“Guest post by Evolve Vacation. The Evolve Vacation Program offers travelers the rare opportunity of a lifetime to combine a tropical vacation under the sun with authentic training under World Champions. You can train at one of the world’s most famous mixed martial arts academies, Evolve MMA, and also enjoy the exotic hidden treasures of the beautiful tropical island of Singapore.Evolve Mixed Martial Arts® is Asia’s top martial arts organization. It is our mission to deliver the best martial arts instruction available anywhere on the planet. Our award-winning instructor team includes authentic World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts, Boxing, Wrestling, No-Gi Grappling, and more. We have been consistently ranked as the #1 martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, ESPN StarSports, Tokyo Times, MMA Mania, The Fight Nation, Asian MMA, Combat Asia, MiddleEasy, and many other leading authorities. Evolve MMA ranks among the very best in the world”
BJJ continues to spread rapidly all over the world because it’s unquestionably one of the best martial arts in the world. BJJ just doesn’t just give you the ability to defeat your opponent, it also allows you to subdue the person without using much force if you choose to do so.
When you decide to learn BJJ, the first thing you need to do is find the right gym and instructors. All BJJ gyms aren’t equal. Having a black belt isn’t a guarantee that anyone will automatically be a great teacher.
It’s up to you to find a BJJ gym in Singapore where you will consistently receive top-level instruction.
Here are a few things you should look carefully at when deciding which school you want to train with:
1) World-Class Instructors
One of the first things you want to pay attention to during your search is the quality of the instructors at the BJJ gyms you visit. You want teachers who are competent BJJ practitioners. People who have been trained by world-class instructors and competed at the highest levels.
You also want instructors who have experience teaching what they know to others. These types of instructors know when to be patient with their students and when to push them a bit. An experienced instructor is also less likely to play favorites during classes and treat everyone the same.
2) Convenient Class Schedules
BJJ students come from all works of life. They are doctors, nurses, singers, students, bankers, and every other profession you can think of. There is no particular training time that works for everyone, so it’s important that you find a school that offers training times that are convenient for you.
Reputable BJJ gyms offer classes throughout the day, from early morning until late night. That’s what convenient scheduling looks like. Since you will always be able to find a suitable time to train, even if your schedule ends up changing, the more options that are open to you the easier it will be to level up your BJJ game quickly.
3) Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Here’s another important thing to pay close attention to when you’re looking for a BJJ gym. The gym should be a place where you get to relax and enjoy one of your favorite hobbies. Avoid gyms that are filled with people with toxic personalities.
That goes for instructors and students alike. You also don’t want to train with an instructor who tolerates negative behavior from students.
Here’s a good rule to follow. If you would be uncomfortable bringing your parents to the gym and introducing them to your instructors and training partners, it probably isn’t the right BJJ gym for you.
4) True Martial Arts Instruction
BJJ is a lot more than just learning cool submissions or sweeps. Like many other martial arts, it’s also about self-discovery, self-discipline, and personal growth. Starting BJJ is a life-changing decision. It will keep you in excellent physical shape, it will improve your self-esteem, and it will improve your analytical skills.
You will also learn certain values that all martial arts have in common, like respect, hard work, perseverance, and the importance of relaxation.
The mental aspects of martial arts training are just as important as the physical aspects. You could even make an argument that the mental benefits of martial arts training are even more important than the physical ones since these carry over to your personal and professional life.
5) Well-Equipped, Clean Facilities
If you’re like most people, you probably prefer being in clean environments. If you plan to take your BJJ training serious, the gym will become your second home of sorts. You want to make sure it’s somewhere that’s comfortable for you. Make sure to find a BJJ gym that has a strict cleaning schedule and prioritize sanitation. Also, look for a gym that has adequate showering and changing facilities so that you are able to clean up efficiently after class.
Follow the tips listed above, and you won’t have any problem finding a good BJJ gym in Singapore to join. A good place to start your search is by attending a complimentary trial class. That will give you an excellent opportunity to interact the instructors and training partners and get a feel for yourself.
I work a second shift job so the gym schedule really stands out to me. I can only train 1-2 days a week because of it. My local gyms need more day classes for sure.