How to Choose a Jiu-Jitsu School
Deciding where to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is not a decision to take lightly. BJJ is becoming an increasingly-popular martial art and new schools are popping up on every street corner. So how does one decide which school to train at? That is the purpose of this simple, no-frills guide to choosing a jiu-jitsu school.
1) Read reviews and check out any photos that might be on Google Maps, Yelp, Facebook, Instragram, and other social media outlets.
This will give you a preliminary assessment of the quality of the school. If the school has at least a dozen reviews and an average of a 4.5 star rating, it could be a decent school. When reading through reviews, check the credibility of the reviewer. If a Jiu-Jitsu school (or any business, for that matter) has an abundance of 5-star ratings from reviewers that have only left one review on Google, odds are, something is shady. Steer clear of schools (or any business, for that matter) that have clearly paid to have fake reviews posted online.
2) Set up a time to meet with the lead instructor.
Meeting the instructor in-person comes with several benefits. First of all, you will be able to determine his character. Is he prideful? Humble? Is he respectful in his conduct? Ask the instructor questions such as:
Where did you get most of your training?
Have you competed?
How has martial arts improved your life?
What is your philosophy on the martial arts?
How long have you been training for?
How long have you been teaching for?
Your instructor is your guide and if you decide to train with her, you will develop a strong teacher-student relationship. It’s important that you like the instructor and also that she is who she says she is, so spend some time getting to know her.
3) Many schools will offer you a free introductory class… but some won’t.
And just because a school charges $39.95 for their introductory class doesn’t mean they are trying to trick you into something. The “test drive” option is just as common as the paid introductory process. Here at Elite, we have chosen to give all prospective students the opportunity to train for one week free of charge so that they can make an informed decision without having to pull out their wallets.
4) Take some time to tour the facility.
Look around. Check out the mats. See how clean they are. Look at the bathrooms. Look at the training equipment. Ask about how long they have been in business and how long they have been at that location. Notice the smell of the school. Look at what’s hanging on the walls. Be observant and inquisitive about the facility. Observe what businesses are nearby. A school’s facility says a lot about its owner, instructors, and students.
5) Find out what you are committing to.
Historically, it wasn’t uncommon for martial arts schools to ask students to sign a one-year contract. Nowadays, many schools have shifted to a month-to-month agreement. Either way, know what you are committing to. If a school requires a one-year contract, inquire as to whether there is a 30- or 90-day guarantee, and read the contract to see what would enable you to cancel your agreement.
Some schools require that their students compete in local or regional tournaments in order to progress through the ranks. Competing comes with both a financial and time commitment. It is important to speak with the owner or instructor about if there are any competition requirements.
6) If the instructor doesn’t tell you about training demands, ask about it.
Does the instructor want you to train twice a week? Five days a week? Most martial arts schools recommend that students train two or three times a week. In fact, to get the most out of any martial arts program, you will need to train at least two days a week.
7) Watch the instructor teach a class.
This is really one of the best ways to decide whether or not you want to train at a dojo you’re visiting. If you like the instructor’s teaching style, her humor, her ability to connect, her personality… chances are, you will enjoy being her student. On the other hand, if she is mean to the students and does a poor job communicating the steps needed to properly perform a technique, you will likely have difficulty progressing.
These are seven important steps in your search for a jiu-jitsu school. If we were to leave you with any parting words, follow your intuition. If your gut tells you that something is off about a school, you’re probably right. If you get a good vibe, you’re probably right. Good luck in your search for a school, and happy training!