Jiu Jitsu Equipment Checklist: What You Need to Start (and Run) a Successful Academy

​Jiu jitsu has a wide variety of benefits, so it’s no wonder why it’s surged in popularity over the past few years. That’s also why academies are popping up all over the map, putting owners in the hunt for the best jiu jitsu equipment to start—and run—a successful school.

If that’s you, we’re here to help! The long-term growth of your jiu jitsu academy actually starts with laying the foundation. From finding the right space and equipment to hiring the best coaches and choosing the best gym management software, each step helps to ensure your success.

You’ll want to start with jiu jitsu equipment that keeps training safe, organized and scalable. Check out all the details below to find out what your academy actually needs, plus some bonus “nice to have” options.

So You Want to Start a Jiu Jitsu Academy?

Once you’ve found an ideal space, there are a few key factors to keep in mind before you even purchase your first mat. Your facility should prioritize:

• Safety—both in training surfaces and jiu jitsu equipment
• Cleanliness and basic hygiene practices
• Layout and traffic flow—for both students and spectators
• Equipment storage and durability

Let’s take a look at the key considerations to help you get started.

Before Jiu Jitsu Equipment: Space Layout and Safety

Space Layout

One common mistake many academy owners make is not taking the time to explore layout options before bringing in the jiu jitsu equipment. Remember, your mat area should be the centerpiece of your space.

Here are some key things to keep in mind when planning your mat layout:

• Anticipate attendance numbers for your largest class of the day, and make sure your mat is able to accommodate that group
• Create a buffer space around the edges for safety—and to avoid collisions
• Design a welcoming check-in space or retail display area that will not be prohibitive to any mat activity
• Establish two storage areas—one for students to store their gear and belongings, another for extra jiu jitsu equipment, spare mats, cleaning supplies, etc.

Pro Tip: If your academy is located in a warehouse, be sure to confirm HVAC basics and ventilation. Jiu jitsu schools can heat up fast when the mats are full!

Safety

An everyday part of the jiu jitsu practice are takedowns, throws and continuous ground contact. As a result, ensuring these two safety categories is required for academy owners:

1. First Aid. Your school must always be “incident ready” with a comprehensive first-aid kit. Some of the most important things to include are wraps, cold packs, antiseptics and bandages).
2. Sanitation Solutions. Every day, your mats will absorb sweat and contact from students’ skin, which makes it imperative that you prioritize sanitation. It doesn’t have to be complicated—simply build a consistent cleaning routine and use safe disinfectants that are designed for athletic surfaces. For example, quaternary ammonium (“quat”) is a common one that won’t damage your mats or jiu jitsu equipment.

Essential Jiu Jitsu Equipment: The Must-Haves

Here is the short list of the essential jiu jitsu equipment and supplies to start with.

1. Jiu Jitsu Mats (Your #1 Investment)

The most important piece of equipment you’ll buy are your mats. Most academies choose one of the following:

• Tatami-style mats (common in jiu jitsu)
• Roll-out vinyl mats
• Puzzle mats (generally used in smaller programs or when budget is prohibitive)
• Check out three of our favorites: Fuji, Zebra, and Dollamur (roll up)

The most common thickness for jiu jitsu training mats is 1.5 inches, which balances stability and cushioning. Some of the premium tatami systems claim to meet competition specs as well, but always check with your vendor to discuss the options your school needs specifically.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget edge safety—wall padding is a smart add-on if your mats run close to the walls or pillars in your space.

2. Cleaning and Disinfecting Supplies

There’s a reason this is the second item on your jiu jitsu equipment stack. We can’t emphasize enough how important sanitation will be for the success of your academy.

Because skin-to-mat contact is so consistent in jiu jitsu, cleaning systems are simply a non-negotiable part of running the business. Here’s a simple cleaning plan:

• Decide on a mop system or pump sprayer to apply disinfectants
• Purchase mat-safe disinfectant and cleaner (follow instructions for dilution + dwell time)
• Develop a daily cleaning routine
• Add “spot cleaning” to the plan for moments with bodily fluids or heavy sessions
• Build hygiene rules into your onboarding program for students to follow as well (ex: cleaning gi and rash guards after each session, leaving shoes off mats, covering cuts, etc.)
• Check out Defense Soap, a trusted company in the jiu jitsu space for both mat cleaners and personal hygiene products.

3. Training Dummies and Grappling-Specific Tools

Unlike MMA (mixed martial arts) that includes striking, jiu jitsu academies focus on grappling reps. Therefore, the following list of related jiu jitsu equipment includes:

• Grappling dummies for drilling when partners are limited
• Throwing dummies for takedown work
• Resistance bands for movement prep, rehab, and mobility
• Wall timer or stopwatch for drilling and sparring

4. Equipment Storage and Operations Essentials

Not all of your equipment will be glamorous. But the more well-thought-out your storage and operations needs, the better your classes will flow. And creating the best student experience is what will ultimately help your school grow through increased fitness business retention and revenue.

Here’s a quick list of the practical, “non-glam” equipment:

• Storage options like cubbies or racks for bags, shoes, coats, etc.
• Hooks or hangers to dry students’ loaner gear
• Laundry hamper system (if you offer towel service or loaner gis)
• Fans or dehumidifiers to help with odor and mat longevity

Student Gear: What Your Academy Should Require (and What to Stock)

The longer students have been practicing jiu jitsu, the more likely they are to purchase all the personal equipment they need. But as they’re just getting started, having loaners will help with both conversion and early retention.

Plus, this means selling jiu jitsu equipment presents a new revenue stream for your academy as well. It’s a good idea to start small, then expand based on the demand. Here are a few options to consider:

For gi classes, students will need a gi (kimono) and a belt. One option is to issue white belts for new students, then have them purchase their own with each jiu jitsu belt progression. For no-gi classes, students will need a rash guard and grappling shorts (or spats).

Lastly, having a personal mouthguard, water bottle and athletic tape are three helpful—although optional—recommendations for all levels.

Upgrade the Experience with “Nice to Have” Jiu Jitsu Equipment

When you’re just getting started with opening a jiu jitsu academy, the essentials above will work just fine. Then, as your business grows, here are a few options to consider adding along the way.

Strength & Conditioning Equipment

One of the reasons there’s often a strong crossover between jiu jitsu schools and CrossFit is the similarity in strength-training equipment. Things like dumbbells, kettlebells, pull-up bars, medicine balls and mobility tools (foam rollers, lacrosse balls) are relevant to both, and space efficient as well.

Competition-Style Add-Ons

If you start to get into more niche training for students that want to compete, there are tools to help better prepare them for competition. These include:

• Scoreboard or timer setup for matches
• Boundary markings, using tape or mat zones
• Video tripod for quick and easy technique review

The Right Jiu Jitsu Equipment Can Make Starting Your Academy More Effective

Opening a jiu jitsu academy can be extremely rewarding, especially with the recent surge in popularity for the sport. And starting with the right jiu jitsu equipment can set you up for long-term success.

From the essentials to the “nice to have” options, making the right choices can ensure a safer, more professional experience for students and staff.

Now that you have the list of equipment to get you started, don’t forget about your software! Wodify helps you streamline operations with all-in-one fitness management software—from students’ membership management to billing automation—so you can can focus more on helping your community and less on admin.

Ready to learn more? Book a demo with our team today and let us help you get started!