Top 10 Questions For Your First Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Class

Ryron and Rener Gracie answer the 10 most common questions asked by new students prior to their first BJJ class:
1) What's the difference between jiu-jitsu and every other martial art?
2) What if I don't have any previous experience?
3) Do I need to be in shape?
4) What should I wear?
5) Do I need to bow or call someone "sensei?"
6) Can I bring a water bottle and where do I store it?
7) Who will I practice with?
8) Will I get injured or embarrassed?
9) Can I bring a friend to class?
10) How will my first class go?
With the uncertainty out of the way, no you have no excuse. Take your first jiu-jitsu class, you won't regret it!
When it comes to where to take your first class, you have 4 options:
1) Find a Certified Training Center at GracieUniversity.com. We can personally vouch for these schools because we've personally certified the instructors that own and operate them, the techniques and the friendly culture will mirror what you would find in Torrance. If your intro class at any CTC doesn't exceed all your expectations, you can choke me for free.
2) Find a local BJJ school that isn't a CTC. Just make sure you ask questions to make sure they align with your goals (self-defense, sport, fitness, scheduling, etc), and watch a class before you participate. If you’re not impressed, go to number 3, trying a single class at a poorly operated BJJ school could be a disaster.
3) Learn online through www.GracieUniversity.com. We have tens of thousands of people who are actively learning jiu-jitsu online, from home! All you need is one dedicated training partner and you can learn for as little as $20/month. If you can't find a partner, simply check the online GU Student Database to connect with eager students in your neighborhood!
4) If you're 100% committed and want to get off on the right start, but don't live near a CTC, simply email [e-mail] and we can send an instructor to teach you in your house for up to a week straight to jumpstart your jiu-jitsu journey. Bottom line: if you’re ready, we’ll make it happen!
Jiu-jitsu is for you. Stop thinking about it and take your first class!

[@toreth2523]

You missed one: Q: "Will everyone call me bro?" A: "Yes"

[@mmajunkie6122]

Joining bjj is the best thing to ever happen to me bro.

[@bobosmp5313]

I got funny vibes from this bro, thanks

[@lucabovelli370]

Jesus is Fake u were born to piss people off 🤣

[@scottanderson2796]

@Jesus is Fake like what?

[@kaostoxic1487]

@@chrisj1909no one was talking about jesus😂

[@chrisj1909]

@@kaostoxic1487the channel name was that, that wasn’t a statement of mine.

[@gladiator1342]

Love your humble attitude, very classy & respectful.

[@WhatwouldRoddyPiperdo]

It's crazy how accessible this is I was a 13 year old disabled kid watching UFC in the 90s, I can't walk anymore because of arthritis and found out there was a class in my town here in England that have the Gracies visit. This allowed me to nurture my warrior spirit in a controlled safe environment, as most of what I thought I knew was from stuff I'd done in streetlights basically some similar techniques but my executions weren't at all clean. I thank you for giving my heart what it desired the chance to be physical despite my limitations.

[@Lol-mr2eb]

Just recently picked up jiu jitsu and the people at my gym are some of the nicest people I've ever met always willing to help even if it's not related to jiu jitsu, and the sport as a martial art works amazing, way better than I would have thought and from what I heard its very good in self defense situations to even though I have been fortunate enough to not have to find that out personally

[@surfersoldierforchrist5928]

This is spot on! Exactly what I experienced a year ago my first training session. Most amazing experience very encouraging and enthusiastic.

[@paprika5487]

Wow, this is such a comforting message. I started BJJ a couple months ago and I absolutely love it. Everyone is so friendly and patient. I'm really bad, but I can never wait to come back the next day for more training! If anyone has an interest in trying it, I say go for it, and please stick around longer than 2 weeks to see how you like it!

[@tueazyofficial]

I start in 2 weeks time. Nervous but excited.😬

[@petergriffin7121]

@@tueazyofficialhow’s it going?

[@dvrkon7649]

Started about 2 or 3 months ago and I love it. I am trained by Coach Javed in London, Grapplersden, and he was trained by Carlos Gracie! Its soooo fun OMG....

[@Cg6461]

So happy I saw this! Sending it to a few of my friends now to try and get them on the mat

[@ReadySetRush]

I really wish you had a gym in texas near me. I watch your videos all the time and it feels so welcoming

[@Brian-oo6fm]

Just had first class and it was so fun!! Definitely doing it again!! ....it was a Gracie gym so it was the best

[@mrspartan671]

Love watching videos of you guys sharing knowledge

[@cwagner122]

Awesome breakdown about to take my 8-year-old to one of the Gracie establishments and answered a lot of questions I had thank you

[@zareh805]

I just started. My 3rd class was today and sparred for the first time. Got chocked out a couple times but learned a lot.

[@justinpasko3387]

You guys are so infectious it's incredible. I wish I could come train at gracie academy in torrance!

[@lysdexsick]

This family are the Best!!!

[@taekwondomaster4609]

Great video Professors.

[@anushsanthanam1270]

I think one common question that may have been left out unintentionally is about age. Can you start if you are 50 for example. Since we see a lot of women doing this, that question is automatically answered. Tks.

[@fayyazalli1295]

Nice video. Explains it all.

[@lawabidingcitizen5732]

You guys need to come to Hampton Va. I took a class for law enforcement in Norfolk Va. Now I'm teaching the officers twice a year at the academy. You should come to our next two week class.

[@GracieBreakdown]

If after all this, you're still making excuses, you should try pottery instead.

[@funincluded]

Or jump straight into cage fighting, you’ve watched UFC and are a natural!

[@LeonPlayzzz]

What if I have a disability?

[@IckyStickyRicky123]

@@karimsayedd yeah i also have a friend with one foot who is amazing at jiu jitsu last tournament i went to he took first in his division in both no gi and gi and even beat a purple belt in nogi (we are both white belts but he wrestled a bunch in school)

[@mmajunkie6122]

natalioGamer i am blind and do bjj it is easy

[@IckyStickyRicky123]

@@mmajunkie6122 dont be a dickhead :/

[@philippebusinesss]

Nice, i want to learn and teach the Gracie way. Thank you.

[@MrJangoMan69]

Hey guys! I’m joining a BJJ gym tomorrow for the first time and I’m excited. Thanks to you guys and your channel you’ve motivated to do it!

[@miles2057]

are you still doing bjj?

[@dv2033]

How'd it go?

[@ZeroFlowers]

​@@dv2033He got so good at bjj that he quit social media and never saw the messages

[@Drod11z]

@@ZeroFlowerslegend

[@normramirez7354]

It’s funny I joined a week ago, haven’t gone yet. I’ve never been intimidated or overwhelmed until I walked into your Studio but I will show up. I just got to take a deep breath and jump in.....I’ll be tv here soon. I needed to see this video!! Thanks !!!

[@normramirez7354]

Done.....I’ll be there, it’s funny I run into people that do this and they tell me exactly what you’re telling me. I live right down the street from the University too. It’s a dream of mine that will fulfill

[@morenitanegrita8793]

Join us, you won’t regret it!! I’ve trained there since 2017!

[@normramirez7354]

Morenita Negrita thank you ! I’m always pretty confident about stepping into a gym, any gym and work out but when I walked into the University I was totally out of my comfort zone..... which is really good for me it’s a growing process. I’m a older man been taking care of everybody else it’s my turn now. This video and encouragement from you guys has helped me tremendously thanks again!

[@donaldsavage3699]

Good job..!

[@anderandersson5229]

So much love :)

[@davewalters1340]

What if, when I started teaching, (1985) youtube was not yet invented? You guys are the best!

[@nataliaseixas7997]

Seminário aqui no Rio vai ser quando mesmo hein? 😁podia ter um bullyproof camp aqui...

[@stoffe2055]

Thanks for this gonna start in 2020!

[@a_fernandez001]

This didn’t age well lol

[@stoffe2055]

@@a_fernandez001 hell no :(

[@stoffe2055]

a little fucked up

[@TrishCanyon8]

I'm excited to go to my first lesson.

[@taekwondomaster4609]

Happy New Year 🎈🎆🎊

[@metaphor239]

I've always wanted to go there but the traffic is insane to get there

[@titobayaw555]

back then 2019, i tried to enroll in a certified gracie academy gym here in the philippines. However, i do have a broken forearm that was naturally healed. Long story short, i ended shying away from enrolling. Now, i'm thinking what i could have become if i had enrolled instead of being afraid.

[@rockrecon]

Wish all universities were the same. I ended up with a hyper extended arm and broken rib on my second session.

[@Maximo10101]

Just started bjj. Thanks for all the great videos. Peace from Australia

[@miles2057]

Are you still doing bjj? i'm an Aussie too, thinking about trying it

[@Maximo10101]

@@miles2057 yep, 3 stripe white belt now and loving it ;)

[@jxe251]

I am in reasonably good shape but I am 71 years old. Can I participate in Gracie Jui Jitsu without getting injured ?

[@mrspartan671]

How often are you two teachings in Cali in Torrance and BH?

[@logunder4597]

My question is do u show up in uniform or change there

[@shinobidragon999]

Does Ed o Neil still train with you guys aka Al Bundy

[@BMLocal374]

We need a CTC near Chicago south side

[@pinzgauernorcal]

one more question can I train after smoking a joint?

[@kennyb123]

Ask Joe Rogan or Eddie Bravo... yes... maybe just don't SMELL like it when you walk in.

[@BMLocal374]

I’d recommend it

[@jeremydelgado8394]

Where r u guys located

[@dv2033]

On average what does a year of lessons cost?

[@serajeon7682]

I actually don't understand anything, I mean where should we learn and how🌚

[@type2345]

Price, all I want to know is price, no website anywhere has it listed, makes me think it’s gonna be expensive if they’re trying to hide it

[@Snowy0123]

After my first class water touching my back felt like acid.. I had really bad mat burns..

[@carlossantos3450]

Foi bão sô! O Cê já pensou se esse trem bão(vídeo) fosse em português ?

[@davidortiz3047]

I well first like say is when I was growing up a lot of people asked me what is better boxing or wrestling I said boxing it was the most popular sport in my mind it was Gracie jujitsu. A lot people called it gay 😂😂😂😂 I said yes it is in my mind it's was just a matter of option or pride cause some people don't like change 🙄 GRACIE Jujitsu PLAY a KEY ROLL IN THE EVOLVION OF MARTIAL Arts/COMBAT SPORTS GRACIE JUJITSU IS THE MECCA of MMA YOU GUYS Are PIONEERS

[@CaptPostmod]

This is great if joining a Gracie Academy affiliated school. But mileage may very. I get injuries CONSTANTLY at my school, which is NOT a Gracie Academy affiliate.

What kind of injuries and which happened how? And at what 'level' or seriousness are you going at when you're getting injured? (you shouldn't really get injured in any sport... If you do, likely some accident or something bad with the training; ex; pushing too hard, bad movement/luck, etc., but that said, injuries will happen to everyone at one point, although some sports are more dangerous than others, aka; combat/contact sports...)

[@CaptPostmod]

The school I go to does a lot of take downs. So my back has gotten pretty busted up from slamming and not knowing how to fall yet. I bruised a rib during my very first class and had to take some time off for that to heal before I regularly started taking classes. Most recently, I jammed my finger pretty good trying to do a takedown on a 200+, 6 foot plus guy just this Saturday (I'm 5'10" and 180 lbs). Also hurt my back well enough earlier in the month during a different class that I couldn't get in and out of bed.

[@americanzombie1802]

This is what holds me back from starting a class. I’d love to learn basic techniques of BJJ, but I really don’t want to get injured because there’s other activities I do throughout the week that I don’t want to stop due to injuries.

[@CaptPostmod]

@@americanzombie1802 I've had to miss activities often because of BJJ injuries since I started only 2 months ago! In fact, there are days where I've skipped the BJJ because I knew I had something to do that evening and didn't want to get busted up at lunch class and need to spend the evening recuperating. That said-the consensus seems to be that my gym might have issues. I'm stuck in a 6 month contract right now, but I'm going to look at other places. So you might want to try-just be careful which gym you pick.

[@americanzombie1802]

CaptPostmod thanks, yes that’s my fear. Luckily I live in area with about 5 different places to choose from, I just don’t know which one to pick.

[@walkr7998]

QVC style baby

[@adarshchhokar3818]

M8 open an academy in my area!😡

[@JFlo_Outdoors]

I have the drive and the want to learn and practice bjj. My thing is, I feel people like myself, can’t afford the classes. That’s what is discouraging to me. I’ve went to several gyms for prices. They usually tell me to come for a a few days of rolling to see if I like it. I’m just like, yeah I know I’m going to like it, just give me a price. Then after a few days of getting torched, they say oh it’s 200 a month or 225 a month. It’s like man, if you would just say that from the start, I wouldn’t even waste my time. I’ve even tried negotiating and offered to stay and clean at the end on the days I come in…maybe 100 a month plus my help with cleaning after class. No takers. So I just sit and watch videos.

[@astanruslanov5649]

perfect but . . . most people won't watch it. show it everywhere and every way possible, not only internet and youtube

[@mohamedhafizh9201]

i have a question that just came into mind, we've seen people blackout from rear chokes.. here's the real question, do fighter pilot's G test breathing/squeezing technique work(in the sense that i can still get oxygen to my brain to prevent me from blacking out) if someone were to choke me from behind. can you guys thumb this comment up to get their attention. thanks in advance edit:i added the squeeze

[@kennyb123]

If you're being properly choked, you have 3 choices. Stop the choking, tap out, or go unconscious.

[@arianlabbaf8810]

chokes can target blood flow as well

[@mjolnir9855]

No. A rear naked choke attacks the carotid arteries on your neck and has nothing to do with your breath. I have been choked out before and was breathing just fine all the way up to the second I passed out. Breathing techniques cannot stop blood chokes, and does little to stop air chokes. Moreover, with an air/trachea choke, tap quickly. If you try to be a tough guy and fight through a Trachea choke you run the risk of seriously damaging your trachea and or collapsing it entirely. It takes a long amount of pressure to do so, but don’t chance it. If they have the choke, and it’s a friendly roll, tap when the pain comes on and stay healthy. Blood chokes are quicker, but trachea chokes (bull dog, guillotine, Ezekiel, hammer choke, etc) are just as dangerous. Tap quickly, tap often.

[@devinloveridge2164]

Honestly the maneuver pilots do can and will buy you a few seconds if done properly, but maybe a few seconds before you go to sleep, and if someone has a real strong squeeze to the point that they can completely close off your arteries then no amount of tensing up will help you

[@JdawgMMAblog]

#11 can I get a hug? Lol

[@slickcross]

Can I use the rubber guard? Lol

[@phredbookley183]

"Literally anyone can do it." There's this wrestler without hands and feet (for real, and he's quite good it seems). Is there anyone like that for GJJ?

[@GracieBreakdown]

Yes. Many.

[@phredbookley183]

GracieBreakdown So cool!! Didn't know that. Learned something new today :-)

[@gustavonunes8414]

I train at a Gracie Barra jiu jitsu School here in Barra do Garças, Mato Grosso, Brasil. There are some training partners who got legs amputate due motorcycle accidents ( actually one of the teachers got his Black belt after this happened), others who are blind. I can say they can keep up with everyone else, just need to do some tweaks and adjustments to the technics and they work fine.

[@phredbookley183]

Gustavo Gomes Man. That's so awesome. Very cool

[@gustavonunes8414]

Found a link showing some fights kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZ2rlndvfr2saJI

[@BMLocal374]

After the first class be prepared to be super sore!

[@Igoriann]

Reality - Most people are fit and have been athelets their whole lives - Everyone will destroy you for a while as everyone will have more experience than you - Strength and weight matters so much. If you get heavy people all the time, you will get squished and won't learn much - You will go home happier but healthier is questionable. No go bjj is much safer imo and less painful on the fingers. I'm in much better shape but over time you also accumulate injuries which are not good later down the road. That being said, bjj is awesome and addictive. Everyone should try it at least once

[@Razear]

How many people are near-sighted that train in an average class?

[@devinloveridge2164]

Razear i wear glasses full time but in bjj your so close to your training parter that you wont need them

[@devinloveridge2164]

And in the gyms i go to about a quarter of people wear glasses

[@leonasampson3965]

What’s a ctc?

[@GracieBreakdown]

CTC stands for Certified Training Center! We have info for all of our CTCs available here: www.gracieuniversity.com/Pages/Public/Affiliates?enc=NLJif%2bGoAj1XVZySw7xGTw%3d%3d

[@leonasampson3965]

Thans

[@shaneyoung3407]

Anyone join the Winnipeg club?

[@gloriagi9499]

You forgot one of the most important questions of all: Can you wear your socks in class? Or maybe yoga socks, if it's about traction control

[@xBaRtHeZ]

Do you wear socks?

[@gloriagi9499]

@@xBaRtHeZ I do, everyday, but I haven't signed up for bjj yet, so what does it matter if I wear socks or not?

[@litelsnek2226]

@@gloriagi9499 u usually dont wear socks lol , you will be slippery as hell

[@xBaRtHeZ]

@@litelsnek2226 I wear socks cause it give me some layer to avoid mat burns, also I feel cleaner when I don't walk barefoot on mats and the last but leat, with socks my feet are warmer and don't get cramps on my toes

[@Lol-mr2eb]

@@gloriagi9499 generally there is a no sock or shoes rule on the mat

[@BMC11879]

(In my butthead voice ) uh huh huh uh he said head instructor.

[@-adamboommy116]

Really? You don't have to be fit, you won't get embarrassed, you won't be disoriented or injured at any point fo the training? I thought this a martial arts school.

[@gpcm9226]

My 5 year old was raised on the Gracie Games, went 6-0 undefeated in his weight class in 2019 but was kicked out of the only local Jiu Jitsu school because of a jealous/dysfunctional teacher. There is a certified Gracie school far away in Destin, but we can't afford the gas, time, and tuition all together. If Ryron and Rener could find a way to make the tuition free at the school, we would drive hours to take our son there. 8)

[@riyadey7869]

I came here from Shark Tank lol

[@973reggie]

That’s a different type thing if you’re tellin people they don’t need to be in shape. I mean cmon it his bjj or a weight loss program? You have to be in a LITTLE shape bruh..

[@kennyb123]

Round is a shape. You have to start somewhere - you can start getting in shape through BJJ.

[@973reggie]

Ken B. I mean yeah I clearly wasn’t being literal. But other people are there to do bjj. Just like I would say don’t sign up for a rec basketball league if you can’t even jog up and down the court. Other people are paying to do the sport. If you wanna pay to get in shape go do that then go play whatever sport. Sport isn’t the same as general health and fitness, by combining the two you’re just losing out on the best parts of both.

[@devinloveridge2164]

Unless your literally so morbidly obese you cant move then you can do bjj

[@973reggie]

Devin Loveridge okay sure for how long and with who? You can’t keep up if your morbidly obese everybody’s gotta stop the nonsense.

[@jaypeve]

Is there an age where a kid is too young to be in martial arts

[@austingorsy-wagner377]

No the sooner the better

[@juliencharlet3672]

So Judo is all about using strength and zero technique to defeat an opponent? I see nothing but technique and leverage used in Judo nagewaza and newaza. Judo motto: "Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort". - Jigoro Kano

[@riandunneleavy4161]

Yes judo is similar but unless your mad advanced u won't be able to throw someone much bigger

@@riandunneleavy4161 pretty sure that no matter how advance you are, strength plays a critical role. I mean I get the BJJ can help a weaker person do better, but a stronger opponent will always have the advantage, especially if he knows a little bit what he's doing.

[@OmnipotentJC]

Who exactly are you arguing with?

[@devinloveridge2164]

Gran Darf well of course if your the same skill level as someone, but you are twice as strong as them your going to beat him, the point is a much smaller but well trained practitioner can beat less skilled opponents despite the strength disadvantage

[@hdomingues7380]

What’s the instagram of the blonde woman in the video? She is gorgeous. I’m in love

[@devinloveridge2164]

Henrique Domingues 😂