Starting Jiu Jitsu? What to Know Before Your 1st Class.

If you are starting jiu-jitsu but not sure what to expect on your 1st day, this video can help. All the basic positions and movements are covered here. When you're new to bjj it can be very intimidating. It helps to understand some basic jiu-jitsu moves and bjj warm ups to feel comfortable for your first day of jiu-jitsu. Whether you are looking for self defense or bjj competition this video can help you learn the basic warm-ups, movements and etiquette for most jiu-jitsu academies.

The equipment I use

Manfrotto 055 Aluminum 3-Section Tripod with Horizontal Column (MT055XPRO3)

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[nolanbennett]

Just finished my first class after procrastinating it forever. I walked in and as I was signing a waiver they put my go on a table right next to a purple belt. I ended up taking the belt on accident and putting it on. What a start.

[chriskelly]

First class tonight after nearly a year of procrastinating and making excuses. Very nervous, but excited too.

[thefirstladystolemylunch]

IF you have trouble with being comfortable around these new people:
These people are your friends. youre all there to help eachother perfect a martial art to fight against people who are really tying to hurt you. Just remember dat.

[ivylaregina]

First class is tomorrow at 55 years old. Very excited

[НиколаПоюков]

im just starting jiu jitsu but what i have found most importand in my years of combat sports is that if you wish to learn YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PRIDE OUTSIDE

[walkingcorpse]

I've been doing Jiu Jitsu for about 9 years since I was 19. Four days a week with very rare three or five, maybe even six full days of training, 2 - 3 hours a day. I compete four times a year. Here's some things you have to know before you COMMIT to a dojo.

#1 Unless u train 6 days a week, 6 hours a day, or unless ur gifted and talented, ur not getting that black belt in 6 years like some internet sites say u will... It took me 7 years to get my purple belt, and it's not cus I'm slow or non-athletic, I would actually consider myself above average, and a decent player, I do well. If u see a gym with alot of students who got their purple belts in three years, leave. I can understand if ur gifted, if ur this amazing beginner that's just kicking ass, yeah, you deserve the ranking, but then ur a rarity, u don't want a gym that gives out candy man... Chase the skill, not the belt color.

#2 Training twice a week is nothing... Three days a week is honestly like the bare minimum, if ur not training that, then ur wasting ur time, put in extra hours, do the work, find a gym that can work with ur schedule, believe me on that.

#3 It's normal if u still suck after one year... One year ain't jack shit, I get so many people that feel like they're not getting it after only one year (and by that, I mean they continue to lose to the higher ranks), keep training and learn proper technique, at my gym, it takes the average person two years before u get ur blue belt and maybe three to five years afterwards to get ur purple, from then on, Master Cyborg sort of keeps an eye on u during each seminar, and OMG is he tough on u man, he's blunt, he's brutal about ur sloppy technique, but trust me, it's good for u. Gotta be honest tho, Blue sucks more than white, cus then u got a target on ur back, and u feel like u gotta prove urself all the time. Purple is alot more fun as it should be.

#4 If ur serious about Jiu Jitsu, then u gotta go up against the people ur afraid of. U know those guys that kick ur ass every single day, keep training with them, ask them questions, try not to lose, but don't let losing get to u. Don't just try to win, try to learn man. Me being in the Ultra Heavyweight, I've always had no choice but to go up against big guys, we've had high ranking big people and low ranking big people, and trust me, they're always more difficult than the smaller opponents. Those black belt ultra heavyweights man, they're insanely scary. I get alot of people that avoid us, but sometimes, I do have to force students to go up against me and some of the other larger students, not for us, but for them. Not all of ur opponents are gonna be ur size, remember that, and whatever u can do to a large opponent, u can do to a little one.

#5 You gotta shop around, I cannot stress this enough, you have to find a dojo that meets ur wants. Just my opinion, find a gym that incorporates good wrestling and is open to all submissions, even the unorthodox ones, and get into a dojo where yes, opponents are gonna be rough with u, now there is a difference between malicious and rough, a dojo that babies you too much, is probably not good for you if ur serious about learning how to defend yourself or competition, but hey if it's just a gentle hobby u want, then go for the gym that'll take excessive care of you, also be aware of the gyms that have fake black belts, check with other gyms, ask questions, good instructors will answer you, as they have more experience in the Fighting community and will more than likely know almost everyone, even in bigger cities.

[lesneedham]

I started at the age of 47, been training for 4 years and was really surprised at how helpful everyone was at my school . Don’t wait to start do it now. Everyone is different in their ability and fitness, don’t worry about it, you will learn from other students. If you have kids get them into it as soon as they’re old enough to learn. Jui jitsu is the best way to de stress, it’s character building and very humbling as well as being a really good workout.

[Mike-ulof]

Just got done with my first class. I feel so silly for being nervous before going in. The instructors know how uncomfortable it can be to start a new class. I guarantee you, they will help you more than you’re expecting. Their expectations for you are pretty much 0 so don’t be afraid to mess up.

[XHLOfficial]

*UPDATED 9/11/2022*
Its been 9 months since ive commented on this video, still at it. BJJ 3-4 times a week. Today marks the day of my first tournament im competing in!!

Literally just got home from my first class. IF YOU are a procrastinator and/or are nervous to get started. Just go, everyone is so damn friendly and welcoming. Right away everyone welcome me with open arms, jumped right into the warm up routines with shrimping and rolling. Spent some time learning a single leg take down, and a couple of open guard submissions, utilizing the Gi. End of the class I was introduced to “rolling” I was told to pair up and to “survive”. I felt like I did alright lol.

Can’t wait to continue going back, keep up the videos. Definitely helped me for my first day. Cheers.

[mnesvat]

Fundamental Movements
11:13 Bridge
11:34 Thread the needle
12:24 Shrimp crawl
13:50 Front Roll
14:02 Back Roll
15:28 Standing up in base
17:27 Fall

[RiverGeek]

35 and out of shape. First class was this morning. I was very nervous. Everyone there made it easy by keeping things simple. Didn’t really “fight” me just taught me some positions and moves, including the fall, get up, and shrimp in this video. I think I found a new hobby.

[Womp-]

Fun fact : I’m from one of the original Gracie schools here in rio, brazil
And the most valuable thing any jj practitioner should know is that the hips are everything, they are what makes good scapes and they really dictate those “scramble” moments
( the shrimp crawl is called “rolling of the hips” in Portuguese here in Brazil, that’s just to show how important hips are)

[ZOIMIBiIE]

Best advice I gave my 13 year old daughter before class—

“When you go into the gym, even when you’re rolling, you’re all on the same team. You’re both there to sweat a little and learn from each other. You’re not trying to hurt one another. Give each other a chance to tap”

[joshuah]

I just started my 1st class today at Renzo Gracie in NJ, I was super concerned about feeling dumb and looking stupid, but everyone was very kind and really helpful

[walterthee]

At 54 years old I want to learn the basics of jujitsu. I have no martial arts training of any form. This video was by far the most informative I’ve seen! Thank you for your time and for posting this.

[TheCheapReefer]

Love jiujitsu take it away is like taking one of my kids . This art took me from a young street punk to a respectable man . Also made me a better father son husband friend ect . The thing im most thankful for from jiujitsu is it made me cross paths with ppl i normally wouldnt .Those same ppl took me in like they knew me all my life .

[DiscoDavee]

Doing the shrimp crawl during my free trial class made me want to just leave the class lmao

[derrickpigatt]

I’m just getting started, two weeks in . This is exactly what is being taught. Thank you for the refresher

[reman]

I feel like I just had a 2 on 1 private tuition.
This is amazing.

[ArnisRisingHFS]

Had my first jits class last night and got crushed by 140kg dude and I'm 118kg, I loved every second of it. I hobbled out of class and I'm looking forward to the next one. 42 years old here. Lookin to get down to 90kg again through jiujitsu. Thank you for the video it was very helpful. Cheers from Tassie Australia.