Beginners Guide To Jiu-Jitsu (Fully Explained)
BJJ is among the safest and most popular martial arts of all ages and genders. The demand for classes is skyrocketing, and if you are looking to enroll yourself in BJJ classes, you have come to the right place.
First, congratulations. Second, you have just entered a world full of ups and downs that will change every single aspect of your life for the better if you let it.
You are probably sitting with dozens of websites open searching for an article to answer all of your beginner questions. How to find and spot a reputable BJJ school? In which style you should start training? How to prepare for the classes?
Don’t worry, we got your back. In this article, you will discover everything you need to know about BJJ beginnings. From finding the school to what your first day is going to be like, this article covers all the aspects of BJJ training.
Which Style of BJJ is for Me?
If you follow a general rule, most beginners start by training in a traditional, “Gi” style as this variation emphasizes techniques over other aspects. Most BJJ athletes start their journey in Gi style, and once they develop a solid base, switch over to a no-gi style for instance.
This truly comes down to your personal preference. Overall, BJJ has many styles, but in modern times, the most popular ones are the Brazilian “Gi” style and the famous “No-Gi” style. These two variations teach very much the same techniques but just a single difference in clothing changes the entire concept.
No-gi
The no-Gi style of jiu-jitsu has been around for a long time but it came into the spotlight with the rise of MMA in the 90s. The man who developed the advanced version of no-gi is Eddie Bravo, and as you would assume, it is a style where practitioners do not wear a “gi” uniform. They train and compete wearing shorts, shirts, or rashguards. This style is known to be much faster, and a bit less strategic, and it enables you to rely more on sheer strength during the exchanges.
Gi
Gi style is a traditional variation and a more technical style of the two. All students must wear a “Gi” uniform which consists of long pants, a jacket, and a rank belt made out of thick cotton. In contrast with no-gi, the gi style is much slower, forces you to be more patient, have a methodical approach, and focus more on technique rather than utilizing sheer strength.
How to Find a BJJ Gym
BJJ is still spreading all over the world and if you live outside of the US or Brazil, for example, you might have a hard time finding a gym to train in. BJJ is still undeveloped in many parts of the world and there are countries where only a few gyms are available. But if you are a lucky one living in a big town, here are some of the initial steps you should take to find a proper BJJ school.
Of course, in this digitally advanced world, the first step is to open a search engine and find all the BJJ schools available in your area. First, write down a list of all the schools in your area, and deeply check the website of each one. Search for testimonials, offers, training schedules, the costs of training, etc. Bear in mind that not all BJJ business regularly update their websites so you must take each piece of information with reserve.
Next, check among your friends whether they know someone who has experience training in some of these gyms. Reach out to them and politely ask them to provide you with some insights and information not available online. If there are multiple BJJ schools in your area, it’s likely you will find a person who trains in one.
Lastly, make a list of gyms you are interested in, but do not pack your bag yet. There are plenty of more things you must be aware of before signing up for classes.
Good BJJ School For Beginners
First, the best school for beginners is the one that offers classes for different levels, including newcomers. Next, the school needs to have classes for females as well, a big and clean enough facility for the athletes to feel comfortable and safe, and above all, a credible coaching staff.
A good BJJ school offers a trial class
Before you sign up, be sure to attend the trial class (just about every school offers one). Or, at least check the gym in person and talk with the staff members about general information. And if you have multiple options, be sure to attend a trial class in as many BJJ gyms as you can.
Checking the classes and the facility in person is the best way to figure out whether the gym has everything you need for training. You will feel the gym vibe and culture, and meet the head coaches in person. Some schools would even allow you to train BJJ for a week before deciding whether you are going to sign up or not.
Check the level of hygiene
One of the most important things is a high level of hygiene. If you spot dirty mats, dressing room, or toilet during the trial class, be sure to search for another gym. A good BJJ school prioritizes the safety of its students, and maintaining a high level of hygiene is a good representation of that.
For example, the most common injury in BJJ is actually a skin infection. During training, your skin is constantly rubbing onto the mats which causes first-degree burns also known as “mat burns”. When mat burns come in contact with dirty mats contaminated with bacteria, it can quickly result in an infection. You don’t want to be that person so pay extra attention to hygiene.
Are there classes available for females?
If you are a woman looking to enroll in BJJ training, you must look for a gym that offers women’s classes. However, bear in mind that in a lot of schools, men’s and women’s classes are actually mixed together.
If you enter the gym and see women and men training and rolling together, this is a sign of a good gym culture. A gym culture where there are no gender differences. In the end, no women would stick around in a gym where they won’t be respected and where men do not behave properly. it also sets up realistic situations.
The price and contracts (terms and conditions)
BJJ training is not cheap and it is actually more expensive than most other martial arts. As with anything else, you should search for the one that fits your budget, and stay away from the “overpriced” ones.
The exact price of the classes ranges between $30 per month on the lower end, $100 for the average credible school, and up to $200 for the gyms with a long history and strong reputation. But as a beginner, you don’t need to train in the expensive ones at all. If the gym meets other criteria from this list, it can be the one on the lower end and you will still likely develop proper skills.
Also, pay extra attention to the contract they offer. As a beginner, you want to stay away from schools that offer only long-term contracts, because logically, you are yet to discover whether BJJ is for you after all. Instead, search for the ones where you can pay per month and see if that specific gym suits your needs.
Quality of coaching staff
The martial art dojo is as good as its teachers and their ability to pass down knowledge. A good BJJ school must have a legitimate black belt as the head instructor. In most cases ranked higher than 1st-degree, and their assistants must possess high-level skills. Good coaches usually have a lot of competition experience, and if you ask them, they won’t hesitate about acknowledging some of their biggest accomplishments.
If you are in search of a good BJJ school, search for the one where coaches regularly compete in matches, and spar in training. The results are not as important as seeing your coach continuously putting their skills to a test.
Training schedule and location
In an ideal scenario, you will find a good BJJ school next to your street, but this is unlikely. On the other side, you certainly don’t want to spend two hours in traffic or travel to the other town just for a BJJ workout. As a beginner, focus on finding the one in your area.
Once you become addicted to jiu-jitsu and want to further improve your skills and become a serious competitor, you might consider moving to another place and sacrificing more of your free time. But for the start, a solid gym with a good reputation will do the work.
The same stands for the training schedule. Most BJJ dojos are giving their best to adapt to the modern lifestyle and include both morning and evening classes. But there are also plenty of ones where the classes are only available in the evening. Also, most schools work on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays. Overall, most have a flexible training schedule so that everyone can fit in at some point during the day.
Each training session usually lasts around one hour and includes an extra 30–60 minutes of open mat session for people who want to stay longer. In some schools, the first hour is dedicated to drills and learning techniques while the extra time is spent on sparring, while in other schools it might be the other way around.
What BJJ Gear Do You Need to Start Training?
When it comes to BJJ training, you need just basic equipment to start training. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on buying the latest and most expensive gear. If you stick long enough and realize you want to dedicate yourself to training, you might consider doing that in the later stages of your journey. For now, let’s stick with the basic equipment.
Flip-flops or wrestling shoes
Whether you train in the Gi or no-gi style, you will train and compete barefooted. However, when you arrive at the gym, you will have to remove your shoes in the dressing room and wear flip-flops across the main training area and take them off before you step on the mats.
Whether you are going to remove your shoes at the entrance or in the dressing room depends on the facility and its rules. But in either scenario, you need to have flip-flops with you. And to begin with, just take the basic ones that fit your bag.
Some BJJ practitioners, notably the ones who come in from wrestling, prefer to wear wrestling shoes. Wearing wrestling shoes is allowed in most schools, but before signing up for classes, be sure to check this with some of the employees.
Water, a lot of water
BJJ is a cardio intense workout and you will sweat like crazy. During the initial phase of your journey, you will lose a lot of water in every class so be sure to be well-hydrated before, during, and after the class. Not fueling the body with enough water will result in dehydration and may cause injuries or a specific disease. Thus, bring a big bottle of water with you, and drink regularly during the class to cool down the body and stay hydrated.
Uniform
BJJ uniform consists of a jacket, long pants, and a belt. In no-gi, the gear includes sports shorts, a shirt, or a rashguard. The price of a gi uniform varies between $100 on the lower end and a couple of hundred on the higher end. If you are just starting out, go for the most affordable option. By the time it starts wearing out, you will already think about investing in the high-quality Gi. So don’t worry, even the less expensive ones will last long enough.
Shampoo, towel, and deodorant
Most BJJ schools include on-site showers. You want to take a good shower as soon as the class is over to wash out all the sweat, blood, and who knows what else you might pick up rolling on the mats. Thus, be sure to always bring shampoo, soap, or whatever you are using and, of course, a towel and clean underwear.
How to Prepare for Your First BJJ Class?
Don’t be anxious and overthinking. The most important thing is to show up clean wearing deodorant, cut the nails, pack all the gear discussed above, and arrive early.
Take a shower before each class
BJJ is a hand-to-hand combat sport where people are grabbing, pulling, and lie on top of each other. As you would assume, taking a shower and wearing deodorant is mandatory unless you want to become a “stinky guy” everyone avoids rolling with due to obvious reasons. Every school has at least one such person, and you don’t want to be that one.
Cut the nails
BJJ is a sport that involves a lot of hand-to-hand physical contact so it is crucial for every practitioner to regularly cut their nails. Although this is a part of hygiene, even slightly longer nails can cause deep cuts.
Pack all the gear
For your first BJJ class, you would need a Gi uniform, a pair of flip-flops, a towel, shampoo, and new underwear, and that’s it. Show up wearing regular cloth and then put on the Gi uniform in the dressing room. Some gyms also have small lockers where you can secure your personal items such as your phone, watch, etc.
Show up early
Be sure to show up at least 15 minutes before the class. In some cases, you might need to sign some additional paperwork at the front desk. Also, the head instructor will probably be there early so you can use this as a chance to meet them and have a small talk about the classes.
Most beginners feel anxious before and during their first class like there is something special about to happen to them. No, in the eyes of the head instructor and other beginners, you are just a regular newcomer.
Stay calm and enjoy the moment
No one is expecting anything out of you, only to be respectful, focused, and listen to the instructor. Do not get overwhelmed with emotions because you want to memorize this day. If you stick with BJJ for many years, you will always bring up those memories of how you felt in your first class.
What to Expect in Your First BJJ Class?
Your first BJJ class is going to be very much the same as a trial class if you have attended one. If you are not, here is how the classes are structured in most schools. Of course, the drills, techniques, and other aspects may vary.
Warm-up
Each class begins with a warm-up session where the main goal is to speed up the heart rate, and blood circulation and with that, warm up all the muscle groups. Since flexibility is crucial for jiu-jitsu, you will also spend at least 10 minutes doing various types of dynamic and static stretching exercises.
Working on techniques and drills
As a beginner, you will spend most of your time working on BJJ fundamentals. The head instructor will break down each technique to the slightest detail, and your main task will be to drill that specific move until you master it.
Be sure to pay close attention as BJJ moves might look simple at first glance, but are hard to execute against the partner. You will probably get it wrong more than a few times, maybe even get corrected by the instructor, but this is all normal.
If you are really struggling with certain moves, don’t panic. The instructor will notice your situation and help you go through it. Or, they might pair you with more experienced students who will show you how it’s done. As in most other sports in general, mastering jiu-jitsu is all about endless repetition of each move.
Sparring and rolling against other students
The fun part about BJJ beginnings is the fact that you will be thrown right into the fire. The learning syllabus emphasizes sparring as the best way one can learn how to apply techniques in real life, and you will do it right from day one.
However, as a beginner who is yet to figure out what the hell is going on during the roles, your main task is to stay calm, and give your best to apply some basic moves like escapes, defend or execute a throw, etc. You probably won’t be playing too much with submissions during the beginning days.
Stretching and talking
Each class ends with a cool down where students do a lot of static stretches to further improve flexibility. This is also a phase of training where they usually talk with one another, sharing their experiences, and advice, and enjoying the post-workout buzz. Remember, BJJ culture is rooted in respect and each dojo is one big family where people with the same passion push each other toward their own individual goals.
