Jiu-Jitsu & MMA in Westwood, NJ

The Training Grounds kids martial arts program has had a profound impact on Ellie in her everyday life. When Ellie first started martial arts classes at Training Grounds she'd shy away from matches and inevitably end up in tears all most every class. A fall to the ground or another child pushing her would bring on the tears. Now, hardly ever a tear. At sports she no longer shies away from the ball, she knows that although it may hurt to get hit, she's tough and will be ok. That if she falls and gets a scrape or a bruise, she's tough and will be ok. Ellie has become extremely confident, not combative but self-assertive, something more people should try to instill in girls/young women. That’s something they work on in their kids martial arts classes. The pride she feels when she does a Jiu-Jitsu match whether she wins or losses is amazing to see. Her self confidence shines through, in the way she holds herself and softness of her face. She looks up to Professor Wil and all the coaches, a single complement is worth more then any skill strip she could earn. I don't think I could have made a better choice of sports for my child than kids martial arts. There is no other place or coaches that could gift her those skills, other than Training Grounds Jiu-Jitsu & MMA.

Westwood, NJ

Wil Horneff is not only an excellent, accomplished martial arts competitor and instructor, but much more importantly a good man who consistently displays integrity and character. He’s a true martial artist with a high skill set for both teaching and training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I am proud to have him as a friend and wholeheartedly recommend both him and Training Grounds Jiu-Jitsu & MMA to new and experienced students of the martial arts.

Ultimate Fighter Winner

UFC Fighter

ADCC Bronze Medalist

The main reason why I wanted to join a mixed martial arts school is because I wanted to lose weight. I was going to a gym and running on a treadmill and lifting weights and found it really boring and hard to stick to. I could always do less than necessary and not really have a good enough workout. There was no one really pushing me or motivating me. I experienced the opposite at Training Grounds Jiu-Jitsu & MMA. I lost over 100lbs so far here in addition to gaining flexibility and and strength. I used to have back problems and it has helped my back tremendously. I went to a lot of schools in nj that teach mma to interview which one would be best for me and this was by far the #1 choice. This is my second home; This is family here. We are all friends and family members. From the second you walk in the door you feel comfortable. You feel like a part of the gym and that is what is really special about this place. It's like no other mma gym. You get treated like family. You get treated with respect from day one. The instruction is very one on one. It's very personal. Other martial arts gyms you have to figure it out on your own. Here you are treated like family. I loved it so much I even became a permanent family member by becoming an instructor. It's been over 8 years for me now.

Hillsdale, NJ

My two boys train twice a week and they love it. There are other places in that teach kids martial arts in Bergen County that are much closer to home. But they just don’t compare to the experience that is offered by Professor Wil and the kids program here. He is able to reach kids and communicate on a level they understand. He is encouraging but also enforces discipline and respect. The boys and I absolutely love his kids martial arts program.

Montvale, NJ

My name Stephen Brown. I'm 33 years old and a law enforcement officer here in Bergen County. The martial arts have always been interesting to me. I chose Brazilian jiu jitsu due to the fact that most street level combat is ground combat. I came here because I wanted to increase my defensive skill set which would keep me safe on the street and knew that bjj would be a good fit. The second was that my doctor found that I had high blood pressure and told me I needed to do 150 minutes a week of cardio. After a few months of training BJJ and MMA 2x per week my pressure is down to what it was when I was 21 years old with no medication. Of all the academies that teach brazilian jiu jitsu in nj I chose Training Grounds because no other bjj gym that I have been to has a group of guys that are this tight knit. A lot of guys here are personal friends outside gym having met through training. Everybody is willing to work with you and help out. Professor Wil's curriculum is almost individual based. He matches you up with the people you should be matched up with to for training and then eventually when you are more advanced you get to do the sparring. He puts you in situations where you are going to get the most out of your bjj training. I love training here and I look forward to getting my black belt in BJJ someday.

Emerson, NJ

My four children train with Professor Wil. I wanted them to develop courage, self esteem, and discipline and that’s exactly what they got out of the program. His system really works and it's the best gift you can give your child. Their kids martial arts program is such a huge part of their lives and the benefits aren’t just limited to self defense. It’s much more far reaching into their school work and social interactions. So happy we did this for them.

Norwood, NJ