Willi Jiu Jitsu: The Finnish BJJ Gym That Chose Professionalism Over Convention

Intro

Willi Jiu Jitsu is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy based in Lappeenranta, Finland. Founded by Otto, an experienced competitor with over 300 matches, this academy represents a professional approach to martial arts in a country where most sports clubs run on volunteer effort.

"I had a dream that I would own a gym and be the head coach of it for a long time."

says Otto.

That dream became reality after he completed his studies and committed to launching his own academy.

But operating a professional martial arts gym in Finland came with challenges, especially around pricing expectations and administration.

About Otto: From Competitor to Coach

Otto started his journey in combat sports as a teenager. He began with Karate Jutsu, a traditional martial art with roots in self-defense and MMA, and quickly transitioned into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, where he found his true passion.

Coaching came naturally to him:

"I love to see people learn new stuff and implement them in competitions and training sessions"

Otto explains. That passion evolved into a dream: to one day open his own gym and become a full-time coach.

When Otto completed his studies, he decided to turn that dream into reality.

But opening a BJJ academy in Finland comes with unique challenges.

“People in Finland don't want to pay that much because they have learned that hobbies are very cheap”

he explains.

The country’s sports culture is heavily based on volunteer-run clubs, making it difficult for professional academies to justify higher prices, even when they deliver more value.

Still, Otto remained committed to professionalism.

He wanted to offer a structured, high-quality experience for his students, even if it meant going against the grain:

“I'm doing this as my profession”

he says.

That decision would shape every aspect of Willi Jiu Jitsu.

Before MAAT: Manual Everything

In the early months, Willi Jiu Jitsu ran entirely manually.

"We did everything manually, signing up people, payments through our website, and we didn’t know who’s coming to training"

Otto shares.

This made day-to-day operations inefficient, especially as the gym grew.

Tracking attendance, managing payments, and organizing classes took hours that could have been spent on the mat or with students.

The Breaking Point: Time Lost, Students Growing

The manual approach might work for small clubs, but Otto’s vision was different.

He wanted a professional, structured environment for both students and staff.

As the academy gained members, so did the strain.

"The first five months we did it manually because it was cheaper, but it wasn’t sustainable."

That realization made it clear: it was time to move to a gym management system for BJJ gyms that could match the academy’s ambitions.

Why They Chose MAAT

Otto evaluated his options and chose MAAT, the only platform built specifically for BJJ and martial arts academies.

Why MAAT stood out:

• Time-saving automation for payments, signups, and attendance.
• Leaderboards that gamify training and motivate students.
• Transparent payment tracking: know who’s paid and who hasn’t.
• Responsive support and constant feature updates based on real gym feedback.

"I save a lot of time by using MAAT. It’s just very easy."

says Otto.

After the Migration: Smooth Setup, Fast Results

Once Otto made the switch, the impact was immediate.

• Students could register and book classes easily.
• Payments became fully trackable and automated.
• Admin time dropped dramatically.
• Leaderboards sparked healthy competition among members.

"You can see who’s paid, who’s not. The payments are very easy and like it a lot."

The onboarding was smooth, and MAAT’s ongoing support and openness to feedback gave Otto confidence in the platform’s future.

A New Era: Culture + Competition + Convenience

Today, MAAT powers the day-to-day operations of Willi Jiu Jitsu, giving Otto more time to focus on what he loves: teaching and developing athletes.

The leaderboard has become a favorite among students:

"They love to compete against each other on who trains the most between friends."

MAAT has helped Otto not only save time but also build a culture of motivation, structure, and accountability that aligns with his long-term vision for the academy.

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👉 Read How MAAT’s Leaderboard Keeps BJJ Students Coming Back

Final Advice to Other Gym Owners

"I'd recommend MAAT to any coach, it saves a ton of time and makes things easier for both staff and athletes."

With MAAT, Otto turned his gym from a promising startup to a professionally run academy that scales with his ambitions.

Ready to simplify your BJJ gym’s operations?

Book a free demo today and see how MAAT can save time, grow student engagement, and streamline every part of your academy.

Book Your Free Demo Now

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