Alan “Gumby” Marques, owner of Heroes Martial Arts in San Jose has three words to sum up the atmosphere at his state-of-the-art facility downtown: cooperation, competition and challenge.

STUDIO OF THE MONTH

Heroes Martial Arts

Founded: 2009
Owner: Alan “Gumby” Marques
Sports Surface(s): Swain Hybrid Tatami, FLEXI-Roll®
Website: www.heroesma.com

Alan “Gumby” Marques, owner of Heroes Martial Arts in San Jose has three words to sum up the atmosphere at his state-of-the-art facility downtown: cooperation, competition and challenge.

“I believe a successful Jiu Jitsu environment equates to a balance between cooperation and competition to provide a challenge for everyone,” says Marques. “And it has to be fun, because without that, what’s the point?”
Always quick with a smile, Marques wanted to create an environment like-minded students and instructors would want to train in every day. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu may seem like an individual sport, but unlike some martial arts, it (and Judo, also offered at Heroes) requires a partner to properly drill and spar.

For anyone considering opening his or her own studio, Marques keeps his advice simple.

“Create an experience and environment that you would want to be in, both currently and back when you were a new student,” he says. “If you make your studio a happy place, you will attract others who think the same way. Growth might be slow at first, but eventually it’s exponential. Be prepared to embrace the grind.”

Marques has used Swain™ Hybrid Tatami mats for more than 20 years. He believes sports surfaces are an investment, not an expense, and that students appreciate a clean, safe and high-performing mat.

“Plus, they look great and from a business aspect and let potential students know you are serious and dedicated,” he adds. “They have the perfect amount of traction and give. Jiu Jitsu has relatively minimal needs compared to a lot of activities, but if you invest in quality mats from the beginning you will set yourself up with a great foundation to grow.”

Heroes relocated to a new space just down the street in December, and Marques has also installed FLEXI-Roll® mats and wall pads in a 600-square-foot smaller room.