How to find a Good BJJ Gym

In today’s world, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a very important martial art for everyone, from children to adults and seniors. It not only teaches self-defence but also helps you stay fit, build confidence, and develop discipline, along with many other benefits.

However, many people are opening their own gyms and teaching Jiu-Jitsu. With so many choices, it can be difficult to find a good gym where you can truly learn BJJ.

In this article, we will cover tips to help you choose the right BJJ gym. If you follow our tips, we guarantee you will find a good BJJ gym.

So, without wasting your time, let’s get started!

12 Things to Check Before Joining a Good BJJ Gym:

1. Distance from the Gym to Your Home 

The distance between a Jiu-Jitsu gym and your home should be a top priority. Aim for a gym within 20 to 30 minutes. Even if you find a great gym, driving to the gym every day and back home can be frustrating and might make you lose interest in training. If the gym is close to your home or work, it’s much easier to stay consistent.

To find a good gym in your area, you can ask your friends, family, or coworkers, as some people may know about it.

You can search on Google or Google Maps for ‘BJJ gym near me’ and turn ON your location to find all the gyms near you. Then, select a good gym from the list and check the features we discussed in the article below.

2. BJJ Gym Timings 

Another important thing to check before joining a BJJ gym is the class timings. You need to make sure that the class times fit into your schedule. Not all Jiu-Jitsu gyms have classes in the evening or at night, some start early in the morning. If the class times don’t match your schedule, you might miss a lot of important lessons.

So, if you work during the day, look for a gym that has classes in the evening or at night. And if you have school or work in the evening, find a gym that offers morning classes.

3. The Rank of BJJ Instructor

Maybe you know the BJJ belt ranking system. Below is a table to help you quickly understand it. If you want to learn more, check out our article about the 8 Levels of BJJ Ranking System.

As you can see in the table, the black belt is usually the coach. When you find a good BJJ gym, make sure to check the trainer’s belt rank and confirm that they have a black belt or higher. You can also directly ask the instructor about their BJJ rank. It’s also a good idea to find out if your instructor has competed in Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.

Remember, a BJJ instructor who does not hold a black belt cannot promote any of their students to a black belt.

• Check: How Long Does it Take to Get a Black Belt in BJJ

4. Environment of the BJJ Gym 

The environment of a BJJ gym can really affect your training. Your instructors and fellow students are important for your improvement, so you need to feel comfortable around the people you train with. It’s also good to check if the gym is quiet because a noisy environment can make training difficult.

When you visit a BJJ gym, take some time to talk to the instructors, owners, and especially the students. This will help you understand the people at the gym and make a smart choice.

5. Check Free or Trial Classes

A trial class is a free or low-cost session offered by many gyms. It allows you to experience the gym environment, meet instructors, and participate in a BJJ class without a long-term commitment.

Before joining an academy, check if they offer trial classes. If they do, you must attend them because there are many benefits. You can also ask all your questions, such as training times, the trainer’s belt rank, the environment, etc., which we discussed in the article.

Additionally, there may be some questions that you cannot ask your trainers, like about the academy itself. Of course, every trainer will tell you that their academy is good, but if you ask your fellow students who are already training there, they might give you a better answer.

6. Affiliation of BJJ Gym 

It is beneficial to be part of a gym that has an affiliation with the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association. Because that particular jiu-jitsu gym will then apply the same rules, and standards governed by the international association. 

The most popular BJJ affiliations are IBJJF and SJJIF. And if you reside in the USA, the American grappling federation is also very well admired. So, if your school is affiliated with any of these major affiliations, you can rest assured because you are part of an ever-growing martial arts community. 

7. Facilities Provided by BJJ Gym 

Before you pay for your training, check what other facilities the gym offers. Some gyms have a lot more to offer than others.

Ask the staff if the gym has showers, changing rooms, and if they provide Gis (uniforms) for students. Also, check if they have safety rules in place and how often they clean or replace the mats.

Extra facilities might cost more, but they can improve your training experience.

8. Training System 

It’s important to understand how the gym’s training works. Look at the drills and different techniques they teach. Does the instructor focus more on ground fighting, or do they also teach important techniques like takedowns, leg locks, and submissions? Knowing this will help you make a good choice.

You can ignore this point (Training System) if your trainer is a BJJ black belt or higher and if they participate in different competitions.

9. Understand BJJ Membership Costs 

The cost of joining a BJJ gym depends on where it’s located, how popular the gym is, and what training it offers. Most BJJ gyms charge between $100 to $200 each month. Smaller gyms or those in less busy areas might cost around $80 to $120 per month. Bigger gyms or those in expensive areas can charge $200 or more, especially if they are in large cities or are well-known academies.

Some BJJ gyms might have extra costs besides the monthly fee. You might have to pay a joining fee, which could be between $50 to $150. If the gym wants you to wear a specific uniform (called a gi), it can cost around $60 to $150. Private lessons are usually more expensive, with prices ranging from $50 to $150 per hour.

Make sure to ask about all the fees during one of your first meetings with the gym staff.

10. Teacher-to-Student Ratio in Class

A good teacher-to-student maximum ratio is typically 1:10 to 1:15. This allows instructors to give personalized attention to each student, ensuring everyone receives proper guidance and feedback. In smaller classes, students can get many benefits including:

• Receive more direct instruction and corrections on their techniques.
• Feel more comfortable asking questions and seeking help.
• Build stronger relationships with instructors and classmates.

11. Join BJJ Groups and Ask for Recommendations on Social Media:

You can also find a good gym through social media by following BJJ groups and BJJ fighters on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. You can search for hashtags like “Good BJJ gym” and “BJJ best gym” to check the posts and comments there.

Additionally, you can inbox people and ask them for recommendations. While this takes some time, but this is an effective way to find the best BJJ gym.

We have written an article about the 12 Best BJJ Fighters in the World. You can also follow them on social media and join their groups if available.

12. Instructor’s Lineage

Last but not least check the Instructor’s lineage is like a family tree of teachers. It shows who taught them BJJ and connects their skills back to the early founders, like Helio or Carlos Gracie. This helps students know where their training comes from.

As you know, the Gracie family created BJJ. To check if your trainer learned from someone connected to the Gracie family, you can look at their trainer’s lineage. This means finding out who trained your trainer, who trained that person, and so on. This way, you can see if your trainer was taught by a Gracie family member and if they teach real BJJ.

You can also check our article about the Gracie family members, which will help you see where your trainer learned Jiu-Jitsu. Here is a quick table for a better understanding. For more details, check our article Gracie Family Tree.

Understand Professional & Recreational for BJJ Gyms 

You need to think about what you want to achieve in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

• Do you want to compete at the highest level and have a career in mixed martial arts (MMA)?
• Or do you want to get stronger, learn the sport as a hobby, and build confidence and discipline?

The type of BJJ school you choose should match your goals. There are two types of Jiu-Jitsu gyms: professional and recreational.

A. Professional Jiu-Jitsu Gyms

Professional Jiu-Jitsu gyms prepare their students to become the best in the sport and compete at the highest level. Their practice sessions are longer and more intense. The techniques you learn at a professional gym are different because they are meant for actual competitions.

In professional gyms, you will find an environment that expects a lot from BJJ heroes. All around you, there will be BJJ athletes with better skills and abilities.

B. Recreational Jiu-Jitsu Gyms

Recreational gyms are great if you want to learn self-defence and improve your fitness over time. The environment at a recreational Jiu-Jitsu gym is much more relaxed. Students can take days off, change their practice schedules, and enjoy plenty of breaks between drills.

The training is not as tough because the instructors are not getting students ready for big competitions. However, these gyms do have friendly beginner competitions to keep it fun.

Short Overview of the article (Conclusion):

Here is a quick overview of the article, before joining a BJJ gym, consider these important points:

1. Distance from Home: Make sure the gym is close to your home or workplace.
2. Class Timings: Check that the class times fit your schedule.
3. Instructor’s Rank: Confirm that the instructor is a BJJ black belt or higher.
4. Gym Environment: Look at the atmosphere, including the people you train with and the noise level.
5. Free or trial Class: Before joining an academy, attend trial classes to ask questions about training and get honest feedback from current students.
6. Affiliation: It’s a good sign if the gym is connected to a bigger organization like IBJJF or SJJIF.
7. Facilities: Check for available amenities, such as showers, changing rooms, and uniforms.
8. Training Techniques: Make sure the instructors teach various BJJ techniques, like takedowns and leg locks.
9. Costs: Understand the membership fees, which depend on factors like location, popularity, and trainer experience. On average, BJJ gyms charge $100 to $200 per month. Smaller gyms may charge $80 to $120, while larger gyms may charge over $200.
10. Class Size: A 1:10 to 1:15 teacher-to-student ratio allows for personalized attention and better relationships.
11. Social Media: Join BJJ groups on social platforms like Facebook and Instagram for recommendations and inbox to people for suggest
12. Instructor’s Lineage: Check your instructor’s lineage to ensure real training connected to BJJ founders like Helio and Carlos Gracie. (We also provide you an article to help you determine if your trainer is from a legitimate lineage.)

Finally, we discussed that focus on your goals: Do you want to learn BJJ for competition or just for fitness? This will help you choose the right gym for you.By following these tips, you can find a good gym for your BJJ training.

We hope you enjoyed our article! If you have any questions, feel free to comment below, and don’t forget to follow us on social media!

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