A few months ago, I was chatting with my friend Seymour (aka Meerkatsu), about the best BJJ magazines. We debated back and forth about what to look for in a BJJ magazine.
Techniques?
Advertisements?
Feature stories?
Photos?
Page count?
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I believe that every single one of these things matters and it's with this in mind that I present to you:
BJJ Style vs. Gracie Mag vs. JJ Mag
BATTLE TO THE DEATH!
Gracie Magazine
First up is Gracie Magazine issue #179 from March 2012
Here are some highlights:
Total Pages: 92
Top Features: Fundamentals of BJJ, Gracie Diet, Terere
Contest: 0
Technique: 8
Strength & Conditioning: 2 (including 1 advertisement)
Supplements: 2 advertisements
Ads: 45
With 49% of the magazine being advertisements, it was difficult to get through it all. As a teacher, I was also really let down by the cover story. I thought they would really delve into some serious pedagogical inquiry, but while a decent guide to teaching, it seemed like something that every 1st or 2nd year instructor would know.
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Jiu Jitsu Style Magazine
Next up is JJ Style Magazine from the UK. Below are thoughts on issue #7 from March/April 2012.
Here are some highlights:
Total pages: 88
Top Features: Roberto Satoshi Souza, Roger Gracie and Mauricio Gomes
Contest: 1
Technique: 14
Strength & Conditioning: 2
Supplements: 1 advertisement
Ads: 20 (4 tournaments, 1 supplement, 15 BJJ)
With only 22% of the magazine being advertisements, the content was easy to enjoy. What I found hilarious was that 16% of the magazines pages featured Roger Gracie. I can understand as he was a guest editor of the issue and also the topic of the main feature.
A very intimidating gentleman in a BJJ Style Advertisement
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Jiu Jitsu Magazine
Finally, we come to Jiu Jitsu Magazine.
Here are some highlights:
Total Pages: 100
Top Features: Skin infections, Jeff Glover Deep Half Guard, Joao Silva footlocks and Kimura
Contest: 1
Technique: 30
Strength & Conditioning:4
Supplements: 4 (2 were advertisements)
Ads: 25-32
Jiu Jitsu Magazine had 25%-32% of its content as advertisements. There were 25 pages of straight advertisements, and then another 7 pages of “articles” about items that were advertised elsewhere in the magazine. EPIC amount of techniques and great coverage of strength and conditioning.
Probably my favorite part of the magazine was a really cool image they put together that showed on what pages you can find the cover stories. I hate having to search for the cover story that made me buy the article. Great work JJM!
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Summary Thoughts
Longest issue: Jiu Jitsu Magazine @ 100 pages
Longest features: Jiu Jitsu Style
Most advertisements: Gracie Magazine @ 49% of the entire amgazine
Most techniques: Jiu Jitsu Magazine
Most contests: Jiu Jitsu Style and Jiu Jitsu Magazine @ 1 each.
Most reachable via social media: Jiu Jitsu Style
Hopefully, you find this guide to be helpful in choosing a BJJ magazine to check out in the future!
If it was, leave a comment below!
Also, if I left any magazines out and you'd like your favorite to be featured here, please let me know!
What about BJJ Legends? It’s the only one that includes an instructional DVD and an electronic copy for Ipad, smart phones, etc…
what about jits. magazine? it’s a pretty good read. http://jitsmagazine.com/
I’ve never had a chance to read it, but I love their online content, Patricia!