CLASSES

JOIN THE PREMIERE COMBAT SPORTS GYM IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Leading Edge Gym has been teaching the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the past 20 years in Thunder Bay.

Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club has been an affiliate club under Professor Daniel Moroney and Bravado Jiu-Jitsu since 2001. Professor Moroney is a 4th Dan black belt under the legendary Royler Gracie.

Leading Edge BJJ has 7 active black belt instructors and a number of gifted brown and purple belt coaches.

At Leading Edge you will get a complete BJJ education with classes covering both Gi and No-gi sport applications, wrestling for BJJ, self defense applications as well as BJJ for first responders.

Our students train for a variety of reasons some train for competition, others train for the challenge and love of the art and many take classes for the self defense aspect and the confidence that goes along with it. No matter the reason you’ll always find a class going on at Leading Edge.

BOXING

Leading Edge Gym has been a member of Boxing Ontario since 2012. We offer competitive and recreational boxing classes in the Olympic style of boxing with all classes being taught by Boxing Ontario certified coaches.

Our students find that our boxing classes are a great way to learn some valuable skills, get in great shape and meet new people all while trying something fun and challenging .

Our classes are made up of all gender students age 11 to 60 plus, that come from all walks of life all with a variety of personal goals.

Classes typically include a warm up, physical fitness training, footwork drills, skill development, shadow boxing, pad work, partner training, bag work, sparring development and competition readiness training. We also offer both amateur and professional competitive development with guidance of every aspect of an athlete’s competitive journey.

Whether you train for fun or want to enter the ring you’ll find the values of determination, hard work, respect and teamwork that you develop will greatly enhance every aspect of your life.

Kickboxing

Leading Edge Gym is no stranger to the science of 8 Limbs. Learn from our professional coaching staff the basics of punches, kicks, elbows and knees. An excellent workout and one that will test your limits. Grow your self confidence and cardio capabilities.

Mixed Martial Arts

Leading Edge Gym has one of the longest running MMA programs in Ontario. Since its inception Leading Edge has established a reputation for developing professional well rounded athletes that are equally adept at stand up as on the ground. Over the years this program has produced many champions in both the amateur and professional ranks.

Our current MMA program focuses on training in stand up and ground ranges; skills from BJJ, wrestling, boxing, bare knuckle boxing, Muay Thai and other combatives will be introduced. The class is high energy and great for those interested in developing a well rounded martial art base, as well as those interested in MMA and street self protection skills. Our program is great for both the recreational and competitive athlete alike.

Kids/Youth Programs

Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/self defense program is not only a marital arts class but a training program for your children to build confidence and succeed in various aspects of their life. In an ever-changing world of peer pressure, bullying and negative influences our program prides itself on providing the tools for everyday life.

Through play-based games, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques and live role playing your child will develop the skills to succeed in these areas. The kids’ program Is operated by several skilled coaches all with many years of experience being able to provide small group and individual level focus and attention.

Leading Edge is a community and family environment which prides itself on building the character values of confidence, humility, generosity, discipline, focus and many more. Not only will they develop skills of de-escalating volatile problematic situations without the use of violence they will also develop a sense of belonging, identity and self esteem being on our team that will last them a lifetime.

Leading Edge MMA also has a youth boxing program! Instructed by a former Professional Boxer. A great place to learn the fundamentals of boxing, and a chance to be as competitive as you want.

Women’s Only Programs

At Leading Edge MMA we recognize the need for Women’s Only Programs. We strive to provide a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. We offer several programs that are exclusively for Women.

WOMEN’S SELF PROTECTION WORKSHOP

This workshop coincides with the UN's End Violence against Women Campaign and their 16 days of Activism against gender based violence.

Leading Edge Gym’s head coach and owner Matt Richer will be conducting an introduction to self defence for women on Sunday December 5th from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

The seminar will focus on :

- developing the Street Safe mindset .

- how to increase situational awareness.

- learning to trust your intuition

- how to stay safe online and off

- skills to help defuse a potentially violent encounter.

- tools of the trade / effective street striking .

- escapes and counters to common attacks .

- an introduction to “grounded but not out “ how to survive and prevail if knocked to the ground and much more .

The seminar is open to women 11 years of age and up . Sign up with a friend or family member , it"s a great mother / daughter experience.

All current covid protocols will be followed.

The seminar will be capped at 20 participants so please register early . Cost is $30 .

Matt Richer has been training for 43 plus years and has a wealth of Martial Art experience. Over his career he has acquired 5 black belts in a variety of martial arts . Matt is currently the head coach at Leading Edge Gym and teaches classes in boxing , brazilian Jiu- Jitsu , mma and self defence .

Matt also works for the Ontario Native Women's Association as their Sexual Violence Awareness Training Coordinator on the project Ending Violence Towards Indigenous Women.

Self Defence

If your main goal of training is self defense then Leading Edge Gym has you covered. Our programs of boxing, mixed martial arts and brazilian jiu-jitsu offer students practical skills that can be used to protect oneself if the need should arise. Even more importantly the discipline, respect, focus and determination gained from training in these functional martial arts will help you lead a life of inner peace and mastery.

Leading Edge Gym also offers monthly self defense courses on a variety of topics. Courses typically cover:

  • How to increase situational awareness

  • Defusing and de-escalation skills

  • Practical physical tools

  • The psychology of defending yourself and how to develop the street safe mindset

  • Defending yourself in close quarters and when on the ground

  • Escapes from common attacks