A. 30 minutes warm-up
Marcus’ warm-ups are known to be very difficult. He has designed the warm-ups to build on strength, cardio and how to become a better fighter. Historically Carlson Gracie fighters are known for their aggression and toughness. An important influence on Marcus’s life in sport was his uncle, Herman Portes Gerber. Herman was a black belt in both judo and jiu-jitsu and was a professional soccer player. Marcus started weight training and conditioning in 1968 with his uncle’s encouragement and guidance, and he soon noticed how it improved his jiu-jitsu.
Marcus Soares has developed a warm-up work out that will push the limits and make you become not only a better fighter but better shape overall. Marcus and Carlson Gracie philosophy has always been that you should be in better shape than your opponent and Marcus teaches his class to be the best Brazilian Jiu-jitsu fighter you can be but pushing the limits of a person to be in better shape mentally and physically. Marcus believes that a dedicated competitor should do additional cardio; the class warm-up, although very tough, is not enough. Both aerobic and anaerobic training should be included.
He usually devotes 30 minutes per class to conditioning.
Marcus used his university degree in physical education degree to develop this exercise routine. The exact sequence changes from day to day, and there are many variations and different exercises to keep the workout fresh. He makes sure that every workout challenges every part of the body.
Even though the warm ups are legendary for being extremely tough, one should go at their own pace and only push themselves when they fell fit.
Below is an example of some of the warm up techniques demonstrated by Marcus Soares and Blue Belt Derek Laforte
Picture A - Marcus starts by squatting down and gripping his partner’s lapels
Picture B - Maintaining a straight back he pulls his partner up to him. It is important that the man on the bottom keeps his body stiff like a board.
Complete 15 repetitions, and then continue on.
Picture C - Switch roles. Now it is his partner’s turn: he grips Marcus’s lapels from below
Picture D - …and pulls himself up. Complete 15 repetitions and then the hanging partner becomes the standing partner
B. 45 minutes techniques with Q&A
One thing that you will never get from any other jiu-jitsu club is Marcus’ knowledge in jiu-jitsu.
In Brazil and the jiu-jitsu world he is known as the Encyclopedia of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Being the highest ranking Carlson Gracie student today, Marcus can answer any question that you have, no matter what situation you describe.
After the warm up there is a Q&A period. That is where you can ask Marcus anything about jiu-jitsu. You can ask about defense, offense or other moves and Marcus will tell you not only how to get out but also the defense and the counter to that defense.
Marcus’ knowledge in BJJ is second to none and no other Vancouver BJJ club or instructor in North America has as much knowledge about the sport than Professor Soares.
Marcus was the Head instructor at the main Carlson Gracie camp in Rio de Janeiro where he was taught by Carlson Gracie himself and he taught the club. He trained some of the best names in BJJ history like Alan Goes, Ricardo Liborio (Head of American Top Team), Mario Sperry, Conan Silveira (instructor at ATT), Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo De La Riva, Ricardo “Rey” Diogo and Wallid “Paraiba” Ismail just to name a few.
So if you have a question about a particular position or move, Marcus will answer it. Not many BJJ clubs in Vancouver can say that.
No other BJJ club in Vancouver has as much experience teaching BJJ than Professor Soares. If you combine and tally up all the clubs instructors teaching experience, Marcus would still be more experienced.
After the Q&A period, Marcus teaches 3 to 5 jiu-jitsu moves to the class. This is where you will work on techniques with your partner to learn how to fight.
Each student will partner up and apply the knowledge from Marcus through repetition so you can learn BJJ and become a better fighter.
C. 45 minutes of sparring time
After technique comes open sparring. This is where you get to fight and you’re your skills with other students in the class.
Sparring runs 45 minutes to an hour. There is no restriction as everyone gets to fight everyone no matter what belt you are. Yo can go as hard or as light as you want but to become a better fighter you need rolling time.
Marcus stresses to become a better fighter you have learn hot to fight and this is where sparring comes in. most BJJ clubs in Vancouver only offer maybe 20 minutes of rolling, but not here.
The only way to get better is to spar.
If you want to learn and become the better fighter or just want to get in better shape you have to try a class with Marcus Soares.
