Why Using a Direct Debit Collector Is Not Enough for a BJJ Gym

In the UK and Ireland, many BJJ and MMA gyms rely on Direct Debit collectors such as Go Cardless, Ashbourne or Simply Collect to manage member payments.

While Direct Debit might seem like a convenient, low-cost solution, it quickly becomes clear that it’s not built to handle the complexity of running a modern Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or MMA gym.

Academies need more than just automated paymentst: they need a full system that supports flexibility, operational visibility, and the specific realities of combat sports.

Let’s break down why relying on Direct Debit alone is limiting your academy and what a complete platform like MAAT offers instead.

1. Direct Debit Means One Payment Option

Direct Debit Collectors usually allow only bank transfers.

While that may work for some members, it excludes a large segment who prefer to pay via:

• Debit or credit card: Essential for parents managing youth memberships or students who prefer instant online payments.

• Apple Pay or Google Pay: Widely used by younger members, especially for quick mobile-based checkouts.

• PayPal or other digital wallets: Useful for international members or those managing multiple subscriptions.

• One-time drop-in payments: A must for trial classes, visiting practitioners, or occasional attendees.

MAAT allows you to accept all of these payment types, giving students and parents maximum flexibility and removing payment friction.

👉 Check this article to see what's the Best Payment Methods for BJJ Gym Owners

2. Direct Debit Is Easy to Cancel

It’s true that Direct Debit fees are often lower than card processing, but they come with a hidden risk: cancellations.

A student can simply call their bank and cancel the mandate, often without warning, leaving your academy with:

• Missed revenue: A sudden cancellation can disrupt your cash flow, especially if you rely on regular billing to cover rent or instructor pay.

• Administrative headaches: You'll need to follow up manually, wasting time better spent on coaching or community building.

• Uncertainty about future income: Makes it harder to plan belt tests, events, or new programs due to unpredictable revenue.

"People were cancelling their Direct Debits and not giving us the full 30 days' notice.
As a business, that can have a massive impact if lots of people do this all at once."

says Gretel from Manifest BJJ

👉 Check out this article to discover why Manifest BJJ switched from Simply Collect to MAAT and never looked back!

MAAT supports Direct Debit if you want it, but also gives you safer options like card-on-file and scheduled billing.

These methods reduce involuntary churn and allow for predictable cash flow, essential for budgeting and growth.

3. Direct Debit Collectors Only Handle Payments. That’s Not Enough.

Collecting membership fees is just one piece of running a successful academy.

Direct Debit services don’t help you with:

• Class scheduling: BJJ academies often have level-based classes and need advanced scheduling tools for different belt groups.

• Attendance tracking: Essential for progression tracking and understanding student engagement.

• Belt and stripe progression tracking: A core part of BJJ culture. Progress needs to be tracked reliably across sessions.

• Waivers and onboarding: Ensures compliance and smooth onboarding for new members.

MAAT is an all-in-one solution designed specifically for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA gyms.

It handles everything from check-ins to graduation control, all in the same platform.

👉 Check this article to discover more about this topic

4. Drop-Ins

If you allow pay-as-you-go students or trial classes, a very common thing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms, Direct Debit is simply not suited for the job.

You need fast, flexible, one-off payments that work on mobile.

MAAT enables:

• Instant digital checkouts for drop-ins: Ideal for visiting athletes, open mats, or workshops.

• Card or wallet payments in seconds: Supports spontaneous decisions to train, which are common in combat sports communities.

• No need to set up recurring billing or bank details: Great for first-timers and casual visitors who don’t want to commit yet.

This improves the experience for casual students and makes your academy more welcoming.

5. Reporting, Visibility, and Planning

Using a Direct Debit collector may give you a basic overview of your finances, but that's where the insight stops.
You don’t get a full picture of what’s really happening inside your academy.

With MAAT, you get full visibility into every key aspect of your gym's operations.

Whether it's revenue trends, attendance data, or performance across programs, MAAT enables you to monitor and measure what matters most.

You can set up the system to track what you need: whether that’s financial stability, class performance, or engagement levels, making it easier to manage, plan, and grow your academy with confidence.

This level of operational awareness is essential for any serious BJJ or MMA gym looking to stay competitive and connected with its community.

6. MAAT Works Well, With or Without Direct Debit

MAAT is growing rapidly in the UK and Ireland, with more and more BJJ and MMA gyms switching over from Direct Debit collectors.

Why? Because MAAT is built specifically for combat sports gyms, and it simply works better.

MAAT integrate seamlessly with Stripe, enabling you to offer multiple payment methods including cards, digital wallets, and one-off drop-ins, just as outlined above. This flexibility is essential for modern academies.

Plus, switching is easy. It offers free migration from any Direct Debit Collector or Gym Management Software and provide full onboarding support.

Whether you're continuing with Direct Debit or moving to more advanced billing options, MAAT supports your academy every step of the way.

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"MAAT features are very good. You can see who's coming to class, and you can plan. I really think it’s a great app"

says Wayne from Beyond Grappling, an Irish BJJ gym that switched from a generic Direct Debit service to MAAT.

👉 Check how Beyond Grappling made the switch to MAAT here

Final Thoughts: Don’t Settle for Just a Payment Tool

Direct Debit may have been “good enough” in the past, but modern BJJ and MMA gyms deserve better.

MAAT gives you:

• Full payment flexibility: Meet every student where they are, financially and technologically.

• Safer billing methods: Reduce churn and protect your revenue.

• Drop-in support: Grow your community and income without friction.

• Full gym management tools: From progression tracking to scheduling, all in one place.

Looking for Direct Debit Alternatives for BJJ Gyms?

👉 Book a call and discover how MAAT can help your academy!

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