Part I: What to Expect at Your First Class
Thinking about trying Jiu Jitsu but not sure what to expect? You’re not alone. Walking into a martial arts gym for the first time can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never trained before.
The good news is that you don’t need to be an athlete, have prior martial arts experience, or be in great shape to start Jiu Jitsu. Everyone has a first class, and a good gym will help you feel comfortable while you learn the basics at your own pace.
At John’s Gym in Austin, we welcome beginners who are interested in learning Jiu Jitsu for fitness, self-defense, competition, or simply trying something new. Here’s what you can expect when you come to your first class.
Do I Need Experience to Start Jiu Jitsu?
Absolutely not.
If you’ve never trained Jiu Jitsu or any other martial art before, that’s completely fine. Beginner classes are designed to introduce you to the fundamentals and help you become comfortable with the movements and training environment.
What Happens During Your First Jiu Jitsu Class?
1. You’ll Meet Your Coach and Training Partners. We have a great team here ready to welcome you to the mats. We all had a first day and know it can be tough to start something new, come in to a new environment and put yourself into an unfamiliar place. Having a good community to get you started makes trying tough things easy to handle.
2. You’ll Warm Up. We warm up in class with techniques you’ll use throughout your training. You’ll work one on one with a coach and another student to start learning fundamentals. Whether it’s how to fall, how to get up, how to counter a takedown or simple hip escapes, you’ll have someone to guide you and make it feel easy.
3. You’ll Learn a Technique. We partner you with another student who can help welcome and guide you through the class. The coach will demonstrate a move or series of movements and the class breaks into pairs to practice on eaching.
4. You’ll Practice With a Partner. Your partner will be there to help show you the ropes and give you tips or tricks that helped them when they were getting started.
5. You May Participate in Live Training. On your first day, we will have you observe some rounds of live training or rolling. If you would like to participate, we encourage you to give it a shot but will partner you with an advanced member who can help guide you through the round. You will learn a lot through trial and error in rolls and having a coach there to add details and refinement to what you’ve learned will allow you to progress faster.
What Should I Wear to My First Jiu Jitsu Class?
Good options include:
- Athletic shorts
- Leggings
- A T-shirt
- A fitted athletic shirt
Avoid clothing with:
- Zippers
- Buttons
- Loose accessories
- Hard objects
You should also remove jewelry before training.
If you’re attending a class that requires a Gi, wear comfortable clothes and we will borrow you a Gi if you don’t have one.
Do I Need to Be in Shape Before Starting Jiu Jitsu?
No.
In fact, one of the best ways to get into better shape is to start training.
Jiu Jitsu training naturally develops your fitness over time. As you continue training, you’ll likely notice improvements in your:
- Cardio
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Coordination
- Body awareness
Your first class may be challenging, but that’s okay. You don’t have to be good at Jiu Jitsu before you start Jiu Jitsu.
You just have to start.
The biggest secret to improving isn’t being naturally athletic or talented.
It’s showing up consistently.
How Often Should a Beginner Train Jiu Jitsu?
For most beginners, two to three classes per week is a good place to start.
Training consistently gives your body time to adapt while allowing you to learn and retain new techniques.
You don’t need to train every day to make progress.
In fact, consistency is usually more important than trying to do too much too quickly.
Start at a pace that fits your schedule, and focus on building the habit of showing up.
Part II – Coming soon!