Blog

A no-affiliate-link guide to what a new BJJ practitioner actually needs in year one. Skip the marketing, buy four things, train.

Honest 2026 pricing for monthly membership, drop-ins, gear, and seminars. Where to save and where you'll regret saving.

The honest tradeoffs between training in the gi and training no-gi. What each one teaches, what each one neglects, and how to pick.

A clear BJJ membership starts with the whole agreement: included classes, total cost, renewal, pauses, and the exact process for leaving.

Separate recurring tuition from optional spending before trying to price the years between your first class and a BJJ black belt.

A gi patch can mark your team or a favorite trip. Check academy policy, competition placement, and the attachment before making it permanent.

A family BJJ discount is only part of the decision. Compare schedules, supervision, full costs, and what happens when one member changes plans.

A practical guide to spats under BJJ shorts: academy policies, fit checks, competition rules, and the laundry your new outfit requires.

The gi versus no-gi debate is one of BJJ's longest-running arguments. Both have distinct advantages, and the answer to which you should train depends entirely on your goals.

BJJ was born from self-defense, but modern sport BJJ has evolved beyond its roots. Here's an honest look at what BJJ offers for real-world self-defense and where its limitations lie.

Picking a BJJ gym is one of the most important decisions you'll make as a grappler. Here's a structured approach to evaluating academies so you find the right fit — not just the closest one.

Everything you need to know before your first BJJ class — from what to wear and what to expect on the mats, to the unwritten rules every new student should understand.