Are you searching for the top fight camps to get ready for your upcoming martial arts competition? Look no further. We’ve compiled a list of the top BJJ and MMA fight camps that cater specifically to fighters like you. These camps are great for everyone – whether you’re experienced or just getting started. You’ll get good training, and coaching, and make friends who are working towards similar goals.
A BJJ fight camp is a short-term intensive training program designed to help you improve your ground fighting skills, conditioning, strategy, and mindset for a specific competition. It usually involves training multiple times a day with high-level instructors and sparring partners, focusing on the ruleset, weight class, and game plan that suit your goals.
You should understand what happens at a BJJ training camp and how to use the things you learned in your usual training and competitions.
How to Choose the Right BJJ Fight Camp for You
To pick the best BJJ camp for you, start by learning about the different kinds of camps.mThere are three main types of BJJ fight camps: general camps, specific camps, and personalized camps.
General Camps
General camps accept anyone who wants to improve their skills with excellent teachers and practice partners. They usually have a large number of attendees from different backgrounds, levels, and goals. The classes teach everything you need to know about BJJ, including techniques with and without a Gi, drilling, sparring, and fitness training.
They have other things you can do like yoga, meditation, and opportunities to go to see interesting sights.
These camps are good for people who want to practice with others from different places and have a fun and unique time. They are also great for those who want to improve their overall BJJ skills without focusing on a specific competition or ruleset. However, they may not be suitable for those who have very specific goals or preferences or who need more individual attention or feedback.
Specific Camps
Specific camps are tailored to a particular competition or ruleset. They usually have a smaller number of attendees who share the same goal or interest. They get ready for a special competition or style like ADCC, IBJJF, EBI, and more. They offer specialized classes covering the ruleset, strategy, techniques, etc. relevant to that event or format.
If you want to roll with people who share your goal or interest, specialist camps can be your top choice. BJJ classes there are great for those who want to improve their BJJ skills and stay fit. However, some people might not like them as they are quite limiting as a result of training for a specific ruleset.
Personalized Camps
Personalized camps are customized to your individual needs and preferences. They usually have a very small number of attendees or even just one person. They offer personalized coaching and feedback from an instructor or coach who designs your training program according to your goals, level, budget, schedule etc. They also offer other services such as nutrition advice, weight management, recovery sessions, etc.
What to Look for In A Fight Camp
There are different types of BJJ training camps. You should choose the one that you like and suits you best.
Here are some things to consider:
- Location: where do you want to train? Do you prefer a local or an international destination? Do you want to train in a city or in nature? Do you want to explore the culture and attractions of the place?
- Cost: How much can you afford to spend? Do you want to save money or splurge? Do you want to include accommodation, meals, transportation, etc. in your package?
- Duration: Would you rather do a program that is short but intense or one that lasts a long time but progresses slowly? Do you want to practice before, while doing, or after your tournament?
- Instructors: Who do you want to learn from? Do you prefer a famous name or an unknown talent? Do you want to train with one instructor or multiple instructors? Are you looking to train with someone who has similar style, game, or body type as yours?
- Training Partners: Who do you want to train with? Do you like being with lots of people or just a few? Do you prefer exercising with people who have varying levels of experience and different goals than you? Would you like to practice with individuals who encourage you, motivate you, or do both?
- Facilities: What kind of facilities do you want to train in? Are you after a modern BJJ gym or a more traditional academy? Do you want access to other amenities such as sauna, pool, massage, etc.?
Once you have evaluated each factor based on your needs and preferences, you can narrow down your options and choose the best BJJ fight camp for you. To help you with that process, we have compiled some examples of popular and reputable BJJ fight camps around the world. These are not ranked in any particular order and they may not cover all types of BJJ fight camps available. They are just meant to give you an idea of what’s out there and what they offer.
Popular and Reputable BJJ Fight Camps Around The World:
- Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: The original and most prestigious BJJ school in the world, founded by Carlos Gracie and run by his descendants. You can train with members of the Gracie family and learn from their vast experience and knowledge.
- Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, USA: Renzo Gracie leads a successful BJJ school with many champions and legends. The school is well-known all over the world. You can train with some of the best BJJ fighters and coaches in the world in the famous “blue basement”.
- New Wave Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, USA: One of the newest and most exciting BJJ teams in the world, formed by John Danaher and Gordon Ryan after the breakup of the Danaher Death Squad. You can train with John Danaher himself and learn from his unique system and techniques, Training with the team’s superstars Gordon Ryan, Gary Tonon, Giancarlo Bodoni, Helena Crever, and others is to be expected. Undoubtedly, you’ll be pushed to your limits.
- Atos HQ in San Diego, USA: Perhaps the most dominant and innovative Jiu-Jitsu gyms in the world, headed by Andre Galvao and featuring many top-level competitors and instructors. You can train with some of the most talented and creative grapplers in the world, such as Lucas Barbosa, the Ruotolos, Andre, etc.
- Unity Jiu-Jitsu in New York is famous for its advanced and creative way of training BJJ. Their New York location is home to a team of world-class coaches, including Murilo Santana and Marcos Tinoco. The facility also offers strength and conditioning workouts and nutrition counseling.
- The 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego, California is famous for using different and innovative moves and methods in grappling. Their San Diego location is home to a team of experienced coaches and a highly competitive training environment.
- The Marcelo Garcia Academy is a school in New York City run by Marcelo Garcia, who is one of the best grapplers ever and is very good at teaching. You can train with Marcelo Garcia himself and learn from his amazing technique and philosophy. You can also train with some of his students who are also very skilled and successful grapplers, such as Matheus Diniz, Jonathan Satava, Gianni Grippo, etc.
- B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, USA: Another brand new BJJ team, also a result of the breakdown of the feared Danaher Death Squad. Athletes such as Nicky Ryan, Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinsten, and Nick Rodriguez are the coaches and founders. You can train with some of the most talented and creative grapplers in the world, who specialize in leg locks, back attacks, and submission-only rulesets.
- BJJ Globetrotters in various locations around the world: A network of BJJ camps that offer training and travel opportunities in many exotic and unique destinations. You can practice with lots of different teachers and friends from all over the world, and learn different techniques and ideas from them. You may also make new friends and get to know new people. You can also explore the culture and attractions of the places you visit, such as Iceland, Italy, the Caribbean Islands, Poland, Maine, Esonia, etc.
- Hidden Jiu Jitsu Camps in Las Vegas, Costa Rica, Thailand: A series of grappling camps taught by Henry Akins, a black belt under Rickson Gracie and the founder of the Hidden Jiu Jitsu system. You can train with Henry and some of his students who are also very experienced and knowledgeable grapplers.
- Grappler’s Retreat in Mendocino, North California, USA: A fight camp that combines training with nature exploration and relaxation in a beautiful setting. You can learn from great teachers and practice with other people who also want to help you get better. The atmosphere is nice and everyone encourages each other. The place also has a pretty and calm environment with fun things to do like hiking, kayaking, and camping readily available.
- Origin Jiu-Jitsu Immersion Camp in Mount Vernon, Maine, USA: Train with high-level instructors as well as access to Origin’s factory where they make their own gis and gear. You can train with some of the best BJJ instructors in the world, such as Bernardo Faria, Travis Stevens, Pete Roberts, etc., as well as visit Origin’s factory where they make their own gis and gear using American materials and craftsmanship.
These are just some examples of popular and reputable BJJ fight camps around the world. There are many more out there that may suit your needs and preferences better.
How to Choose the Right MMA or Wrestling Training Camp for You
If you like other sports besides BJJ, like MMA or wrestling, you should think about going to a special camp to get ready for your big competitions.
An MMA or wrestling fight camp is similar to a BJJ fight camp in many ways. This is a quick but focused training that helps you get better at things like your abilities, fitness, plans, and mindset for a particular contest.
Picking the best place to train for MMA or wrestling is similar to picking the best place to train for BJJ. You should understand the different kinds of MMA or wrestling training camps, think about what you want, and pick the one that suits you the most.
Here are some examples of some of the most popular MMA and wrestling fight camps you can join around the world:
MMA Fight Camps
The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) is a famous place in San Jose, California, where many fighters go to train with top coaches like Javier Mendez and Bob Cook. It’s like a dream come true for them.
You can learn from famous fighters and coaches like Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, Luke Rockhold, and others if you train in MMA.
- American Top Team (ATT) in Coconut Creek, Florida, USA: One of the most decorated and respected MMA teams in the world, founded by Dan Lambert and Ricardo Liborio. Their training camps are known for being really hard, which makes sense because they have a lot of really good fighters and coaches like Amanda Nunes, Jorge Masvidal, Dustin Poirier, Tyron Woodley, and more.
- Jackson Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA: The most innovative and successful MMA camp in the world, led by Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn. MMA fighters like Jon Jones, Holly Holm, Michelle Waterson, and others call this place home. The two coaches, Greg Jackson and Mike Winklejohn are also a part of the immense draw of this combat sport heaven.
Wrestling Fight Camps
- Pennsylvania Regional Training Center (PRTC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA has of the best wrestling programs in the country, supported by Penn University and Drexel University. You can train with some of the best wrestlers and coaches in the country, such as Mark Hall, Ben Honis, Richie Lewis, Dave McFadden, Jordan Burroughs, Zach Rey, Brian Snyder, etc.
- Ohio Regional Training Center (ORTC) in Columbus, Ohio, USA: Olympic-level wrestlers like Kyle Snyder, Nathan Tomasello, Myles Martin, Kollin Moore, Tom Ryan, Lou Rosselli, will ensure you suffer as you get better at wrestling if you opt for this gym.
- Sunkist Wrestling Club in Tempe, Arizona, USA: One of the oldest and most successful wrestling clubs in the country, founded by Art Martori, filled with professional athletes.
These are just some examples of fight camps that can help you learn MMA and wrestling. While you can learn at any MMA gym or wrestling program, these will help you become the best, whether you are an amateur or a professional.
What to Expect From Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA Training Camps
If you pick a fight camp, you should know what to anticipate from it. A BJJ fight camp is not a typical training session or a regular vacation. It is a short-term intensive training program that requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and focus:
Structure and Schedule
A typical BJJ fight camp lasts for one or two weeks before a major competition. MMA camps last 6-8 weeks. This means that people usually train two or three times a day for about two or three hours each time. The sessions may include warm-ups, drills, techniques, sparring, conditioning, etc. depending on the type and goal of the camp.
The schedule may vary depending on the location, instructors, and attendees of the camp. Some camps may have a fixed schedule that everyone follows. Others may have a flexible schedule that allows you to choose your own classes and activities. Some camps may also offer other activities besides training such as yoga, meditation, sightseeing, etc.
The structure and schedule of fight camps are designed to help you improve your skills, conditioning, strategy, and mindset for a specific competition. These are made to help you be at your best when you need to be and not train too much or too little.
Benefits and Challenges
Training at a BJJ fight camp can offer many benefits for your performance and development as a competitor. There are some good things about it:
- You can learn from the best people who do BJJ and teach it. They have lots of experience and know-how from competing at the top level.
- You’ll expose yourself to different styles and techniques that may challenge your game or complement your game.
- Camps will challenge you physically and mentally by putting you through intense training sessions with high-level sparring partners.
- You can immerse yourself in a supportive and motivating atmosphere where everyone shares the same goal or interest.
- Traveling to a new place and meeting new people can be fun and enjoyable.
However, training at fight camps can also pose many challenges for you, like the following examples:
- You may have to deal with injuries or illnesses that may affect your training or performance.
- You will definitely have to face pressure or stress that may affect your mental state or confidence
- If you have an upcoming tournament or MMA fight, weight management issues (if you cut weight) may occur that also affect your health or even your performance.
- Sometimes there are problems with getting people or things from one place to another, finding a place to stay, and figuring out proper nutrition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a BJJ fight camp is a short-term intensive training program designed to help you improve your skills, conditioning, strategy, and mindset for a specific competition. You can get better at your sport and become a stronger competitor by practicing with the best fighters and coaches, trying out new styles and techniques, pushing yourself to your limits, being around supportive and motivating people, and having fun.
