE, and MORALE are still paramount. Especially for little kids. Nathan should know that. And if he doesn't, he shouldn't be running a gym for kids. Never go to this place...after what they showed me, I wouldn't trust any kids in this environment."

"I was in town visiting family and Henderson (I’m from Canada). Did a drop in while I was here. Professor is top notch, very knowledgeable, and very skilled! Students were very friendly! Thank you for having me! Highly recommend if you are a local!"