Andy Aspinall Vs Carl Fisher

[widge milward]

No, this is not a challenge or a thread to shit stir.

Im seriously looking into BJJ and i know these two are very respected in the North West.

I have trained MMA with both guys when they have been to the colosseum.

As for BJJ could people fill me in on Info about there gyms?

Prices?
Training days?
session format?
skill levels?
numbers on the mat?

which is the best gym to train out? is there any others in the North West with good reps?

Any help would be appreciated. BTW i dont want none of this "try them all" i havent really got time to got o each BJJ gym in the NW area to find one i like, i wanna just jump on the mat and start training.

what are the main differences between the gyms? if any? didnt they both used to train with each other? who was the coach?

Thanks for all the help.

Widge

[mdea]

Try http://www.academyofcombat.com/ they are very good but not strictly Brazilian.

From speaking to both the clubs before I sugest that maybe Carl Fisher is the better guy to train with, he seems to be more positive than Bolton catch, but I have not trained with either so it is just based on previous converstions.

[willow]

MDEA = More positive?? How do you come to that conclusion??

If you have never trained with us then don't make comments you cannot quantify!

The upshot of this thread will be who you feel you like the best and who's teaching style compliments your own learning style. BJJ is BJJ. It all depends how you grasp the techniques,positions and the body mechanics needed to pull them together.

On a personal note = Andy Aspinall is by far the better instructor but I am biased and like his teaching style. he can also back up every technique he show when sparring.

Ian

[mdea]

Willow it is based on converstions I have had with both clubs in private messages.
Whilst Carl just sung the praises of Brazilian and what he could offer me, a representative of your club informed me that they dont see eye to eye with Carl, which was none of my business.
I'm just going off that info and I am allowed to comment this is a forum, its all based on opinions.

I'm happy training where I am so it was just a comment.

[Matty]

Widge,

I've training at Carls for some years (but not been in about 3 months due to work commitments) when he was originally based at Bolton Wrestling club up to present at Kai Mans in town

Carls lessons are very technical in there approach, I would certainly recommend going. From memory BJJ is Tuesday and Thursday @ 7:15, drop him a line though as I could be wrong.
Good mix of abilities, grappling backgrounds and weights to contend with, plus Carl does alot of cross training/teaching at other clubs so he often brings in things he learnt elsewhere which was good.

With ref to AAC (Academy of Combat), it has fantastic facilities and a HUGE matted area but its much more Sambo, traditional JJ and grappling based.
No BJJ at all.
Some very good lads train there BUT I felt Carl's lessons are a hell of a lot more technical and certainly more practical for MMA and grappling competition purposes. Plus AAC doesnt teach half the techniques BJJ can offer you.
Then again, there are some good Sambo stuff to be had!
What I will say however, not that its relevant to your question , the Thai Boxing and Boxing there is second to none.

Finally, cant comment on Andy Aspinall as Ive never trained there.

Id go to Carl's

[boxingbrit]

I have always got a lot out of training with Carl. He is a good coach and one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic instructors i have met. Carl was looking for decent instructors round the world to train with when we were looking in HMV for UFC2

[DCurrie]

Carl was looking for decent instructors round the world to train with when we were looking in HMV for UFC2

Did he find any? Just kidding.

"or a thread to shit stir" that'll make a change, Widge ;0)

As I get on well with Andy and Carl is part of Combat Base, I would recommend forgetting both of them and coming to train in Ponte. we have some big lads (your weight) you can roll with.

DC

[widge milward]

LOL Darren, Ponte is a bit too far ;)

any info on both of the gyms is great. what are there teaching styles like?

Do any of them have 'prefered' styles?

[J-Sho]

I have always got a lot out of training with Carl. He is a good coach and one of the most dedicated and enthusiastic instructors i have met. Carl was looking for decent instructors round the world to train with when we were looking in HMV for UFC2

Has Widge been having privates with you on advanced Kenwood techniques?

[boxingbrit]

Yeah but he is so blatant as to not even being close. I will try and teach him to disguise his techniques a little better next session.

[widge milward]

lol @ you 2, im not trying to stir.

i know both guys and have trained MMA with both guys in the past, im just looking to train pure BJJ and i know both these guys have good reps in the area.

is there any other BJJ gyms in the area?

[boxingbrit]

Check the other thread you lazy bastard

[Fast but dim]

try both clubs!

[creonte]

fren,

maybe go both gyms take best tekneeks from, wen have make decision
for stay choose place tuffest for get blue belt>it sure to be best place

[stu3ufc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_cdj6VJWaQ


Maybe this video can help you see what goes on at Bolton Catch, if you don't want to be traveling to both clubs

[OWDBUM]

As the answer to Widges question is so obvious it hurts my eyes, I can only assume this is a troll attempt:confused:
mdea....firstly, you haven't trained at either club, therefore your opinion is uninformed, and not valid.
secondly, club/instructor self promotion does not equal better bjj instruction;)

take care...owdbum

[RMK47]

Haha you make me laugh
Andy aspinall vs carl fisher as your title "but am not poo stering"

[mdea]

As the answer to Widges question is so obvious it hurts my eyes, I can only assume this is a troll attempt:confused:
mdea....firstly, you haven't trained at either club, therefore your opinion is uninformed, and not valid.
secondly, club/instructor self promotion does not equal better bjj instruction;)

take care...owdbum

It was just an opinion based on private conversations. Your club brought politics into the conversation, the other club, Carls, did not.
Based on that it leads me to believe that at the very least Carl's is more professional in attitude.
Now you attack me direct, which only goes to prove the point even further. Rather than give the positives you continue to focus on the negatives.
First impressions are a big thing so my opinion is valid.

Bolton Catch might be a great place to train, but the attitude of yourselves is what is putting me and maybe others off. I dont know even if you are connected to the club or in what way.

[widge milward]

Haha you make me laugh
Andy aspinall vs carl fisher as your title "but am not poo stering"

i am not stirring, please see my original post looking for info on both gyms. to get a feel for one i think will suit my needs.


As for BJJ could people fill me in on Info about there gyms?

Prices?
Training days?
session format?
skill levels?
numbers on the mat?

[OWDBUM]

Widge, I think everything you're asking for can be found here....
www.boltoncatch.co.uk

mdea...you don't have any knowledge of either club, not sure how you can offer any advice regarding either club.
You seem to have decided BC is an unproffesional/politcal/negative set up just by reading a few vague posts and private messages....you couldn't be further from the truth, but then you'd know that...if you'd ever trained with us.

Hey we can all read posts and make unfounded suppositions, for instance, after reading your posts again I've decided you're a bellend...

I'm sure you're not really, though:rolleyes:

have a nice day, owdbum

[mdea]

Widge, I think everything you're asking for can be found here....
www.boltoncatch.co.uk

mdea...you don't have any knowledge of either club, not sure how you can offer any advice regarding either club.
You seem to have decided BC is an unproffesional/politcal/negative set up just by reading a few vague posts and private messages....you couldn't be further from the truth, but then you'd know that...if you'd ever trained with us.

Hey we can all read posts and make unfounded suppositions, for instance, after reading your posts again I've decided you're a bellend...

I'm sure you're not really, though:rolleyes:

have a nice day, owdbum

As you dont officially speak for your club I will ignore your comments and opinions as they count for nothing.

[creonte]

frens,

this thread gay

witch guy win in kimono-fisher or aspinall?

witch guy win in submission (no kimono)?

witch guy win in vale tudo?

frens that all i want know!

[OWDBUM]

As you dont officially speak for your club I will ignore your comments and opinions as they count for nothing.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
tool.

[mdea]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
tool.

Another unofficial spokesperson.

At least your instructors have more dignity, respect and conviction.

[bigleeroy1]

never actually trained with carl but hes a cool guy and ive heard he is a very good coach

[boxingbrit]

I have trained with Carl many times and he is both a good guy and a good coach.

[OWDBUM]

Another unofficial spokesperson.


perhaps, but that's infinitely better than an uninformed spokesperson, me thinks.



peace out

owdbum

[bigleeroy1]

I have trained with Carl many times and he is both a good guy and a good coach.

yeah y always have to go one better dont ya:D

[boxingbrit]

Always mate;)

[mdea]

perhaps, but that's infinitely better than an uninformed spokesperson, me thinks.



peace out

owdbum

typing in bold does not make you anymore official, your just a man with an opinion like me, the only difference being you have to resort to name calling, whilst I just give an opinion based on first impressions. My second impression is of your instructor who seems like a nice guy, my third is of you... oh well just have to stick with the first and second then, becuase the third is not worth bothering with.

[OWDBUM]

typing in bold does not make you anymore official, your just a man with an opinion like me, the only difference being you have to resort to name calling, whilst I just give an opinion based on first impressions. My second impression is of your instructor who seems like a nice guy, my third is of you... oh well just have to stick with the first and second then, becuase the third is not worth bothering with.
:D
you're good fun, my 'hard of thinking' friend, you really can't be older than 12, surely?

it's ok to use bold text to emphasize an important point, it doesn't mean you're making an official statement, in any case, how do you know I don't have 'official' sanction to tickle your balls? (gay enough Creonte?)

but enough of this idle chitchat, this conversation is nothing to do with you, so you have my permission to leave the room and go play with your dollies.

something interesting I've noticed, all the guys that have vouched for Andy (including myself) have also trained at some point with Carlinho, and all the guys that have plumped for Carl, have only trained with him (or neither)
well...all apart from DC who thinks we should all train with him...fair play!:D

make of it what you will.

all the best, owdbum

[perfect virus]

dude. andy does a bjj gi class at kaobon fri 6-8. fiver. 20+ people. u could easily pop down straight after work.

[$candalous]

Andy teaches fri nights in our gym, he's very technical and a very good teacher, theres around 20 in the class, different levels, there is alot of gi beginners as its a new addition to the classes in r gym but we also have a nogi class wed night and sat mornin with all diff levels if u wana do any nogi. if u need any more info just ask mate.

[james83]

something interesting I've noticed, all the guys that have vouched for Andy (including myself) have also trained at some point with Carlinho, and all the guys that have plumped for Carl, have only trained with him (or neither)
well...all apart from DC who thinks we should all train with him...fair play!:D

make of it what you will.

all the best, owdbum

I was looking for a bjj club so i sampled both and made the decision to train with carl. I based my decision on the standard of coaching and the friendly welcome that i recieved at carls. I didn't intend to post on this thread but thought it was only fair to respond to, what in my opinion is an arsey comment from owdbum.

james

[mdea]

:D
only

Your doing it again. Just because you put it in bold it does not make it right. In fact you were actually wrong as the post above shows (james 83).

Leave your club promotion to your instructors you are doing a terrible job. Luckily I know you are not speaking on behalf of the club you train at so you are probably best to be ignored.

[widge milward]

dude. andy does a bjj gi class at kaobon fri 6-8. fiver. 20+ people. u could easily pop down straight after work.

that would of been ideal mate, but i no longer work in Liverpool mate.

[OWDBUM]

I was looking for a bjj club so i sampled both and made the decision to train with carl. I based my decision on the standard of coaching and the friendly welcome that i recieved at carls. I didn't intend to post on this thread but thought it was only fair to respond to, what in my opinion is an arsey comment from owdbum.

james

what was arsey about it James? it was merely an observation based on comments posted on this thread...which now doesn't apply as you have posted...should have piped up sooner.
Apart from you James, I'm not aware of anyone who has trained at BC and now trains at combat base, however, I can think of many members of BC that have previously trained with Carl....happy to be proved wrong though;)

but all that aside, if everyones happy with their club they should stay there, if you are starting out, go to different clubs, see what suits your needs.

mdea, when are you actually going to start ignoring me? :confused:

take care, owdbum

[creonte]

yea but who better for real fight?

[Bingo]

but all that aside, if everyones happy with their club they should stay there, if you are starting out, go to different clubs, see what suits your needs.

OWDBUM - Agree with the above

WIDGE - why don't you just do a weeks training at one club, a weeks training at the other and make your own mind up???

With reference to CB Bolton and your initial question

Prices - £5 a session
Training - Tue/ Thu (BJJ)
Session Format - Warmup / Technique / Sparing
Skill Levels - Good mix of levels, shapes and sizes
Numbers On The Mat - 15+

Hope this helps

[Mike Bishop]

:D
you're good fun, my 'hard of thinking' friend, you really can't be older than 12, surely?

, this conversation is nothing to do with you, so you have my permission to leave the room and go play with your dollies.




oh the ironing

[willow]

I look at websites for information only and don’t contribute to forums because:
a) I don’t have the time or the inclination to be interested
b) I don’t usually have that many opinions

I was pointed to this thread by people I train with so thought I would try and answer some questions.

I am 45 years old and I have bad knees! The only sports/activities I can do are swimming, cycling and BJJ. I don’t enjoy the first two, so I do BJJ. A big added bonus is one of my children enjoys it so we spend a lot of time together and another bonus is that because it is now my hobby I have made good friends along the way.

BJJ is not a way of life, it is a hobby and for me it is treated like one. I learn BJJ from the people I train with each week and from watching DVD’s or from picking things up from rolling around.

I have trained with international and world class wrestlers, BJJ and judo black belts, and cage fighters. All have skills to offer people and are more than willing to share them with people who want to learn.

Bolton Catch was formed from circumstances that occurred from some old politics that have long been forgotten. At the club are maybe 50 members and the average age is probably 30-35. We are not yet part of an organisation because of money. It was decided by everyone that we didn’t want to pay high travelling and training costs to learn techniques that could be taught by me. All members of my family are/were teachers. I was the highest ranked BJJ guy in the club so it was decided that I taught the class. The format of the class was decided by the people that train there so they would enjoy it and get the most benefit. Most of the members have done some form of Martial Arts before so wouldn’t pay high costs and were happy with the format/content of what was taught. Everyone improves and everyone gets fitter.

We train at SKK Judo club on Sundays which is one of the best training facilities in the country. The class runs from 10.30 – 12.30ish and consists approximately of:
20 Minute warm up
5-10 Minutes stretching
30-45 Minutes techniques
30-60 Minutes sparring

There are usually 15-25 on the mat. Adults of all ages, shapes and sizes, a few children, wrestlers, rugby players, judokas (2 are international standard) and BJJ people (1 purple, about 7 blues). The standard may be higher than the grades shown but we have not had any BJJ black belt assess us for about three years. We do techniques without a gi maybe once a month. There are always people to spar with,with or without a gi. Price is £5

We also train at Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club on Wednesdays at 7.30.

I also have had the privilege of being asked to teach some BJJ/gi techniques at my friend Colin Heron’s gym (Fighters and Fitness in Liverpool) each Friday at 6.00.

I like grappling, enjoy the techniques, and enjoy giving my time to show people things I know, and they don’t yet know… and will do it as long as I am able to and people want me to.

People who train, will train where they want to, when they want to, and for the reasons they want to. (because unlike most animals, human beings have the freedom of choice).

Wherever you train, just keep doing it and enjoy it. If you haven’t already started training, try many clubs and pick the one that best suits what you are looking for.

Thanks

Andy

[widge milward]

Great Post Andy.

Thanks for the Insight into the gym / training.

Hopefully ill try and get up for a sunday session at some point.

i know a few people who train/trained with you in BJJ and all have nothing but good words about you.

i didnt want this thread to get bitchy, i just wanted Info on both gyms, apologies if the thread title is misleading.

[Fast but dim]

great post Andy!

i started bjj with Carl when he opened his club, was taken with the sport and learned a lot from him.
when the club "split" i trained with Andy because:

His no nonsense style of bjj suits me
His tuition is excellent
He is in it PURELY for the sport and not interested in money or status
He's one the toughest blokes I've sparred with

I've subsequently changed clubs to train no gi, but still pop to skk now and again and never fail to enjoy it.

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR AN OPEN MAT AT SKK?

[widge milward]

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR AN OPEN MAT AT SKK?

Great Idea! i know people from the Colosseum would attend.

[OWDBUM]

MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR AN OPEN MAT AT SKK?

Sounds like a plan! ;)

[Fat Kid]

Very eloquent Andy.

As a relative newbie to martial arts in general I was looking to start BJJ and looked for a club in my area. Found two in the Bolton area and chose to try out Bolton Catch as their training times suited me better. I can only comment from my experiences, but the welcome I received and the instruction I got whilst I was there were enough for me to feel like I didn't need to look for anything further so I can't comment on any other local club.

Since then, I also travel with my work a lot and try and pack my gi with me when I'm away so I can find a friendly club who accept "casual" members. I can say that to date I have yet to find a club who I would rate higher than BOlton Catch (but if I do I can't see my wife agreeing to relocate.....:rolleyes: ).

Either way, I found that when I was working away you can't get better than if a club is recommended to you. As there are good reports about both clubs, I'd listen to the sensible posts and give both a try.

Hope to see you at Bolton Catch, I'll be there this SUnday with a hangover in tow..... (go easy Andy, I bruise like a Peach!)

[mdea]

I look at websites for information only and don’t contribute to forums because:
a) I don’t have the time or the inclination to be interested
b) I don’t usually have that many opinions

I was pointed to this thread by people I train with so thought I would try and answer some questions.

I am 45 years old and I have bad knees! The only sports/activities I can do are swimming, cycling and BJJ. I don’t enjoy the first two, so I do BJJ. A big added bonus is one of my children enjoys it so we spend a lot of time together and another bonus is that because it is now my hobby I have made good friends along the way.

BJJ is not a way of life, it is a hobby and for me it is treated like one. I learn BJJ from the people I train with each week and from watching DVD’s or from picking things up from rolling around.

I have trained with international and world class wrestlers, BJJ and judo black belts, and cage fighters. All have skills to offer people and are more than willing to share them with people who want to learn.

Bolton Catch was formed from circumstances that occurred from some old politics that have long been forgotten. At the club are maybe 50 members and the average age is probably 30-35. We are not yet part of an organisation because of money. It was decided by everyone that we didn’t want to pay high travelling and training costs to learn techniques that could be taught by me. All members of my family are/were teachers. I was the highest ranked BJJ guy in the club so it was decided that I taught the class. The format of the class was decided by the people that train there so they would enjoy it and get the most benefit. Most of the members have done some form of Martial Arts before so wouldn’t pay high costs and were happy with the format/content of what was taught. Everyone improves and everyone gets fitter.

We train at SKK Judo club on Sundays which is one of the best training facilities in the country. The class runs from 10.30 – 12.30ish and consists approximately of:
20 Minute warm up
5-10 Minutes stretching
30-45 Minutes techniques
30-60 Minutes sparring

There are usually 15-25 on the mat. Adults of all ages, shapes and sizes, a few children, wrestlers, rugby players, judokas (2 are international standard) and BJJ people (1 purple, about 7 blues). The standard may be higher than the grades shown but we have not had any BJJ black belt assess us for about three years. We do techniques without a gi maybe once a month. There are always people to spar with,with or without a gi. Price is £5

We also train at Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club on Wednesdays at 7.30.

I also have had the privilege of being asked to teach some BJJ/gi techniques at my friend Colin Heron’s gym (Fighters and Fitness in Liverpool) each Friday at 6.00.

I like grappling, enjoy the techniques, and enjoy giving my time to show people things I know, and they don’t yet know… and will do it as long as I am able to and people want me to.

People who train, will train where they want to, when they want to, and for the reasons they want to. (because unlike most animals, human beings have the freedom of choice).

Wherever you train, just keep doing it and enjoy it. If you haven’t already started training, try many clubs and pick the one that best suits what you are looking for.

Thanks

Andy

Very good message from an official from the club and vastly different from some of the guys who have posted on behalf of Bolton Catch. The instructor seems like a sound guy and very respectful.

[willow]

MDEA.
Like I said in my pm there will only be myself who speaks on behalf of Bolton Catch. The rest of the guys are sharing their personal thoughts and comments that's all.

The Instructor is a sound guy and a very good BJJ teacher and grappler.

Cheers

Ian

[Duchman]

widge is a shit stirring cunt.. If i was carl fisher i would put him to sleep with a gi choke

[OWDBUM]

MDEA.
Like I said in my pm there will only be myself who speaks on behalf of Bolton Catch. The rest of the guys are sharing their personal thoughts and comments that's all.

Ian
correct....and my thoughts are that mdea is a wet fart.

[mdea]

MDEA.
Like I said in my pm there will only be myself who speaks on behalf of Bolton Catch. The rest of the guys are sharing their personal thoughts and comments that's all.

The Instructor is a sound guy and a very good BJJ teacher and grappler.

Cheers

Ian

Very much appreciated, he sounds like a great guy to train with and I will direct any further questions to yourself to avoid confusion and misinformation.