Your First BJJ Class
What actually happens when you walk through the door at Golden Jiu Jitsu.
Most people show up to their first class nervous. That's normal. Here's what your first class looks like from the moment you park to the moment you leave.
Last updated April 2026
When You Get There
We're at 802 Washington Ave in Golden. The front parking lot is open to gym visitors. Covered spots are reserved for building residents, but the bank lot next door opens up after 5 PM and has plenty of space.
Wear athletic shorts with no pockets or zippers (board shorts and soccer shorts work great), plus a fitted athletic shirt or rash guard. If you don't have the right gear, we have loaners available at the gym.
Arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early. A coach will introduce themselves, show you around, and pair you with an experienced training partner. Your partner's job is to help you learn the games and keep things playful.
You're not walking in cold
Your coach already knows you're coming. They'll greet you, show you where to put your things, and make sure you're set up before class starts. You won't be standing in the corner figuring it out alone.
What a Class Looks Like
Every Fundamentals class follows the same format, and it runs about 60 minutes.
You'll start with a quick warmup to get moving. Nothing complicated, just light jogging for a couple of minutes. Then you'll jump into an evergreen game, a recurring grappling game that runs most weeks. You'll be told the rules and paired up. Play, get caught, reset, play again.
After that comes a recall round, a game from a previous week replayed for more practice. Your partner will walk you through it. Then you'll spend the bulk of class on the main topic, roughly 35 to 40 minutes of drills and games that build on each other, with your coach introducing concepts along the way.
Don't worry about knowing the rules
Every game has specific rules and goals, but your partner will walk you through all of it. Nobody expects you to know anything on day one. You'll spend most of your time playing, not watching. Coaches keep their talking short and get you moving as quickly as possible. Just play, get caught, reset, and play again.
What It'll Feel Like
Expect to feel a bit lost. You'll hear terms you don't recognize, end up in positions you can't name, and not win many games. That's all normal, and it's exactly where everyone starts.
What you're actually working on in your first few classes isn't technique. It's getting used to the physical closeness of grappling, learning to control your breathing, and starting to recognize what's happening around you. The technique comes later. These habits come first, and they're the ones that matter most.
Grappling is a contact sport, and the physical closeness takes some getting used to. You'll be in close quarters with a stranger, trying to figure out what's happening while also remembering to breathe. Some people are comfortable with this right away. Others need a few classes. Either way is completely fine.
A common instinct is to stop and figure out the "right" answer before moving. Resist that. Just play. Jiu jitsu makes more sense through your body than through your brain, especially on day one. The understanding comes from doing, not from thinking about doing.
You'll probably feel gassed before the hour is up. That's expected. If you need to take a round off, do it. No one will think less of you. If you find yourself sitting out a lot, try dialing your intensity down. Most beginners gas out because they're going harder than they need to.
At some point, someone will catch you in a submission. When something hurts, feels wrong, or you're just not sure what's happening, tap. Pat your partner, pat the mat, or say "tap." Your partner will let go immediately. Tapping isn't losing. It's what lets everyone train again tomorrow. You'll tap a lot in your first class, and so does everyone else, including the coaches.
Between rounds, coaches will check in with you. If you're confused about a game's rules, ask before the next round starts. During the round itself, just play. It's okay to not know what you're doing.
You don't need to be in shape first
There's no way to get in jiu jitsu shape without doing jiu jitsu. The grappling itself is the workout, and it will build your conditioning over time. Show up as you are.
Your First Few Weeks
For your first 10 classes or so, we'll pair you with experienced training partners who can keep both of you safe. This is standard for all new members regardless of athletic background. It's how we ease everyone in. Grappling is a contact sport where two people are trusting each other with their bodies, and your experienced partners will help you learn to manage intensity while keeping things safe for everyone.
Your second class will feel about 50% less chaotic than your first. By your fifth class, you'll know the format and start focusing on the actual grappling instead of just orienting yourself to a new sport.
Jiu jitsu improvement isn't linear. It looks more like a staircase with long flat sections and sudden jumps. The flat sections are where the work happens. The jumps are when it clicks. Everyone feels lost for the first several weeks. The format starts clicking around class 5 to 10. The positions start making sense around month 2 to 3. This isn't a failure of your learning. It's how the process works.
You'll fit right in
Every member in the room was new once. Most of them remember what it felt like. They've been asked to show you how playful we are, not how effective they can be on you.
After Class
After the last round, we line up, bow out to each other, and dap everyone up. Grab a coach if you have questions or want to talk about your experience. If you're interested in signing up, ask about the intro promo. It's only available day-of, so don't wait on it.
Still Have Questions?
Do I need to be in shape?
No. There is no way to get in jiu jitsu shape without doing jiu jitsu. The training itself will build your conditioning. Show up as you are and the fitness will come.
Will I get hurt?
Minor bumps and soreness are part of any contact sport, but our structured class format and experienced training partners are specifically designed to keep new members safe. You control the intensity, and you can always tap or sit out a round.
What if I'm too old, too heavy, or not flexible enough?
You're not. We've had members start in their 50s, members over 250 pounds, and members who can't touch their toes. Grappling adapts to your body. You'll develop a style that works for your attributes, not despite them.
Can I just watch the first time?
You can, but we'd encourage you to jump in. The class is designed for people with zero experience, and your training partner will guide you through everything. You'll learn more in one round of playing than in an hour of watching.
How often should I come?
Two to three times per week is the minimum for consistent progress. Three to four is ideal for most people. Consistency matters more than volume. Three times a week for a year beats five times a week for three months.
Want to Know More?
Totally optional. Just if you're curious.
Ready to Try It?
Your first class is free. No experience, no gear, no commitment required.