“I’m proud to have Five Rings Jiu Jitsu and Tom Oberhue as affiliates of Ribeiro Jiu Jitsu in Portland, Oregon.

Tom is committed to teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in a thoughtful, technical way. He is a great coach who understands the spirit of Jiu Jitsu and how to bring out the best in people. If you want to have an experience similar to training in San Diego at my academy – the University of Jiu Jitsu – and you’re in Portland, then Five Rings Jiu Jitsu is the place to go."

Saulo Ribeiro
6x World Champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
2x Abu Dhabi No-Gi Champion
Author of Jui Jitsu University and BJJ Revolution 1 and 2
University of Jiu Jitsu, San Diego, CA

 

 

"If you're in Portland, come check out Five Rings Jiu Jitsu. You're going to be very please to be here. Great environment. Great people. Great technique. See you here!"

Xande Ribeiro
2x Open Weight + 4x Heavy Weight Champion in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Author of Xande DVD series

 

 

 

 

Michael Buchalter

 

 

"This place is the one stop shopping for all things FITNESS and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They have a FITNESS gym and classes that expend a lot of sweat {and maybe a few tears :-) } to help any one reach their fitness goals, and a large mat that will help any grappler attain a higher skill level regardless of their starting level. The fitness classes are small, organized, fun. They are short enough to fit any schedule but long enough to leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Coach Tom is an excellent coach that can meet and improve any goals his members set in either fitness or grappling. This is a bi lingual gym which means they teach gi and no-gi techniques. This gym has tournament competitors and personal interest grapplers. I have been with this gym since the beginning and have won one tournament and runner up in a second tournament despite training at this gym for under a half a year. They even have a license massage therapist that can fix any aches and pains. There really is no better place to call a second home. All fitness levels, body types and skill levels will feel welcome. I LOVE THIS PLACE!"

Kyle Kraxberger

 

 

 

"An excellent choice‎‎ 1. Cutting edge coaching from a knowledgeable and personable staff. 2. Top-of-the-line facility with training programs (fitness, kids, bjj) to match. 3. Other members are really nice and notably interesting. 4. A plan for the future that will keep the gym moving forward in a positive and progressive way. If you have tried martial arts before, I think you'll find 5RJJ avoids many classic gym pitfalls. If you haven't done any martial arts previously, you may find it an incredibly rewarding experience and this IS the place to learn. I'm almost 40, not a jock, and have been taught by Tom, Forest, Mike, Eric, and Nick for about a year. I've learned SO much and am still excited to go every chance I get. Treat yourself to something amazing, try Five RIngs!"

Bruce McMinn

 

 

"I've been very blessed to learn various forms of submission wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu from multiple academies; including Quest, Impact, Straight Blast, and a few more along the way. Learning Brazilian Jiu-jitsu at 5 Rings Jiu-jitsu is a commitment to learning the art how it was meant to be. 5 Rings has a focus on teaching the core components of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. The focus on traditional positions and techniques is world class. You'll also learn the new fads and positions of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and challenged to integrate those new positions and techniques with more traditional positions. The two coaches, Tom and Eric, have a real passion for BJJ and it shows in their classes. It's nice that the two coaches have different styles and you're able to learn both. Seminars from Rafael Lovato Jr, Saulo Ribiero, and Xande Ribeiro show their commitment also."

Michael Amador

 

 

"I had been a member of one of the big box gyms for 16 years. You know the one I'm talking about, open 24 hours and for thousands of dollars in personal training fees promises you fitness. I had a training regimen at my big box gym and I thought I was happy with the results. Well that was then and this is now. After joining Five Rings I realized the true potential of a good fitness and conditioning program. I am in the best shape of my life at 53 years old and getting stronger and more toned every day. Coach Tom has put together a workout program for fitness and conditioning that also includes weekly conversations and updates about how you feel, if you are reaching your true potential, and what you feel you need to reach your goals. The support and this program are the best you can get. I love the classes, the people, the personal training and most of all I love the results. I feel great and so can you. I would recommend this program and gym to everyone young and old."

Patricia Bergen

 

 

"Five years ago my older son Blu, who holds a BJJ purple belt told me to get his younger brother Alec into BJJ. Sports did not interest Alec and we were looking for a healthy outlet in Martial Arts. Blu knew Tom from BJJ mutual friends and grappling events. What a great call! Tom has truly made a difference for Alec (now 14), who did not start out very athletic due to Tourettes and some motor skills issues. That was then. Alec has game now and even gets me, the 60 yr old Dad out there with him as often as possible. People who participate think of 5 Rings as a family setting, and my boys and I think of Coach Tom as part of our family. Between Tom and his life long friend coach Eric, our training, friendships and experiences are all positive. Meet Tom and his team and see for yourself. Sure glad we did."

Byron Roshto

 

 

"Five Rings is a spectacular facility. First class space and equipment and, most importantly, top notch coaching. Coaches Tom, Erik and Forrest know how fit programs to all ages and abilities that create the fastest personal progression to excellence in Jiu Jitsu, conditioning and olympic lifting. If you want to improve your conditioning, Jiu Jitsu, or lifting abilities in a top class facility and a fun, supportive and challenging environment, this is THE place. Coach Tom also has expertise in personal nutrition and Coach Erik in massage therapy. I've been going for conditioning for about 6 months and feel better than I have in years and have had fun doing it! Couldn't recommend it more highly!!"

Phil Schneider

 

 

"Great Jiu Jitsu‎‎ I'm new to BJJ; I just started wrestling 6 months ago. In that time, I've learned a lot. Coach Tom is a friendly guy, and he always makes his lessons practical and fun. Being a teenager, I'm tired/crabby/lazy pretty much 24/7. I thought that this was an unavoidable thing that I just had to deal with. But honestly, since I've started training, I feel like I have more energy, happiness, and fun in general. It might have something to do with how I never got any exercise before, but I think that this place deserves some credit. Everybody is so nice and encouraging! Once, I was gone for a month on vacation, and when I came back, it was like I was a celebrity or a friend that just won the lottery or something. There were a lot of smiles and slaps on the back. It's stuff like this that makes this place better than a normal gym, and it's all thanks to Tom, Eric, and the others that go here. They're the ones that make 5 Rings a cool place to train."

Ziggy Kotchetkov

 

 

"Five rings is an amazing place to train in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I've studied in various gyms around the greater Portland area, and never felt more at home than I have at 5rjj. Everyone who trains here seems to get the same level of attention, respect, and consideration from the coaches, regardless of experience level, physical aptitude or age. Everyone shares their experience and strives together to create what I would honestly call a positive learning environment. Five rings also uses a curriculum based teaching method, as opposed to getting taught from a "grab bag" of teqniques. Many places change their lesson plan daily, depending on who teaches the class, and what they feel like teaching. 5 Rings stays focused on one aspect of the game for weeks at a time, inside and out, allowing the student to not only become familiar with the concepts, but to actually work them long enough to make them an applicable part of their game. I've had more "ah-ha!" moments here in the last six months than I've had for the last two years! As a lifelong "traditional" martial artist, I can say the spirit of budo lives here at Five Rings. Mutual respect and hard work are the norm. Keep an eye on this place, you'll be seeing some great things. Or better yet come see for yourself."

Toby Presnell

 

 

"Great place for children to learn‎‎ - My son has been coached by Tom and Eric for the past three years and these are both excellent men to have your child look up to and emulate."

Eldon Derville-Teer

 

"I first started traning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Five Rings about 7 months ago. Being a woman, I was pretty nervous since BJJ is (at least for now) very much a male-dominated sport. After I took my first BJJ class though, I found I had absolutely nothing to worry about at Five Rings. The coaching staff are excellent, and the other members at the gym are like family; everyone supports and encourages each other. I went to a BJJ tournament 3 months after I started and got first place - I can only credit that to the absolutely exceptional coaching that happens at Five Rings. I'm proud to be a member of a gym that is an affiliate of 6x World Champ Saulo Ribeiro and whose head coach and owner referreed at the 2010 Worlds. I also take fitness classes at Five RIngs, and they are awesome!! I honestly don't think I could find better fitness classes anywhere - and I have done pretty much every format out there, including CrossFit. I have noticed a definite difference in my physique, and my endurance and stamina have significantly improved. I love it here!"

Jessica Sexton

 

 

" The best shape of my entire life‎‎ I am having the best time being in the best shape of my life. Imagine at 55 feeling stronger and more energetic than ever before. WOW. I have been working out for several years but with Coach Tom's help I am getting the maximum results from my efforts. PLUS it is So FUN! I challenge you to not settle with how you look or feel. Check out this amazing Gym. You will thank me and yourself that you did it!"

Don Dutro

 

 

"A true inspiration‎‎ Before going to this gym, I was really treading water in terms of my fitness gains and performance. But after the coaching I received from Five Rings, I was put on a nutrition plan and the results have been amazing. In the course of my training, I've put on 20 lbs of muscle and my conditioning is at it's highest level. The gym has structured fitness classes that really push you to your limits as you bond with your fellow participants to get through the workout. There are also open gym times where you can train on your own. Lots of variety in training equipment as well. If you really want to see hard gains and receive lots of support and feedback, I recommend becoming a member of this gym. I'm glad I did!"

Cody Hager

 

 

Mike Meskel

 

 

"Best personal training‎‎ Five Rings offers great personal training and fitness classes! Coach Tom is positive and upbeat and great at providing motivation. My workouts are always different and tailored to my needs. It is a real team atmosphere where everyone, regardless of fitness level, offers encouragement. I love that the gym has a large variaty of fitness tools (sleds, ropes, kettlebells, etc), many of which you would not find at any old gym. These help to keep workouts interesting and fun. Everything is new and the gym is really clean!"

Sage Krewson

 

 

" Good vibes, outstanding Jiu Jitsu‎‎ - My daughter has trained in Jiu Jitsu for four years under coach Tom and coach Eric, she has learned a lot of Jiu Jitsu, stayed fit, built character, made friends, and had lots of fun. Now I am training also, and I like the BJJ 1 gentle introduction to Jiu Jitsu. BJJ is a good work out and a great self defense style."

Peter White

 

 

"Coach Tom is an amazing coach. His approach to coaching is unique and refreshing. I appreciate his understanding of how people learn which I assume he gained through years as a school teacher. He's communicated things in days that other people have been unable to communicate to me in months. If he sees that something isn't understood by the student, he is patient and finds another way to communicate the lesson until it is understood. He does so without ego or impatience. Its the most encouraging environment. Tom has a ton of integrity which also shows in the quality of the students drawn to him. On my first day, i was welcomed by every other student as if i was a friend."

Sean Pichardo

 

 

"A passion for people and Jiu Jitsu‎‎ - The training at Five Rings is outstanding on every level. The coaches love Jiu Jitsu and love teaching. There is a palpable enthusiasm implicit in every class and the structure makes learning feel very natural. These are people I would gladly choose to spend my time with outside of the school, making the experience at Five Rings such an enjoyable one. Coach Tom and the rest have successfully designed a curriculum that allows for the beginner to blossom and the veteran to thrive. This seems to me to be an amazing achievement. Five Rings is a place where people improve themselves. I can hardly wait for class tomorrow!"

Parker Dutro