Welcome to the Mats
First things first: Relax. Every single person at our club, including our black belt instructor, had a first day. We remember what it felt like to be new. At Diss BJJ, our priority is to create a safe, friendly, and supportive environment where everyone can learn and grow, regardless of their starting point. You don't need any prior experience, just a willingness to learn.
What to Expect in Your First Class
Our beginner classes all have a specific aim and are well structured to suit that aim so you will easily get the hang of things:
1. The Warm-Up
Our warm ups start light and are always both progressive & specific. The aim is to prepare the mind and body for the demands to follow in turn reducing the risk of injury and increasing performance. Grappling specific movements and drills are always involved but don't worry, if they are new to you, just follow along & do your best. We'll guide you through it!
2. Teach & Develop
Next, your instructor will begin to teach & coach towards the main aim of the class. You will be shown a demonstration & breakdown of the technique/sequence as well as having the principles explained behind what makes it work.
For this part you will work in 2's & 3's getting to meet and train with different people. This phase is all about learning and development.
3. Consolidate & Pressure Test
As a beginner, your safety is our top priority.
You may be asked to watch until the instructor feels you are ready or paired with a more proficient grappler for controlled light work. There is no pressure to do anything you are not comfortable with.
In this phase we pressure test what we have learned with positional sparring to work out likely reactions of our opponents & find out what we are missing in our application of techniques.
There will also be the opportunity for open sparring but always with the mindset that we are there as a team to develop each other.
What Should I Wear?
We have two types of classes: Gi and No-Gi. For your free taster session, you don't need to buy any special equipment. Just wear comfortable sportswear.
No-Gi Class
Comfortable athletic clothing is perfect. Think shorts or leggings (without zips or pockets) and a t-shirt or rash guard. Essentially, anything you'd wear to the gym.
Gi Class
The Gi is the traditional uniform, similar to a judo suit. We usually have enough spares for you to borrow so you don't need to buy one straight away. Just turn up in the No-Gi attire mentioned above.
Pro tip: Bring a bottle of water and flip-flops for moving on/off the mat. Remove jewellery and trim nails before class.
Answering Your Concerns
"Do I need to be fit to start?"
Absolutely not. Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, regardless of your current fitness level. In fact, training BJJ is a fantastic way to improve your fitness. You go at your own pace, and your stamina and strength will build up naturally over time.
"Is BJJ safe?"
Yes. While it's a contact sport, safety is our number one rule. Training is done in a controlled environment under the supervision of an experienced black belt. We focus on technique over strength, and you can "tap out" at any time if you feel uncomfortable, which immediately stops the action.
"Am I too old to start?"
You're never too old to start learning. BJJ is known as the "gentle art" because it relies on leverage and technique, making it accessible for people of all ages and sizes. Our community includes members from various age groups.
"What if I don't know anyone?"
You'll fit right in. We are a friendly and welcoming community. From the moment you step on the mat, you'll be part of the team. We all help each other learn and improve.
"Is there changing and showers?"
We have both male & female changing, both with showers. There's even a fully stocked bar and a coffee machine upstairs to unwind and chat after class!