My son attends classes here and he loves it. What a difference it makes in his week. I can say as an observer that the staff/owner care about what they are doing at Lake Effect. Overall it is an upbeat and positive environment where the kids learn while having fun but at the same time get challenged weekly.

Whether your a brand new, beginner or advanced this is the place to train. From white to black belts theres huge amount of respect given. Training is serious yet fun. Come and start your bjj path and learn with all of us!! Ive been there for over 90 days and enjoy every moment spent there!!

I did a lot of home work and research before visiting any of the BJJ gyms in the Buffalo area and decided to reach out to Lake Effect a few months back.Professor Michael did a great job communicating with me, scheduled a visit to the gym, and spent the appropriate time answering any questions that I had.On day one, I was warmly greeted by the other students - regardless rank or age. All were welcoming and very helpful as I made my way to the mat.The workouts were second to none. I found that even though I had a solid workout, I was eager to get back as soon as my schedule would allow.The other coaches and higher belts were all very helpful and would point out ways to make the experience better.Solid school with a great culture.

Be aware of this schemer . I found this place by google reviews, I signed up through online for a free week trial .I made an appointment for a 1 on 1 introduction that was very brief and rushed , they gave me a tour of the run down place and just wanted to hurry up and get me to sign up . I ended up in the office with 2 guys hawking me down to sign up ,so I did. I was told I will only be billed for the remainder days of November prorated , so about $4.50 a day for 6 days. I should have only been billed $26 for November, than regular monthly for December. Surprise surprise on my bank statement they charged me for a full month for November plus the pro rated days ! I contacted the owner and he was no help and could care less .He told me that I should have signed up online instead of in person , I told him that contradicts everything, skip free trial and who would sign up before visiting . He tells me he noticed he hasnt seen me since my free trial day. I agreed and expected him to refund me the $130 he took without my permission and hoping he would refund me the $156 since I never had the time to make it back since my free trial day. I dont blame him for that I signed a piece of paper saying I would tell them 5 days before billing that I want to cancel. Hopefully if they do this to enough prospects they can update their facility. Dont forget to support small local businesses.

I started training BJJ in my hometown and was really sad to leave my gym when I moved to Buffalo. I was nervous I wouldnt be able to find a community I felt comfortable training in but I found that at LEMA and couldnt be happier. Everyone is so friendly and great to work with and the coaches are awesome.They are very knowledgeable and willing to break down instructions step by step and are genuinely invested in your success, whatever that may look like for you. I highly recommend training here, you will find some of the best training partners out there! It can be an intimidating sport to start, but the folks at LEMA make it really fun.On top of all that, the gym itself is very clean and well kept, its clear that they take great care in facilities upkeep.

I was in town for work and Michael welcomed me to join any session that worked for my 42 year old white belt self which happened to be a 6:30am intro session on a cold November morning. Gym was very clean, spacious and well appointed with timers, cubbies, seating and changing space. I love their appreciation for foot hygiene! Great location with lots of windows and a big parking lot--super easy to find and convenient to Buffalo. Greg was the instructor for this session and he spent a lot of time with a thorough warm-up and individualized attention during reps. He even got involved in the gauntlet-style positional grappling which I seldom see black belts risk their noses and lips with us white belts! I hope to come back in the future... thanks again for the hospitality!

Joining Lake Effect Martial Arts has allowed me to improve both my mental and physical health in a welcoming, fun and safe environment. I have made many friends while relieving stress and losing over 40 pounds. The instruction is top-notch and accessible for students of all ages and levels. I recommend anybody interested to at least come in and try a class.

Expert instructors, very clean, extremely welcoming. Hands down, best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym in the area. Highly recommended for both adults and kids. Check out their schedule, so many class times available! They also have a boxing class!

Dropped in for a No-Gi class while in Buffalo where I’ll be traveling now for work. Facility, staff, and instructors were great. They made me feel welcomed and got some good rounds in. Look forward to coming back next time I’m in town.

Joining this gym was like joining a family. Very welcoming! Professors and coaches are true professional. Cant wait to continue my journey with this team.

Great Professor, Great Students, Great Environment and Facilities. Reasonably Priced As Well.

Thank you for letting me train with you last week. Had a great time rolling with everyone. Clean facility with expert instruction. Highly recommend this place.

Great place to train. Everybody is very friendly and the coaches are super knowledgeable! This gym is great for people who never trained before to those with years of experience. Lake Effect Martial Art is the place to train whether you want to compete at the highest level or just get in shape! I would highly recommend this gym for anyone looking to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Buffalo area.

From the moment we walked in, we felt nothing but welcomed and could tell these instructors know what theyre doing. Very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable.

Amazing people my son participates in the kids class. Coaches are very patient, and encouraging. They have built up my sons confidence greatly hes always excited about his next class

I participated and competed in various martial arts in my life. Everything from Tae Kwon Do, Kempo, and Karate in my younger years and even trained in Muay Thai for two years in my late 20s. I was always a heavier set build and I thought I have experienced what I could out of martial arts regarding weight loss while pushing my body and confidence to the limits. That is, until, I took my first class of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Lake Effect Martial Arts (LEMA).When I joined the LEMA family, I was the heaviest I been in my life and pushing an obese weight of 290lbs at the height of 6’0. I was extremely intimidated and embarrassed to start training in a martial art once again knowing how heavy I was, let alone a martial art I have absolutely no familiarity! However, due to the amazing culture and leadership of the academy, I felt right as if I was training on the mats there for months. Everyone is extremely helpful, friendly and always willing to assist (Professors and students); does not matter if your tall, short, heavy, skinny, everyone is training together on their jiu-jitsu journey. You’re not alone at LEMA or just “another number” at a gym, and the inviting family-like culture demonstrates the second-to-none leadership from the professors.In only 5 ½ months I have shed 50lbs and counting! Along with the weight loss, I am the most flexible and mobile I have been in my life and this is including my earlier martial arts years. Jiu-Jitsu is very challenging and will push your mind and body to the limits, but, you’re not on this journey alone.Regardless of what someone’s goals are: lose weight, get in better shape, compete or learn self-defense with arguably the most efficient martial arts in the world, there is no other place to train other than Lake Effect. I am grateful for taking the leap into the world of Jiu-Jitsu and looking forward to conquering more goals with the Lake Effect team!

I joined LEMA exactly one year ago and it has been hands down one of the best decisions Ive made in my adult life. Even though Bjj is not easy on the body, I can say with confidence two things have improved since my first day.My physical health has improved significantly. Ive lost close to 30 lbs and my energy levels are the highest they have ever been. I also see an immense improvement in my mental health as I feel more balanced, and relaxed the further I train. This martial art humbles you and shapes you into a better version of yourself, inside and outside.Instructors are so incredibly dedicated to your progress and are very knowledgeable.The facilities are in optimal shape and kept to the highest of standards. Classes are super fun and very flexible to fit anyones schedule. The overall feel when you walk into LEMA is nothing different than spending time with your friends and family. I would highly recommend to at least try one class and take it from there.Its never too late to invest in yourself.

Lake Effect is a club that truly cares about the development of their students. Great coaching from IBJJF certified instructors who are well versed in high level competition which is extremely hard to find these days. A complete BJJ academy. Highly recommended for new students looking to have fun, get in shape and learn or experienced students looking to compete at a high level. Great for all ages.

Choosing to train at LEMA is one of the most beneficial decisions one can make, for many reasons. Whether you want to have an enjoyable experience while getting more fit, learn a new martial art, or make friends, all of those things are guaranteed. This is a marvelous place with a positive atmosphere, LEMA has a heuristic approach to learning while still retaining great instructive skills. Ive been training here for around 8 months now, and there hasnt been one class where I wasnt impressed and feeling efficacious. The teachers are all adroit and skilled in what they do, and the students are just as risible and congenial. Anyone who chooses to train here is bound to be satisfied.

My son and I have learnt much going to this gym. Definitely the top tier BJJ gym in the Buffalo area. The coaches and staff are both friendly and hard working. Highly recommended!

Simply the best BJJ gym in all of Buffalo. Dont waste your time with the other pretenders. Here at Lake Effect Martial Arts we build world champion black belts! Our BBFTS (Black Belt Fast Track System) is a revolutionary system develloped by Coach Michael himself. Give it a try!

Ive been making trips out to train at LEMA since the beginning of this year, and now am training here regularly. Very happy with the instruction, intensity and talent pool!

Last year i decided that it was time to take the plunge in to learning BJJ.After doing trials at a couple of other schools I also did one here at Lake Effect. Before even walking in to my first class, communication with the owner and head instructor Mike Katilus was easy, with fast responses that reflected a genuine desire to not recruit just another student, but build a confident person, and genuinely get to know me a bit and make me feel welcome.This same attitude was shown with the coaches and students I met. Coach Dave and Joao were extremely friendly and welcoming, and I am somebody that would be considered pretty anti-social. They always had time to answer questions, break something down, and do it in a way that made me comfortable to ask more questions if needed.One year later and I see all of the coaches, and the students reflecting those same virtues. Making people feel they are actually a part of the team.As for the quality of instruction and technique, you get numerous different approaches from three different black belts, and some brown belts as well.The instruction of these people has lead many people to tournament success on local, national, and international levels.But if competing is not your thing, you will still feel just as welcome as there are plenty of people there for other reasons such as fitness, or just to learn a martial art for self-defense or personal challenge.The facility is large and holds two rooms with mats, a strength training area, cleans bathrooms and showers, and even a sauna for the perfect after workout relaxer. The mats are swept and mopped after EVERY class, and the academy takes pride in its cleanliness.Finally, one can also supplement their training with other programs such as yoga, strength training, and a movnat class.One year later and I have no regrets at all for making that decision to visit LEMA. I did the full week trial but I knew on the first day I went that I had found what would be my home away from home.To finalize: I drive an hour each way just to train here when there are other academies that are closer. Once you visit, you will understand why.

Makes me sweat excessively and submits me more than I enjoy. As Jiu Jitsu Aficionado I dont like to lose.Honestly great facilty, great instructors who take pride in the academy and the instructions of its students hobbyists or competitors alike.

Lake Effect Martial Arts is the best place in WNY if you are interested in: learning or training jiu jitsu, learning self-defense techniques, trying to get your kid into a positive hobby/sport (or bully-proofing), or if youre looking to improve your MMA game strategies. This state of the art gym is a bright, clean facility unlike others in the area. The coaches (Michael, David, Joao, Jarod, and Pedro) have trained and competed jiu jitsu all over the world. They take the gentle art seriously, they are each very dedicated to learning and improving their skills, and teaching the most cutting edge techniques to their students. These guys are patient, articulate, professional and encouraging as coaches - they want to help people to be their best on and off the mats. Check them out!

Great academy with the best training partners and coaches in WNY. Missing a class actually makes me feel bad because the enviroment is so positive and encougraging. If you want to get good at Jiu Jitsu and hang out with people that have the same goals, come join the party...get choked, choke some poeple and learn.