Grab a gi and hit the road
I've studied other martial arts in the past, but finding places to train was always problematic when travelling. One of the million aspects of BJJ that I like so much is that there is always a place to train even when you're on the road.
I learn a lot from these away-from-home training sessions - from practicing new techniques to testing sparring skills with unfamiliar people. I don't know if it's the sport or whether I've just been fortunate, but all the academies I've visited to date have been so very warm and welcoming.
If you're nervous about training at an unfamiliar place, don't be. Here are a few tips that I’ve learned over the last couple of years of travelling for work and finding places to train on the side.
1. How do I find a place to train?
You can do a few things. Easiest path, ask your professor and your training buddies if there’s a person or academy they know/recommend/have trained with in the area. If you’re at a school with an affiliate network, this will likely be simple. If that tactic comes up short, there’s always Google and Google Maps to search what’s available close to where you’ll be staying.
2. How do I choose if there are more than one? Are there fees? What else should I find out?
Check out each academy’s website. You can learn a lot about the size of the school, philosophy, and training schedule from their site (or lack thereof). If there are a few great choices, sometimes I’ll choose simply based on whether there are classes that fit with the few hours I have available.
But, don’t just rely on information on the website. Call ahead to confirm their visiting student policy and class schedule. You can also ask about any other policies and procedures, inquire into mat fees, etc. Some gyms will have a set mat fee, $10-$50/day depending on the gym, others will waive fees for a first time visitor or work out a special fee if you’ll be visiting over several days.
3. What do I do once I’m there?
This cannot be expressed forcefully enough. BE RESPECTFUL. Watch and follow what the other students do - how and where do they warm up, line up, bow, etc. Do they bow into and off of the mat?
Do what THEY do, not what you normally do. Some academies will be a little more formal, others less so. Just go with the flow and you’ll be fine. Don’t be afraid to ask the front desk or other students questions about anything you’re unsure about. I’ve found that in most places, the regular students will come up and introduce themselves and warmly welcome you.
This should go without saying for any place you train, but I'm going to say it. Don't be an arse. Don't use this opportunity to try to show up people at the school you're visiting. You're there to learn. See above about being respectful. You bring honor to your home academy by being gracious, not by showing what a beast you are by submitting (or trying to submit) everyone in the room. Use your technique, not your brute force.
4. What do I wear?
Find out dress code ahead of time. Some academies require that you wear only certain gi colors (competition blue or white) or their own branded gis. It’s good to find this out before you go, so you know what to pack. (See more on what to pack for travel training).
If you don’t have to wear something specific, and unless you’re going to another affiliate academy, bring a gi/rashguard without School/Affiliate branding/patches. This is training, not competition, so you want to be academy neutral.
Some academies will rent gis. Art of Jiujitsu, for example, prefers you wear their branded attire, or a white plain gi. I didn’t own a white gi at the time, so I happily rented theirs for an additional fee.
Some academies also prefer rashguards be worn under gis. This is not a time for personal preference on whether you want to wear one or not. (See be respectful note above) Bring one just in case - and make sure it's also academy-neutral or branded for the academy you’re attending. Additionally, for No Gi classes, some academies require everyone to wear shorts over leggings or spats.
Make sure you also bring flip-flops or sandals. Most academies prefer you not traipse around, especially in bathrooms, in your bare feet and then step onto the mat.
Travelling and training can be an eye-opening, rewarding experience. Just like travelling in general, it introduces you to different ideas, methods, people. All you need is a desire to train, a good attitude, and an open mind, free of expectations.
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