I decided to create this comprehensive guide to answer the most common frequently asked questions about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Whether you’re completely new to martial arts, wondering about BJJ training, or just curious about what makes this grappling art unique, you’ll find clear answers to your beginner questions below.
To learn about the history of Jiu Jitsu, the unique benefits it offers, and answers to other basic questions, read my in-depth guide called “What Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?”
The cost of Jiu Jitsu classes depends on several factors including your geographic location, the size of your school, and how frequently you plan to train. In addition to your class tuition, you’ll also need to pay for a uniform, transportation, and other expenses. In my in-depth article “How Much Does It Cost to Train Jiu Jitsu?” you can read what the average cost of Jiu Jitsu classes is in the United States and learn what other costs to plan on in addition to membership fees.
Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools welcome children as young as 4 or 5 years old into specialized kids’ classes that focus on basic movements, coordination, and playful grappling games. These early classes are designed to be fun and engaging while building fundamental skills, with the intensity and technical complexity gradually increasing as children get older. What makes BJJ particularly suitable for young children is that unlike striking martial arts, they can practice techniques safely at full speed against resisting partners, helping them develop real confidence and skill through actual experience rather than just memorized movements.
You’re never too old to start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and many people begin training well into their 40s, 50s, and even 60s. The beauty of BJJ is that it relies on leverage and technique rather than athleticism or strength, allowing older practitioners to train safely by focusing on efficient movements and adapting techniques to their bodies. While younger students might train with more intensity, older beginners can progress at their own pace and often develop a more technical, energy-efficient style that serves them well as they advance in the art.
A typical Jiu Jitsu class will begin with some type of warmup, then usually 20-30 minutes spent drilling techniques, and usually will end with sparring. How intense the class is depends on your particular gym. Some gyms have a pretty demanding warmup, but at most gyms the most physically demanding part of the class is the sparring. Even lifelong athletes who have never done Jiu Jitsu before will be gassed at the end of their first sparring session because they haven’t yet learned to use leverage to conserve their energy instead of relying on strength.
The good news is you don’t have to be in shape when you start Jiu Jitsu. Most gyms welcome beginners to go at their own pace, especially in the beginning, and it’s very common for students to need to lose weight to lose quite a bit during their first year of training, especially if they are eating a healthy diet to support their training.
There’s a saying associated with strength training that goes, “2 to maintain, 3 to gain,” and that saying is also true in Jiu Jitsu. You need to train 2 days per week at minimum or else you’ll feel frustrated at each class that you’ve already forgotten what you learned the week before.
Occasionally I’ve known beginners who are so hooked on BJJ that they attend 5-6 classes per week, and sometimes more than once per day. Training at this pace is not necessary and often leads to burnout. Your body needs time to rest and recover, and your brain needs time to assimilate the lessons it’s learned.
3-4 days per week is most ideal, but if that’s simply not possible, you can supplement your class time by watching videos or drilling at home between classes.
The traditional uniform for Jiu Jitsu is a gi (pronounced “ghee”) made from a heavier weight material, but some Jiu Jitsu gyms are “no gi”, meaning the students wear a tight-fitting rash guard and spats (leggings) or grappling shorts instead of a gi.
Find the answers to all your gi-related questions in my article How to Wear a Gi (And Other Questions)!
For your first class, before you find out what your school requires, you’ll want to wear workout clothes you can easily move in that are neither too lose nor too restrictive, with no zippers or other metal that could be dangerous to your training partners. Some schools may provide a gi (the martial arts uniform) for you to borrow until you purchase your own.
Read more of my recommendations in my article titled “What to Wear to Jiu Jitsu Class”.
A common misconception is that you need to buy an expensive name brand for your first gi. If you stick with Jiu Jitsu, you’ll probably end up owning several gi’s and will figure out your favorite brands over time. For your first gi, a cheap one will work just fine.
For a list of quality Jiu Jitsu gi’s under $100, read my article 15 Affordable BJJ Gi’s.
This may seem like an odd question to people who don’t realize that some Christians are concerned about practicing martial arts due to possible association with Eastern religions, but Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is not connected to any religious traditions. To read more about this topic, read this article: “Is Jiu Jitsu Spiritual in its Roots?”
While many Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners choose to test their skills in competition, competing is completely optional and many people train purely for fitness, self-defense, or personal growth. Competition can be a great way to challenge yourself and accelerate your learning, but plenty of dedicated practitioners never compete and still advance through the belt ranks and become highly skilled. That said, some Jiu Jitsu schools strongly encourage all their members to compete, while others don’t emphasize it at all.
Students at sport-oriented gyms tend to spend more time practicing techniques that will help them win a competition but may not be practical in a real-life fight, whereas students training at gyms focused on Jiu Jitsu as self-defense often spend more time drilling fundamentals but may not learn the most cutting-edge sport techniques in much depth.
It can feel awkward to be unaware of unwritten rules everyone else seems to know about. To learn about Jiu Jitsu culture and know what to expect read my Beginner’s Guide to Jiu Jitsu Culture and Etiquette.
When choosing a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, look for a school with qualified instructors, a welcoming atmosphere, and a training schedule that fits your life – but since this is such an important decision that will shape your entire BJJ journey, I’ve written a comprehensive guide called “How to Choose the Right Jiu Jitsu Gym” that walks you through all the key factors to consider, including training style, class structure, location, and cost.