Troy gym throws down with Jui jitsu

Beneath the tin roof of Troy’s ILIUM Fitness and Barbell gym, locals are getting the chance to learn how to grapple, roll and throw down with guided jiu-jitsu group lessons. Over the course of hour-long sessions, participants ranging from beginner to experienced sweep legs, grab gis and look for holds, all under the guidance of head coach Nick Nevins, a purple belt with a burning love for martial arts. 

Through teaching martial arts, Nevins isn’t just teaching people how to grapple with other people, but also how to grapple with life.  

“I could say a whole testimony about different situations that it helps me with,” Nevins said. “We get in crazy situations in jiu-jitsu – sometimes it’s exhausting and we want to quit, but we have to think our way through and be able to problem solve while we’re dealing with another human being trying to manipulate limbs or put us in a chokehold. 

“I found that through life, this just really translated. Jiu-jitsu is the conduit that leads to the ultimate goal of doing whatever we can possible to navigate our ways through life.” 

During the sessions, Nevins begins by demonstrating different techniques and maneuvers in jiu-jitsu as participants carefully watch on. He then floats between groups of participants to offer hands-on guidance and tips as they break off to practice what he demonstrated on one another. 

Veteran Jordan Huffman is currently the only female participant in Nevins’ class, something she said was scary at first but became encouraging as she immersed herself in the class’s welcoming and encouraging community. 

“I would recommend this to all women because this is something that could save their life one day,” Huffman said. “As a woman myself, I was intimidated when I first walked in, but they walked me through everything and they are super accommodating. 

“All the guys here are super respectful. They don’t see me as a girl, they treat me as their equal, and that’s what I really like about this program.”  

According to Natalie Sutter, the owner of Troy’s ILIUM gym, Nevins began the jiu-jitsu program around a month ago with six participants and has since more than doubled that number as he brings in new people every day.  

“All I know about Nick is that he is so passionate about [jiu-jitsu], and he will talk endlessly about it,” Sutter said. “He’s just so passionate, and frankly, that’s what you need in a coach for anything.” 

The gym offers first-time participants to come by and try out their jiu-jitsu program free of charge. 

Troy’s ILIUM gym holds Nevins’ jiu-jitsu classes on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. every week. They also offer boxing classes on Tuesdays and Friday at 7 p.m. 

Those interested in learning more about Nevins’ program can find it on Facebook at Troy Jiu-Jitsu.