What to Expect in Your First Jiu Jitsu Class as an Adult Beginner at Maximillian
Are you searching for BJJ in Cape Town and looking for a welcoming environment for beginners? Starting your first Jiu Jitsu class can be exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time, so, understandably, you want to make sure you’re in good hands.
If you’re an adult beginner who’s stumbled on this “Jiu Jitsu near me”, we’d love to let you know what exactly you can expect in your first Jiu Jitsu class with us. After all, knowledge is power, and it can help you to feel less nervous.
Below, you’ll find a useful guide on what you can expect from your first class as an adult beginner here at Maximillian Jiu Jitsu. Let’s dive in!
1. What Happens in Your First Jiu Jitsu class
Our adult classes take place in 60-minute sessions. One session consists of three parts: a warm-up, technique and a sparring element. Here’s what you can expect from each part of the training:
Warm-up:
As with any other sport, it’s important to warm up your body before doing anything. Aside from the physical benefits of a warm-up, this also helps you to make the mental shift of being fully focused and present in your Jiu Jitsu class. Plus, we’ll start introducing you to some Jiu Jitsu specific movements or “drills” that will help prepare you for what’s ahead.
Technique:
The next part of your training is technique. Your instructor will demonstrate a specific Jiu Jitsu technique to the class. They’ll demonstrate it slowly and clearly, and repeat the movements if necessary. Rest assured, our patient coaches will make sure you’ve understood the moves, especially since it’s your first Jiu Jitsu class.
We’ll also include a Q and A session where you can ask any questions you might have. Once you’re clear on the movements and technique and how they work, we move on to the last (and probably most fun!) part of the class.
Sparring:
Here, you’ll get the opportunity to put into practice what you have just learnt. Sparring allows you to put your mind to muscle and physically train the moves you’ve just been shown. You’ll get the opportunity to practice these with a partner in the class.
We limit sparring to positional or situational sparring because it increases safety and helps you to stay focused on your objective. There is always a clear goal that we follow for each session. This makes it easy to aim for and achieve.
That’s our three-part training in a nutshell. We encourage you to lean in to every part of the training to get the most out of it. At the same time, we recommend not putting any unnecessary pressure on yourself. But more about that in the next point.
2. Learn Something New Every Time
One of the best things about starting Jiu Jitsu as an adult is that you’ll be learning something completely novel every time you’re on the mats.
You may have tried other sports or fitness classes, but you can expect to be pleasantly surprised by the new, fun and rewarding nature of Jiu Jitsu training.
Every time you join a class at Maximillian Jiu Jitsu, it will feel like you’re receiving another piece of the puzzle. You’ll keep learning and growing, and each time you come, you’ll receive new insights into your training journey.
Watch out for information overload, though! Don’t try to take everything in at once or ‘get’ it all. Trust the process and focus on having fun. Our coaches don’t expect you to know anything, so there’s no need to put any unnecessary pressure on yourself.
Bottom line: Allow yourself to be a beginner (this can be particularly hard for adults!). Enjoy the process and don’t worry if you don’t get everything all at once.
3. A Great Workout
What were you thinking when you first looked for “BJJ Cape Town” or “Jiu Jitsu near me” online? If you’re like many adults out there, one of your primary reasons for seeking out Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training is simply this: It’s a phenomenal workout. Fitness is a very common reason for taking up Jiu Jitsu – and it’s a good one!
Now, if you’re worried that starting Jiu Jitsu as an adult means that you have to be fit before you start classes with us, then the short answer is no, you don’t! Each sport requires a unique kind of fitness. So even if you’re fit in other ways (through jogging or lifting weights, for example), that’s not the same as being Jiu Jitsu fit.
While fitness in other sports can be helpful in a way, you’ll still need to build your Jiu Jitsu fitness over time. That’s why we recommend taking breaks when you need them and not pushing yourself too hard, especially when you first start Jiu Jitsu. Again, our coaches don’t expect you to be fit, and are happy to work with you over the long haul. Come as you are!
4. Expect To Feel Uncomfortable At First
When you try something different for the first time, it’s only natural to feel uncomfortable. Starting Jiu Jitsu as an adult and being a new student at Maximillian Jiu Jitsu will mean that there will be a few things to get used to.
For one, you’re starting a new activity with new people and procedures you’re not yet familiar with. You’ll also be using your body in new ways and getting into someone’s personal space. However, getting outside of our comfort zone is the surest way to experience real growth or change!
Expect a settling-in phase. That said, our coaches and even students here at Maximillian Jiu Jitsu are well-prepared for newcomers. They’ll make every effort to make you feel welcome and help you to settle in. As you become more used to how things work, you’ll start to feel at home on the mat in no time. This brings us to our last point…enjoyment!
5. Enjoyment
While Jiu Jitsu may seem like quite a serious sport to some, it is actually also very enjoyable, and there are a few reasons for this.
The first reason is, of course, that it’s a physical activity, which naturally causes endorphins (the feel-good hormones) to flow through the body. You also learn something new each time you come, which naturally evokes curiosity and a hunger to learn more.
We’ve mentioned that we teach situational sparring. This means that the parameters and objectives of the kind of sparring you do are clear. As a student, it allows you to concentrate only on these. It’s a firm goal to reach for at each training session, which prevents overwhelm and helps keep things simple.
Lastly, you can expect to experience some great camaraderie with your fellow students. Maximillian Jiu Jitsu is known for its supportive culture and encouraging atmosphere.
Lastly, on a very practical note, here’s a handy checklist for your first class:
A Checklist for Your First Jiu Jitsu class
Here’s what you should bring along:
That’s it, you should be all set for your first Jiu Jitsu class at Maximillian Jiu Jitsu! If you haven’t signed up for a class yet, but are interested in free trial, simply click on the button below:
See you on the mats!
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