I've trained at Straight Blast for just over a year now, and I can't sing it's praises enough. It has truly changed my life. Learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

If you're not familiar with what goes on on the mat in BJJ, you are in for a treat. It's like . . . ballet, or gymnastics, or any other area of life where the physical body somehow manages to create art out of it's our movements. And it is TRUE, in that way that so few things are these days. It is REAL. You will sweat, and grunt, and run out of breath.You will submit, and be submitted. And you will love every minute of it.

But why should you train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Straight Blast? Because of the welcoming, humble, ego-free environment. The attitude is more like an old-school athletic club than some gym full of tattooed young hotheads. Some guys are young and out of shape, some guys are old and in shape. Ages go from 5-55. If you want to get in better shape, take the Combat Conditioning classes. You want to punch? Take boxing. If you want to mix it up, take the wrestling and MMA clases. Or, just come to one class a week, they're all equally common routines.

It's hard to explain, but Straight Blast is just a bit more cerebral than some other gyms in the area. For example, I've never seen a single Affliction or Xtreme Couture shirt at the gym. Honestly. Swear to God. If other gyms drank Red Bull, we'd be sipping an espresso. If other gyms drove a big truck, we'd ride a Triumph. Other gyms might be in the suburbs, we're in the middle of the city, rocking steady.

I've lived here for 26 years. This is THE Portland BJJ/MMA gym., accept no substitutes. Get in here and check it out.

PS: It's on 43rd and Sandy now, it expanded. Update the address!

I read the last two reviews and have to believe these must be anonymous competitors? This gym is fantastic. As a novice I found the instruction to be light years of what I experienced for a few months at another local facility. Instead of a macho attitude I was greeted with friendly students, and a highly skilled staff. Matt Thornton was there on the mat himself throughout the week. And unlike some schools where the head coach never teaches I was able to work out in a beginner class taught by Matt himself several times a week. I also found out that this gym attracts people from all over the world who travel to Portland specificly to train there. And I have enjoyed getting to meet people from different parts of the globe. Again, it has been overall a great experience for me.

This gym is top notch, and well ahead of anything else I have experienced. I would highly reccomend it to anyone!

Wow, I really don't know where that last review could have come from? But I guess that is something that you can expect from anonymous accounts, or competitors? Very weird.

I have trained at this school for almost two years now. It has been one of the best things in my life.

The gym was re-modeled about a six months ago and has wall to wall mats. The mats and training area are spotless, and washed several times a day. The instructors are all top notch people. They are the only BJJ school in Oregon that features multiple BJJ black and brown belts. Everyone has been super cool with me. And the community itself is really supportive. Everyone seems to make an effort to be friendly and help newcomers. As someone that doesn't come from an athletic background I was really happy with the way the classes were taught. I was able to keep up, and feel myself improving. I felt welcomed right away.

I can't recommend this school enough. Come in and check it out for yourself. It's world class for sure!

I trained for a couple of weeks while in town on business. It is a nice gym. Lots of mats and a ring in the back. Some weights and heavy bags. I took some clinch classes and boxing classes. I wanted to do the bjj as that was what I heard the gym was known for but got busy with work. I really enjoyed the way the classes were run and enjoyed the instructors and staffs laid-back friendly attitude. I recommend this gym.

This place is dirty and a useless waste of time- CLEAN YOUR MATS SICKOS! The instructors don't really teach, because they are lazy, ragging alcoholics. DO NOT GO HERE! Disorganized instructors and management.