How Do I Get Started?
For Jiu Jitsu:
If you have no prior experience, you must go through our 5 Week Intro to Jiu Jitsu Course before you can sign up for our regular classes.
Our 5 week intro course will go over the basics of Jiu Jitsu so you can have a solid foundation and confidence before you attend our all levels classes. During this course, you will learn the fundamental concepts of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and techniques such as positional control, takedowns, submissions and escaping bad positions. You will put your new skills to the test with other beginners through positional drills and live sparring.
You will also build confidence, physical and mental strength and challenge yourself in new ways in this class. Our experienced instructors will guide you through each class to help you reach your full potential. After you graduate from our intro course, you can sign up for a membership that includes access to all classes we offer.
If you have prior grappling experience, you do not have to go through the 5 week course. Contact us to schedule a free first class.
For Boxing:
If you do not have any formal boxing training, you must go through our Beginner Boxing Course to learn the fundamentals. After that, you can sign up for a boxing membership and can come to our regular boxing classes, sparring nights and open gym times.
If you have prior formal boxing training, please contact us to schedule a free first class.
What should I bring to my first class? Do I need to buy anything?
Wear form fitting workout clothes for your first class for Jiu Jitsu and Boxing, preferably shorts or leggins with no pockets where toes or fingers can get caught on. For boxing and MMA we have gloves you can borrow. If you decide to sign up, you will eventually need:
For Jiu Jitsu
- Pocketless shorts/ leggings (no gi)
- Optional gi if you want to come to gi class
- Mouthpiece
- Sandals/ flip flops
- Rashguard (optional but most people prefer rashguards over tshirts to train in)
For Boxing:
-16 oz boxing gloves
- Mouthpiece
- 180 cm handwraps
- Boxing shoes
- Headgear and groin protector if you want to spar down the line
- You must also register as an athlete on the USA Boxing webpage if you wish to spar, but you don't need this to start coming to class.
For MMA:
-4 oz MMA gloves
- Mouthpiece
What to expect in a typical Jiu Jitsu Class after the 5 week course?
We start with a warmup. After the warmup we start the teaching portion of class where we go over a couple of techniques. We partner up with another student and learn and practice the move on each other. After the teaching portion of the class is done, we train live ( sparring and rolling), meaning we train with 100 percent resistance. Both partners are going 100 percent and trying to take you down, establish a position of control and submit you via chokeholds and joint locks and other techniques. When a partner is caught in a submission they tap or submit, signaling their partner to let go of the submission. Training is not choreographed, is not done with a compliant partner or given a narrow set of allowed techniques. All techniques are allowed and legal in our gym.
To put it simply, your kid or yourself will not be hitting/kicking boards or bags. You or your kid will be put in joint locks, choke holds and other submissions. This is what sets us and Jiu Jitsu apart from other martial arts in the area, all of our training is done full speed and full force to prepare you for a real life scenario and the intensity/ unpredictability of a real fight.
The only restrictions we impose are class specific. For example boxing is only strikes, Jiu Jitsu is only grappling, MMA is where we mix striking and grappling where everything is allowed.
How often should I come to class?
This depends on your goals. The more you train the better progression you will see. It is recommended to train at least 3 days a week to make consistent progress.
However we understand everyone has different goals and priorities and we don’t require anyone to come to a certain number of classes unless you have aspirations of competing or fighting MMA under our team. We have strict standards for our competitors, instructors and fighters who represent our gym.
What kind of people train at your gym?
We have kids aged 6 and up and adults of all ages 18 to 60+. We have aspiring fighters and competitors, police officers, federal officers, your average person that just wants to get in shape, hobbyists, single moms, nerds, healthcare workers, blue collar workers and basically people from all walks of life with different goals. Do not feel like you wouldn’t fit in if you don’t want to fight. Our students train for a variety of reasons ranging from wanting to get in shape, mental health, anxiety relief, making friends and socializing, stress relief, or just to learn a new skill or hobby to name a few. The people who want to fight and compete are actually a very small minority. This is a place for people from all walks of life to come together and work towards the same goal of improving oneself in a very supportive environment.
Do I need to be in shape to do Jiu Jitsu?
No. This is a common misconception. We have people of all fitness levels and of all shapes and sizes that train. The best way to get you in grappling shape and to prepare you for Jiu Jitsu is to train Jiu Jitsu. Over time you will get in better shape. We don’t expect anyone to know anything when they first come in, we don't require you to have prior experience or require you to be in shape before you come in. Most people who come and try a class are out of shape or have average fitness levels. Even the people who come in and are athletic, quickly realize they are not in Jiu Jitsu shape as Jiu Jitsu requires to use your body in different ways than most are accustomed to. The best way to get in Jiu Jitsu shape is simply come and train as often as you can.
We also have cardio and fitness classes to get started or supplement your martial arts training.