Joining Jiu-Jitsu This Year?
Some Things to Consider..
Starting Jiu-Jitsu has been one of the best decision I’ve made in life. It changed the trajectory of my life and I’ll always be grateful to the art and those who helped me stick it out. With all that being said, I will say that I wished I had known some things before starting.
Just Start
Don’t think about it too much. People have a tendency to overthink about all the things that could go wrong or all the ways we are no where near ready. In all honesty, you’re never really going to be ready for grappling. It’s an experience in and of itself.
No amount of running is going to prepare you, so in the end, all you can do is just start. In my opinion, you should have little to no expectations for how you’ll do when you start, the most important thing you can do is just start.
Trial Periods
Don’t go for just the cheapest or closest to your house. While convenience and price is amazing, it’s not always the best options. For example, if you had to drive an extra five minutes or pay slightly more per month but knew it was the right fit for you, would you take it? Sometimes that’s the difference between a successful pairing between you and a potential instructor or gym.
Look for a few gyms and use their trial period for all they are worth. The more you can get out of those free classes the better.
Your Goals
It’s important to make your goals and intension known. There’s a reason why you’re interested, express those views when you discuss potentially joining a gym. You might want to learn Self Defense, competition training, or a fun hobby to get in shape with. Additionally, you may be a bit unsure, which is fine. Understanding what you want out of Jiu-Jitsu and if a particular gym is a good fit is important.
It’s also worth saying that once you start, your goals may change and that’s perfectly ok too.
The Bjj White Belt Handbook
I wrote The Bjj White Belt Handbook back in 2014 when I was a Blue Belt. A decade later it currently has a 4.1 star rating with 83 reviews. Here are some of my thoughts a decade and several belts after writing and releasing the eBook.
DFM Coaching is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!