Getting started
What to know before you first step on a mat: your first class, choosing a gym, belts, costs.
Your first BJJ class: what to bring and what to expect
Almost every gym offers a free trial class. Here is what to put in your bag, and what happens from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave.
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How to choose a BJJ gym: the questions to ask at your trial
Choosing an academy matters more than any other decision of your first few years. Here is what to ask, what to watch for, and the warning signs not to ignore.
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Gi or no-gi: the differences, and which to start with
They are the same sport played under two different rules of friction. The difference is not the clothing: it is what you can grab.
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BJJ belts: ranks, timelines and how promotions work
In Brazilian jiu-jitsu you change belt only a handful of times, and it takes a long while. It is one of the things that sets it apart from other martial arts.
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BJJ for kids: what age to start, how it works, what to look for
Jiu-jitsu is one of the combat sports best suited to children, for one specific reason: there is no striking. Here is how a course actually works.
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How much does BJJ cost: every expense to plan for
The monthly fee is only one item, and almost never the only thing you will pay in your first year. Here is every expense, and how to get to a real number.
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Open mat: what it is, how it works and how to behave as a guest
The mat is open, there is no class, you just roll. It is the moment jiu-jitsu stops being a course and becomes a community.
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BJJ glossary: the words you will hear at the gym
Jiu-jitsu is spoken in a mix of Portuguese, English and Japanese. Here is what the things you hear in your first few weeks mean.
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