About BJJ
What makes Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) better compared to many other martial arts?
BJJ is one of the very few martial arts that has been proven to be effective in real-life situations. It teaches how to overcome bigger and stronger opponents using techniques that actually work!
I'm a woman, is BJJ a good fit for me?
Absolutely! BJJ is the single most effective martial art for women to learn. It will teach you practical self-defence techniques that will empower you to have the confidence in your ability to protect yourself.
Is there kicking and/or punching in BJJ?
No. BJJ is a grappling-based martial art that teaches to prioritize control and escapes in any altercation, without needing to use additional force (submissions), unless given no other choice.
Do you teach takedowns at your school?
Yes. Everyone in both the Kids/Teens as well as the Adult Programs gets to learn how to take the fight to the ground as well as how to prevent being taken down, using both wrestling and Judo techniques.
What does Gi & No-Gi mean?
Gi is the traditional uniform, which consists of a jacket, pants and a ranked belt.
No-Gi is when you wear regular exercise clothes such as a rashguard/t-shirt and shorts, without a ranked belt.
Ultimately, when it comes to practicing BJJ, the fundamental movements are the same for both. However, the amount of techniques and the way they are performed can have different variations.
What are the ranks in BJJ?
The kids/teens ranks (ages 4-15), and their primary colours are: White -> Grey -> Yellow -> Orange -> Green
The adults ranks are (ages 16+) and their primary colours are: White -> Blue -> Purple -> Brown -> Black.
Additionally, each belt colour generally requires 4 stripes to progress to the next one.
The time you spend at each belt rank will depend on your level of commitment and understanding of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
How long are your classes?
Classes are 1 hour across all programs (Kids, Teens, & Beginners).
Only the All-Levels program is 1.5 hours long.
Safety
Do I have to be physically fit to participate?
No. All of our programs are designed to help you ease into every exercise/technique. We will never force you to do anything that you are not comfortable with. Our goal is to only make you stronger and healthier, while making sure that you are having a good time doing so.
I am # of years old, is it too late to start?
Absolutely not! BJJ is commonly practiced by people all over the world and by all age groups! It is not unusual to see students who are as young as 5 years old as well as those who are 60+.
We understand that starting something new can be intimidating at first, but we promise to make you feel safe and welcome.
I'm worried about injuries, is Jiu Jitsu a good fit for me?
When doing any physical activity, there is always a chance that you might get a few bumps and bruises. However, at our gym, we always make sure that your safety is our #1 priority, so that serious injuries do not happen.
We take extra care in keeping everyone safe by providing clear instructions and discouraging any aggressive/uncontrolled training behaviour. You can rest assured that we will do everything we can for you to feel safe and taken care of.
Kids / Teens
How old does my child need to be to start?
We start teaching children as early as 5 years old.
We also offer two separate programs depending on their age:
Kids (5-10y)
Youth/Teens (11 -14y)
Is it safe for my child to learn BJJ?
Absolutely! We always structure class activities in a way that prioritizes safety while maximizing learning.
Can I watch my kid/kids during their classes?
We love having parents/guardians around, and encourage it. All we ask is that you leave the coaching to us.
Promotions / Grading
How do you decide when someone is ready for a promotion?
Our general approach is to promote adults and kids based on their knowledge and performance - never on just attendance. With that said, we do factor in any existing learning, physical or other hidden limitations.
I already have a rank in BJJ, will you recognize it?
Absolutely! You worked hard and put in the time. Whatever rank you have been given, we will honour it.
Do I have to compete at tournaments?
No. As much as we value competition, we understand that most of our students are doing BJJ as a leisure activity as well as enjoying being part of a supportive community.
For those students that are interested in testing their skills through competition, we will support them in their training and make sure that they are prepared to do their best.
Memberships
Do you have a monthly/yearly contract?
No. We strongly believe in having transparent and flexible options. Life can be unpredictable and we understand that. We allow our members to pause, cancel and modify their memberships as needed.
Do you offer any types of discounts?
Yes! Family Members, Siblings, First Responders & Health Care Providers are just some of the groups that are eligible.
Reach out to us for more details.
Do I have to buy/wear your gym branded uniform?
No. Even though we sell our own branded equipment, you are most welcome to purchase your own elsewhere.