Guest post by Evolve MMA, Asia’s premier championship brand for martial arts. It has the most number of World Champions on the planet. Named as the #1 ranked martial arts organization in Asia by CNN, Yahoo! Sports, FOX Sports, Evolve MMA is the top rated BJJ gym in Singapore.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is one of the most popular martial arts today. While traditional Jiu-Jitsu has been around for ages, the Brazilian derivative was popularized by the Gracie family a few decades ago. Royce Gracie, in particular, deserves a lot of credit for this given the impressive performances he put on during the first two Ultimate Fighting Championship tournaments. Virtually all of his opponents were bigger and stronger, but that wasn’t enough to stop Royce from submitting them all on his way to winning both tournaments.

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.