The St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Bay Times ran stories on Gracie Barra Clearwater’s Tough Times Training Program.

Laid off? Purge your stress for free at gym

By Dalia Colón, Times Staff Writer

Getting laid off can make you want to choke somebody.

At Gracie Barra Clearwater, that’s okay.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu academy recently began what it calls the Tough Times Training Program. Anyone who’s been laid off in the past six months is eligible for free classes three times a week. Just provide proof that you’re out of work — a bank statement or letter from your boss — and you’ll get free training for up to six months or until you find a new job, whichever comes first.

Gracie Barra Clearwater wants to help those who have been hit hardest by the collapsing economy. If you have recently lost your job, you are welcome to train for free by joining our Tough Times Training Program.

Enrollment in the program allows you to train at the 7:30PM classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights and the 12 noon class on Saturday at no cost.

To qualify, you must show that you lost your job within the last 6 months. You can stay enrolled in the free program for 6 months from the date you sign up or until you secure another job (whichever comes first).

If you are interested in joining, please contact us online or call us at 727-204-9731.

We’re hoping the economy recovers quickly, but you don’t have to wait till then to train!

Credit and thanks goes to Stephen Koepfer of the American Sambo Association and New York Combat Sambo for the Tough Times Training concept.