So You're Thinking of Starting BJJ

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a fun sport and martial art. Whether you want to train for self-defence, exercise, competition, or to supplement another art for MMA, you'll have a lot of fun in the right gym. The challenge is finding one that suits your tastes.  The good news is that you don’t need to know much about the sport to figure out if a gym is a good fit for you. Some things to look for when choosing a gym include:

1. A Friendly Atmosphere

When you walk in, do people smile and say hello? Do the coaches make you feel welcome? If the gym feels cliquish or people act like beginners are an inconvenience, that's a red flag.

2. Patient, Supportive Coaches

As a beginner, you’ll be learning a lot of new movements that feel pretty counterintuitive. Do the instructors explain things clearly, encourage questions, and tailor the class to your level? 

If you're being pushed to do something long, complicated and confusing (or potentially dangerous) on your first day, consider trying a different club.

3. Clean, Safe Training Space

BJJ is close-contact, so cleanliness matters. The mats should be cleaned every day and the gym should have clear rules about hygiene and safety during training.

Watch how people behave. Do they wear shoes or flip flops when going to the toilet? More importantly, do they keep their shoes off the mat? Are people wearing clean training gear? If the gym looks dirty, put your health first and stay away.

4. Classes That Fit Your Needs and Interests

Some gyms have dedicated beginners classes, some don't. As long as the all levels classes are designed in a way that helps everyone learn, it's not necessarily a bad thing for a gym to not have a specific beginner's session. 

Think about your long-term goals, however. Some gyms focus on self-defence. Others are more competition-focused. Some focus on no-gi and are ideal for budding MMA practitioners. Others train more in the gi (kimono) and are more focused on the sport side. As a beginner, you can learn almost anywhere, but if you have a long-term goal in mind, look for a gym that can take you there.

5. The Trial Class Test

Most gyms let you try a class for free, or for a small one-off payment. Try a few gyms in your local area and see which one you like the most. Trust your instincts. BJJ takes many years to master, so you'll want to find a gym that you'll look forward to going to week in, week out.

Today, BJJ is a popular martial art and most towns have more than one gym, so as a new practitioner, you have lots of choices open to you. Every gym is different and caters to a slightly different demographic. The best gym for you is one that you can attend regularly, is safe and clean, and has people you like spending time with.

Good luck on your BJJ journey!