We can’t believe it but it’s already been six years since we posted Parts 1 and 2 of our blog First Day BJJ Class. It remains one of our most popular posts and we regularly get follow up questions/points. This Part 3 will address some of these. Read part 1 and part 2 first if you haven't already.
What to Bring
Beyond your gi (or the loaner you might be given) and no gi gear, there are a few other items you may want to bring before walking out of your door. A water bottle is essential. BJJ is exhausting, and you don't want to be relying on a water fountain between rounds. Be sure to mark it with your name as there will definitely be many other water bottles at the academy. We are biased, but we also love slapping a nice Rolljunkie sticker on it to make it pop! At least one Rolljunkie sticker comes free with every order! Flip-flops or sandals are also super important too (see the next section below). Mouthguards are very useful during live rolls. They help protect against heads bumps (from accidental knees, elbows, and other heads), chipped teeth, and mouth/tongue cuts. All of these are possible, if not likely, over years of training. It’s worth getting a mouthguard that can be form-fitted (often by placing in warm water). And don’t forget a case/holder to keep it protected and clean. As discussed in part 1 don’t forget a change of clothes. This change of clothes will get dirty from being placed on your sweaty body after training and should also go right into the wash with your training gear as soon as you get home.
First BJJ Class Checklist
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Gi or no-gi training gear
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Water bottle
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Flip-flops or sandals
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Mouthguard and case
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Change of clothes
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Clean training gear
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Trimmed fingernails and toenails
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Hair tie for long hair
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No jewelry or piercings on the mat
Footwear On and Off the Mat
Skin infection is a huge concern for all grappling martial arts (wrestling, BJJ, sambo, etc). One important rule that helps decrease the likelihood of infection is limiting outside footwear in the academy. For sure, footwear of any kind (with maybe the exception of wrestling shoes) should never be worn on the mat. Doing so brings dirt, bacteria, and other unpleasant things on to the mat which increases the risk of skin infections for everyone training. Many academies do not allow any outside footwear in the academy at all, requiring everyone to take off their shoes at the entrance. No one wants to be barefoot in the bathroom so academies will often have communal flip-flops that can be worn in the bathroom if outside footwear is not allowed in the academy. Buy at pair of cheap flip-flops that will be used only for BJJ and wear them to and from your academy.
Hygiene/Jewelry Requirements
Good academies (unfortunately, notice we said “good” and not “all”) take hygiene seriously. BJJ involves prolonged, close skin contact, and skin infections like ringworm and staph are a real risk in any grappling environment (see the next section). Although the school will be responsible for frequently cleaning the mats, there is an expectation that students do their part as well. Your fingernails and toenails should be trimmed short, since a stray nail can easily scratch a training partner during a scramble. Try to cut your nails at least the day before your train. Freshly cut nails, although short, are sharp and ironically can lead to scratches as well. Long hair should be tied back to keep it out of your partner's face and to prevent it from getting caught during a technique. Jewelry and piercings are generally not allowed on the mat since they can cause scratches or cuts, get snagged, and even damage the mats. Remember to wear clean, washed training gear. Wearing dirty gear is unhygienic and disrespectful to your training partners. You don’t want to be that stinky person everyone avoids training with. All training gear should be washed after one use. When you’re done training don’t forget the "shower immediately after class" advice from part 1 - it's not just about smelling better, it's one of the best ways to reduce your risk of picking up a skin infection.
BJJ Hygiene Basics
- Wear clean training gear.
- Wash your gi and rash guard after every use.
- Keep shoes off the mats.
- Shower as soon as possible after training.
- Don't train with an unexplained rash, sore or skin lesion.
- Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed.
Skin Infections to Watch Out For
Because BJJ involves prolonged skin-to-skin contact on a shared mat, skin infections are one of the more common (and most preventable) issues new students run into. This isn't medical advice, and if you notice anything unusual on your skin you should see a doctor rather than try to self-diagnose. But it's worth knowing the general categories so you recognize when something is worth getting checked out.
Despite the name, Ringworm is not a worm at all. It’s a fungal infection that typically shows up as a red, circular, itchy patch with a slightly raised, scaly border in a ring shape, which is where it gets its name. It spreads easily through mat and skin contact and can also live on gis and rash guards if they aren't washed.
Staph infection often starts as a red, swollen, warm bump that can look like a pimple or boil and may become painful or filled with fluid. Staph can range from minor to serious, so anything that looks infected and is getting worse, spreading, or accompanied by fever should be seen by a doctor promptly. Antibiotic resistant staph can progress rapidly and be difficult to treat so if you have doubt, get it assessed immediately.
Impetigo shows up as red sores, often around the nose and mouth or on exposed skin, that can ooze and then form a yellowish crust.
Herpes is a skin infection related to the cold sore virus that's common in contact sports; it usually presents as a cluster of small, painful blisters, often on the face, neck, or arms. You may know it as fever blisters or cold sores on the mouth.
If you notice any new, unexplained rash, sore, blister, or bump, especially if it’s red, itchy, painful, growing, or oozing, you should get it looked at before training. If you notice someone else with it you should not train with them.
The good news is these infections are uncommon if the academy and students adhere to good hygiene standards such as frequent mat cleaning, only bare feet on the mat, frequent showers, washing of training gear, and not training with visible skin lesion.
Waivers and Trial Classes
Before your first class, you'll almost certainly be asked to sign a liability waiver acknowledging the physical risks of training. This is standard across virtually every academy and nothing to worry about. Many schools also offer a free or low-cost trial class (sometimes a single class, sometimes a full week) before asking you to commit to a membership. If this wasn't offered to you, it doesn't hurt to ask - it's a low-pressure way to see if the academy and its culture are a good fit before signing a longer contract.
How Belts and Stripes Work
Part 1 and 2 touched on rank in the context of etiquette, but it's worth understanding the basics of the system itself. BJJ ranks progress through a series of belt colors (commonly white, blue, purple, brown, and black for adults, along with additional kids' ranks), and within each belt you'll typically earn stripes, small lines added to the belt, as incremental recognition of progress before the next full promotion. Stripes are usually pieces of athletic tap wrapped around the tip of the belt. Most commonly four stripes are awarded to a belt before advancing to the next color. For example, on the first day you will be a white belt. At some future point you will earn a strip and be a white belt with one stripe. Then a white belt with two stripes, three, then four. The next promotion will be to a blue belt. Unlike some martial arts, BJJ promotions are not tied to a fixed test or timeline. They're awarded at the instructor's discretion based on skill, time on the mat, and consistency, and they can take anywhere from many months to a few years depending on the belt and the individual. Some academies are very formal and regular with stripes making sure to give then one at a time. Other academies may be less formal and give one, two, or more stripes at a time. In some instances, stripes may be skipped altogether with the student getting promoted right to the next belt color. The International Brazilian Jit Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) has strict rules in regards to when someone is eligible for a specific rank and academies more or less follow these...[ View PDF ]
If You or a Partner Gets Hurt
Injuries happen in any physical activity, and BJJ is no exception. If you feel something go wrong during a roll, a joint bent the wrong way, a sharp pain, anything that doesn't feel like normal training discomfort, stop immediately (tap if necessary) and tell your partner and instructor. DO NOT try to push through it to avoid seeming weak. Most instructors would much rather pause a round than have a student aggravate an injury. Likewise, if you notice your partner wincing, tapping oddly, or going quiet, it's worth checking in even if they haven't said anything yet. A good training partner pays attention to more than just the technique. Remember, to be safe you should be tapping early and often.
Phones, Photos, and the Locker Room
Most academies are relaxed about phones before and after class, but expect them to be off the mat entirely once training begins. Obviously, you need to be careful with photography or video in the locker room and changing areas for obvious privacy reasons. If you want to record a technique for your own reference, it's best to ask your instructor first rather than assume it's fine.
Taking Care of Your Gi
Once you own your own gi, treat it like any other piece of heavily used athletic gear: wash it after every single use. A sweaty, unwashed gi left in a bag overnight will develop an odor quickly, and showing up in one is, uncomfortable for you, disrespectful to your training partner, and most importantly, unhygienic. Most gis can be machine washed on cold and hung to dry (high heat can shrink them), but check the care label for your specific brand. Rolljunkie gis follow this recommendation.
What It Actually Costs
Pricing varies enormously by academy, region, and affiliation, but a few things are fairly consistent. Expect a trial class to be free or heavily discounted, followed by a monthly membership fee once you commit. Some schools also require a contract for a minimum number of months, particularly larger affiliations, so it's worth asking about cancellation terms before you sign anything. On top of membership, budget for at least one or two additional gis over time, since academy-provided loaners are rarely meant for long-term use.
Expect to Be Nervous
Like with any new endeavor, especially a combat sport, you will probably be nervous before class. This is normal! Any good academy will be used to this and know how to ease you into the routine. The BJJ community is full of great, friendly, and welcoming people. Once you get past your first few classes you will feel right at home!
Conclusion
This is not an all-inclusive list (be sure to read parts 1 and 2 for more information) and you don’t need to memorize this list before your first class. But knowing what to pack, how to handle hygiene expectations, and what to expect from the ranking and cost structure will help you walk in feeling a little more prepared and a little less like an outsider. Welcome to the mat!!
FAQ
What should I bring to my first BJJ class?
Bring a water bottle, flip-flops or sandals, a mouthguard and a change of clothes. You'll also need a gi or appropriate no-gi training gear, although some academies provide loaner gis for beginners.
Do I need to buy a gi before my first BJJ class?
Not necessarily. Some academies provide loaner gis for trial classes or new students. Check with your academy before buying your first gi.
Can I wear shoes on a BJJ mat?
No. Outside footwear should not be worn on BJJ mats because it can bring dirt and bacteria onto the training surface. Many academies also have specific rules about footwear elsewhere in the facility.
Should I wear a mouthguard for BJJ?
A mouthguard is useful during live rolling and can help protect your teeth, tongue and mouth from accidental contact.
Do I need to wash my BJJ gi after every class?
Yes. Your gi and other training gear should be washed after every use. Clean training gear is an important part of BJJ hygiene and helps reduce odors and the spread of skin infections.
How does the BJJ belt system work?
Adult BJJ typically progresses from white to blue, purple, brown and black belt. Students may also receive stripes between belt promotions to recognize progress.
This article is part 3 of 3 in the First Day BJJ Class series. Read part 1 and part 2.