What to Expect in Your First BJJ Class
What to Expect in Your First BJJ Class
Your first BJJ class will be weird. Not bad weird, just unfamiliar. You’ll find yourself in positions you’ve never been in, learning movements your body doesn’t quite understand yet, and probably wondering why everyone seems so calm about a stranger wrapping their legs around them.
That’s completely normal. Every single person on the mats felt exactly the same way their first day.
Before You Walk In
Bring a t-shirt, shorts or leggings (nothing with zippers or pockets that catch fingers), water, and flip-flops for walking off the mats. You don’t need a gi yet. We’ll let you know when it’s time for that conversation.
Arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. This gives you time to meet people, sign a waiver, and get your bearings before class starts. Walking in cold when everyone’s already warming up feels more awkward than it needs to.
What Actually Happens in Class
The Warm-Up
We start with movement. Jogging, stretching, some BJJ-specific drills like shrimping (you’ll learn what that means). If you can’t do something, modify it or just watch. Nobody’s judging. They’re too focused on their own creaky hips.
One thing I remember from my early days: I couldn’t do a technical stand-up to save my life. Kept putting the wrong hand down. Took me weeks to get it smooth. Now I don’t think about it at all. That’s how everything in BJJ works.
Learning Technique
The instructor demonstrates a technique, usually something foundational like escaping from under someone or controlling a position. You’ll watch, then pair up and try it yourself.
This is where it gets interesting. The technique will make perfect sense when you watch it. Then you’ll try it and your body will do something completely different. Your partner will probably laugh (kindly), you’ll laugh, and you’ll try again. This loop continues for the rest of your BJJ career, by the way.
At Costello BJJ in Exeter, Luke breaks techniques down step by step. He’s competed at the highest levels (British, European, and World Championships) but he teaches beginners the same fundamentals he still uses. The basics aren’t beneath anyone.
Will You Spar?
Maybe, maybe not. Some gyms throw you in on day one. We usually wait until you’ve got a few classes under your belt and know how to move safely. When you do start rolling, it’ll be light and controlled. Nobody’s trying to hurt the new person. We want you to come back.
The Stuff Nobody Tells You
You’ll gas out fast. Even if you run marathons or lift heavy, BJJ cardio is different. You’re using muscles in ways they’ve never worked. Everyone’s first few weeks involve a lot of heavy breathing. It passes.
You’ll forget everything. The technique you drilled for 20 minutes? Gone by the time you get to your car. This is normal. You’ll see the same techniques again and again, and eventually they’ll stick.
Hygiene matters more than you’d think. Trim your nails (fingers and toes), shower before class if you can, wash your gear after every session. This is close-contact training with people who will become your friends. Don’t be the smelly person.
Tapping is not losing. When you get caught in a submission, you tap your partner or the mat. It means “I’m caught, let’s reset.” Tap early, tap often. Your ego will recover faster than a damaged joint.
Common Worries
“I’m out of shape.” So were most of us when we started. BJJ will get you fit, but it’s also designed so technique beats athleticism. A skilled smaller person can handle a larger untrained one. That’s the whole point.
“I’m too old.” We have students across a wide age range. You’ll learn to train smart, using leverage instead of explosiveness, picking your battles. Some of the smoothest practitioners I know started in their 40s.
“What if I get hurt?” Injuries can happen in any physical activity. We minimize risk through controlled training, emphasis on technique, and a culture of taking care of your partners. But I won’t lie and say it’s risk-free. It’s a martial art. We do our best to keep everyone safe.
Why Train at Costello BJJ Exeter
Luke Costello is a black belt under Braulio Estima with serious competition credentials, but what matters more for beginners is that he’s patient, explains things clearly, and has built a gym where everyone looks out for each other. We’re based in Marsh Barton, easy to reach from anywhere in Exeter with parking right outside.
The people make the difference. You’ll train with folks who remember being new and will help you through the confusing early months.
After Your First Class
Expect to be sore for a day or two. Muscles you forgot about will remind you they exist. You’ll probably have questions you didn’t think to ask at the time. That’s fine. Write them down and bring them to your next class.
Most people who give BJJ a proper go (say, a month of consistent training) end up sticking with it for years. There’s something about it that hooks people.
Curious about BJJ in Exeter? Get in touch and we’ll get you on the mats.