Jiu-Jitsu is experiencing phenomenal growth all over the world. Academies are popping up in strip malls everywhere. Choosing the right academy for you is a big decision and can impact your growth as a martial artist and as a person. The benefits of Jiu-Jitsu both mentally and physically are endless and can be life changing. In order to make the most of these benefits, you need to find the right school for YOU. Here are some tips;
Shop around. Most gyms have a free trial or free class option up front. Don’t be afraid to ask. Go where you feel most at home.
Price. Generally one of the first questions asked. The answer can be tricky as some schools don’t want to scare you off with sticker shock. In the Tulsa market, expect to pay $100-$150 per month with big discounts for additional family members. Keep in mind, you will pay the same at most karate/Tae Kwon Do schools - except for the hidden costs. They charge around $35-$50 per month in test fees. Most BJJ schools do not have a test fee and if they do, you should only be paying it every 6 months to a year. A uniform will cost anywhere from $75-$300 depending on quality. Check with each school you try and find out their uniform requirements. Don’t settle for discount martial arts. This is your safety and well being at stake. If someone is charging crazy lower amounts - there is probably a reason.
Schools philosophy on competition. If your main goal is competition, you want a school that is heavy into competition. If you are looking to get into shape, have fun and learn self-defense, then the grind of a competitive school may not be right for you. If you want a little of both, choose a school that has specific times for competition.
Do a background check on the instructor. This is especially true for children and females.
Research school lineage. Make sure their certification comes from a reputable source. Also find out how long they have been affiliated under their current association. If they have jumped around from affiliation to affiliation - there is likely a reason. It could be due to personality conflicts or an attempt to move up in rank with each affiliation change. If they have jumped around a lot, you should do your own independent research on why.
Facility. Is the gym clean? Does it have amenities you require? Showers? Are people walking around off the mat barefoot? If the instructor doesn’t care about the facility - beware.
Format of the class. If you are tired and sore after your first class, this is normal. If you feel like you are being fed to the sharks, this may not be a good thing. Beginning students should be working with higher ranked students who are helping them to improve not just use them as a grappling dummy to boost their own ego.
Question the curriculum. Does the instructor lesson plan? Are the lessons built in a sequential pattern to allow the student to move from one technique to the next and build on them together? Or does the instructor just throw random stuff out based on what he feels like teaching? Or worse yet, do they hit you with “what do you guys feel like working tonight”? A prepared instructor is an experienced mature instructor.
Culture. This is the big one. How is the interaction with other students? Most gyms will be very welcoming. If not, question why. Are students too engrossed in their own progress? If the welcome is cold, there is likely a reason and it probably starts at the top and trickles down. Observe how the instructor interacts with experienced students as well as yourself. This is likely to be you down the road. There are likely to be cliques and close friendships wherever you go but those cliques should be open and friendly to you as well. Where is the instructors attention during class? Is he looking at himself in the mirror or is he walking around helping students while they drill? Is the instructor interested in your progress or telling you and showing you what they can do. A wise man once said “if an instructor talks about themselves for more than five minutes straight during a class - they are not there to feed you knowledge. They are there to feed their own ego”. The instructor should be talking about YOU and what YOU are capable of, not what they have done or could do. The lesson is for you.
Your Jiu-Jitsu journey can be one of the most fulfilling aspects of your life. But just like anything else, there can be good and bad. Find the place that is right for you. Trust your instincts and most importantly - have fun!