Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

My ideas as far as the physical facility, rates, and scheduling are concerned.

1) Have identical class times 7 days a week as our bodies get used to a certain time slot. Many cities are 24/7 such as Las Vegas. No one need work, coach, or attend 7 days a week but just as the casinos here (Gambling Capital of the World) staff 7 days a week so can the jiujitsu gyms in most cases (assuming you own or are renting the place for your exclusive use). People have different work, school, and personal schedules and being available on about all days would allow more to attend. Of course there may be days that no one wants to supervise (i.e, Las Vegas on New Year's Eve, etc). Unless you are a small one instructor place different instructors could cover different days. The head sensei and his or her other instructors could decide in advance what is to be covered each week or similar.
2) If u have not yet opened and are looking for a place make sure you choose a place with good public transit for all gym hours coming and going. Consider giving those who come exclusively by transit, walking, or biking a small discount due their not using a parking space.
3) Play music to satisfy all tastes even if this means different types on different days. For example on Sunday play Soundtracks,Monday rock n roll, Tuesday Classical, Wednesday Heavy Metal, Thursday Instrumental, etc...But always turn down the music when giving instruction so all can hear well. If there are people in class under 18 do not play anything involving foul language.
4) Use heating or air conditioning as needed to make it as comfortable for everyone as possible.
5) Didn't wish I had to say this, but keep the place clean and have adequate space for personal belongings during training.
6) If possible have multiple rest rooms as believe it or not more than one person may need to relieve themselves at the same time.
7) Have an arrangement for the less fortunate (with proper proof of course) to get a lower rate that they can handle. This way you still get revenue with only very minutely adding to your costs. If a person honestly cannot afford the full rate and chooses not to join or goes elsewhere as a result the gym loses out.
8) Investing in a simple video system to show or emphasize techniques may be well worth it.
9) Feel free to ask the members for any ideas to improve the training atmosphere.

1. I don't think you understand how little profit most martial arts gyms make. Martial arts isn't gambling. I used to train late with buddies, but it's not sustainable to have classes 24 hrs a day. You have to adjust schedules depending on what's practical.

2. Not always possible as those places also tend to have the largest rents and worst parking situations.

3. Personally, I prefer no music when training. Some people play their music way too loud, which is a pet peeve of mine. However, music is not a big deal. Changing up music would be weird, though. When teaching martial arts, it's important to have a consistent class structure. Part of that is the music that's being used. Most people just want the same experience each time.

6. Not always possible, unfortunately.

7. There are people who take advantage. A gym I taught at ended up closing because too many people asked for low or free rates. Sometimes, making a person pay helps them value it more. That sucks, but it's true. So you have to do it on a case-by-case basis very carefully.

8. Honestly, I have never found this to be very helpful. At most, internet wifi for an ipad to drill techniques is helpful. But a big video system is just an expensive waste that usually just ends up playing mma or bjj videos on repeat as part of the atmosphere.

9. That's often the case, but many times people don't know exactly what they want or need. Or they THINK they know what's important when it isn't. Experience matters. Trust gym owners to know how to manage their gyms.

1) I may not have been exact enough. I just meant that Las Vegasand many other cities as well, are 24/7. I did not expect the gym to be open for 24 hours a day. That being said, maybe a joint venture with 24' fitness might work for those who want to roll at any given time though rates would have to be adjusted accordingly.
2) Public transit access is just as important as parking. Places with reasonable rents and good public transit exist in cities, thus satisfying both concerns.
3) I like the no music option that you mention as well, as the noisy rock and roll or heavy metal is disrupting even with taped up headgear.
7) I totally agree with you that lower rates must be on a case by case basis for those who really need the break financially. Asking for a verifying document would not be unreasonable to me.
8) I may have not been too clear on this one. Basically I was referring to something such as a TV with a firestick for internet access, for relatively low cost. The screen need not be that large as the class can move closer to the tv when it is being used. We have something like this at our dojo and the sensei uses it at times to show moves that he is teaching to demonstrate there being used in competition.
9) Yes and no. Some people do know what they want and what may work and as you say many do not know what they want or what will work. As to gym owners, many do a good job and know it well, but there are some out there who do a lesser job and suggestions may make for a better operation.

7) I’d like a pony too, but it’s not going to happen. Running a business is hard and full of compromises. Customers often want the most they can get even if it ruins the business. That’s called human nature. That’s why they usually provide really poor advice. Most of your suggestions wouldn’t improve the viability of a struggling gym. It’s been tried and they are mostly extra costs. If you are a brown or black belt contributing a lot to the academy and have proven your loyalty to the owners, maybe then you can organize late night sessions or give rides to people or sponsor poor athletes. I’ve done all of those things individually. But they don’t work for for regular business purposes.

1) I lived in one of the largest cities in the US before. Late night bjj with my buddies (who are among the most hardcore BJJ athletes) never attracted many people. I trained at a bjj school attached to a 24/7 gym in a smaller town. It’s was not viable to have classes or even the mats available all the time there. I trained at a University that had mats available most of the day without supervision. They were trashed by the public. I’m telling you, it’s not viable to have 24/7 BJJ training.

2) Those places usually have very high rents too. Are you prepared to pay 300+/month for that privilege?

ton article très intéressant et je suis une association a la recherche d une salle de dojo en location centre de Londres ou aux grand Londres avec accès facile transport.

thanks

It is hoped that some who read these posts are either partners or owners in some BJJ gyms and that some of the ideas that meetfighters members are about to add may be worth a look. Will add mine at a later time after I see how this topic goes. Thanks

I think there’s something to improve in the teaching method. I’m not sure tho how to improve it, but here is why I think there’s a room for improvement:
From my very brief experience in few BJJ classes, I find that watching an instructor demonstrate a technique isn’t sufficient to know how to do the technique. Because after watching, when I practice in the same class, i find it difficult to hold the momery of what I saw to then apply it. Maybe it’s just me and my terrible memory haha, but I thought to share it in case it’s helpful.

You need to take notes and drill on your own both after class and at open mats. Too many people just roll at open mats. But I’ve never been to an open mat where someone wouldn’t drill with me for a little bit. After class you should still be drilling if there is time. Finally, you gotta write it down. Some people find taking notes during instruction can help their memory. Others find that taking notes after training does. I do both sometimes. Then you can go back to your notes and drill during open mats!

Thank you very much for sharing that!
I haven’t seen anyone before taking notes during a BJJ class! But I agree - note taking works for me. The thing tho is that the speed difference between demonstration and my writing will make me miss parts of the technique, but I think I can find ways to write quick short notes during class and then elaborate on them afterwards.
On open mats, I’ve never attended those! My perception, and I might be wrong, is that open mats are about having rounds of fights with different people, which I find very intimidating to be honest. I’m conscious about the sense of intimidation, and I’m actively dealing with it by incremental exposure. I think I’ll be comfortable with open mats at some point, and then, I’ll make use of them for extra practice!
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

I often took notes during class and after too. I agree not many people do it, but not many people are champions either. Notes are one way to accelerate your progress. Some people like to record, but I don't like that. It is kinda an invasion of privacy AND it doesn't help learning nearly as much as having to explain to yourself the moves in your own words.

Open mats are about individual training. Most people just roll, but I always find time to drill. I have never encountered an open mat where everyone refused to drill during at least the beginning or end of it. You are limiting yourself by not going to open mats. They are very important as you are your best coach. I highly recommend them!

I totally agree and am coming to the belief that BJJ instruction should be similar to how science courses are taught in college. The professor (sensei) demonstrates the technique and of course you practice it a few times with your training partner. But perhaps we need to go to the next level where you then have a "laboratory'' session the next hour in smaller groups run by one of the higher belts where you go over the details and practice the moves taught by the Sensei. We all learn at different speeds with different retention capacities and having a "lab" session would probably do wonders, especially for white and blue belts. Having back to back classes for different belt levels may help as well as perhaps purple and up for the first hour and blue and below for the second hour or vice verse dependng on the preference of the higher belts (they have earned their rank thus they should get first selection of class times).

That makes sense!
Combining what you said with what @Batterysentinel said, imagine if each class in its current format be split into three sessions:
- Classroom, where the theory of technique is explained including the anatomy of the relevant body parts. This can be in a setup that allows for comfortable note taking like having tables and chairs.
- Demonstration, where the coach demonstrates the technique
- Lab, where attendees are split into smaller groups to practice, being led by a higher belt athlete. The grouping could be done based on experience level or body size or otherwise (I don’t know which grouping criteria is better).

This would require to rethink the business model of BJJ clubs to ensure sufficient resources (space, coaches… etc.)

I mostly agree..having clipboards with paper would suffice...this way all can be done on the same mat area,,,the costs may be higher which may cause the gym to charge more due the time element and coaches needed but divided by the number of people may not cost that much more per person.

You just need a notebook and pen from the dollar store. It is the responsibility of the athlete to have their own supplies. I don't think the gym should supply it.

You need to take notes and drill after class or during open mat or both.

No it’s not just you. A lot of people have that struggle, me included. I have been lucky enough to have had a lot of pt sessions, and that’s helped a huge amount. I don’t know how people, especially beginners, learn holds in classes of 50 people.

Thanks for sharing that! You made me feel better that i’m not alone in this haha!
I used to to only do PT sessions but for a different reason: I find BJJ training in a group setting to be very intimidating. But I want deal with this intimidation, so I finally felt comfortable in transitioning from PT to group classes.
But even during PT, it was difficult for me to visualize what’s happening, because being alone with the coach, I couldn’t see the big picture of what’s going on (like when the coach demonstrates the technique with a third person and I watch). Oftentimes, in the middle of practicing a technique in a PT session, he’d say for example: “ok now bring you arm this side and do this.” Following instructions this way doesn’t register the process solidly enough to then be able to do it again later in the session, let alone remembering it in next class! 😅

Believe me, you’re not alone! I think a lot of people struggle with trying to do things after being shown a particular hold or move.

One thing I found was even during the PT sessions, i often let other guys know they can join in too if they want to because it does help having at least one additional person there. As you say it’s very difficult seeing a hold being done when it’s been put on you and you can’t really see the position of the coach.

Another thing I found was it was very good to record short videos on my phone . I’ve always found other guys will happily record me and other guys training on my phone, and it’s amazing what you see when you’re watching yourself on a video!

And as other guys have said, note taking is very important as well. I am writing them down in a book right now, but for a long time I just did notes using Siri on my iPhone. And I found it very good, because when I went walking the dog, for example, I could always read those notes while walking. .

Amazing! Thank you very much for sharing these ideas!

Thanks for sharing that! You made me feel better that i’m not alone in this haha!

Et si tu as des adresse de salle je suis preneur ?