If you have been thinking about starting Jiu Jitsu but are not sure what to expect, this article is for you. We want to give you a clear picture of what actually happens when a new adult walks through our doors at Odyssey, from the first phone call to the first three months on the mat.
How We Help Beginners at Odyssey Jiu Jitsu Before They Even Step on the Mat
We have worked hard to build a welcoming, professional, beginner-friendly environment, and that starts before your first class. When you reach out to us, you will speak with our Gym Manager Kim, who will help you take care of your waiver and get you booked in for a free trial class. There is no pressure and no complicated process.
We also have a wide range of trial uniforms available, so you do not need to buy anything before you know whether Jiu Jitsu is right for you. Showing up in borrowed gear is completely normal here, and nobody will think twice about it.
What Happens in Your First Class
We ask new members to arrive about ten minutes before class starts. One of our coaching team will take you on a quick tour of the gym so you know where the changing rooms, cubbies, showers, and restrooms are. We will loan you a uniform and show you how to put it on and tie your belt correctly.
From there, we will pair you with two of our more experienced members for the class. They are there to support you through the session, help with technique, and answer any questions that come up on the mat.
Class itself starts with some easy warm-up drills focused on standing self-defence. We then move into ground techniques before finishing with some drills that feel more alive. That last part is important. It gives you a feel for what live training will eventually look like, but in a controlled, low-pressure way. You are working the techniques you just learned against some progressive resistance, not being thrown into full sparring.
At the end of class, we wrap up with a handshake, and the instructor will take your uniform and answer any questions you have before you leave.
How We Separate Beginner Training from the General Program
At Odyssey, you are considered a beginner until you earn your first stripe on your white belt. That usually takes around 40 classes. During that time, you train in a group of three with two experienced students who are there to help you throughout each session.
Beginners are not exposed to full sparring or rolling until they reach stripe one. This is a deliberate choice. A lot of gyms throw new students straight into the deep end, and while some people survive that, a lot do not. We would rather help you build a safe, solid understanding of Jiu Jitsu first, so that when you do start rolling, you have something to work with.
The Way We Teach Technique to Someone Starting from Zero
All of our coaches are skilled at making Jiu Jitsu simple for new students. We break techniques down into clear steps and easy progressions that help you learn how to move your body and start to appreciate the technical side of the art.
When we pair a beginner with two experienced students, those experienced students are actively encouraged to help, support, and assist in the learning process. This is a collaborative environment. People here are genuinely happy to help, so do not feel like you are taking up their time or getting in the way. Our members are fully prepared to work with new students, and most of them remember exactly what it felt like to be where you are now.
How We Handle the Moments When New Students Feel Lost or Frustrated
Jiu Jitsu is complex, and frustration is a normal part of learning it. This is not just a beginner problem. More experienced students hit plateaus too, and we work through those by refocusing on the technical side of the art.
If you feel lost or frustrated as a new student, we encourage you to talk to the more experienced members around you. Ask questions. Let them help. Our coaching team is also available for questions both in person at the gym and outside of it. There is no such thing as a question you should hold back. We want to help you fall in love with Jiu Jitsu the same way we did, and that means being available when things feel hard.
What the First Three Months Typically Look Like
The first three months can feel like a lot of information coming at you at once. That is normal, and we have planned for it.
At Odyssey, we have built a 14-day onboarding process that runs alongside your regular training. It covers what Jiu Jitsu is, what you are trying to achieve in each position, and how to approach training, recovery, and learning in general. The goal is to help you feel like you are making real progress early on, rather than just feeling lost every time you step on the mat.
Our goal for beginners in the first three months is simple: attend 40 classes. That is it. Show up, have fun, put in some work, and hit 40 classes. That number matters because at around that point, most of our beginners are ready to earn their first stripe on their white belt. That stripe means you have graduated from our beginner program and are ready to move into more serious training.
How to Know If You Are Ready to Start
If you have thought about starting Jiu Jitsu, you are ready. You do not need a fitness base, prior experience, or any particular background. What you need is a willingness to show up and put in the work.
Odyssey is a place where coaches are prepared to support you through the early stages, and where the members around you are committed to helping new people feel like they belong. The first few months will be challenging at times, but you will not be working through them alone.
If you want to find out more or book your free trial class, get in touch with us and Kim will take care of the rest.
