What To Expect From Your First Jiu Jitsu Session

You’ve taken the plunge and booked a free trial class at Gracie Barra Harrogate. We can’t wait to welcome you onto the mats, but in the meantime, we’ve put together a quick guide on what your first session will look like.

Prefer to watch? Check out our video from Head Instructor on what to expect: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTlOQRkLSUY

What to wear to your first Jiu Jitsu class

You’ve probably noticed our uniform. Although we offer both gi and no-gi classes, your free trial will most likely be in a gi, unless you have previous grappling experience. Don’t worry about finding your own gi, we will provide you with a clean uniform in your size, complete with belt, which we can show you how to tie. You’ll just need a close-fitting training top to wear underneath, and a pair of sliders to pop off when you step onto the mats.

Don’t forget your water bottle – there’s plenty of opportunity to get water on board throughout the session, especially in hotter conditions.

Finding a partner

We know it’s your first session and chances are, you might not know anyone in the class. Don’t worry, we will pair you with an experienced member of our friendly team to guide you through the session, and instructors are available throughout for any questions you might have.

After we’ve lined up in grade order and bowed in, you’ll partner up with the same person until specific training.

Starting the class

Warm ups are critical for Jiu Jitsu – they warm our muscles and get us prepared for what can be a physically demanding sport. We believe that Jiu Jitsu should be accessible for everyone, so there’s no required background level of fitness to get started, and this includes participating in the warmup.

Body weight squats, star jumps and jiu jitsu specific movements are all incorporated in the Gracie Barra warm up. Don’t worry if you haven’t done these before, our instructors are close by to help and will clearly explain each movement before you begin, and there’s no pressure or expectation to master these in your first class!

Techniques and Drilling

After the warm up and a water break, we will move onto techniques. Our GB1 programme comprises of three techniques – 1 standing or self defence-based technique, and 2 ground technique that will cover either sport Jiu Jitsu or self-defence principles.

These are clearly demonstrated, and there is ample practice (drilling) time with your experienced partner to get an initial understanding of the technique.

Instructors will also come around and offer support and help as needed to keep you on track and make the technique as effective as possible.

Specific Training

After you’ve got the basics of the techniques down, we move onto specific training (also referred to as live training). This time offers the perfect opportunity to test the techniques you’ve just learned in your first class against a resisting opponent. Don’t worry – as scary as this might sound, it’s great fun, a good workout, and gives you your first taste of thinking under pressure, one of the key benefits of training Jiu Jitsu!

Your fellow members and the instructors are on hand to help as needed throughout this time.

Ending the session

At the end of every session, the instructor will go through a quick cool down and we thank our training partners for the session. From here, the team are on hand to answer any questions you might have about Jiu Jitsu, class times and schedule, our curriculum and membership options.

So, it really is as simple as that! We’re confident you’ll love your first session and can’t wait to meet you at the academy. Make sure to turn up 15 minutes early so we can get you sorted with a uniform and belt, and introduce you to your partner for the evening. You can find us at The Zone at Hornbeam Business Park in Harrogate, HG2 8QT.

Got any more questions? Feel free to give us a call on 07391 020858, or email info@gbharrogate.com.