In the last decade, Jiu Jitsu has exploded in popularity. In the early years of Jiu Jitsu coming to the United States, people relied on VHS instructional tapes, lower-ranked practitioners, and the occasional rare and mythical Jiu Jitsu black belt from Brazil to learn the martial art. Nowadays, even in small cities, one can often find multiple schools with all belt colors to train at. Picking your first Jiu Jitsu gym can be tough, and picking the right place for you, from the beginning, can have a big impact on your Jiu Jitsu journey and ability to stay with the martial art.
Concentrated effort should be spent on thinking about what you want in a gym and researching locations to see if they can meet your wants and needs. In this guide, I will outline the things to think about when selecting your first gym and how to go about selecting the right one for you from the beginning of your journey.
Step 1 Reflect on why you want to start Jiu Jitsu and what your primary wants and needs from a Jiu Jitsu gym might be
People start Jiu Jitsu for many reasons and honestly, there are very few gyms that are a one size fit for all. Some gyms are structured while some are laid back, some are self-defense oriented while others are very vested in competition, as you start looking at gyms, you’ll find that most tend towards one aspect in different focuses and everything in between. Knowing what you want out of a gym can help you narrow your focus a little and match what you are looking for in a gym. I suggest you take some time and do some internal reflection on why you are looking to start Jiu Jitsu and what might be important to you when considering your first Jiu Jitsu gym. Here is a list of topics to think about on why you are starting Jiu Jitsu and what might be some important considerations in a gym. Review the list and jot down the items that speak to you and are important to you in a Jiu Jitsu gym.
Common Questions and Concerns Before starting Jiu Jitsu
Why I want to Start Jiu Jitsu
I want to be able to defend myself in a self-defense situation in the real world
Jiu Jitsu was started for self-defense purposes and originated as a way for smaller weaker people to capably defend themselves against stronger larger opponents. Many schools put focus on self-defense and teach tactics and moves to subdue physical attackers including those with weapons. Some gyms are competitive focused and some of the moves may not be optimized for self-preservation and more towards winning a rule-based competition. Many gyms have separate classes for self-defense and competition and some gyms may incorporate the self-defense aspects in their regular training classes.
I’ve trained in various martial arts throughout my life including striking arts like Muay Thai, Karate, and boxing, and have found that many Jiu Jitsu gyms and self-defense classes stray away from striking techniques and focus on control of the opponent. In my humble opinion, the most effective self-defense blends self-defense striking techniques with Jiu Jitsu control techniques. A good self-defense program will also put a high degree of importance on de-escalation without physical force.
One important point about self-defense in Jiu Jitsu is that if you practice Jiu Jitsu you almost are automatically and exponentially increasing your self-defense capabilities. Regardless of the gym you choose, Jiu Jitsu is a hard-contact martial art and if you put in the time and effort you will get in better shape and increase the probability all other things equal, that you will be able to impose your physicality on another individual in a self-defense situation. Practicing Jiu Jitsu involves getting choked nearly to the point of unconsciousness and joints to nearly the point of breaking. Being exposed to these limits constantly can help dull fear response in a self-defense situation allowing you the time to think, respond appropriately, and again increase your probability of self-preservation in the moment.
I want to lose weight and get in shape
Losing weight and getting in shape is a definite possibility when practicing Jiu Jitsu. Jiu Jitsu and grappling in general are probably one of the most physically demanding martial arts in my opinion. There isn’t much comparison when two able bodies grab each other and attempt to exert maximum effort on one another to control and ultimately submit the other. My gym focuses a lot on rolling and a lot of rolling as the main effort for getting better at Jiu Jitsu. At the end of the class, we roll most of the time to submission and for as long as we want. If you can stay uninjured you will see a physical transformation. In other gyms where rolling is minimal, you may not see as much physical benefit and may need to supplement with additional cardio and strength training. One item of note, in my experience Jiu Jitsu is not a substitution for a proper diet. Without a proper diet you will simply not see fitness gains the same as any other exercise without proper diet and nutrition.
Some gyms have branched out to offer strength and cardio equipment and fitness classes. These can be great gym options and may even include insight into fitness training that will translate directly to improvements on the mat.
I want to compete in Jiu Jitsu tournaments
Some gyms place a heavy emphasis on competition. These types of gyms will have classes optimized for winning a rule-based competition and will be training to optimize winning over another person. Classes are often high-paced and include lots of sparring to refine technique while building strength, endurance, and speed on the mat. You want to find a gym that has active competitors across various belt levels. These active competitors and class structures should push you every session so that when it’s time to compete you are ready mentally and physically.
I want to experience the laid-back Jiu Jitsu lifestyle
Many people join Jiu Jitsu for lifestyle aspects and to connect with other open-minded martial artists on a social level. Many gyms opt for a family-friendly mindset where team members are more like family members and the overall environment is open and laid back. This is usually a trickle-down effect of the gym’s leader or leaders and can often be felt right away. You will often find very loose restrictions around what gear can be worn and what techniques are explored in training at a laid-back gym.
I want to experience Jiu Jitsu as close to the Gracie source as possible
Jiu Jitsu has changed immensely since the beginning and for some, it’s important to have a close connection to the origin of Jiu Jitsu and the Gracie family system. Many Gracie family members have gyms throughout the United States and some Gracies have affiliated gymsworking to ensure that techniques continue to be passed down from generation to generation. Instructor lineage is something to look at if this is important to you. Lineage shows how close is the gym leader is to the origin of Jiu Jitsu and the founders of Jiu Jitsu (Carlos, Oswaldo, Gastão Jr., George, and Hélio Gracie). Many affiliated gyms have their class structure centered around their affiliation guidelines and are regularly visited by the affiliation leader. These types of gyms can be good options for exposure to experts not available in other gyms.
Other factors to consider
Gym safety
Gym safety for me is an important factor to consider when choosing your first gym. Jiu Jitsu is a hard physical sport and without proper rules and etiquette, you can be seriously injured in training. If gym safety is important to you, look for a posted set of rules, an introduction to gym rules by the leader, and safety being talked about where appropriate during class training. Without safety precautions being taken your risk of injury, including serious injury, greatly increases and it can take you off the mat for extended periods.
Gym Cleanliness
To put it bluntly, Jiu Jitsu can be a gross sport with sweaty body-to-body contact happening between practitioners. Additionally, various levels of hygiene proficiency from person to person can be variable. In an unclean environment, there can be a high risk of skin conditions including staff, MRSA, and ringworm. A good gym will have an overall clean gym and the mats are cleaned and disinfected regularly. A clean gym will have enforced rules around personal hygiene, no shoes on the mat, and slipper utilization in the bathrooms.
Location
Location is another important factor to consider when choosing a gym. The closer it is to your work or home the better in most circumstances. If it is a hassle and takes a lot of time to commute to the gym it makes it harder to be consistent in attendance. For me, I had a little more available time than most, and travel was lower on my priority list. I travel about 1 hour 1 way to get to my gym, longer than that and it probably wouldn’t be worth it.
Affordability
Cost is one of the limiting factors for many when considering a gym. The price per month for gyms can vary greatly. I’ve seen gyms with monthly memberships of less than $50 while others charge over $250 a month. One way to evaluate affordability is to compare the cost to the instruction level and the number of classes available. On the higher side of cost, there should be multiple classes available, good amenities, professional instruction, and a professional environment. Location is another aspect that can impact affordability, if the location requires a commute add that cost in gas or public transit to the equation.
Amenities
Some gyms offer a full suite of amenities. Some amenities that I’ve seen are available striking classes, strength equipment, cardio equipment, heavy bags, saunas, showers, lockers, beverages for sale, merchandise for sale, seating areas, and other items to make their school stand out from others. Amenities can be a differentiator if you are looking for that in a gym.
After you’ve contemplated why you want to start Jiu Jitsu and compiled your list of needs and wants, your next step is to begin researching what options you have in your area and if they meet your needs and wants.
Step 2 Research Gyms in your area
Depending on where you live, this step will take a little or a lot of time. In some cities, it can feel like there is a Jiu Jitsu gym on every block while other cities might only have 1-3 options. The idea of this step is to research each gym with your needs and wants in mind to see if you can narrow down the selection to a few to contact. Here are some research opportunities to learn more about Jiu Jitsu gyms in your area.
Personal Recommendations
This is probably one of the best ways to get information on a gym to consider. Most people are introduced to Jiu Jitsu by a friend or acquaintance who practices Jiu Jitsu. When you’re talking to somebody else about their gym remember to ask about the needs and wants you identified in step 2. Another thing to ask about is the overall culture of the gym and if the person would recommend training there. I like to also ask about the head trainer and their experience, temperance, and lineage.
Google Maps
Google maps is a great place to start and will help you identify different gyms that are available in your area. Simply search for Jiu Jitsu or BJJ in the search field and see what returns. Most reputable gyms, unless they are brand new, will show up in Google Maps/Google Search. The nice thing about Google Maps is that it will show exactly where the gym is and how far it is from your location. Reviews are also available on Google Maps to give you an idea from a customer perspective of how the gym is.
Yelp
Yelp is another app that will show ratings and customer comments for gyms listed on the app.
Social Media sites
Social media sites are another place to get good information on a gym. Most gyms have at least a Facebook page and often a team page (though these are usually private). Checking out a gym’s Facebook page can give you insight into what the facility looks like if they post pictures. The comments can give an idea of the culture of the gym too. Some things to look for are what topics are being discussed and how are comments posted and handled by the leaders of the gym.
Reddit is another place you check for feedback on gyms. Depending on where you are and how popular the gym is you can often find threads about Jiu Jitsu in various states, cities, and individual gyms.
Instagram is another app that can give you additional information like Facebook.
The Gyms Website
Most reputable gyms will have an official website. Websites are another venue that gives a window into the gym itself. The website should be professional looking and offer good information that details the school and its instructors. Websites can also be a good place to find the school’s schedule and more pictures of the school to evaluate.
Step 3 Match your research to your reflections on your perfect gym and narrow down your list
After you’ve done your research and identified as much information as you can it’s time to pare down and choose a few you’d like to contact for more information. I like to make a side-by-side list showing each school and where they’ve met my prioritized wants and needs. Once you have that it makes it a little easier to rank each school and pare down those if you happen to have multiple options in your area. I recommend taking your top three and targeting those to start with. You can always come back to your research and contact other gyms if one of the top three doesn’t work out.
Step 4 Contact the gyms that you are interested in
When you have your top three it’s time to make contact and arrange for a trial class. Most gyms offer at least a trial class and others offer a full trial week. I would beware of gyms that don’t offer any type of trial offer. Probably the best way to contact the school is to call the school and talk with one of the owners, leaders, or coaches. I treat this interaction like a friendly interview with the thought in my mind that ultimately, I am a customer looking to procure their services.
Begin by preparing yourself for the call. Do this by returning to your list of wants and needs and developing questions around those that you couldn’t verify through research. An example might be if affordability is a priority for you and you couldn’t find pricing information make sure to have that as one of your questions. Pick maybe 2-3 most important questions you’d like answered, but not too many as you can get into more details during your trial class.
Once you’ve prepared yourself with a couple of important to your questions call the gym. When I call a gym, I like to introduce myself and state my intentions/needs right away. An example might be Hi, my name is Tim. I’m looking to start Jiu Jitsu, I’ve never trained before and was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about your gym?
From there you can ask your 2-3 most important questions and organically flow with conservation. Important factors to get out of the way are what is the gym’s schedule, the details of trial offerings, and the best date/time to take a trial class. Also, make sure to ask what to bring/how to dress for the first class. Make sure to thank the person you are speaking with and let them know you are excited about the trial class.
If you are unable to contact the gym over the phone it’s probably a red flag, but you can also try dropping by in person to tour the gym and meet the leaders, sending an email with your questions, or using chat in social media apps. I would try the email route to dropping in or messenger apps as you might drop in when they are busy, and messenger is not always monitored by all gyms.
Step 5 Attend trial classes
The last step to picking a good first gym is to attend the gym’s trial offering. This is your chance to verify and validate that the gym can fulfill most of the needs and wants you identified in step 1. In most cases, a gym will fail to meet 100% of your needs and wants, so it may come down to trying trials at multiple gyms to see where you fit in the most. As you go through these trials you might also find that you need to adjust your expectations or priorities in your needs and wants to match what’s available. Don’t be afraid to be flexible.
One of the most influencing factors in finding the right gym for you is culture. You won’t experience the culture itself until you are live in person at the gym. I’ve often been very surprised by gyms that have one image on the outside and a completely different culture on the inside for better or worse. Using a structured approach with flexibility in wants and needs will lead you to find the perfect gym to begin your Eternal Jiu Jitsu journey!
As I’ve continued my own Eternal Jiu Jitsu journey, I’ve often come back to my needs and wants to make sure my current situation and training match. When it doesn’t it is usually time to make a change.
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