I've been training for a while now and have not recently paid to attend a seminar. I can't justify spending as much if not more than my monthly fees for a few hours of instruction. I"ll assume that some guys make their best effort and others hold back. Who are some of the guys that are definately worth the cash?
I've been to one seminar with Chris Blanke and was thinking the same thing before hand. Why the fuck would I pay this much for 5 hours of group instruction. If my instructor hadn't been so insistent I would of passed on it.
But I went and I still use shit I learned from that seminar and think about shit he taught a lot. So yes its worth it if the guy is good.
disbeliever - Depends on who is giving the seminar
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I think that gaining an often times entirely different perspective (on anything, not just grappling/MMA) is invaluable. At the cost of a month of training or less, you really can not go wrong. At worst case, you hate the seminar and gain more confidence in your own system and instructor. At best, you attend an awesome seminar and learn techniques and mindsets that you can apply for the rest of your life.
yes, but make sure you bring a note book so you can write down everything you learn. otherwise you might spend 150 bucks and not remember a single fucking thing you learned that day.
^ THIS!
Just got back from a Robson Moura BJJ seminar. Only three hours, but damn. Gonna type up my notes right now.... Got an entire weekend ahead of me. Remember more paper!
If its marcelo Garcia YES! Worth every penny.
I like seminars and generally get a couple things out of it that I can use and like.
Roy Harris seminar Last Night was great. 2 hours and he gave me some positional stuff that I am sure I will use for a long time.
We also get Eric Paulson at least once a year. Very reasonable rates at my gym for both.
Taking notes is a must.
Damien Maia puts on a great seminar.
Based on reviews I've read, so do Marcelo Garcia and Eddie Bravo.
I am going to say it depends on several variables. I am a no-gi guy and went to a seminar that turned out to be exclusively gi work....could have saved my money.
MURDER FACE - yes, but make sure you bring a note book so you can write down everything you learn. otherwise you might spend 150 bucks and not remember a single fucking thing you learned that day.
a wise man.
I really liked Fabio Hollanda.Wicked seminar.Never knew how many ways there was to do a kimura....By far the best seminar I ever attended.
fhk2 - If its marcelo Garcia YES! Worth every penny.
I agree you'll learn outstanding material at his seminars, the only criticism I'd have is that there was actually too much rolling. 2 hrs of instruction and 1 hr of rolling- I'd rather have learned from Marcelo in that last hour if I'm going to pay $150-$175 or so.
MURDER FACE - yes, but make sure you bring a note book so you can write down everything you learn. otherwise you might spend 150 bucks and not remember a single fucking thing you learned that day.
Actually I go a step farther
I take my notes right to the gym and set up my video camera and film myself (and a partner) giving the whole seminar over again cause I never remember the shit when I write it down
I have like 50 vids of myself reproducing seminars from damn near every one LOL
(Of course I keep them private only for me)
I found Eddie Bravo's seminar at the Arnold's in 2008 VERY helpful.
I had bought his book a few months before and tried to incorporate his shit into my game with a bit of success.
But after the seminar I realized I'd been doing an incomplete version of the Old School sweep (basically skipping a step), and his direction and reiteration made the difference.
He's also good at breaking the shit down into steps and working it till you get it.
Basically, I say that if you are a fan of the dude putting on the seminar, it's worth every penny....provided it's not over $100, lol!
if youre going to one of mine.
Seminars helped turn me into the badass I am today.
Pat Miletich's seminar's are all that and a bag of chips.
Funny thing about seminars is you never really know where the actual learning is going to come from. Back in the 90's I went to a Royce Gracie seminar in TX and ended up learning more from his purple and blue belts after the seminar than I learned from Royce (not Royce's fault since the seminar was geared for the majority of people there).
If you learn really quick, most seminars are probably very helpful.
If you don't learn really quick, you may pick up a thing or two that really helps. Or maybe you get nothing out of it.