The Mat Space Revenue Playbook for BJJ & MMA Gyms
Why Most Gyms Leave Money on the Mats & What To Do About It
Your mats are more than training space… they're real estate. And if they're sitting empty, you're leaving hundreds if not thousands of dollars on the floor.
80%
Dead Mat Hours
The percentage of time your training space sits empty and generates $0 revenue daily.
100%
Rent Due
The percentage of your lease you're paying regardless of whether those mats are being used.
$0
Revenue
What most gym owners earn from their expensive mat space during non-class hours.
The Flip: Make dead hours pay the rent. Once mats cover costs, every new student becomes pure profit. Here are 7 simple models you can put into place right away.
7 Ways to Make Your Mats Pay Rent
Here's the good news… while you work on getting more students, you can make your mats work harder for you without you there.
Open Mat Tier (Off-Hours)
$500-$1,000/mo
Create a lower-cost membership tier with access only during non-class hours.
Implementation: Add $25-50/month tier, restrict access via automated entry system.
Wrestling Team Rentals
$400-$1,000/mo
Rent recurring practice blocks to local high school or college wrestling programs.
Implementation: Contact coaches, set flat monthly fee, lock in weekly schedule.
First Responder Contracts
$600-$1,200/mo
Partner with police, fire, or EMT departments for dedicated training space with 24/7 secure access.
Implementation: Approach department heads, propose monthly package with keyless entry.
Specialty Programs
$200-$800/mo
Host women's self-defense, anti-bullying, or college safety instructors who bring their own students.
Implementation: Rent mats at a flat hourly or monthly rate.
Content Studio Rentals
$250-$500/mo
Offer mats as a set for creators (fitness, martial arts, YouTube, etc.)
Implementation: List gym on FB Marketplace/Peerspace and rent mats at flat hourly rates for content creators
Yoga / Mobility Classes
$300-$600/mo
Invite yoga and mobility teachers who bring their own students during off-peak times.
Implementation: Offer flat-rate rental during mornings or weekends.
Health & Wellness / Recovery Rentals
$200-$500/month
Bring in providers like Mobile IV Hydration Companies, chiropractors, sports massage therapists, stretch/recovery specialists. They rent your space during off-peak hours and run their own clients through.
Implementation: Reach out to local providers, offer flat hourly or monthly rental. Highlight the benefit of a private, professional setting vs. doing house calls
BONUS REVENUE: Sales During Dead Hours
Don't just sell during class time when you're focused on teaching class… use dead hours to run personalized trial appointments. Schedule one-on-one trial appointments outside of class hours. Fewer distractions and 1-on-1 attention yields higher close rates. Just 2 new signups per month = $200-$300/month recurring revenue ($2,400-$3,600/year!).
Implementation: Offer trial sessions/a private outside of peak class hours. Block 30-45 minutes per prospect and walk them through the value they get by joining.
🔒 The secret to truly passive mat income? A smart WiFi lock. This essential tool acts as your 24/7 security and management system, tracking every entry and exit, so you can execute these methods without physically being there!
The Bottom Line:
If you implement even half of these revenue streams, you could generate an extra $2,000–$3,800/month — more than enough to cover most, if not all, of your rent.
There are even more ways to make your mats work for you…
…but the real win is switching from surviving to thriving.
Where We Come In
Running a gym without financial systems is like trying to pass guard with no strategy… you burn energy, you get stuck, and progress feels random. Our role is to give you done-for-you systems and reliable, actionable insights so you can advance your business' position with clarity and confidence. Here's what you get with us:
- ✅ Done-for-you financial systems — bookkeeping, reporting, and cash flow tracking so you can focus on what you do best.
- ✅ Clear, actionable insights — recommendations on what to double down on and what to avoid, backed by the perspective of fellow entrepreneurs and grapplers who know your world.
- ✅ Less stress, more focus — spend time building your student base, refining classes, and growing your community.
- ✅ Confidence in every decision — from day-to-day expenses to scaling, you’ll always know your next step.
With us, you don’t just survive month-to-month — you thrive with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Ready to run your gym instead of it running you?