Frequently Asked Questions
What even is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting and submission grappling, using leverage and technique to control and submit opponents regardless of size or strength. Originating from Japanese Judo and refined in Brazil, BJJ emphasizes positions, joint locks, and chokeholds, making it one of the most effective forms of self-defense and a cornerstone of modern mixed martial arts.
Do I need to be in shape before I can begin?
Definitely not! We welcome all fitness levels and our classes are designed for everyone from brand new beginners to advanced competitors.
Gi or No-Gi?
Gi BJJ is practiced wearing a traditional kimono (gi), which allows grapplers to grip and control the jacket and pants for chokes, sweeps, and submissions. No-gi BJJ is practiced in athletic wear like rash guards and shorts, creating a faster-paced style that emphasizes wrestling, leg locks, and techniques that don't rely on fabric grips. We have both classes so give them each a try!
What do I need for my first class?
For your first class try to come 15-20 minutes early to meet the instructor and go through the basics. Wear snug fitting athletic clothes and if it is a gi class we will fit you in one of our loaner gis. We train barefoot but you can wear socks if you prefer.
What are some basic hygeine principles?
Keep your rash guard and gi clean by washing after each class. Make sure to keep finger and toe nails clean and clipped to prevent scratching your training partner. Long hair should be pulled back and jewelry should be removed. Men need to wear a rash guard or athletic shirt under their gis. Women can wear a rash guard or sports bra under their gis. Athletic shorts or leggings can be worn under gi pants.
Do I have to roll or participate in live sparring?
Every class is meant to encourage you to try new things and push yourself outside your comfort level however never do anything that will make you ultimately feel uncomfortable. As you gain more confidence in your grappling feel free to jump in on the live rounds!
Will my kids act better if they do BJJ?
Short answer - yes. Jiu-jitsu is a great athletic activity for children to learn discipline, self control, and work those wiggles out! Each of our kids classes is designed for all skill levels ages 5 and up. They will come away with more confidence, athleticism, and using burpees at home for behavior correction is always a good thing!
Is BJJ good for self defense?
Jiu-jitsu is a great skill for body awareness and control. We teach sport jiu-jitsu and while there are certainly elements that are useful for self defense we do encourage our members to seek out specific self defense classes if that is what they are looking for. Jiu-jitsu will give you more confidence, athleticism, and body awareness which are always useful in those situations.