Walking through the doors
is the biggest step.
You might feel nervous or unsure of what to expect—that’s completely normal. Use this guide to prepare for your first class so you can walk in with confidence, ready to change your life for the better.
01. Preparation
Getting Ready for Class
What to Bring & Wear
- • Gi vs. No-Gi: "Gi" classes require a traditional heavy cotton kimono and belt. "No-Gi" classes require athletic wear. If it's your first Gi class and you don't own one, just wear standard No-Gi clothes and we'll take care of you.
- • What to wear (No-Gi / Trial): A fitted t-shirt or rash guard and athletic shorts. Absolutely no zippers, hard plastic buttons, or pockets to prevent injuries.
- • Footwear & Hygiene: Bring slip-on shoes. You must wear shoes off the mats, but strictly bare feet on the mats. Our mats are cleaned after every class, and this keeps ringworm and staph away. Keep nails trimmed short, and if you are feeling sick, please stay home.
Gym Logistics
- • Check-in & Gear: Check in every visit. Bring your student book and leave it up front when you walk in. Keep gear bags and towels off the mat. Phones are fine nearby if your job requires you to take calls.
- • Bringing Kids: Your children are welcome to come and watch, but please note there is no one to supervise them and our front doors are sometimes left open.
02. On the Mats
What a Class Looks Like
Class Structure
- • Warm-ups: Light dynamic movements to get warm and introduce basic Jiu-Jitsu motions.
- • Technique & Drilling: The coach demonstrates a sequence, then you partner up to practice it slowly and safely.
- • Live Training: Beginners start slow with positional sparring. You'll learn to communicate and safely "tap out" when you're caught.
Mat Etiquette
- • If you're late: Come in quietly, put your things in the cubbies, and wait in the athlete area. When the instructor waves you in, bow, step on, shake the instructor's hand, and join the class.
- • Bowing on and off: Always bow when entering or leaving the mat. This ensures the coach knows exactly when someone leaves the floor (we don't want a repeat of the story where a student passed out in the bathroom!).
- • Coach vs. Professor: Our instructors go by "Coach" here, but if you visit other academies, it is customary to address black belts as "Professor."
03. The Beginning Stages
Building New Skills
The Physical Journey
- • Fundamentals: You'll learn practical self-defense and core positions (like mount, guard, and side control).
- • Pacing yourself: Start around three days a week rather than every day. Add a fourth or fifth day as your body adapts.
- • Injuries & Limitations: Always tell your coaches and training partners. Don't tough it out—workouts scale to your level.
- • Open Mats: These unstructured sessions are great for practicing basics at your own pace, getting different perspectives, and rolling with visitors from other schools.
The Mental Journey
- • Mindset: Check your ego at the door. Frustration is totally normal in the beginning—the moves will click with time. Above all else, always take care of your training partner.
04. The Payoff
Why People Sign Up (And Stay)
You don't need to be in shape to start. Jiu-Jitsu gets you in shape.
- • Total Physical Transformation: Training regularly will rapidly improve your cardiovascular endurance, core strength, dynamic flexibility, and overall mobility.
- • Powerful Stress Relief: When you are sparring on the mats, you cannot think about your stressful job or bills. Jiu-Jitsu forces you to be completely present in the moment.
- • Unbreakable Confidence: Learning to stay calm under physical pressure translates directly into handling everyday life challenges.
- • A Second Family: Jiu-Jitsu builds incredibly strong bonds. You will join an ego-free community of over 400+ members. We also have a private "Ares East Mesa BJJ Family" Facebook group where we share technique videos, announcements, and stay connected off the mats.
Ready to change your life?
Now that you know what to expect, all that's left is to take the first step.
Try a Free Class