Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has seen a remarkable evolution in the types of spaces used for training over the past few decades. From traditional dojos with mats to makeshift spaces in garages, and now to open spaces and parks, the growth in popularity of BJJ has driven innovation in finding new places for people to grapple.
Early Days – The Traditional Dojo Space
With its origins in Japan, it is no surprise that early BJJ training took place on matted floors in dojos (formal training halls). The Gracie family operated its first academy in Brazil in this style of space – a relatively large hall with padded flooring ideal for throwing opponents and practicing various holds and submissions. Early BJJ practitioners spent hours drilling techniques and sparring in these dojos, with every movement focused on developing skills on the mats.
As BJJ spread globally from Brazil, purpose-built academies continued using the dojo model for their facilities. Students expect wall-to-wall padded flooring, with the ability to practice throws and aggressive sparring. The traditional dojo remains the standard for serious BJJ training focused on competition and belt progression today.
The Garage Gym Movement
As BJJ exploded in popularity through the 1990s and 2000s, the lack of dojo-style facilities meant that many casual practitioners set up makeshift gyms in their garage or basement. Affordable foam mats allowed bare spaces to be converted into training areas at home. The garage gym movement also provided income opportunities for instructors coaching small groups of students.
Garage spaces enabled BJJ to reach new groups who struggled to access traditional academies because of location, cost, or convenience. It supported growth amongst teenagers, older adults, and even whole families training together at home. Accessibility expanded further when instructors began providing online coaching sessions to home practitioners. The garage gym phenomenon enabled the rapid global spread of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Taking Training Outdoors
In recent years, many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners have moved regular training outside into parks and open spaces. The COVID-19 pandemic severely limited access to traditional academies and garage gyms in 2020-2022. As a result, BJJ communities had to adapt their approach to enable training to continue.
Public parks with lawns or artificial grass provided convenient options for sparring, grappling drills, and supplemental bodyweight exercises. Outdoor classes also avoided virus transmission risks associated with indoor facilities.
Some pundits initially doubted whether an aggressive grappling art could work in uncontrolled outside environments. But through innovation, outdoor training has become an entrenched part of the BJJ culture today.
Advantages of Outdoor Training
Outdoor training spaces have unique advantages compared to traditional indoor facilities. The unlimited room and fresh air create an open, free environment to practice moves at full intensity. Sessions also take on a festive atmosphere that builds camaraderie.
No walls or rules mean wayward throws and takedowns will not end a sparring session. BJJ athletes learn to continue from awkward positions unhindered. Sparring overall becomes more dynamic and realistic for self-defense application.
Being outdoors also allows cross-training by integrating bodyweight movements like pull ups, squats, or animal crawls between grappling rounds. The natural landscape essentially provides free equipment for a full-body workout.
Challenges of Outdoor Locations
Facilities designed specifically for martial arts still have significant advantages over improvised outside areas. BJJ is a technical art relying on intricate movements, requiring flat, stable flooring to perform safely. Uneven grass or concrete greatly increase injury risks.
Weather conditions also hamper outdoor training. Rain can make sessions untenable, especially ground grappling. Cold climates make year-round training outdoors impractical without special equipment like heat lamps.
Providing amenities like bathrooms and water access proves difficult in uncontrolled parks or reserves. Transporting gear also becomes a barrier if academies adopt an outdoor-only approach. Maintaining a consistent training culture outdoors compared to a dedicated gym can be challenging over long periods.
Innovations Making Outdoor Training More Viable
In response to increasing enthusiasm for outdoor training, companies now provide specialized equipment to make ad hoc training areas safer and more practical. Durable ground covers create flat, stable padding that can be rolled out almost anywhere quickly.
Portable storage bags help safely transport and protect complex BJJ training gear like grappling dummies. Convenient pop-up changing tents allow outdoor sessions to be truly self-contained.
Protecting cables for lighting or heat lamps overhead has also become an important consideration. Durable outdoor cable protectors cover wires and prevent accidents. These outdoor cable protections must withstand weather plus constant foot traffic across randori areas.
Smart Solutions Using Technology
Some forward-thinking academies now utilize technology to coordinate seamless indoor and outdoor sessions. Cloud-based booking systems let members schedule upcoming classes based on weather, location, and instructor availability.
QR codes posted in outdoor areas link to online video tutorials for self-guided learning. High-quality video conferencing allows students at improvised outdoor facilities to still train under direct coaching from instructors based in professional studios.
Emerging augmented reality (AR) mobile apps even enable students to visualize holographic training partners outdoors. This futuristic solution may provide full-fidelity instruction anywhere without the need for real sparring opponents to be present. Experts consider seamless integration of indoor and outdoor training spaces supported by technology as the ultimate model for growth.
The Future of BJJ Training Spaces
Far from replacing traditional dojos, purpose-built competitive gyms with high-quality mats will continue as prime facilities for progression in Jiu-Jitsu. But innovation around outdoor and home training means these formal academies will likely become more focused on intense sessions for experienced athletes.
New students exploring recreational BJJ are expected to enter the art through flexible outdoor classes or online training first. Backyards and parks will act as fun feeder spaces leading enthusiasts to commit further through memberships eventually.
Conclusion
From its humble origins in Brazil to global phenomenon, the evolution of spaces for jiu-jitsu training mirrors the remarkable rise of BJJ itself. Driven by passion and necessity, embracing outdoor areas represents the latest innovative chapter in this martial arts journey. Far from non-traditional, parks and backyard sessions will likely soon be viewed as conventional training grounds in their own right.
