Fábio Coelho was teaching Jiu Jitsu and living in a nice apartment in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn when he decided it was time to pursue his dream of opening his own Jiu Jitsu academy.
Mr. Coelho searched for the perfect location and found what he was looking for in the Bergen County borough of Closter. He opened Horizon Jiu Jitsu Academy at 91 Rookman Road in September.
Knowing his commute from Brooklyn would be 90 minutes long, Mr. Coelho began searching for an apartment closer to his new business. He looked at apartments in Fort Lee and Englewood before discovering The Piermont, a brand-new rental community in Hillsdale, NJ. The Piermont impressed him from the first moment he visited the website. A quick tour was all it took for him to be sure he was ready to move in.
“The construction was brand-new and the layout and design of the apartments was pretty much exactly what I was looking for,” Mr. Coelho said. “It made me feel great when I saw it. Everything from the lobby to the apartment to the amenities looked amazing.”
Mr. Coelho leased a one-bedroom plus den apartment on the building’s third floor. Features that stand out in his apartment include an open-concept layout, tall ceilings, solar window shades, modular closet storage, central heating and air conditioning, and an in-home washer and dryer. The kitchen is sleek, with stainless steel appliances, two-tone shaker cabinetry and white quartz countertops.
Another major reason Mr. Coelho decided to move to The Piermont is the community’s extensive collection of indoor and outdoor amenities. When he first walked through the building, he was amazed by the many social lounges and recreation and relaxation spaces. The BBQ grills and private outdoor dining areas caught his eye, but there was also the game lounge, a golf simulator, and indoor and outdoor TV screening areas.
His favorite amenities, however, are the outdoor pool and the state-of-the-art fitness center with an adjoining movement studio and on-demand training technology.
“Jiu Jitsu is a pretty physical sport, so we need to do some workouts on the side to keep us going,” Mr. Coelho said. “I was impressed when I saw the gym. The pool is pretty inviting and there are a lot of other things to do, like the golf simulator, but it is definitely the gym that I am going to use the most.”
Horizon Jiu Jitsu Academy has been open for a few weeks now and it is really taking off, according to Mr. Coelho. As a 5th degree black belt, he has more than 30 years of experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a long history of teaching students at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City. His approach to teaching emphasizes strong fundamentals, precise technique, strategic thinking and understanding why a technique works rather than simply memorizing movements.
Mr. Coelho is one of two instructors at Horizon. The other is professor Mathaus Moreira, who has 18 years of experience in the martial art and nearly a decade of teaching experience, as well as experience competing in world-class Jiu Jitsu competitions. He is known for an engaging, welcoming style of teaching that especially helps young students stay focused, enjoy training and build confidence.
“Our goal of opening here is to create something special that really benefits the community,” Mr. Coelho. “It’s amazing to be here. We want to reach as many locals as possible. All ages are welcome. We have programs for kids ranging from three to 16 years old, as well as many classes for adults, classes specifically for women, grappling courses and more.”
Classes are held seven days a week and a full class schedule is available on the academy’s website. Private lessons are also available.
“We love introducing Jiu Jitsu to new people,” Mr. Coelho added. “We look forward to meeting new students and growing our academy here in Bergen County.”
For more information on Horizon Jiu Jitsu Academy, visit www.horizonjiujitsuacademy.com or call 201-297-7151.
For more information on The Piermont, visit www.liveatthepiermont.com or call 866-694-1379.
