Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a practical and physically demanding martial art. That doesn't mean you have to do anything physical to prepare for your first class. As the old adage states: "You don't have to be good to start, you have to start to be good". As a beginning student, you will join our fundamentals program. The fundamentals program builds your grappling skillset no matter your physical condition and/or abilities. There are however some things you can do that will help you become a better training partner. There are also a couple of things you can do to improve your experience while beginning your BJJ journey.
Trim and file your nails. In Jiu-Jitsu you will learn to use both your hands and your feet to control another human being at close range. Your nails are weapons, and we cannot be slicing up our training partners while training. Your training partners will appreciate you more if you trim and file your fingernails and toenails.
Be clean. Jiu-Jitsu is a close-contact combat sport. Your training partners want to enjoy training with you, but they will be much happier if you smell good. Please come to class clean and smelling fresh. Please avoid strong-smelling perfumes.
Freshen your breath. You will be face-to-face with your training partners. Do them a favor and make sure you have fresh-smelling breath. It's not a terrible idea to keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in your gear bag.
Train in a clean uniform. Training with someone that has a stinky Gi or rash guard is one of the worse experiences to have during class. Make sure to never wear the same uniform twice without washing it. Even if it doesn't stink when you bring it to class, the stink will come out during training. Do everyone a favor and always wash your gear between classes.
Come hydrated. A 1% decrease in your hydration levels can cause a 10% decrease in your performance. This includes your ability to problem-solve and learn. Your body is 60 - 80% water, so make certain that you are well hydrated. If your urine is yellow, drink more water. If your urine is clear, you are likely hydrated. Make sure also to bring water to stay hydrated during class.
Have a learning and growth mindset. The purpose of every Jiu-Jitsu class is to develop your skills in grappling. Jiu-Jitsu is not easy. You will have to deal with lots of frustration, failure, and defeat. This is especially true in the beginning. This is all part of the process. It is a necessary part of your martial arts journey. Be ready to learn.
The best time to plant a tree is one hundred years ago, the next best time is now.
There is no other activity that can prepare you for Jiu-Jitsu besides Jiu-Jitsu. Just come to class ready to learn and be a good training partner. Your grappling skills will develop over time and so will your strength and conditioning. If you still have concerns about preparing for your first class, reach out to us via our contact page or message us on our social media channels. Hope to see you in class soon!
Comments