http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/rss/feedsVersus Fitness in Montebello, California specializes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai Kickboxing and martial arts programs for kids and adults.Fri, 01 May 2026 15:18:43 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/covid19-update-from-versus-fitnesshttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/covid19-update-from-versus-fitnessNEWS: RE-Opening Date hopefully draws near. Versus Fitness has been closed since March 17th when the Stay at Home order was given. During that time, we made the switch to techniques, drills, and exercises all based online. We have used FB Live, Zoom, videos posted weekly in our Private FB group and most of all have developed Versus Online Video library available right here on the website. We made all this available with No Charge. We have come to understand that some gyms continued charging members for this time off, but here at Versus, we felt that would likely hurt more than help our members. Membership dues have been suspended for the months of April and May. All prepaid members will be credited their time. Some fees were reversed but not before some members noticed pending charges showing up on their online banking. We received several messages wondering if Versus was opened since they were being charged. But, all charges were reversed and we are still awaiting guidance from the State and County officials. When it’s time to return, trust that we will be taking all proper precautions as directed by Public Health Authorities. Our members’ safety is our top concern. Schedule, Class size and all other procedures and protocols will posted here and on social media. Join our Private FB group-VERSUS FC https://www.facebook.com/groups/VersusFC/?ref=share Get all the knowledge being dropped weekly. This has largely been our gathering place with the lack of a gym. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get News and Content. Need Help Setting up your Account on Versus Online, please contact us 562-743-2866. Take it easy out there, we will all return to the black mats soon. #MakeMartialArtsGreatAgain Fri, 29 May 2020 05:49:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/versus-kids-jiu-jitsu-team-places-3rd-out-of-115-academieshttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/versus-kids-jiu-jitsu-team-places-3rd-out-of-115-academiesVersus Kids Martial Arts in Montebello | 3rd Place out of 115 Academies in Southern California Versus Kids Dream Team places 3rd out of 115 AcadamiesWe couldn't be more proud of the Versus Kids for all their hard work in preparation for the Dream Jiu Jitsu State Championships. All the kids put on a exceptional show of skill, hard work and heart.Out of 115 Academies, Versus Fitness placed 3rd overall. 800 competitors showed up for the 1st State Championship this last Sunday September 30th.Versus Kids brought a team of 38 kids and had 81 matches for the day. The whole team contributed to this effort and we couldn't be happier with the outcome.If you are looking for an After-school program or activity for your child Ages 3-15. Give us a call and we would be happy to answer any and all of your questions on how to get started in our program. 562-743-2866 Thu, 03 Oct 2019 14:55:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/letter-to-a-concerned-parent--kids-martial-arts-in-montebellohttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/letter-to-a-concerned-parent--kids-martial-arts-in-montebelloLet me first off congratulate the whole Versus team for all their hard work. It takes all of us. From the Parents supporting, learning maybe even participating, to coaches who dedicate their time, effort, knowledge and experience. It takes Respectful Training partners to work with. It’s the whole village. “Rome wasn’t built in a day” First tournament win! And I’m not speaking of the gym or the team. I’m talking about the individual. More specifically, the 5 year old child, the 7 year old goofball, the quiet reserved 10 year old or the ever changing attitude of the Teenager. They all come in at different stages and we get to work with what they have. Improving small pieces at a time, learning a difficult technique and then forgetting it over the weekend. They build their own confidence and ego just to have it tested time and time again, sometimes in dramatic fashion and other times reduced completely to rubble. And then we start building on putting all the pieces back together again. Its this process that makes them come back stronger every time.This Jiu Jitsu stuff is difficult. It's no impossible by no means but I repeat...it is difficult. Jiu Jitsu has a way of MAKING its practitioners deal with what’s in front of them. You must defend. You must fight. You must face the problem at hand. If you don’t, you’ll suffer. Geez even when you defend, you suffer still but choosing to not defend means you’ll suffer more. Whether it’s being completely smashed by someone’s arm from a cross-face or being crushed by someone fully mounted on you pinning you to the floor, BJJ can have a way of taking any of us to a very fearful place. For adults too, take a class and see for yourself. But these kids build this ability to endure this little by little, practice by practice and hour by hour. We the coaches are there with them, we know how it feels to endure this treatment ourselves. Some kids make it look easy. Other kids take a bit more time. The process will work to improve their confidence, ability, strength, mental toughness ect. But it takes time. “Brick by brick, my fellow citizens, brick by brick” I’ve seen it time and time again. And I understand. It’s difficult to watch our son or daughter in a tough spot and be helpless. Or it’s easy to let them quit because it’s too hard. But trust that the process works. The constant guidance, work, commitment to something that takes longer than you thought would take. The day to day struggle of thinking our child is not improving because all their teammates that surround them are all getting better as well. But they are. Trust that they are improving. Little by little they are building something inside them they will take throughout the rest of their lives. Forging friendships made on the mats from blood, sweat and tears. But the catch is you have to keep bringing them. “You Only Lose when you Give Up” I’ve seen the child that wanted to quit go to winning Gold this weekend. I saw the child that kept coming up short finally get their first Gold medal. The struggling 8 year old child turn Teenager now come into their own and become a very well respected competitor. And with these few examples...these kids haven’t fully bloomed yet. But they have become more prepared than I was at that age. More prepared to take on bigger tasks that the future holds for them. They are not normal average kids anymore. And then there are all the kids in between these examples. Neither here nor there but in the “in between.” But they are on their own path because they began at their own starting point. And in time they will have a defining moment where they make a “break through” and get a boost of confidence and momentum. These break throughs will undoubtably pull them through the more difficult times. Again I know it’s hard to watch your child in a tough spot and want to help or remove them, but we have to trust the process. They might want to quit because it’s hard or maybe consider this, you would quit under these same circumstances and they are feeding off of that energy. And something else to consider as well, the body will always choose the path of least resistance, do we want them to always choose the easy route, stay in their comfort zone and turn away when times get difficult? Lastly, “Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” Entitlement is poisonous. The sense of Entitlement is the unreasonable expectation that everyone owes you something or more importantly the belief that you deserve special treatment. We are teaching the kids more about accountability. To be responsible for their own actions. These kids are learning the value of goal setting, commitment and hard work towards that goal. They have to suffer and endure before they earn what they want. No special treatment here, no easy matches, no easy days. No free passes to the front of the line here. And its a long line and it will take some time but we shouldn't let that stand in the way. To say the least, we are proud of them. They are improved from the first day and we look forward to those defining moments and break throughs but until then, when they fall down, they learn to get back up. And when they can’t get up themselves, they have their teammates reaching down, coaches to encourage them and parents to support them. That’s what this family is about. Versus Kids @ Dream BJJ State Championships 2018Wed, 03 Oct 2018 00:00:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/black-belt-isaac-doederlein-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-seminarhttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/black-belt-isaac-doederlein-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-seminar Isaac Doederlein Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Seminar Versus Fitness MontebelloVersus Fitness Welcomes Back Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt Isaac DoederleinWe welcome back Cobrinha Black belt Isaac Doederlein for an great opportunity to learn from one of the best competitors in the world! He is very technical and great at conveying information for everyone to learn from. We had and awesome time on the black mats at Isaac's last seminar and we look forward to hosting him once again in our Brand new facility.Don't miss out on this chance to learn from one of the most technical, exciting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fighters in the world.This will be a Gi Seminar on Saturday, January 14th 2017 at 1pm at Versus Fitness in Montebello, Ca.$50 Pre-Sale and $65 at the door.This is sure to be a great event. Get your Pre-Sale tickets in person at Versus Fitness or will be available ONLINE SOON!BUY NOW:Isaac Doederlein $50.00 USDAdult - Two Week Trial $59.00 USDContact InformationVersus Fitness1431 N Montebello BlvdMontebello Ca, 90640562-743-2866 Sun, 01 Jan 2017 16:16:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/happy-new-year--reopening-week-schedulehttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/happy-new-year--reopening-week-scheduleSchedule for this Upcoming Week Versus Fitness 2017- New Year, New Gym, Same Great Training and VibeHappy New Year! The time has come. We are Excited to welcome everyone into our New larger space we'll call home. Versus Fitness has expanded our mat space, added a full-size ring, more striking equipment, more seating area and you just have to see the rest for yourself.For anyone looking to get started, please contact us at 562-743-2866 and ask about our $59 2 Week Trial + Uniform/Gear Comes with Unlimited Training in both Muay Thai Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.Our schedule is modified for this first week of January. Here it is below:Monday Closed NO CLASSTuesday BJJ 10:30am (NO MUAY THAI)Kids Level 2 4:30pmAVK 5:30pmBJJ Fundamentals 6:30pmBJJ Int/Adv 7:30pm (NO MUAY THAI)Wednesday REGULAR SCHEDULE *1st Muay Thai Class in New Striking AreaThursday REGULAR SCHEDULE[**IMPORTANT**] Closed Friday-Monday (Jan 6th-9th)We appreciate your continued patience during this process. It will all be complete shortly! Sun, 01 Jan 2017 15:44:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/schedule-update--reopening-datehttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/schedule-update--reopening-dateI hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday season. We appreciate your patience as we get our New facility up and running. We are still working and putting some finishing touches together but we can't wait to show off the amazing new space we have.Our Re-Opening Date is Tuesday January 3rd Versus Fitness 2017Here is the Class Schedule for Tuesday January 3rdMorning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 10:30am-12:30pm (NO Muay Thai just yet)Kids Adv Combination - 4:30pmAVK -5:30BJJ Beginning Fundamentals-6:30pmBJJ 201 Intermediate-7:30pmNo Evening Muay Thai. Our First Muay Thai Class will be Wednesday January 4th at 6:30pm with Coach OndreAny Questions? Please Call/Text 562-743-2866Wed, 28 Dec 2016 11:09:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/schedule-update-last-days-at-the-original-versushttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/schedule-update-last-days-at-the-original-versusWe Will Be Moving Friday December 23rdOur Last Classes at the Original Versus Fitness location will be this Thursday night with Coach Mike and Coach Roland! Stop by and get your last training sessions and say your farewells to the walls we called home.We will be Closed Friday, Saturday(Christmas Eve), Sunday(Christmas Day) for Regular scheduled classes.Please stay tuned for more information on a possible Christmas Eve Open mat and next week's schedule To-Be-Announced.Regular scheduled classes for Wednesday and Thursday!(New Location will offer larger mat area, boxing ring, punching bags and much much more)Have a Merry Christmas and we will see you soon. New Location is Located within the Montebello Town Center Wed, 21 Dec 2016 15:00:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/return-of-the-versus-kidsbrazilian-jiu-jitsu-in-montebellohttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/return-of-the-versus-kidsbrazilian-jiu-jitsu-in-montebelloThe day after the tournament and my newsfeed is filled with pictures, posts, videos from yesterday’s event. There are a lot of memories being shared by proud parents and friends of the largest team we have ever assembled for a tournament and with this particular event being the largest it has ever been.Back in Oct 2013, I was asked to referee at one of the first Kid’s Dream events. The Versus Kids were still new at the time and had not yet begun preparing for competition. I got an understanding of what it was like to be on the other side of the coaches and crowd. One reason you won’t find me being too rough on the refereeing. It’s a tough job with an experience and learning process in itself. Too often I see higher ranks losing control with the referee’s at kids’ events which would be perfect time and place to set an example for those little eyes that are watching. Dream Jiu Jitsu 2013The following Kid’s Dream tournament in March 2014 , Versus took a small group of competitors. I think we won one match all day and we learned some hard lessons. One of my best and fondest memory that I still share with the kids was born that day as well. After losing all 3 of his matches, Little Eddie was clearly distraught after it was over. I stayed calm for him and his parents while I was dying inside. That following Monday, he shows up for class and in the middle of the parking lot he asked me to teach him more jiu jitsu. He hasn't missed more than a few weeks at a time of practice in the last 2 1/2 years and I've been in his corner ever since. Dream Jiu Jitsu/Versus Fitness 2014The same day another Versus kid stepped into competition. The picture below is Josh before his first match. He lost all his matches that day as well. It was hard for me to see him and his teammates broken up but I stayed calm. It wasn't too long after that tournament in 2014 that he and his sister quit jiu jitsu altogether. I am very happy with the growth of the Dream BJJ organization. As big as the event was, it was still ran amazingly efficient. Our kids had a great time. They showed tons of heart in all their matches and with no doubt be ever stronger and changed by these new challenges. Speaking on behalf of all the coaches on the Black mats, we are proud of all the Versus Kids. We believe in them most of all. We see them focused and working every week and understand that all this work adds up if they just keep going. Each one of these kids is on their own journey. And these paths cannot be compared to another’s path. They are all unique. Their journey may or may not include certain experiences that another might have. I notice this every time leading up to tournaments, during and after. Some competitors experience having to cut weight, they earn a gold medal or have epic first round battles. Some kid’s face obstacles unrelated to jiu jitsu like loads of homework, relationships or even sickness/injury.The energy these kids feed from the most is what fuels and drives them. If our energy is calm under pressure, confident and resilient, they will pick up on it. If it is angry, confusing or nervous, they will pick up on that as well. That’s why it is important for me to always try to put out a clear message that their radar can pick up on.Josh and his sister were gone for more than two years before they returned this year. And with about nine months more of training, both he and his sister competed this weekend. Little Eddie as well who has become a leader and an example to all the Versus kids with his courage, focus and hard work. Below is a picture of a few of the Versus kids with their teammates and coaches. Hey and remember that boy Josh I spoke about, well he earned his first Gold medal just like we believed he could. Sometimes that's all they need, a little push and someone to believe in them."Success means doing the best we can with what we have. Success is the doing, not the getting; in the Trying, not the triumph. Success is a personal standard, reaching for the highest that is in us, becoming all that we can be." Dream Jiu Jitsu Dec 2016Sun, 04 Dec 2016 21:06:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/martial-arts-teach-kids-how-to-set-goalshttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/martial-arts-teach-kids-how-to-set-goalsI remember being too shy as a kid to go out in front of people. My parents wanted to sign me up for sports teams in soccer and baseball but it wasn't until my younger brother went out there that I gave it a try. My earliest memories were that I had fun playing soccer but not so much baseball. At minimum I enjoyed the nachos at the concession stand. They hand-cut and deep fried their own chips and they were delicious. It just wasn't my sport. I tried out and because I could run fast on the bases and I could throw relatively straight, I made it to Minor A. I didn't belong there to say the least. I was uncomfortable and awkward.Although in soccer, I enjoyed playing and practicing. It came natural. I played a few seasons of soccer in the Fall and Baseball in the Spring until I was asked to be on the Spring Select team/Allstar team and gave up baseball forever+10 years. By playing/practicing soccer year round, it was no surprise I got better. I look back though and I was coached by dads that volunteered. Most did not play or even know how to kick a ball but they enjoyed the game and had the willingness and patience to work with kids. I respected that. I respected more though being taught the skills by a few coaches that knew something about the sport.But even then for the first few years of being introduced to soccer, the only goals my coaches taught me about was when I kicked the ball to the back of the net. There wasn't a clear message of what I could do to get better. I took it upon myself to kick the ball against the wall and teach myself tricks. This was pre-Internet don't forget.Let me get to my point now. We came up with an appropriate hashtag that truly represents the Kids Martial Arts program at Versus Fitness. #IwantToBeaVersusKid The children come into an environment that is friendly and safe. We work hard to keep it that way, teaching the kids responsibility, empathy towards their teammates, humility, discipline, hard work and most of all GOAL SETTING.The program is broken down currently into 4 different levels, two of which the kids must earn their way into and be invited. They are given clear instructions on what they are learning, what is expected Kids Martial Arts in Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valleyof them, proper mat etiquette, proper hygiene, motivation and encouragement. These are items I would have responded to as a kid, hence the hashtag. The Versus kids have a lot of fun together, they form close friendships and bonds working so close to each other. It is my hope that these friendships blossom over the years to come and they carry these teammates on until adulthood. I know it's possible because one of my closest friends I met on the soccer field when I was eight. I'm happy to say now his children grace the black mats at Versus Fitness.Goal setting is important to talk to with the kids. I explain to them about short-term and long-term goals and encourage them to continue even when they are faced with difficulty. I mean that is what we want for the kids, right? To be able to overcome obstacles that arise in their lives as they grow up? What really helps is that they know their teammates are right there with them setting goals, reaching them and setting new goals. They are around like-minded individuals. The result is increased confidence. They believe in themselves and in their ability to take on difficult tasks, solve them and move on towards larger and more difficult tasks.This mental toughness they develop going through our Kids Martial Arts program at Versus will provide them the skills and tools to become strong productive individuals. I'm not the only one that wishes I was a Versus Kid. I have overheard parents saying the same thing.If you are a parent reading this and have no idea how to get started then let us help. We start with Free classes for Kids so they can come and be apart of our program and get a feel for how classes work. You as a parent will also get to see exactly what they will be apart of. Our friendly staff will answer any questions you have and we go from there. It's that easy.So come on down to Versus Fitness and Visit. It will be the best decision you make and your child will thank you!Sun, 13 Nov 2016 02:29:00 -0700http://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/happy-to-announce-our-expansion--versus-fitness--martial-artshttp://www.versusfitnesscenter.com/blog/post/happy-to-announce-our-expansion--versus-fitness--martial-artsI made a Post early 2013 with a picture of an empty room. It was a blank canvas to me and sometimes when I don't know what to draw or paint, well, I just start by putting up colors I like, then lines, then ideas start to form and we go from there. We make mistakes, we make adjustments. We add more color, we erase and take color away. Before Picture of Versus FitnessI found my original Post on Feb 12, 2013 with a picture of an empty room. Two years later, I made this comment below on Dec 20, 2014 and these feelings continue to be my goal for everyone that grace the black mats.“I have to look at these pictures in a positive light because at the time, I was in pretty rough waters. I believed in my vision for what I wanted out of the gym but the gym was at odds right from the beginning. Growing up, I was very fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood, go to good schools, have a stay at home workaholic mom, go to college ect..Most of all I have a very close family. I want people to belong to a unit like that. The same kind of unit my family gave me. The love and the chance to succeed. This is my mission, my goal, my constant thought and responsibility to all of you. I'm thankful for your trust, friendship and hard work making the black mats the place it has become and what it will be.”Well I’m happy to announce, Officially that very soon, we will all be moving into another new and larger empty room not too far from our current spot. About 40 feet away to be exact. I'm confident we will fill this room with more hard work, laughter, tears, new friendships, struggle...color and ideas. Before I sat down to write this, I took a trip down memory lane and revisited some old photos. We managed to overcome so much and fill what was once an empty room with everything and everyone that has become part the Versus family. Our photo timeline on Instagram illustrates perfectly all the hard work, laughs and good times we have all enjoyed over the last 3.5 years. Definitely excited to see what this next chapter has in store for us all. I’ll leave you with one of my favorite quotes, one that I take with me everywhere, “Success in not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”We have a lot of ideas for the new and improved larger space. Stay tuned for more information.If you are looking to Join the Versus Family, we offer a Free Week of training.Join our Mailing list for Upcoming Holiday and "Project Versus Move-in" Specials or Call 562-743-2866Thu, 27 Oct 2016 09:04:00 -0700