Written by Gile Huni., a 3rd degree BJJ black belt and head instructor at Kimura BJJ Serbia
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is renowned for fostering intense training, camaraderie, and deep personal growth. However, some gyms can lose sight of these core values and become places dominated by ego, power, and manipulation. In these situations, the gym may develop a cult-like atmosphere, where the instructor is idolized and held in such high regard that it leads to toxic dynamics and unhealthy behaviors.
I’ve had my BJJ gym for 10 years and for the first 5 years, I was the only black belt instructor and was teaching all the classes. My goal has always been to build up a big group of high level black belts that would one day take over the teaching duties instead of me, so that I could maybe teach just 3-4 classes a week (we have 20 classes a week currently). We currently have 8 BJJ black belts training and teaching every day. I always wanted for each instructor to have their own game so that they would provide the academy a more diverse feel.
I’ve actively worked to prevent a kind of cultish environment from taking root. By focusing on professionalism, a service-oriented approach, and balanced leadership, I’ve managed to create a space that avoids the pitfalls of becoming a “cultish” gym. Let me share why some BJJ gyms fall into this trap and how I make sure mine doesn’t.
Why Do BJJ Gyms Become Cultish?
The core of the issue often stems from imbalanced power dynamics. Typically, BJJ gyms have a single lead instructor who not only teaches but also manages relationships and business decisions. Over time, students start to look up to this instructor as the central authority on all things. When this instructor holds too much sway in all areas of the gym, it can lead to abuses of power and the emergence of a “guru” figure, where students no longer question the instructor’s actions or teachings.
This “cult of personality” often results in the gym’s focus shifting away from teaching jiu-jitsu and more toward serving the instructor’s ego. The instructor may even get involved in students’ personal lives, leading to favoritism, manipulation, and inappropriate relationships. This dynamic can erode the gym’s culture, making it less about training and growth, and more about social hierarchies.
Clear Boundaries: Focus on Jiu-Jitsu, Not Personal Lives
A crucial strategy I use is enforcing clear boundaries between students and instructors. While community-building is important, it’s essential that personal relationships don’t blur the line between professionalism and friendship. The instructor’s role should be focused on teaching BJJ—not on becoming deeply involved in students’ personal lives.
I’ve seen firsthand how instructors who become overly involved in their students’ lives can lead to favoritism and toxic environments. In my gym, we stick to the basics: focusing on jiu-jitsu, professional training, and offering a valuable service. We avoid trying to create a social circle or a “family” atmosphere where personal dynamics can become unhealthy.
Flat Hierarchy: Shared Responsibilities
One of the first steps I took to prevent cultish behavior was to establish a flat hierarchy. Instead of concentrating all authority in one person, I have multiple instructors share the responsibilities of running the gym and teaching classes. This ensures that no one individual becomes the focal point of attention.
Additionally, I rotate the teaching staff regularly. By offering a variety of perspectives and teaching styles, students are exposed to different approaches, which prevents them from becoming overly attached to any one instructor. This balanced distribution of responsibility keeps the gym focused on learning, not on idolizing any particular person.
Rotating Instructors: Preventing the “Cult of Personality”
In many gyms that become cult-like, a single instructor tends to dominate all aspects of teaching. To prevent this, I make sure that no single instructor becomes the sole source of attention. If one instructor starts to garner too much attention, I adjust the class schedule to include more instructors in that time slot.
This regular rotation of instructors ensures that students don’t develop an over-reliance on one person. By mixing up the teaching schedule and ensuring a healthy diversity of instruction, I maintain a balanced atmosphere where the focus remains on training, not on personal dynamics.
Balanced Leadership: A System of Checks and Balances
I believe that a healthy gym structure should resemble a system of checks and balances, similar to how governments operate. In my gym, leadership roles are divided between administration, instruction, and marketing. By spreading responsibilities across these areas, no single person holds all the power.
I, as the gym owner, take on the role of ensuring that the gym’s overarching goals are met, but I delegate responsibilities to my team to avoid any one person dominating the culture or decisions. This balance ensures that the gym runs smoothly and stays focused on serving its members, not the personal interests of any one individual.
Service-Based Focus: Prioritizing the Students
At the heart of my gym’s philosophy is a service-based mindset. Our goal is simple: to help students improve their skills and achieve their personal goals. This approach ensures that the focus is always on the students’ needs, not on the instructor’s ego or personal agenda.
In many cult-like gyms, the attention shifts to what the instructor wants, with students feeling obligated to serve the instructor’s personal desires. In my gym, we make it clear that the students are our priority. The service we provide is centered on them, and all decisions are made with their best interests in mind.
Avoiding the Cult Mentality: It’s About the Students
Ultimately, the best way to avoid a cult-like atmosphere is to always keep the focus on the students. The gym exists to provide value to the people who train there, and every decision should reflect that commitment. It’s not about inflating the ego of the instructor, and it’s certainly not about controlling or manipulating the personal lives of the students.
By setting clear boundaries, sharing responsibilities, rotating instructors, and prioritizing the needs of the students, my gym stays focused on what matters most: high-quality jiu-jitsu training and personal growth. This approach has helped foster a positive, healthy environment where students can thrive, without the toxic dynamics that plague some other gyms.
If you’re thinking of joining a BJJ gym or already run one, keep these principles in mind. A healthy gym culture is built from the top down, and it takes conscious effort to avoid the problems that lead to cult-like behavior. Keep the focus on the students, maintain professional boundaries, and share responsibilities—this is the key to a thriving gym culture.
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