Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

So just a follow up to the advice below, first off thank you all so much for you words of wisdom I really do appreciated. Secondly, my reason for starting BJJ is not only to improve my physical health, but also learn more about this wonderful sport that i have watched over the years. I find it to be strategic and complex and really enjoy those concepts of it as well, just finally got the courage to actually go to a class. So just a little bit about the first school and to get an idea of what happened.

When i showed up to the school i was hoping i would get a bit of questioning about my skill level and such, since being a newbie I don't have any experience at all. I also have to mention in the past year and half I haven't done much physical exercising at all. So when i get to the school it was Gi day and they offer a rental, I introduced myself to the instructor, he went and grabbed me a Gi, told me to go change in the back bathrooms. I was like ok straight to the point, not a bad thing, so i get changed and get ready to get on the mat. I stood awkwardly in the corner, and a couple people said Hi, but for the most part nothing else. As soon as class started it was go time, we started warm up which wasn't too bad, but then we started doing more difficult things, shoulder rolling, back rolling, seat belt riding (not sure if its the actual term, and I couldn't jump on the guys back) and falling (Which i hit my head pretty hard because i didn't have my chin tucked,will never do that again). After that we went straight in the first lesson, he would show us three times and then we would practice with a partner (higher level belt). The guy i got partnered with was a purple belt, he was super sweet and really helpful, walked me through everything I needed to know and how to properly do the techniques. After a few rounds, i started getting winded, to the point where i was about to pass out, and asked the guy if I was able to get water in which his reply was "Ask the Instructor". I went and asked and he stopped the whole class and told us to all get water (i really didn't expect that, but it is what it is). After that i still felt super dizzy and lightheaded and really didn't want to pass out, so i sat down on the side and was instructed to watch. I paid attention and watch the guys in front of me to learn their movements and methods. After they got done doing a couple rounds, we went into sparring and I was partnered with another nice guy. He told me to come at him (Brown Belt), which i have no idea what I was supposed to do, i had no idea what that meant, i tried my best to take him down, and he walked me through it. Second guy (White Belt) didn't give me anything, he said "Come at me" and I had no idea again what that meant, we started from standing, Standing and sitting and on the ground. I didn't feel helped at all, i just felt like I was expect to know. Either way, maybe this is just how sessions go, but this was my first exp overall, it was very hands on and included, but also a little hardcore to someone new.

Thanks for hearing me out guys I really do appreciate it a bunch. Next class with another school is on Wed and then i have third school I'm looking at as well.

Yeah, I would definitely explore other schools. Not interviewing your experience, as a new student, is a huge fail in my book on the coach's part. I mean, I think there are more red flags in that story, but that's a huge one. It sounds like the higher belts you got to work with behaved as I'd expect a brand new student to be treated, but overall I'd say you can do much better.

Or, maybe you can't; based on finance / geography / schedule you may not have a lot of options, but I'd say definitely explore all the options you *do* have, even if you walk into a school and your experience tells you "OMFG this where I belong," check them all. And definitely do a mix of gi and nogi if possible because they're different enough you may find, for example, you want to prioritize one over the other based on your enjoyment of them.

Just checked out your profile; yeah, you should have loads of options in your area.

I've never trained in that area, so I can't make personal recommendations. But I'm connected on Facebook with a lesbian couple who (last I knew) were training at Sinister BJJ and seemed to be enjoying it, so it's at least welcoming enough to both women and queer folks that they've stuck with it.

Oh absolutely, I have plenty of options around, all though this place was super convenient, I still have a few other places i would really like to try. I will check out that Sinister BJJ, see where it is located. Thanks for the suggestion.

No ma’am Pam. You need to go to a different gym. That’s not at all ok.

What constitutes the right fit for you really depends on what you want out of jiujitsu. Are you primarily interested in learning a new sport and keeping fit? Are you wanting to fair better in matches with other meetfighters guys? Looking to compete in jiujitsu, or even mma?

I will say, jiujitsu culture has some biases (I don't mean prejudices, though you can certainly run into that, I mean biases, as in you're more likely to find A than B). Depending on where your ethical, social, and political sensibilities lie you might have to do some shopping around to find a school where you don't feel alone in a roomful of people. But, you should definitely shop around anyway. The suggestion above about finding a school with a beginner's track (they usually call them "fundamentals" classes) is a good one. Watch out schools that consider any kind of cross training at other schools some kind of betrayal; sure sign of a culty school. Be ready (at most schools) to run into some casual homo- and trans-phobia and sexism (even when they *think* they're welcoming to everyone). You can find schools that don't feature that, but most of the schools I've ever trained in in my life have it show up.

In terms of what to expect from yourself as you learn jiujitsu: grappling, probably any combat sport, is very difficult to learn, and difficult to teach, in any kind of linear way. It's going to feel, for what seems like a long time, that you're learning all kinds of disconnected, independent stuff that is really hard to make happen. At some point, you're going to start to see how they relate, the underlying principles, and that's when you'll start to get it. If your coach actually talks about and points out the underlying shared principles of stuff, that's a great sign.

Good luck on your journey! It's a super fun sport to play and most of my best friends have come from training jiujitsu. If you find a gym that fits you it can be an incredible community to be a part of. 🤙🏻

Congrats man! Also the fact you’re willing to admit you’re nervous and reach out means you have the right mindset: humble and willing to learn. For me the biggest hurdle was my natural shyness....both in constantly rotating sparring partners but also that feeling during warmup that all the blue belts are waiting on me to finish so they can come down the mat on the next movement lol (brown belts? On their phones waiting for warmup to finish 😜)

Good luck mate, its the best decsison ever!

Prepare for hard work, and to be well and truly humbled. Just go in with zero expectations of your self, listen, train and enjoy. Relax and flow, Its a long long road!!

You should feel welcome and accepted at a good school. Comforatable and respected. Most schools dont expect anything from a fresh white belt. Just a good attitude and willing to learn/listen.

Don't be a dick and try to prove yourself, you'll pay dearly!

I still remember my 1st ever class and the excitement. I was straght into rolling the core guys in open mat.

Thank you for the advice, I greatly appreciate it! I look forward to this journey myself and excited to see what I learn.

Hey everyone, I'm attempting my first time at Brazilian Jiu jitsu on Wednesday and not going to lie I'm slightly nervous. I dont know what to really expect or to look for when trying out schools, so I come to you all for assistance, just starting or experienced are all welcome to answer. Any advice on what to wear, expectations, how to tell if it's a good school, any of that would all be appreciated. Thanks a bunch and wish me luck!

Two things:

WE all had our first class at BJJ and are still here.
The saying still applies that a black belt is a white belt who never quit

I appreciate the advice, I actually ended up having the class today and I will say it was pretty damn rough, I felt like i was throw in to swim and that was it. Im checking out a couple of schools to see how they all compare and then making a choice from there.

See if a school has some kind of track for beginners...ie a separate class or at least clustering the newbies together in reg class.

Well done mate for doing it. It can feel like that. But you should be made to feel welcome. If you didn't then try a different club. I was super lucky the 1st club I joined was amazing. I've also done drop ins as an early white belt in foreign countries and they too were amazing.