Jiu-Jitsu for Beginners: What to Expect in Your First Class (And Why You Shouldn’t Be Scared of the Takedowns)

So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). First of all, congrats. You’re about to experience a world where self-doubt and sweaty mats coexist, and where “getting choked” is both terrifying and strangely satisfying. But don’t worry—your first class will be like any other first experience: awkward, humbling, and probably full of moments where you wonder why you decided to give up your comfort zone for a gi and a chokehold. But fear not, my fellow future grappler, because this article will help prepare you for your debut in the world of BJJ, where tapping out is as much a part of the learning process as anything else.

1. The First Moment You Walk In – Trying Not to Look Like a Deer in Headlights

You walk into the gym, and immediately you notice something: the smell. Don’t worry, this is normal. The collective scent of sweat, mats, and possibly that one guy who didn’t shower after rolling (we’ll talk about him later) will hit you. It’s an aroma of warrior energy, or at least that’s what I tell myself.

Now, let’s talk about the people. You’ll see experienced students in their gis, looking like they’re ready to submit you without breaking a sweat. Don’t freak out—these people were once in your shoes. They’ve just been in those shoes for, like, 3 to 15 years. The good news? They want you to succeed.

So, take a deep breath, smile awkwardly, and try to make it look like you’ve been there before, even though you’ve never seen a gi up close. You’ll be fine—just don’t wear your bright purple sweatpants. They’ll make it obvious you’re new.

2. The Warm-Up – Prepare to Sweat in Ways You Didn’t Know Were Possible

You thought you were in decent shape before, right? You probably jog or lift weights, so how bad could the warm-up be? Well, my friend, BJJ is a different kind of beast. The warm-up is designed to make your muscles feel like they’ve been through a blender—and that’s before you even start rolling (aka the fun part).

You’ll be doing exercises like shrimping (don’t ask), bridging (you’ll feel like a broken crab), and rolling around on the mat in ways that make you question why you don’t just stick to yoga.

But guess what? It’s all necessary. These movements will help you get used to the flow of BJJ, build flexibility, and even work on those random muscles you didn’t know you had. And trust me, you’ll need those muscles when someone’s trying to choke you out in the middle of a roll.

3. The Technique – Welcome to the World of ‘I’m Going to Forget This in 2 Minutes’

So, you’ve made it through the warm-up, and now it’s time to learn technique. This is where you start to understand that BJJ is not about strength, it’s about leverage, timing, and technique (and a whole lot of patience).

The instructor will break down a technique, like how to escape from side control, or how to perform a basic guard pass. You’ll watch with awe as they make it look easy. Spoiler alert: It won’t be easy for you. But that’s okay! The beauty of BJJ is that the learning curve is steep, but it’s also rewarding. You’ll probably forget most of the details immediately, but hey, that’s why you’ll keep coming back—so you can get better, bit by bit.

Expect to fail. A lot. And I mean a lot. But don’t worry, failing in BJJ is part of the fun. It’s basically an unspoken rule that if you don’t tap out a few times in your first week, you’re doing it wrong.

4. Rolling (AKA Sparring) – Where the Magic (and Panic) Happens

The moment of truth—rolling. It sounds intimidating, doesn’t it? Especially when the instructor says, “Okay, now we’re going to roll.” You’re probably thinking, “Roll? Like on the floor? With people? Is this some kind of human contact sport?”

Yes. Yes, it is.

But before you panic, remember: rolling is a learning experience. You’ll be paired with someone more experienced (hopefully someone who knows they have to go light on you, because, well, you’re new). The goal is not to win—it’s to survive, learn, and get tapped out gracefully. Tap out early, tap often, and never fight the tap. If you’re being choked out, tap, and don’t worry about it. It’s a rite of passage.

Rolling will feel chaotic at first—like a strange dance of limbs, sweat, and confusion. You’ll think, “Wait, am I supposed to hold this position or should I escape it?” But don’t stress; every BJJ practitioner has been where you are. Embrace the struggle and remember, the more you practice, the more you’ll stop feeling like a flailing fish on dry land.

5. The Tap – It’s Not Defeat, It’s Progress

So, here’s the deal: you’re going to get tapped out. It’s going to happen. And when it does, you might feel like you’ve been defeated in the most humiliating way possible, especially if you were caught in a submission you didn’t even see coming. But here’s the secret: the tap is not a sign of weakness—it’s a sign that you’re learning.

The tap is a beautiful thing in BJJ. It means you’ve reached your limit in a particular position or submission, but more importantly, it’s your chance to reset and improve. Don’t take it personally. Take it as a lesson and a stepping stone to getting better. The more you tap out, the faster you’ll improve, and the sooner you’ll be tapping out others.

6. The Post-Class – The Sweet Relief of “I Made It”

When class finally ends, you’ll feel a mix of exhaustion, confusion, and a strange sense of pride. Yes, you’re sore in places you didn’t know existed. Yes, your gi is now soaked through with sweat (yours and maybe your partner’s). But guess what? You survived. You did it. And you’re officially a BJJ practitioner.

You’ll likely spend the next few hours reflecting on how you managed to get tangled up in someone’s guard or how you nearly choked yourself out while trying to escape a submission. But that’s part of the process, and it means you’ve taken the first step toward becoming a more skilled, confident grappler.

And when you leave, don’t forget to tell your instructor, “Thank you”—because, even if you didn’t fully understand what you just learned, you’re one step closer to becoming the BJJ black belt you’ve always dreamed of.

Final Thoughts

Your first BJJ class is going to be a rollercoaster of confusion, excitement, and probably some mild panic. But it’s also going to be the start of something that will challenge you, change you, and maybe even make you question your life choices in the best way possible. So, don’t be scared, don’t be intimidated, and definitely don’t skip out because you’re afraid of getting tapped out. That’s how you learn.

Get in there, sweat it out, and remember: BJJ isn’t just a martial art—it’s a journey. And you’ve just started yours.