5 comments about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Instructional Videos.

1. As a white belt new to the sport, I find these DVDs very helpful and easy to follow. The best part is that the techniques work.



2. This DVD set is a great beginners gi instructional. For the novice, this instructional will give you good demonstration of fundamentals. Renzo & associate explain the techniques in great detail (maybe a little too much--I found the multiple replays of the move from different camera angles a little annoying). This is not a DVD for a person with more than basic understanding of the art as you won't find any fancy techniques like x-guard, rubberguard, e.t.c



3. The overall present is very good. However, some of the manuvers are dated particularly techniques for breaking the guard. Applying the technique shown on this DVD can result in creating an opportunity for the person in the guard using the technique shown to be placed in an armbar or trinagle choke. I expected more from this DVD.



4. This is a great DVD for people just starting Jiu Jitsu. Very old school, good moves, but if you are an intermediate blue and up it will look very redundant.



5. Negatives:
   Renzo Gracie can be a little hard to understand for Gringo ears sometimes :D. In my opinion there should of been more techniques defending against chokes on the DVD.
   Positives:
   Good lighting. All techniques are laboriously demonstrated. Both Gracie and Kukuk are wholly professional and exact.
   Recommend it?
   Yes. Well done. Worth the money. Excellent supplement for beginners and anyone else who trains outside of a BJJ school.

2 comments about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Seminars: Year One.

1. Wow! This DVD is awesome. Better production quality than most every BJJ DVD on the market. It has good instruction as well as a little something to get just about anyone inspired. The Purple Belt test was truly great. It really shows just how much blood, sweat, and tears goes into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Honestly, if this video doesn't make you want to go out and join the nearest BJJ academy, nothing will. In addition to the inspiration, it is also a great tool for those wishing to extend their training to their own home. Do yourself a favor and pick this DVD up! It definitely will not let you down.



2. This outstanding production from Roy Dean is a great first release.
   
   Roy Dean's Year One DVD gives an insight into his unique blend of Traditional Martial Arts aesthetic & community and the devastating effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training.
   
   The seminars on the DVD are fantastic. Roy Dean's combination attacks from the guard position and Roy Harris' Open Guard control & passing counters could have each been their own DVD (though no quality is lost by placing them both on this disc).
   
   Typically, when I watch a new grappling instructional, I look for one new idea that I can incorporate into my own training. From the Roy Harris segment alone, I picked up three "I need to use these" moves, and three more "I need to add these when I am ready" techniques...not to mention the new material I saw in Roy Dean's sections!
   
   The extra features are great. The Purple Belt exam, tournament footage, and commercial all help build the great vibe that Roy Dean's teaching and school have. Pick up this DVD and see what his unique flow is all about!

1 comments about Urban Krav Maga DVD Box Set.

1. "The techniques demonstrated in this set are, I would say, the most effective you'll find in dealing with 'Real' confrontations. Basically speaking, this stuff WILL work! The techniques are shown in at full speed and then brilliantly broken down to explain the moves piece by piece. Again, the camera work and the positioning of the Instructors ensures this is done in the most effective way. These techniques really are the ones that will serve you if you find yourself in any number of unavoidable confrontational situations."
   
   AJ Dennis
   
   "What an awesome set! As per previous reviews I have viewed and studied many different martial arts, both traditional and more modern 'reality' based systems and this DVD set is easily up there with the best"
   
   J Fox
   
   "This is great set of DVD's for anyone interested in Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts or basic no nonsense Self Defence. The filming is high quality and allows one to follow the action so as to be easily able to copy the techniques shown. Each of the discs covers a different topic, demonstrating likely attack scenario's, and how to defend against those attacks. Whether you're a seasoned martial artist, or a complete novice, you will find these DVD's very useful, and amongst the best available on the subject of real self defense"
   
   Jim Macevoy
   
   
   "Excellent DVD's. I learned a lot although I train Krav Maga since years. Very good explanations and a very friendly and polite way of teaching. Very short time after my order I was contacted by Mr. McGill in a very nice and friendly e-mail. After all, if I were in the UK, I would like to train with him."
   
   drrups
   
   "Superb item and service. The content and quality of the DVD set is outstanding. Many thanks!"
   
   Wintersoldier
   
   "I'll keep this short as all the superlatives have been used above. I found it a most useful set of dvd's, covering all types of attacks and in just enough detail but not overdoing it, it moved at a nice pace. previous to this purchase I attended level 1 krav maga classes where the majority of time was spent punching and holding pads! while there is no doubt that classes are important i found i learned more from these dvd's. i would highly recommend them"
   
   John Duignan
   
   
   Search for this product on the Amazon.co.uk website if you want to see a full list of reviews and seller feedback

2 comments about Saulo Ribeiro Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Revolution Series One. Six Volume DVD Instructional Series for Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts.

1. This six set DVD covers the major aspects of BJJ: Mount, Cross Body (ie side control), Back, Guard, Half Guard, Passing Guard. The only other piece needed for a complete sport game is takedowns, which are covered in Series Two. All instruction is with gi, with Saulo demonstrating on Chris (one of his brown belts) for around 15 techniques per video.
   
   The techniques lean towards offense, so for example Half Guard spends more time passing and submitting than defending or sweeping. Saulo does a great job of emphasizing a consistent theme in each DVD. For example in the Cross Body DVD the first few sequences demonstrate the importance of controlling the opponents hips with your weight, as opposed to with arm positioning or grips, and he reiterates this point in every cross body technique. This theme of using your core positioning rather than limbs to maintain control comes across as one of the key tenets of Saulo's approach. Another key point is that jiu-jitsu is not as simple as learning a set of magic techniques that always work, and Saulo teaches you to recognize the moment ("momentum" is his word) in which a technique will be most effective.
   
   Overall this series is very good. As a white belt who has trained for six months, I found the half-guard DVD particularly enlightening, both the specific passes and the general philosophy for defending and sweeping. The only complaint is that the series emphasizes advanced techniques at the expense of basics. This is most pronounced on the Guard DVD, where the basic submissions (armbar, lapel choke, kimura, triangle) aren't touched, while multiple butterfly sweeps are. Bill Lewis's online review says this is probably due to marketing concerns of avoiding material well-trodden by other series. Still, I found Saulo's series most valuable when it laid out correct body placement on basic moves and positions as opposed to exotic submissions, and having this for the full range of "BJJ 101" would have been nice.
   
   Another minor complaint - both Saulo and Chris are wearing shiny white gis and sometimes it's hard to tell exactly where an arm or leg is positioned. Kind of an obvious oversight in what otherwise is a very well produced set.
   
   Overall though anyone up to a blue should find this set greatly clarifies some basic points and erases many of the misconceptions you've picked up early in training. I'm guessing advanced belts will benefit from the more advanced techniques, but I'll leave that to another reviewer to confirm.



2. it is well worth the money as it provides a different point of view n way to tackle some of jujitsu problems. saulo repeatedly emphasized the importance of energy conservation, leverage and avoid using power against power on the moves are something that all beginners n intermediate practisioners need to take at heart. his teaching is solid, very detailed and easy to understand. also the techqiues he taught are also the ones he used successful on the tournament i.e the spectacular judo throw !!!!!

5 comments about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu- Ultimate winning techniques.

1. The instruction that Gene Simco gives is very good, but this product is not what is advertised. I too am missing DVD 1. The cover shows moves being done on DVD 1, and it isn't even included! The remaining 90 minutes on DVD 2 is excellent.



2. I think that this DVD is not about Ultimate Winning Techniques, it is more about Beginner MMA information. If you really want to learn MMA go to a local MMA training complex. If you have never been, this DVD can help you in getting a step up on some of the basics before taking classes.
   
   With that said, it is easy to understand and follow along on the DVD. Simco goes over information slowly, but that is what you want to pound it in your head and understand the movements. Good for beginners, and if you are wondering whether you would like to take the next step and join MMA classes and learn some defense. It is also cheap. I think I am going to make my next investment in Mario Sperry's Vale Tudo 3.



3. I ordered this product and it was missing a DVD too. I am not sure how to contact the seller for my other DVD but not worth the hassle of only getting Disc 2.
   DON'T BUY THIS DVD



4. This dvd offers "winning techniques" as described in the title. The information is easy to follow and techniques are thorough. I highly recommend this dvd for beginners to intermediate looking to review structured techniques.



5. This DVD (3) to be exact has some good points and intruction, its just cheaply made and the intructor is one of the worst sites on camera. I could have made a better production with a retro 80's camera and a VHS player on EP mode, just rubbish. I found myself laughing more than I was paying attention, I had to go back and watch it a few times to get past it. I would recommend the BJ Penn MMA book on here, at least that won't have you laughing.

1 comments about Aikido|Brazilian Jiu Jitsu|Art of the Wristlock.

1. I want to start off by saying that you should not think that this is a DVD set purely focused on wristlocks. There is a truly massive amount of information contained in these two discs. While the first disc is primarily an overview of the various jiu jitsu wristlocks and their application (I will talk about this more below), disc 2 contains two very extensive seminars taught by Mr Dean. I am a blue belt in BJJ (and former Aikidoka) and I can honestly say that even after watching the seminars several times, I have not yet begun to get all of the purely BJJ material out of these, not to mention the cross-over Japanese Jiu Jitsu stuff. This second disc alone is probably worth the price of the discs.
   
   Now to the wristlocks. Mr Dean does a really great job of showing the most common forms of wristlocks. Furthermore, he provides some really valuable insight into how each of these is implemented into different types of Japanese Jiu Jitsu. For anyone who does not have a background in JJJ, it is a very good introduction to this material. Even if you have studied these techniques in the past, I can almost guarantee that you will find some new information here. Of course, the truly unique part of this disc (and is covered in the seminars) is how these techniques work with the ground fighting techniques of BJJ.
   
   This blending of jiu jitsu styles is really where Mr Dean has a lot to offer. In the past, very few traditional jiu jitsu practitioners have delved into the world of BJJ. Conversely, BJJ practitioners typically stay away from (and in some cases look down on) traditional forms of jiu jitsu. This is really too bad because these techniques can work very well together. Sensei Dean, who holds black belts in Judo, Aikido, Seibukan Jiu Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has managed to keep an open mind about all of these approaches and through his own experiences is able to demonstrate very effectively how to use these techniques together.
   
   Whether you are a hard-core BJJer looking to add a little more to your game, an Aikidoka who is curious about BJJ and how their own skills can apply, or just a serious student of martial arts looking for something new, you will not be disappointed with this disc set. I can tell you from my own experience, that after my first few session of getting destroyed on the BJJ mat, I was afraid that all of those years of Aikido had been wasted. Because of the material here, I have been slowly finding ways too work all of these valuable techniques back into my game. I now regularly surprise my BJJ compadres with wristlocks while sparring. It has been invaluable to me and I am sure that anyone who studies this material will be able to find there own gems.
   
   I highly recommend these discs.

1 comments about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt Requirements: Gateway to the Advanced Game.

1. I bought his Blue belt requirements and found it very informative and with the detail I wanted.
   I bought the Purple belt expecting the same...and WASN'T Disappointed.
   Not a lot of techniques...more a focus on variations and approaches...I like his ananlogy that at BLUE BELT you have a Learned a lot of WORDS...NOW at PURPLE BELT its TIME TO start making SENTENCES. I would have given it a 5 if there was more techniques but if you can walk away with the concepts then your game will surely improve.
   
   Keep rolling

5 comments about Cesar Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Grappling Instructional Series.

1. I think It is very good instructional video.
   Not slow at all.
   It make sense to go over and over because they show different angles and also mistakes you can make during training.
   I take classes but this DVD shows much more deep techniques and it is very detail.
   
   Best regards from www.Dailymuncher.com



2. My first BJJ instructional DVD - CG is a great teacher, excellent quality DVD, outstanding review of BJJ techniques. Recommend to all BJJ aficionado-s:)



3. This collection of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is amazing. With each dvd there is step by step instructions and explanation of techniques. This dvd set is a must have for any skill level, and anyone who is interested in learning and improving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques. Cesar Gracie shows step by step instructions on moves and explains the reasoning behind the moves. This is a very informative collection.



4. I have been studying martial arts on and off for years. I recetly have had the opportunity to start studying Gracie Style Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I wanted to get some additional materials to assist me in digetsting the information provided in the dojo, and I stumbled upon this DVD. Listen.. Cesar Gracie is a awesome teacher.
   
   1. He is easy on the ears :) His english is great no accent whatsoever and he gives great analogies
   
   2. In many cases he demonstrates moves from a variety of angles
   
   3. The DVD is broken up into different skill levels. Within just a half our of watching the basic DVD helped to shed new light on many of the techniques that have been presented to me in class.
   
   Bottom Line is that this is worth every penny. In fact if I had seen a few of the lessons I would probably have paid double for it. Please keep in mind that I am writing this review as a beginner so I cant speak to the inetermediate and advanced DVD's included with the set. Lastly I would like to repeat that I am using this as a suppliment to in class training.



5. This is an excellent series, and I would recommend it to anyone beginning jiu-jitsu. The examples are clear and shown from many angles, and there is enough variation of technique to keep you interested.
   
   So why give it 3 stars if it is so good? Even though these videos are very good, they do not compare to the Roy Dean Blue Belt Requirements series, and of the two, I would highly recommend the Roy Dean series over these, so that is why I gave it 3 stars.

5 comments about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt Requirements: Fundamentals for All.

1. I have been involved and trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 1993. I was interested in this set due to being down from a car accident and wanted to brush back up on the fundamentals. Hands down this is the BEST investment a student of BJJ can make! Roy covers the techniques in great detail, there is no filler or fluff..just GREAT techniques with excellent instructions. All techniques are HIGH PERCENTAGE. If you haven't seen Mr. Dean's Youtube videos of his students, I suggest you check them out asap..they will show you how technical and smooth his students are!
   
   White belt through Black Belt, it is usually the Fundamental Techniques that win a match or a fight...this is why it's important for ANYONE to review and study this set and work to master these techniques..you WILL be a beast on the mat once you understand and are able to perform these moves. There are no short cuts, what makes a person good is his mastery of the fundamentals contained in this set.
   
   If you've been sitting on the fence about this..JUMP OFF!!! You will NOT be disappointed in this set!
   
   [...]
   
   
   Read the above review I posted, it should give you a good overview of what is contained!



2. Roy Dean has done a commendable job with this set, and the production level of the video is unsurpassed. This is an excellent, excellent instructional set. The DVD covers many of the most common "basic" (do not confuse "basic" with "low-percentage") BJJ techniques one would learn at any BJJ Academy. Each technique is covered in a very basic step-by-step manner, with Roy explaining very clearly what is going on in the technique, then applied at a faster and more realistic speed from 4 different camera angles.
   Perhaps the greatest thing about this set is that its focus is on helping students understand both the journey from white to blue belt, and getting them along the right path and mindset to learn BJJ. Roy deliberately includes the why of doing a technique a specific way (and includes some variants for good measure) instead of just stating "do it this way." A great set if you're either starting out in BJJ or want to brush up on your basics to make your ground game airtight.
   For those interested, some of the techniques included in this set: Escapes (mount, sidemount, sweeps), Guard passing, Submissions (numerous Gi chokes, 4 different armlocks, and 4 leglocks), and takedowns. Also included are commentaries on BJJ, basic skillsets (where to grab, positioning, etc), along with some discussion on breakfalls and some video demonstrations.
   I cannot rave highly enough about this set to anyone practicing BJJ, whether a novice white belt or higher belt levels looking to improve their technical game. I train at an American Top Team gym in South Florida, and say again this is an OUTSTANDING DVD set for ANY practitioner! Excellent job!



3. Roy Dean gives concise, easy-to-follow instruction. The techniques are clearly shown and always from multiple camera angles.
   
   There is no filler on this DVD so you can watch it over and over again to absorb all of the little details. Highly recommended.



4. Great DVD for learning BJJ. Helps prepare you for class. Easy to follow instructions. Multiple camera shots of same moves from different angles. Would buy another DVD on BJJ by Roy Dean. Worth the $.



5. This DVD covers a wide variety of basic movements that are essential to all Jiu Jitsu players. Roy Dean does an excellent job of thoroughly explaining the movements and the competitive mentality of basic BJJ. My only gripe about this DVD is that it does not cover basic submissions and escapes from the back; which any BJJ student knows is extremely important.

5 comments about The Pit Workout.

1. Well I was hoping for a good workout DVD as the previous ones I've bought have been a little on the weak side. The Pit delivered exactly what I wanted!
   You know that the workout is going to be tough when the trainer is struggling to talk and complete the workout himself, either that or he's just not fit himself! As I found out it was not a case of him being unfit, it was a good hard workout.
   I would like to get my hands on a Wavemaster XXL so I can get the best out of the DVD but the bits I can do without extra equipment will keep me going for some time before I can do them comfortably.
   Those guys/girls who are looking for a high intensity workout they can do anywhere then give this DVD a crack. I mean even if you don't find it the best for you, it's only a few dollars to buy it so why not give it a try! If you don't like it then you can always wrap it up and palm it off as a Christmas present to a mate ;o)
   Trust me though, you won't get rid of it in a hurry!
   Just a thought, if you are interested in getting the DVD then I'd go for the boxset.... Saves dollars and you get a few extras with it.
   Cheers,
   
   Train Hard!



2. I bought this for my husband, figuring he would not be into working out with me and my Cindy Crawford DVDs - and I'm glad I did! We received it a little over a week ago and have started our second week of workouts. It is incredibly hard, but I managed to get through almost the entire upper body workout today - already improving! This DVD set will never be praised for its polished production - the workouts take place in a dingy, fluorescent-lit boxing gym, the music isn't great - but that's not why you buy a workout DVD anyway, is it? This is hard exercise plain and simple - lots and lots of pushups, lots of kicking, lots of shadowboxing, tons of squats, jumping rope, jumping jacks for crying out loud. It's actually refreshing to return to the old school exercises that have been around for years, because they work. John Hackelman (I think that's right ), the guy who leads these workouts, is surprisingly softspoken and calm. He offers none of the chitchatty, bubbly "You can do it!" drivel that is so common in other workout DVDs - he counts and that's pretty much it. He often loses count too, "19, 19, 19, 19, 19, 20." I've read other reviews saying that he offers no motivation and I can only assume it's this aspect that they're talking about - he doesn't hold your hand or cheer you on. The motivation for me is looking at him and the other participants in the video - they're in great shape, they work hard, and I'd like to be there one day too. These workouts are hard enough for me and my husband that we'll be able to use them for quite a long time before we get so good at them that they're no longer challenging - indeed, Hackelman is sweating and huffing and puffing throughout, so we've got a ways to go! And you don't need any equipment - he shows people using punching bags and jumpropes, but also people using neither so that's nice. I like it, my husband likes it, I say give it a try.



3. I think the workouts are very effective for getting in shape for martial arts or for general fitness. JH is a bad dude and I respect his qualifications as a trainer, but there is a lack of motivation to follow his lead. He is very likeable and works his ass off, but he lacks enthusiasm or something..anyways, just my opinion. Bottom line is the workouts are really good if you need a change from your regular program. It includes lots of pushups, body weight exercises, and shadow boxing; So if you don't integrate fighting style training in your workout routine, then I recommend it as a supplement to other workout programs. Even though I rate this program as just ok I would like to purchase Crosspit and give it a chance. In conclusion, if you want to take fitness to another level, do this with Bas Ruttens workout cds and p90x and you won't be disappointed.



4. I bought this DVD for my husband and he absolutely loved it. He mentioned that the moves and circuts are very challenging, but that's what he expected from MMA fighters. He tends to interchange the DVD with his regular workouts, and actually ends up more sore after completing the DVD workouts. From his perspective he can see a physical change in his body and stamina.



5. This has to be one of the most intense workouts Ive ever done. It teaches you how to fight while also giving you a Great workout. Great for anybody who want's to get in shape. For the price it's one of the best workout DVD's you can find. And plus you don't even need anything else besides your body to workout with.