Finding the Right BJJ Gym In Austin, TX

Whether you’re a seasoned BJJ veteran or an eager newcomer to the sport, finding the right BJJ gym is tough. You don’t want to commit to a gym, start attending classes, only to realize that it’s not the right place for you. Check out these tips and learn how to find the right gym for BJJ classes in Austin, TX.

1. Know your instructor

You know that expression, “Those who can’t do, teach.” Well, with BJJ that’s not true. It’s also not true that all highly ranked BJJ practitioners make excellent teachers. Before you sign up for a gym, you should know who is teaching the classes. Make sure the instructor holds a legitimate ranking and has a good following. To check on this, you can do a google search. Find out if anyone has commented on the gym or written any reviews. While there are a lot of haters out there, reviews can give you a general idea of how good the instructor is.

You also want to find out if all of the classes are taught by the head instructor. At some BJJ gyms, the main instructor only teaches one or two classes a week, leaving less qualified instructors to teach the rest. Then again, there may be several equally awesome instructors at the gym. Find out what the situation is before you commit to joining.

2. Check the schedule

First of all, there’s no point in signing up for BJJ classes at a gym that doesn’t offer classes that work with your schedule. Before you even begin to look for a BJJ gym in Austin, TX, you should know what class times work with your schedule and how often you want to train. Then, find out if the gym has classes that work with those times. If they only offer night classes and you work nights, it’s time to get back to Google and find another gym with day classes.

When you look at the schedule, keep an eye out for the types of classes the BJJ gym offers. Maybe you want to be to enter a no-gi competition. If so, make sure the gym has no-gi classes. Or, maybe you want to do MMA. Then, find out if the gym has a kickboxing class. Then again, maybe you just want some traditional BJJ training. In that case, make sure the gym has traditional BJJ classes.

3. Take advantage of a trial class

Many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms offer some sort of trial period. Sometimes they are a free.  Sometimes they are not.  This is so important to take advantage of. You wouldn’t buy a new house without seeing it in person, so why would you join a BJJ gym without trying at least one class first? After all, it will be your home-away-from-home.

When you go to the trial class, try to go around a class time that you will normally attend. That way, you can get a feel for the instructor and the students. Is it a friendly atmosphere? Do you like the instructor? Is the class challenging? These are all questions to ask yourself.

4. Facebook stalking is OK

It’s not ok to stalk your ex on Facebook, but it is ok to stalk your gym. Almost every BJJ gym has a Facebook page. Check out their page and look at the pictures. You can see ours HERE. Their photos can help you find out if there are any students involved in BJJ competitions, if the students have good things to say about the gym, and how active the gym is in the local community. A BJJ gym that offers self-defense seminars, anti-bullying seminars, and other events is a GREAT choice.

5. Don’t worry about fancy equipment as much as good mats and clean facilities

I’ll admit that a gym with a full-sized MMA octagon, a Versaclimb, and a sauna sounds pretty cool. But, it’s all about BJJ classes, not fancy equipment. When you’re on the lookout for a good BJJ gym, try not to focus on things like fancy equipment.

What is important is the quality of the mats. They don’t need to be new, but they need to be safe. They shouldn’t be covered in duct tape and have gaps. They should also be cleaned regularly. Make sure someone cleans down the mats before or after classes; it’s for your own health. Focus on what’s important, and don’t get caught up looking for a glamorous gym.

The Search For A Great BJJ Gym

BJJ has become so popular that there are multiple gyms in every town and city. For every great gym, there is a bad one. That’s why you need to pick carefully. To find the best BJJ classes in Austin, TX, pay attention to the important details. Use this blog post as a guide to help you find the perfect BJJ gym.