Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu (BJJ) has exploded globally in popularity over the past decade. Along with gyms and competitions, instructional content — online courses, videos, apps — has become hugely important. Among the many platforms out there, BJJ Fanatics has established itself as one of the biggest names. Here’s a look at what makes it work, where it doesn’t, and whether it’s worth your time and money.
The Origins
- Founders: BJJ Fanatics was started by Bernardo Faria and Michael Zenga, both black belts in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu. Faria is a 5x Black Belt World Champion.
- Philosophy: Their goal wasn’t just to sell videos, but to build a library of high‑quality instruction accessible to all levels. It’s aimed at practitioners who don’t see BJJ as merely a sport, but a lifestyle.
What It Offers
Instructional Content
- There are thousands of instructional videos with a variety of focuses: fundamentals, advanced techniques, guard passing, leg locks, no‑gi, etc.
- Big names contribute content: John Danaher, Gordon Ryan, Giancarlo Bodoni, among others. This gives credibility and high technical quality.
- Reach: They claim over 1 million+ orders (via Shopify) and over 1 million YouTube subscribers.
Delivery & Access
- Videos can be accessed via website or app. The app allows you to download videos so you can watch offline, which is helpful for those without reliable internet.
- Lifetime access: once you purchase a video, it’s supposed to remain available.
Pricing & Deals
- Videos vary in price; high‑profile instructors and “complete systems” command higher prices.
- But there are frequent promotions: “Daily Deals,” bundles, etc. buyers can often get content at discount.
Strengths
- High Quality Instruction: Because of its roster of instructors and depth of content, many users find the instruction very helpful, especially those looking to improve specific parts of their game.
- Wide Variety: From white belt fundamentals to specialist systems, no‑gi, guard work, takedowns, etc. Good for people with specific goals (e.g. leg‑locks, or guard retention).
- Global Access: Since it’s online and has digital downloads/offline video, people from anywhere in the world can access content (as long as internet/infrastructure allows).
Weaknesses / Criticisms
While there’s a lot to like, users report several consistent issues:
- Customer Service: Some users say responses are slow, or that support can be unhelpful. Issues with missing videos, downloads, or account access are sometimes resolved slowly.
- Technical & Usability Problems: App or website glitches, streaming/buffering problems, slow loading, difficulties navigating large catalogs are frequently mentioned. Some have problems getting confirmation e‑mails, or having access to digital content after purchase.
- Price: For some, cost is high — especially for full systems from top instructors. Even with discounts, major courses can be expensive. Whether the value is “worth it” depends on how much you use the content and how seriously you train.
Why It Matters
- Raising the Standard: BJJ Fanatics has set a high bar for instructional clarity, presentation, and breadth. That pushes competitors/other creators to produce better content.
- Democratizing Learning: Not everyone has access to elite coaches locally. Platforms like this help bridge the gap. For someone in a country where BJJ is less developed, you can still learn from world champions.
- Supplementing Gym Training: Even the best gym training often doesn’t cover all technical aspects in depth. These instructionals let you revisit techniques, review details, and train at your own pace.
Is It Worth It for You?
Here are a few things to consider if you’re thinking of using / subscribing / buying from BJJ Fanatics:
- How strong is your internet connection? If it’s unreliable, downloading videos for offline use becomes important.
- How much do you practice already? If you are intermediate or advanced, you might extract more benefit. Beginners can also benefit but may need to pick more fundamental courses.
- How much budget do you have for training materials? If you only occasionally train or compete, buying smaller, focused instructionals (especially on sales) might give better cost/benefit.
- Do you complement online instruction with physical training (gym/sparring)? Videos help, but actual mat time is irreplaceable.
Final Thoughts
BJJ Fanatics is one of the best curated libraries of BJJ instructional content available today. If you train regularly, are motivated, and can make use of the tools (app, video downloads, etc.), it offers great value. But it isn’t perfect — tech issues, occasional service lapses, and price can be barriers.
