Top 5 Signs of a Toxic Academy

People new to martial arts are often vulnerable and wouldn’t know a good academy from a bad one, especially if they have not tried multiple academies before choosing the one that is right for them.

There are many red flags of a toxic martial arts academy. From cult-like behavior to using physical and mental control over students, here are our top 5 red flags:

  1. You are not allowed to train at other academies and are often made to feel guilty or disloyal when you train at other academies on vacation or attend a seminar at a rival gym. This “old school” attitude can be quite common, but the way that students are made to feel should they disregard the “unwritten rules” of the academy is what turns this into our top red flag.
  2. There is no “enforcer.” Meaning that problem students (see previous blog on the top 5 training partners we love to hate) get away with their nasty habits ALL THE TIME. Often times, the “leaders” of the academy don’t exercise control or fail to address problem students that are causing a dip in morale at the gym.
  3. There is a lack of leadership/quality of instruction. Just because an instructor was successful in competition in the past, it does not mean that they are a good instructor or capable of running a business. This head instructor does not value learning from others, as they are the highest ranking belt in the academy and often do not train with students (or visitors) who threaten their skill level. This instructor may also have a “part-time” mentality, meaning that jiu-jitsu is no longer their top priority and their lack of passion is displayed by their lackluster instruction and coaching of their students.
  4. The academy weighs higher on medal chasers more than the average student. This means that the one trick pony blue belt who enters every tournament and literally only knows one move (but is successful at it) means more to their instructor than the average blue belt who comes to class every day, who is able to retain techniques and teach it to others. Promotions revolve around competition success more than attendance, effort, and technique retention.
  5. The academy or head instructor’s lineage is questionable. If they came from drama, there’s a good chance they are drama too.

If you feel like you are in an abusive relationship with jiu-jitsu, you are in a toxic training environment. If you can compare your training partner’s or instructor’s behaviors with that of a crazy ex, it’s time to find a new academy to train at because it is not worth feeling resentment towards something that you love or being so unhappy but unable to give up jiu-jitsu because you love it so much.