Walking into your first jiu jitsu class can feel a bit intimidating, even if you have done other sports before. The good news is that our Basics classes are built for people who are brand new. You do not need to know anything in advance, and you will not be thrown into a room full of experts with no explanation.

If you want to plan your visit, check our class schedule and how to find the gym.

When you arrive

You will be greeted by the instructor when you walk in. If it is your first time, just say so. We will help you get set up and point you in the right direction.

You will quickly register on the reception tablet, then you will get a loaner gi or nogi set. After that, you can change in the changing rooms. If you brought your own gear, that is fine too, but you do not need anything special for your first class. Please note that your own gear can now have any zippers or pockets anywhere, as these can be dangerous for your training partners and damage the mats.

What to bring and what to wear off the mats

Bring a water bottle if you have one. We also have a tap, plus a fridge with drinks available.

One important rule: wear shoes or flipflops whenever you are not on the mats. That includes walking to the changing rooms and bathrooms. It is simple, but it keeps the training area clean for everyone.

What the Basics class looks like

The class starts with an easy, movement-based warmup. It is meant to get you moving and comfortable, not to crush you. If something feels awkward, that is normal. Most movements in jiu jitsu are new at the start.

After the warmup, you will learn a simple takedown that lands you in the position of the day. We keep it basic on purpose, so you can focus on good habits and safe training.

From there, you learn the submission of the week. You will get clear steps, what to pay attention to, and how to do it in a controlled way.

Then you will learn either two escapes or two attacks from that same position, depending on the day. The idea is that you always build around one theme, instead of jumping randomly from move to move.

At the end, you get to practice from that position against a resisting partner. This is where things start to feel like real jiu jitsu, but it is still structured. You are not expected to “win”, you are expected to try the things you just learned.

After class

After class, you can head out right away, but you are also welcome to hang around. A lot of people stay to chat, ask the coach a question, or just get to know the room. If you are unsure about anything you felt during training, this is a good time to bring it up.

If you want a more guided start

If you like the idea of a clear plan for your first weeks, take a look at our Jiu Jitsu Basic Course. For general beginner questions, you can also read our complete beginner’s guide or check the FAQ. If you want to see current options, prices are here, and if anything is unclear you can reach us via Contact Us.

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