How to Start Learning Jiu-Jitsu? (Beginners Guide)

Learning jiu-jitsu will be one of the best choices, allowing you to live up to your greatest aspirations. But, to be quite honest, it’s just the first step to a fantastic BJJ training journey.

Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most exceptional grappling martial arts to learn because it incorporates various martial arts such as judo, wrestling, and others.

If you’re about to begin your Brazilian jiu-jitsu training, this BJJ guide for beginners is for you. Therefore, it will provide you with fantastic tips and advice you should be aware of before beginning your Brazilian jiu-jitsu training journey.

How to Start Learning Jiu-Jitsu?

Beginning BJJ training will be one of the most critical life decisions. Because it is a fantastic combat sport, you can learn many skills and techniques.

However, there are several things you should know before beginning Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) that will help you stay in the sport for several years and enjoy it. Here are a few examples:

  1. Finding an excellent school is the main goal: A helpful and open gym culture is preferable to a closed or cult-like instructor.
  2. Some schools have official gradings where students must demonstrate methods and moves, while others issue belts based on the instructor’s appraisal of the student’s progress.
  3. If you are out of shape, consider doing regular cardio workouts in the weeks before your first BJJ class.
  4. Keeping clean is vital to avoid missing training time due to a skin condition or sickness like ringworm. BJJ is an indoor combat sport.

Can You Start Jiu-Jitsu at Any Age?

You can begin training in BJJ at any age since learning Brazilian Jiu-jitsu will alter your life.

If you want to attain your highest goals in life, starting jiu-jitsu at any age (18, 30, 40, or 50) will be one of the essential decisions you will make in your life.

For example, Ed O’Neill, the well-known television actor, began training jiu-jitsu when he was roughly 42 years of age. And a few years later, he obtained his black belt.

Also, Anthony Bourdain (television host and author) began training in BJJ at the ripe old age of 58 and obtained his Blue Belt.

What Do I Need to Get Started in BJJ?

get started in bjj

When it comes to jiu-jitsu, you won’t need much in the way of equipment. The bare minimum requirements are a gi and no-gi uniform and a mouthguard to protect your teeth.

You may want or need to purchase the following items from the list provided below:

Jiu-Jitsu Gi

It’s a three-piece set made of durable cotton, including a jacket, pants, and belt. Indeed, the BJJ gi’s price, weight, and quality can vary greatly.

Recommended: This article looks at the best jiu-jitsu gis for beginners. It will help you select the most appealing Gi for your training, whether you’re just starting or have some expertise.

No-Gi BJJ Gear

In contrast to jiu-jitsu gi training, no-gi training does not require using a gi (kimono), instead of requiring only a rashguard and board shorts.

Related: Stylish your Brazilian jiu-jitsu training with the best rashguards on the market. This post walks you through selecting the most pleasing rashguard t-shirts for BJJ.

Mouthguard

Mouthguards are inexpensive but provide essential protection, so it is recommended that you use one whenever you spar with another person.

We’ve done all of the legwork for you! Here are some excellent BJJ mouthguards to consider that are available at a low price.

Recommended: Remember to protect your teeth and jaw while training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Discover the best mouthguard for your BJJ, click here to learn more!

BJJ Spats

Spats or compression tights are recommended. Using these tights under your BJJ shorts will protect you from nicks and scratches when rolling in no-gi situations.

We’ve done all of the legwork for you. Here are several excellent BJJ spats to consider that are available at a reasonable price.

Jiu-Jitsu Spats Quality Ratings Store Visit
Hawk Sports Men’s Compression Pants 4.5 out of 5 Amazon Visit here
Sanabul Men’s Compression Spats 4.7 out of 5( Best Choice) Amazon Visit here
Elite Sports Men’s BJJ Spats 4.6 out of 5 Amazon Visit here

Finger Tape

Finger tape is a type of adhesive tape that can be helpful in the healing of finger injuries sustained during exercise.

There are many different brands, so we’ve compiled a list of what we believe are some excellent value finger tapes.

Jiu-Jitsu Finger Tape Quality Ratings Store Visit
(8 Pack) White Finger Tape 4.7 out of 5 Amazon Visit here
(8 Pack) Black Finger Tape for BJJ 4.5 out of 5( Best Choice) Amazon Visit here
(8 Pack) Kuzushi Labs Black Finger Tape 4.4 out of 5 Amazon Visit here

Bottle of Water

It is essential to stay hydrated during BJJ class, especially during the warmer months.

An insulated water bottle large enough to hold all your liquids is always helpful to have on hand and keep in your backpack.

Jiu-Jitsu Journal Notebook

A Jiu-Jitsu Journal notebook is a fantastic tool for people practicing Jiu-Jitsu. It will help you keep track of your BJJ priorities and objectives.

If you want to keep on track with your goals and make more time for Jiu-Jitsu, it categorizes your chores into categories based on what you need to accomplish.

We’ve taken care of all of the research for you. Here are a few good BJJ journal notebooks, all of which are affordable.

Jiu-Jitsu Journals Store Visit
Jiu-Jitsu Training Diary Amazon Visit here
Jiu-Jitsu Training Journal Amazon Visit here
Jiu-Jitsu Training Journal Amazon Visit here

BJJ Bags

Purchasing a dedicated sports bag for your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is essential. It should be large enough to hold all your equipment, a water bottle, a snack, and flip-flops from the locker room to the mat.

Don’t forget to take everything out of the bag when you get home. Then, before the following session, wash everything (including knee pads, ear guard, and groin guard).

If you want to exercise daily but can’t have your Gi washed and dried overnight, you should invest in two Gis.

Related: Discover the best BJJ bags for carrying your gear in style. We’ve selected the top options for every Brazilian jiu-jitsu fan, from duffel bags to backpacks. Click here to learn more!

Groin Guard/Cup

Always keep your genitals protected. You can never stop a knee or elbow landing wherever you don’t want.

Some of your buddies will tell you that the groin guard bothers them and that they don’t wear it. However, whether or not to wear groin protection is entirely up to you.

Related: Discover the best jiu-jitsu cups and groin protectors. This comprehensive guide will help you find the perfect protector for high-impact and combat sports.

What an Excellent Jiu-Jitsu Gym Looks Like?

starting jiu jitsu

There are a few other distinguishing traits of a top-notch Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym, which include the following characteristics: 

  1. A considerable number of normal-sized BJJ students are sporting brightly colored belts.
  2. The educator is personable and encourages students to achieve their goals.
  3. Religious movement conduct has not been observed before in this academy.
  4. In terms of location and schedule, you will find the gym convenient.
  5. The gym is designed to meet your needs, such as self-defense or competition training.

Related: Top Schools for Learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (A Closer Look)

How to Find a Good Jiu-Jitsu School?

When learning jiu-jitsu for the first time, finding a decent school is the most crucial goal to achieve. To acquire a list of neighboring gyms, complete the following form:

  1. Search for the phrase “best jiu-jitsu schools near me” on Google. Furthermore, you will have a wealth of possibilities.
  2. Then look at customer reviews to see which gyms have a solid reputation and choose one of those.
  3. Choose at least three BJJ academies that have received positive feedback.
  4. Inquire whether or not the school offers free beginning jiu-jitsu classes to students for you to give them a shot.
  5. After completing an introduction BJJ class at each gym, you’ll be able to compare them and determine your favorite.

What Does a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class Look Like?

beginning bjj training

There may be slight variations in how jiu-jitsu classes are conducted in different jiu-jitsu clubs worldwide.

A typical BJJ class, on the other hand, will include the following components:

Stretching and warm-up exercises (30 – 40 minutes)

Experiment with different motions and activities, such as a fast jog around the mat and stretching.

Also, single or pair exercises include squats, forward and backward rolls, hip escapes, and other similar actions and activities.

Techniques Instruction and drills (30 – 50 minutes)

Jiu-jitsu technique or sequence demonstrations and instruction are the primary focus.

As soon as they have mastered the technique and shown it to a partner, they will be instructed on additional nuances, set-ups, and finishes for the technique.

After that, they will demonstrate the technique with their partner.

Participation in sparring sessions (15 – 30 minutes)

In regular rounds, students begin sparring or rolling with their first partner.

As long as time permits, a player may continue to roll with several partners in the gym until the session is completed.

And this will finally assist him in learning the art of martial arts in the long run.

You will be restarted until the end of the time limit if you don’t submit throughout the sparring rounds.

During these rounds of free sparring, no points are granted to the participants.

Related: Should You Sign Up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Lessons?

What Should You Expect from Your First Month of BJJ Training?

jiu jitsu training

The benefits of BJJ for both the mind and the body are great, and you will be able to taste them after only one month of BJJ training.

As a result, you will often hear practitioners discuss how BJJ has changed their lives, how it has become a way of life, and how strongly they believe you should also try it.

Learning everything in one month of BJJ is impossible because there are many new concepts and abilities to understand.

Being inundated with new terms and unfamiliar concepts makes it easy to become overwhelmed.

The following is a list of the changes that will occur in your life after just one month of training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

Transformation of the Body

BJJ is a physically and mentally demanding discipline that requires a lot of dedication.

However, it is possible to observe an improvement in your body composition after one month of consistent practice (at least three weekly sessions).

Having More Energy During Your Day

The tremendous effort you put forth in sparring will cause you to lose vast amounts of weight quickly.

You will see an increase in your endurance and strength and overall vitality throughout the day.

According to research, high-intensity exercise is the most effective technique for burning fat and modifying your body composition to date.

Transformation of Your State of Mind

With your psychological confidence soaring to new heights, you will be convinced that you can deal with whatever challenges life throws at you.

It doesn’t matter if it’s an attacker, a job deadline, marital troubles, or any other challenge you may face.

You are doing something that makes a difference in other people’s lives.

You come to see the world through the spectacles of jiu-jitsu as you go through the ranks. Often, this transformation goes unrecognized for some time after it occurs.

Your confidence in conversing with others and dealing with challenging occurrences in your life will, on the other hand, significantly increase.

BJJ aids you with this by putting you under challenging scenarios in which you must decide what BJJ is designed to do in a split second.

Those decisions could either cause you to lose the match or cause you to win the game as a result. So the type of pressure that helps people develop their character and personality is this type of pressure.

Further research has found that exercising three to four times a week will improve mood and may even help to prevent depression from occurring.

Make new social relationships

BJJ is also a sport that draws people from all walks of life, regardless of political, religious, or racial affiliations or differences.

In contrast to team sports, in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, fair play, respect, and camaraderie are highly valued overall values.

Good BJJ academies cultivate a family-like atmosphere in their gyms, and they will make you feel like a member of the family.

Your social circle will continue to expand, and you will look back and wonder why you didn’t start training in BJJ earlier in your life. A specific link is formed between those who practice and spar together in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

How Often Should I Train BJJ?

The number of BJJ courses you should attend each week will be critical in your development.

In addition, it will determine how well your jiu-jitsu skills will develop as time progresses. 

In most cases, you should aim to train at least three times per week. But, of course, if you’re a starting practitioner, it’s perfectly OK to alternate days of practice with days off.

You’ll discover that it will unexpectedly revitalize you and that minor injuries will heal more quickly.

If you want to achieve more quick progress, you must commit to four or more weekly work days.

Then, with consistency and dedication, you can advance your jiu-jitsu skills to the next level. And, more than likely, you’ll begin to compete.

Training Brazilian jiu-jitsu only a few times a month, on the other hand, will hinder your advancement.

As a result, you will have great difficulty grasping the fundamental skills and concepts.

In addition, you want to prevent overtraining, which can lead to injury or burnout and, ultimately, the need to give up the sport.

How Long to Get Good at Jiu-Jitsu?

jiu jitsu guards

Any serious Jiu-Jitsu practitioner is always looking for ways to improve their skills.

Unfortunately, it can take 6 to 10 years to become proficient in BJJ, with at least three weekly sessions and more regularity.

If you are not actively involved in BJJ training, earning any BJJ rank, such as the blue, purple, brown, or black belt, would be extremely tough.

Even a stripe on your belt will be complex. You cannot improve your skills unless you put in the effort and consistently train jiu-jitsu. As well as participating in competitions regularly during that time.

Tips for Beginning Jiu-Jitsu Properly

how many chokes are there in bjj

You’re interested in learning more about how to begin your jiu-jitsu training properly. The following recommendations are for those embarking on a lengthy BJJ training journey.

Admit That BJJ Schools Are Different

Source: Chris Matakas

There are many Brazilian jiu-jitsu schools near you because nowadays, BJJ is everywhere. However, each one has her theory and strategy for practicing jiu-jitsu.

As a result, as a novice student who wishes to enroll in a training school. It would help if you did preliminary research to find a reputable school in your area.

Choosing a Good Jiu-Jitsu Coach Is So Important

Source: Tristar Gym

The instructor is essential for BJJ novices since he is the first person who introduces the Brazilian jiu-jitsu martial art to those who have never seen it before.

Meanwhile, suppose your teacher is not an experienced fighter. In that case, you will, regrettably, not get the results you want from your training sessions.

And, more often than not, you will decide to stop BJJ training in this situation. As a result, if you want to learn Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you must look for a competent instructor in your area.

Learn to Survive, Don’t Quit In the First Month

Source: Stephan Kesting

It is challenging for a beginner BJJ practitioner who has just recently begun jiu-jitsu training to withstand sparring.

However, beginners should learn how to survive against a more experienced BJJ practitioner in various positions;

Like the closed guard, full mountside control, back control, and so on as they progress through the ranks.

Everything will be fine if you get through this stage; you will grow to enjoy BJJ training more and more each day.

Your Jiu-Jitsu Teammate Matter

Source: Caique – Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

The quality of your jiu-jitsu training partners significantly impacts your overall BJJ skill level.

As a beginner, you must develop a solid connection with them based on mutual respect and sharing of information.

Don’t Be a Stinky BJJ Practitioner

Source: Breathe and Flow

Dressing appropriately – and freshly cleaned – for BJJ training sessions is considerate to your other students.

And you certainly don’t want to be known as the “Stinky BJJ Guy.”

But, of course, you don’t, so make sure you arrive at class in clean, well-fitting clothing and smell good.

Train BJJ Injury-Free

Source: Chewjitsu

To be a good jiu-jitsu practitioner, you must protect yourself and your teammate from injury.

  • You don’t need to make foolish jiu-jitsu moves.
  • Tap out if you feel it’s necessary. 
  • Remove any of your jewelry before starting training.

Respect the BJJ Rank

Source: ROYDEAN

BJJ rank measures the amount of experience a practitioner has acquired in the sport.

The belt ranks in jiu-jitsu go from the beginner levels of white and blue belts through the intermediate levels of purple and, ultimately, the advanced rankings of brown and black.

As a beginner, you should respect the Brazilian jiu-jitsu rank.

Communicate for a Healthy BJJ Environment

Source: JRE Clips

As a jiu-jitsu novice, you must communicate and seek assistance from your experienced teammates if you cannot figure out how to perform a technique or resolve a problem.

Always Improve Your Jiu-Jitsu

As a novice in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, you will need to put in some work to improve your BJJ skills. As a result, you should adhere to the fundamentals and principles of BJJ.

And to do this, you must practice BJJ martial arts at least three times each week.

Compete at BJJ Tournaments

You should participate in Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitions to improve your skills. Although, A tournament may be a practical component of BJJ training for any student.

Competitions can enhance your knowledge of Jiu-jitsu fundamentals, technique, submissions, and other aspects of this fantastic art.

Conclusion

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling martial art where two practitioners takedown and submit each other. They can employ joint lock, choke, and many other submission techniques.

Beginners in Brazilian jiu-jitsu frequently find it challenging to get started. However, martial arts training has many advantages, and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done emotionally and physically.

From the standpoint of advantages, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training is a fantastic method to make a big difference in the lives of individuals who participate.

In addition to being quite helpful, BJJ is a beautiful method of simultaneously strengthening and toning every muscle in the body.

In contrast, beginning jiu-jitsu training requires a modest degree of guts, mainly if you are inexperienced with the sport.

Furthermore, any ordinary person can begin training in jiu-jitsu at any age, even 40 or older. Therefore, your age does not matter when you start training.

Beginning BJJ martial arts training at any age will positively impact your life, regardless of your age.

On the other hand, some people are wary about practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because they are concerned about their egos.

Remember the tips and suggestions above to get your Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training on the right foot.