FAQ

If you have/had any medical condition whatsoever you should get permission from your doctor prior to any sort of athletic training. If you get the go ahead from the doctor please inform the instructor of your condition as soon as possible. 

Having a decent level of fitness and muscular endurance it is not immediately important. All that ever matters is time on the mat. To get good at Jiu Jitsu you simply need to spend time doing Jiu Jitsu. Training any form of grappling will quickly increase your strength, speed, agility, flexibility and will therefore help you tone-up & lose weight, if that is your goal.

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If you are uncertain about your fitness we will support you to work at your own pace, with partners and exercises that will help you to develop the necessary skills. The addictive nature of BJJ means that even within the first few weeks and months you will improve all aspects of well-being and have fun in the process. In fact, you'll wish you'd started sooner...

OK, I'M IN! HOW DO I GET STARTED?

We offer 3 routes into training with us at Guildford Jiu Jitsu.

BEGINNERS COURSE

For those new to martial arts and grappling we run a regular Beginners Program. This specially designed course will introduce you to the self-defence roots of modern BJJ and use these techniques to teach you:

the 4 Step Strategy of BJJ;

the body movements that form the many techniques of Jiu Jitsu;

the specific language we use in coaching and learning Jiu Jitsu; 

the major positions of grappling, their strengths and weaknesses and where they sit in an over-all hierarchy of control;

and the fundamental submissions of No-Gi BJJ.

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On completion of the Beginners Program you will be prepared & ready to take the next step, by joining our regular Jiu-Jitsu & No-Gi sessions with the rest of the team.

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FREE TRIAL OF REGULAR CLASSES

For those with experience of contact sports or martial arts (or perhaps you just prefer to dive straight in!) we invite you to experience a free trial week with the Guildford Jiu Jitsu Team. We will lend you a Gi (BJJ or Judo uniform consisting of kimono jacket, pants & white belt) and place you with an experienced partner who will guide you through your first few sessions.

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PRIVATE CLASSES

Guildford Jiu Jitsu provide an additional one-on-one training environment, where we can hone-in on your individual skills and needs. Suitable for individuals, pairs or small groups of all abilities. 

WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED FOR MY FIRST CLASS?

If you don’t own a Gi, then gym-wear such as jogging bottoms and a t-shirt will be fine. Make sure that you don’t wear anything with zips, buttons, pockets or anything attached that could cause injury.

IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A GI TO TRAIN IN, YOU CAN BORROW A JACKET FOR YOUR FIRST FEW SESSIONS. 

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All jewellery, watches and piercings must be removed to prevent injuries. Please note that shoes of any kind are not allowed on the mats, if you have an ongoing medical condition please speak to your instructor. After your initial trial period, the only specific protective equipment advisable is a gum shield. 

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It is a good idea to bring a drink with you, you will need it.

SOUNDS GREAT! HOW LONG UNTIL I GET MY BLACK BELT?

Okay... ...where to start?

Earning a black belt in Jiu Jitsu is an incredible accomplishment. The BJJ black belt denotes an expert level of technical and practical grappling skills. There are no junior black belts and the IBJJF requires that a student be at least 19 years of age and recommends at least one year at brown belt to be eligible for a black belt. So on average you are looking at over 10 years and 4 promotions until your belt turns black.

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Your instructor will assess you from class to class ensuring your technical and sparring ability progress consistently to ensure a smooth progression. Unlike most other martial arts, in BJJ we do not simply award a belt by performance of a set of movements. A BJJ black belt cannot be bought, it is earned through years of blood sweat and tears.

Your promotions, when they eventually arrive, will be reward for: 

• Your consistent commitment to training 

• Your performance in competitions (or sparring for those who elect to not compete)

• Your character and the positive way you impact your teammates

• Your contribution to the growth and development of Guildford BJJ & Mauricio Gomes Legacy Team as a force for good in the local community