Everything you need to know before your first class
You don’t need to know anything about BJJ before you arrive, but it helps to know what to expect. Here, we’ll walk you through your entire first class, from the moment you walk through the door to the moment you step off the mats.
What to wear, and what to bring
You do not have to buy anything to try. What is already in your wardrobe will do.
On you
- Shorts with no zips, buttons or pockets. Zips tear up the mat and other people
- A T-shirt, workout top, or rashguard.
- No shoes on the mat. Bare feet is the rule
- Take off rings, chains, watches and earrings before you step on the mat
In your bag
- A water bottle
- A towel
- Something to change into
Two things we ask for
- Cut your finger and toe nails. This is the most common cause of scrapes in BJJ
- Wear clean clothes and maintain good personal hygiene. We train in close contact with each other.
What the first class looks like
Come ten minutes early. Say at the door that it is your first time, and someone will meet you and walk in with you.
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You get met at the door
Someone shows you the changing room and where to leave your things. You find out who the instructor is, and the instructor finds out that you are new.
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Warm-up, ten to fifteen minutes
Easy movement, forward and backward rolls, and some drills to get used to the movements of the sport. You can take it at your own pace. Nobody is counting your reps.
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Technique of the day
The instructor shows one thing, for example how to get out of a bad position. Then you drill in pairs, without resistance, until it sticks. You will usually get paired with someone who has trained a while and who knows you are new.
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Rolling, if you want to
At the end there is sparring. You can say no the first time, and many people do. If you say yes, you roll gently with an experienced partner who looks after you. Nobody is trying to beat up a beginner.
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Handshakes and home
We finish by shaking hands with everyone. And just like that, your first class is over. You’ll probably be pretty tired, and maybe a little surprised by muscles you didn’t know you had. You can spend the rest of the evening relaxing, guilt-free.
You tap twice, and everything stops
If you want to stop for any reason, tap your training partner or the mat twice. The other person will let go immediately. Every time, without exception.
This is the foundation of the sport, and it is why you can train at full pace against someone who is resisting without getting hurt. You decide when it is enough, and nobody thinks it is odd that you tap early. Beginners tap a lot. Black belts tap too.
If you need a break in the middle of a class, you sit down by the wall. Nobody comments on it.
Common questions
Do I have to be fit first?
No. Fitness comes from the training, not before it. Many who starts with us is out of shape, and BJJ is actually one of the better ways to get fit, because you are so busy solving the problem that you forget it is conditioning.
You decide how hard you go, in every single class.
Am I too old?
No. We have people who started in their forties and fifties and who still train. The sport is built from top to bottom on technique beating strength, and you choose who you roll with.
You set your own goals, decide which rounds to join and how many to do.
Will I be injured?
BJJ is considered a relatively safe martial art. There are no punches or kicks, and in training we place a strong emphasis on control, safety, and taking care of your training partner. As with any sport, injuries can happen, but training is adapted to your level and experience.
If anything gets uncomfortable, you tap. Then it stops.
I am uncomfortable being that close to people
That is a completely normal reaction, and you are not the only one thinking about it. It usually passes within a couple of weeks, once you discover that everyone else is mostly busy remembering where to put their elbow.
You can always say no to sparring, and you can always ask to train with someone in particular. Tell the instructor and it gets sorted.
Do you have showers?
Yes. The changing rooms and showers have been refurbished, so most people shower at the club after training. Bring a towel.
If you would rather drive home and shower there, of course you do that. Nobody raises an eyebrow.
Will a black belt beat me up?
No. The experienced ones are the safest to train with, precisely because they have full control and do not need to prove anything. They are the safest trainingpartners.
Can I come on my own?
Yes, and most people do. You get paired with someone straight away, so you are never left standing alone wondering what to do.
What if I am no good at it?
Nobody is any good at it in the first month. Feeling clumsy for a long time is completely normal. Everyone on the mat has been exactly where you are, and they remember it well.
Do I have to compete?
No. Some travel to tournaments several times a year, others have trained for ten years without competing once. Both are completely fine.