There are many reasons one might want to drop-in at a new gym, from just wanting to roll with some new training partners to test-driving a new gym to looking for a gym to train at while in town for work or pleasure. Regardless of rank, dropping in at a new gym can be just as overwhelming or nerve-wracking as it is beneficial. Today, we are going to be talking about some of the do’s and don’ts to dropping in from the perspective of a high-level BJJ gym so the next time you drop-in you’ll know exactly what to do.
Call Ahead
No matter what, always try to call ahead before dropping in to make sure the schedule is accurate, the gym is open, and that they are accepting drop ins. While HAMA has a very up-to-date and well-maintained website/social media presence, some smaller gyms may not update things as quickly or at all which can lead to you showing up to a locked and empty gym. HAMA has a dedicated front desk team that will coordinate the best time for you to drop-in based on interest and experience level, help you through paperwork (liability release forms), and will give you a tour of the building and introduce you to coaches/professors. Some gyms do not accept drop-ins and some require payment even for a single drop-in session. You are welcome to drop in for one BJJ class. If you intend to be attending classes anymore than that, we offer drop-in memberships. This allows you all access your classes at your level.
Respect The Customs Of The gym
It is a good idea to ask about any “house rules” before stopping in. Some gyms do not let you wear other academy branded gis on their mat. BJJ is a very traditional sport but the extent that these traditions are considered varies by gym. For example, at HAMA we expect all people to bow before stepping onto the mats and before stepping off. Students to line up by rank at the beginning and end of each class so the coach/professor can speak to students before bowing in to begin/conclude class. At HAMA, we also wear our belts when lining up for No Gi BJJ classes and take them off once we bow in. Some gyms have more strict and intense customs while others have none, but you should never assume that you know them before dropping in at another gym. When dropping in at another gym, be sure to ask about the customs and rules of that gym and follow the lead of other higher-level belts to avoid any awkwardness or unintentional disrespect to your coach, professor, or peers.
Train With Respect
While you should always be training with respect for your partners, this is particularly important at a new gym. At your home gym you develop trust and rapport with your peers, meaning you understand each other, and you can potentially roll harder or more aggressively with them than you should with a stranger. At a new gym, you must treat every person you roll with as you would a stranger at your gym regardless of their size, weight, strength, etc. Start slow and let them dictate the pace and intensity of the roll. You never want to be the new person that shows up and ends up injuring a beloved member of another gym by rolling too hard. It is very important to respect the tap and always take care of your BJJ family near and far. Leave your ego at the door and come have some fun!
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Come to HAMA!
At High Altitude Martial Arts, we highly encourage our students to cross train so we welcome experienced visitors. If you are looking for a gym to train at while on vacation or if you are looking to find a new home gym, we encourage you to try a class at High Altitude. If you are looking to try out for our professional fight team, The Elevation Fight Team, or are in interested in doing your fight camp with the team, contact us directly as those requirements are much different.
