First class? Good job having the courage to get on the mats! There are TONS of information out there but there are basic concepts that stand the test of time and gyms.
- What to wear:
- For gi classes, wear a clean gi if you have one. Most gyms have extra for new people to borrow!
- Under the gi: wear compression shorts or spats; rash guard or workout top; sports bra.
- For no gi classes, wear clean spats (aka leggings without pockets), and/or shorts (without pockets) and a rash guard if you have one. If not, a tech shirt (workout tee) will work! Try to avoid tee shirts if you can!
- For gi classes, wear a clean gi if you have one. Most gyms have extra for new people to borrow!
- Hygiene:
- Cut your finger nails AND toe nails.
- Wear deodorant and avoid perfume/cologne.
- Brush teeth or swish with mouthwash.
- No makeup. IF YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR MAKEUP, please NO face powder and NO foundation and keep it all waterproof/smudge proof. Makeup WILL come off on your partner’s gi (and gis are pricey)! If you get makeup on your partner’s gi, please offer to get it professionally cleaned or to buy them a new gi if it doesn’t come out.
- Put your hair up! I also use a headband to soak up the sweat.
- CLASS FORMAT
- Line up according to belt color/rank (highest to the right, white belts to the left)
- Warm up: Run around the mat, across the floor drills (forward and backward rolls, shrimping, etc).
- Conditioning: sit ups, bridges, and neck exercises
- Technique: you will learn 1 or more techniques and drill them.
- Sparring (unless you are there for a technique only class). Some coaches will not allow new people to spar until a few classes in or new people may try positional sparring only. There are gyms that will not allow white belts to spar at all (I’ve never been to one of these types of places).
- Line up according to rank and give everyone a handshake
Out of all martial arts, BJJ is the most arduous journey! It will take a long time to rank up so don’t bother googling “how long it will take to earn a blue belt” after your first class (unless you’re a trained judoka or wrestler). BJJ is a good time and so much fun. ENJOY!
