The Bare Essentials
Often, people ask us what they should do or not do their first class. Usually, we want to talk about Jiu-Jitsu. “You should focus on defense; you should start with mount escapes. Don’t cross your feet from the back, etc.” basically technical advice.
Those things will come later in your journey. No technical advice we give will make any sense to people on their first day. And really, that’s not what you meant when they asked, “Anything I need to know for tonight?”
Most day-one students are really asking: How do I survive this one hour without getting hurt or embarrassing myself? Truthfully, many of our daily habits we learn through years on the mats are subconscious by this point. We know exactly how we like to pack our bag, exactly what time to show up etc. It can be tough to rewind the clock and remember our first few months, before we had figured out the simple quality-of-life solutions to mat problems.
So, if you’re reading this on or around your first day, we took a ride on the way-back machine to remember what we really needed to be successful in the beginning.
Bring Water
It’s the first question we often ask new students, “Do you have your water?”
Surprisingly, they often don’t. Just as surprisingly, first timers don’t always see what the big deal is. I’ll just get water after class, right?
No. You’ll be dehydrated by then.
Okay, we’re exaggerating. However, Jiu-Jitsu is high on the level of physical activity, particularly in the beginning. It’s not uncommon to lose up to a pound of water weight during a particularly intense session. Hopefully, you won’t have anything like that on your first day, but you will absolutely need to drink water one or two times in class. This will keep you hydrated and minimize soreness. While we have water fountains it’s best you bring a filled bottle, and you can always refill later. Please do this every time you train. If you don’t, it’s a mistake you’ll only make once.
Don’t Wear Too Many Clothes.
It’s something people rarely mention, and you won’t think much about after a while, but the less clothes you wear to Jiu-Jitsu, the better.
Changing rooms are limited, and some gyms only have bathrooms to change in. If you show up wearing street clothes, you’ll spend extra time changing into training gear. Plus, changing back into jeans, socks, and your polo shirt will be terrible after class when you are drenched with sweat.
If possible, show up to class in your Shirt, Gi pants, and sandals. I recommend wearing a rash guard under your shirt. If you’re a woman, dress just like you’re going to work out. Shirt, Yoga pants, and a sports bra. It’s much easier to throw on your Gi top, pants, and belt and you’re ready to roll.
Finally, don’t walk or drive home in the same clothes you trained in. You’ll get the funk on your car seats. Place your training gear in your bag and change into comfortable clothes going home. Make sure to wash your clothes and self immediately after training.
Eat After, Not Before
Look, I am not a nutritionist, and some people may disagree. But generally speaking, don’t eat anything heavy before Jiu-Jitsu. The movements in class may make you gassy or upset your stomach. If you must eat, try and keep it forty-five minutes to an hour before class and do something exceptionally light, like toast with avocado or peanut butter.
If you must eat just prior to class, keep in mind that your body will not have time to meaningfully process the food for fuel. Your best bet is something sugary, like fruit, which can give you a nice boost of energy albeit temporarily.
After class, is a different story. You may be exhausted, but your body will need nutrition after working out. You don’t have to eat a huge meal (and you probably shouldn’t, if you’re going to sleep right after). But you should eat something heavy in protein within thirty minutes of the end of class. You’ll feel much better, trust us.
Make a Friend
Jiu-Jitsu can be an intimidating environment but only if you let it. Jiu-Jitsu is not like the local gym. Every school has people that absolutely love mentoring the new person. You just need to help them find you.
If you get to class early (and if possible, you should) don’t spend the whole time acting like you’re stretching. Go up and shake hands with the first people you make eye contact with, everyone is friendly. Ask questions, make them up if you must. If the first person isn’t talkative, move onto the next.
It’s perfectly fine to latch on to someone early, even a fellow white belt. You can follow them around and partner up with them. Remember, you are not a nuisance, Jiu-Jitsu people fully expect you to have no idea what you are doing. Having a friend early on will help tremendously.
One caveat, don’t try and make the instructor your early buddy. They will often be very busy managing the class along with other white belts to look after you every moment.
Better to Be Too Passive Than Too Aggressive
Odds are, you may not know your own nature of physicality in a contact sport. Some people are entirely too submissive, and coaches have to coax a little assertiveness out of them. Others need to chill out and are fighting too hard.
Think about this, the latter people can be dangerous, the former cannot. So, to the degree that you can have control over your fight or flight, try to dial it way back when it comes to sparring and drilling. If you are submissive, people will roll way easier with you, and you can slowly dial it up to where both of you are comfortable with the pace.
If you’re wildly thrashing about, you’ll simply be requiring your opponent to use even more force to subdue you, which they absolutely will. And if they can’t, the coach will find someone who can. It won’t be fun for you, especially if you get a reputation that attracts other tough guys to you.
Ultimately, remember that you’re trying to practice Jiu-Jitsu for years, not weeks or months. This is a marathon, not a sprint. You may come home sore, bruised, and exhausted in the beginning. The truth is, that may never go away, but your ability to deal with these adverse conditions will be exponentially better than your first day. We all started the same way, just as you are today. Do everything you can to start off on the right foot and before you know it, you’ll love the gentle art so much you’ll be converting people yourself.
Additional Tips
- Take a Shower
- Trim your Finger and Toe Nails
- Brush Your Teeth
- Remove Jewelry and Watches
- Wear Clean Clothes (Training Gear)
- Bring Water, Towel, and Sandals/Flip Flops
- Be Prepared For Fun While Learning
- Eat, Sleep, and REPEAT!