Here's exactly what to expect. No surprises. No weird rituals. Just jiu-jitsu.
Book Your Free ClassIf it's your first jiu-jitsu class, keep it simple. You don't need special gear. You don't need to look the part. You just need to show up.
A t-shirt and shorts or leggings. No zippers, no pockets. That's the entire dress code for your first class. No gi, no rash guard, no special gear required.
No shoes on the mat. No jewelry (rings, watches, earrings, chains). And leave the ego at the door. Everyone in the room was a white belt once.
Clean clothes, trimmed nails (fingers and toes), and skip the strong cologne or perfume. We're going to be in close contact, and your training partners will thank you.
A water bottle is the one thing we'd recommend bringing. You'll work harder than you think.
Every class follows the same shape, whether you're brand new or a brown belt. Here's how a beginner BJJ class runs at our gym in NoDa, Charlotte NC.
Walk in 10 minutes early and say hi. We'll greet you, get you signed in, and walk you through the space so you know where the bathrooms, mats, and water are. No gi required, no gear to buy. Wear a t-shirt, shorts or leggings, and bring water. That's it.
You'll pair up with a training partner and start moving. Our warm-ups are built around jiu-jitsu concepts and partner drills, not jumping jacks or burpees. You're learning from the first minute. If something doesn't feel right, you can stop and ask. Coaches and senior students will help you through it.
Every coach brings their own style. Some break down 2-3 moves step by step, walking you through the details slowly. Others teach through live concepts and movement. Either way, you're learning real jiu-jitsu in every class. You'll drill the techniques with your partner so it's hands-on, not lecture-style.
Every class includes live rounds (called "rolling"). On day one, you can jump in, watch from the side, or stop anytime. Nobody is going to crank on you or try to prove a point. We treat everyone like adults here. Move, sweat, learn, improve. That's the whole point.
The questions we hear most often from people about to walk in for the first time.
No. Jiu-Jitsu will get you in shape. Come as you are.
Yes. We train safely and respectfully. The most important person in the room is your training partner. White belts are friends, not food. We take care of each other on the mat.
Gi uses the traditional uniform (a heavy jacket and pants) and the grips that come with it. No-Gi uses rash guards and shorts, runs at a faster pace, and is more wrestling-influenced. We teach both.
Not even close. Our members range from 18 to 60+. Jiu-jitsu is built for all ages and body types.
Most people who walk through our door have zero experience. Our Day 1 No-Gi Basics class is a 30-minute intro built specifically for white belts in their first 3 months.
Wear a t-shirt and shorts or leggings with no zippers or pockets. No special gear is required, and we recommend bringing a water bottle.
No. No gi, no rash guard, and no special gear are required for your first class.
Want more before you book? See the full class schedule, browse our coaches, read common questions, or check out our free weekend open mat. Pricing is on a separate page when you're ready.
Pick a time. Show up. We'll handle the rest.