This is the first article in the series BJJ Ultimate Guide: A Beginner’s Roadmap to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Click to check other articles of this series.
How to choose your BJJ gym?
First step: find a Gracie Barra near you. Solved. Jokes apart, several teams do a fantastic job teaching this amazing art. You will find huge franchises like Gracie Barra or a neighborhood single gym that also provides you with top-notch instruction. So, how to decide? When it comes to diving into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), choosing the right BJJ gym to train can make all the difference in your journey.
So, here are some key questions to make when choosing a BJJ gym:
Is the BJJ Gym in a Good Location to You?
Convenience matters a lot when selecting a BJJ gym. Look for a gym that’s easily accessible from your home or workplace. This ensures you can stick to your training schedule without the hassle of long commutes. It is useless to sign up at the best place in town if you cannot be there. It would be even better if the gym is on your way home from work. To be in a team that allows you to train in multiple locations is also excellent and adds flexibility if you travel frequently or if you work in several places.
What are BJJ Instructor Credentials?
The instructor’s expertise and teaching style can greatly impact your learning experience. Seek out a BJJ gym with instructors who are well-known, and have solid credentials, preferably with recognized affiliations such as IBJJF or notable achievements in BJJ. It can help, but it is not a guarantee of success. Some amazing professors were not great athletes and vice versa.
Keep in mind that the professor should always plan classes according to students’ needs, and first and foremost: care about their students. You will probably verify members’ experiences by checking their Google reviews online. Pay attention to what they say about the coaches.
Some certifications as International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) affiliation of the gym assure minimal standards. If the gym is affiliated with the IBJJF you will be sure that it is led by a legit black belt, CPR trained, who did the rule’s course recently and did the safe sports course to prevent harassment and abuse. On top of that, observe if the school has some sort of Coaches’ continuous training and certification. It can at least filter good ones for you.
Does the BJJ Class Schedule Suit Your Routine?
Consider your availability and the gym’s class schedule. Look for a training facility that offers classes at times that fit your lifestyle, whether it’s early morning sessions or evening classes. As a new student, it is desirable that you train twice a week as a minimum. Three times a week is perfect and anything else more than this would be fantastic as long as you don’t over train. Keep that in mind when evaluating the schedule. Unlimited and flexible membership options are usually the best option.
How are BJJ Gym’s Facilities and Amenities?
Take a tour of the BJJ gym to assess the facilities. Are the mats clean and well-maintained? This is probably the most important aspect to pay attention to. You do not want to train in a place with a risk of infections.
Also, check the bathrooms. Does the gym offer additional amenities and places to sit around and hang out? Does the gym have showers and enough locker rooms? Other amenities may look cool and sound convenient, but I would not pay too much attention to equipment for strength and conditioning. There are fitness gyms with cheap memberships where you would have all sorts of equipment for workouts. You may not use them at all, and it can be just a bait to “add value” to your membership. To be 100% honest, we had it in the past in our GBSLC school and nobody used it, so we changed it into a nice lounge area.
What is the BJJ Gym’s Approach?
BJJ gyms can vary widely in their training focus. Some are only Gi, others only No-Gi. Some are self-defense driven, others are competition driven, or MMA driven, some follow the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) rules, and some do not. You may also see all sorts of aggressiveness levels. The most important thing is to understand your personal goal and to be honest with yourself, otherwise, your needs won’t match what the gym has to offer.
How is the Atmosphere at the BJJ Gym?
Regardless of the BJJ gym approach, you have to pay attention to the vibe of the place. Do you feel welcomed and supported? Is there a positive and inclusive atmosphere? The right training environment can motivate you to keep coming back and push yourself to new limits. Do the other training partners help you out or just try to prove themselves? Do the coaches interact with the students, or is it a little cliquey? Be sure you are signing up at a place you can’t wait to come back to the next day.
Does the BJJ Gym have a Supportive Community?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is as much about the community as it is about the techniques. Choose a BJJ gym where you feel a sense of camaraderie among fellow practitioners. A supportive community can provide encouragement, motivation, and lasting friendships.
Does the BJJ Gym offer Trial Classes?
Many BJJ gyms offer trial classes or free introductory sessions. Take advantage of these opportunities to get a feel for the training environment, meet the instructors, and see if it’s the right fit for you. It should be like a first date: from the front desk to the mats, and the uniforms provided, everything should impress you. Remember, we always try to do our best on the first date. If that experience is not good, check out a different place and compare it.
What is the Method in Place of the BJJ Gym?
This is probably one of the most important aspects to ask about and to research online. A good facility with a skilled Black Belt but without a method, may not deliver you a good experience. Everything we learn in life can be packaged in a way that facilitates the learning process.
A good BJJ school has a method in place assuring you will be exposed to several situations, attacking, defending, working on escapes, takedowns, connecting techniques, working on concepts and foundations, self-defense moves, tournaments, BJJ with GI and No Gi, all this with progression in a way that will make sense down the road.
The method also will reduce dramatically the risk of injuries, exposing the student slowly to bigger challenges in a way the student can handle. All big teams in this sport now, including Gracie Barra, have a method in place.
Budget: The True Value of Training BJJ
There is a huge misunderstanding when comparing the investment to train BJJ with the one to lift weights. You will be learning a skill, not paying to use equipment. You should compare a BJJ school to a music school or a dancing school. But as seen in many other businesses, you may see a wide range of prices.
It is hard to compare a well-managed, maintained, and staffed place with a garage gym regarding operational costs. If the garage gym coach is great, soon he will grow and so will his costs. I would not recommend you to decide based on price unless it is something prohibitive. Try to cut some other expenses and invest in a school you feel you will have the best experience. Save 20–30 dollars a month may be more expensive than you think.
Bonus Tip: Is this BJJ Gym a Good Place for Your Family?
This is probably the wrap up of all other 10 pieces of advice to find the best BJJ gym. Sign up in a place where you can bring any family member: spouse, kids, parent, or grandparent. If the place is good for your Mom, it is good for you.
By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and find the perfect BJJ gym to embark on your BJJ journey. Remember, the right gym is not just a place to train—it’s a second home where you can grow, learn, and thrive in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
