Member FAQ
Answers to the questions new members ask most often.
”I feel lost in class. Is that normal?”
Section titled “”I feel lost in class. Is that normal?””Yes. Everyone feels lost for the first several weeks. You’re learning a new physical language while also trying to manage the discomfort of close contact with strangers. The format will start clicking around class 5-10. The positions will start making sense around month 2-3. This is not a failure of your learning. It’s how the process works.
”When should I start rolling live?”
Section titled “”When should I start rolling live?””The structured games you play from day one are live grappling, just with rules and constraints that keep things focused. Open rolling (less structured, more free-form) is introduced after your first few classes once coaches have seen how you train.
Some people are ready right away. Others need a few sessions to calibrate their intensity and learn to be safe training partners. This isn’t a judgment on your ability. It’s about protecting everyone in the room. During your first classes, coaches will pair you with experienced training partners who can keep both of you safe. As you demonstrate that you can train at an appropriate intensity, your training options open up.
”How often should I train?”
Section titled “”How often should I train?””Two to three times per week is the minimum for consistent progress. Three to four times per week is ideal for most people. Listen to your body. If you’re constantly exhausted or picking up nagging injuries, you might need more rest days, not more training days.
Consistency matters more than volume. Three times a week for a year beats five times a week for three months.
”What if I’m too old/heavy/inflexible?”
Section titled “”What if I’m too old/heavy/inflexible?””You’re not. We’ve had members start in their 50s, members who weigh over 250 pounds, and members who can’t touch their toes. Grappling adapts to your body. You’ll develop a style that works for your attributes, not despite them.
The only real constraint is health. If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to exercise, check with your doctor first. Otherwise, show up.
”Should I watch YouTube tutorials?”
Section titled “”Should I watch YouTube tutorials?””It depends. Most online content teaches step-by-step sequences, which is a different approach from how we train. If you watch tutorials, focus on understanding the concepts behind what’s being shown rather than memorizing the steps. Our recommended resources (Submeta, BJJ Mental Models podcast) align with concept-based learning. See content recommendations for specifics.
”How long until I get my blue belt?”
Section titled “”How long until I get my blue belt?””This is the wrong question, but it’s the most common one, so here’s an honest answer.
Most people at GJJ earn their blue belt somewhere between 18 months and 3 years of consistent training. The variation is huge because it depends on training frequency, athletic background, learning speed, and how you define “consistent.”
The better question: can you survive from bad positions, retain your guard under pressure, attempt sweeps and submissions with some success, and be a training partner that people enjoy rolling with? When all of those are true, you’re in the conversation.
We don’t promote based on time served, competition results, or attendance. We promote based on movement quality, understanding of concepts, and how you contribute to the training environment.
”What’s the difference between fundamentals and advanced?”
Section titled “”What’s the difference between fundamentals and advanced?””Fundamentals covers the core positions, concepts, and mechanics that every grappler needs. The format is game-based with multiple positions covered per class. Every topic is taught from both sides.
Advanced goes deeper into single positions over multi-week blocks. It assumes you have a baseline of movement quality and positional awareness. The concepts are more nuanced, the games are more specific, and there’s more detail on systems and counter-to-counter sequences.
There’s no formal gate. When you’re comfortable with the fundamentals format and want more depth, start attending advanced classes. Talk to a coach if you’re not sure.
”I got tapped by someone smaller/newer. What happened?”
Section titled “”I got tapped by someone smaller/newer. What happened?””Congratulations. The system is working.
Jiu jitsu is specifically designed so that technique and leverage overcome size and strength. If someone smaller or less experienced catches you, it means they executed better mechanics in that moment. That’s the whole point.
This will happen regularly for your entire grappling career. Higher-ranked grapplers get caught by lower-ranked ones all the time, especially when they’re working on new skills and taking risks. If you’re never getting caught, you’re probably not taking enough risks.
”Can I train if I’m sore?”
Section titled “”Can I train if I’m sore?””General muscle soreness: yes, warm up carefully. Grappling soreness often feels worse before class and better during. Joint pain, sharp pain, or swelling: no. See the injury management section in How We Train.
”Do I need to do strength and conditioning?”
Section titled “”Do I need to do strength and conditioning?””Not to start. The grappling itself is a great workout and will build functional strength. As you progress, supplemental strength work (especially for grip, core, and hips) can help. But it’s never required, and it should never replace mat time.