Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that focuses on leverage, technique, and control rather than size or strength. It emphasizes self-defense, discipline, fitness, and problem-solving.

The most fundamental difference is what you wear. Gi Jiu Jitsu is practiced in a traditional uniform (gi), which allows athletes to use grips on the sleeves, collar, and pants to control and set up techniques. No-Gi Jiu Jitsu is practiced without the gi—typically in rashguards and shorts—and focuses more on body control, speed, and athletic movement rather than fabric grips.

While there are variations in techniques and strategies between the two, the fundamental skills and positions remain the same. We recommend trying both Gi and No-Gi classes to find what you enjoy most and what best fits your personal style.

Safety is a top priority. Classes are structured, supervised, and age-appropriate, with a strong emphasis on control, respect, and injury prevention.

On your first visit, please wear comfortable exercise-style clothing with no buttons, zippers or metal.

Shoes must be removed before stepping on the mats, and are required in any space off the mat, so slip-on shoes are recommended. Once enrolled, students will need a gi (uniform) or no-gi attire depending on the class.

For more seasoned guests, there are no Gi color restrictions. Rashguards are required for No-Gi.

Water fountains are available, but it is recommended you bring a water bottle.

You’ll be welcomed by our staff, guided through the check-in process, and paired with experienced training partners in a supportive environment.

On your first visit, please arrive 10–15 minutes early to check in and get settled.

For future visits, please arrive with enough time to check in and get settled so class may begin on-time without interruption.

Yes, parents are welcome to observe class from the designated viewing area. To support a focused and safe training environment, we ask that conversations be kept in hushed tones so athletes can concentrate on the mats.

Please note that viewing space is limited. Non-participating siblings must remain with their parent at all times and engage in quiet, stationary activities that do not disrupt class.

For cleanliness and safety, food and open drinks are not permitted in the academy. Covered beverages are allowed. Please refrain from eating or snacking while in the facility.

No—there is no age limit to begin Jiu Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was developed with the idea that technique, leverage, and timing can overcome size, strength, and youth. Often referred to as “the gentle art,” Jiu Jitsu allows practitioners to train intelligently, efficiently, and safely.

Many students train well into their later years, adapting their practice as their bodies change. Our coaching staff is experienced in helping students train at a pace that supports longevity, health, and personal goals.

If accommodations or modifications are needed, we are happy to work with you to ensure a positive and sustainable training experience.

Yes! We welcome drop-ins to all of our classes for experienced practitioners. The drop-in fee is $20 per class.

If you’re visiting from out of town, contact us and we can arrange a multi-class package for your visit.

Yes—Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was built on the premise that technique, leverage, and timing matter more than size or strength, making it especially effective and accessible for women. Often called the gentle art, Jiu Jitsu empowers practitioners to control and defend themselves through skill and strategy rather than force.

We are proud to have many women and girls training at our academy, including athletes who compete and succeed at the national and international levels. Our environment is supportive, respectful, and inclusive, and we periodically offer women-only training sessions to provide additional opportunities for focused learning and community.

To further support comfort and respect on the mats, when training with male partners, women always choose their training partner. Men should not select female partners unless there is prior familiarity or an arrangement has already been made between both athletes.

That’s completely okay—Jiu Jitsu is a starting point, not a finish line. You do not need to be in shape to begin training. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu meets you where you are and allows you to progress at your own pace while building strength, endurance, mobility, and confidence over time.

Our coaching staff will help you modify training as needed. Consistency, not conditioning, is what matters most in the beginning—your fitness will improve naturally as you train.

Adult classes are organized primarily by experience level to ensure effective learning and safe training environments. Youth classes are grouped by age range, allowing instruction to be developmentally appropriate and engaging for each group.

During drilling and sparring, instructors actively oversee pairings to promote safety and productive training. Partners may be assigned by instructors or selected at the student’s discretion, with staff always available to make adjustments as needed to ensure appropriate and safe matches.

Yes. We offer trial memberships for students with less than 6 months of prior Jiu Jitsu training. Current trial options can be found on our Register Now page.

For more experienced practitioners who have never trained with us, we’re happy to arrange a drop-in class so you can get acquainted with our academy and see if our program aligns with your goals. Please contact our front desk team to get set up.

Most beginners start 2–3 times per week. Consistency matters more than frequency.

Competition is never required, but for students who choose to pursue it, we offer structured support and guidance every step of the way.

Our coaching staff can help recommend competitions that are appropriate for your experience level and goals, and provide focused preparation to help you perform at your best.

For athletes seeking a higher level of commitment, we offer invite-only competition training programs for both youth and adults. These programs are designed to develop technical excellence, conditioning, and competition mindset for those aiming to compete at the highest level.

Absolutely not. You earned those. We respect your time, effort, and accomplishments.

If you’re considering a new gym, we invite you to come try a class and see if our academy is the right fit for you. We’d love to have you train with us!

Students must wear clean uniforms, have trimmed nails, and avoid training if they have any skin infections or illness. Cleanliness is strictly enforced.

Our mats are cleaned and disinfected after our noon classes and again at the end of each day using an antibacterial and virucide solution approved specifically for mat surfaces.

In addition, our main facility is professionally cleaned nightly by a dedicated cleaning service.

We offer both month-to-month and contract membership options across all of our programs, allowing families and individuals to choose the option that best fits their goals and level of commitment. Our staff is happy to review the details of each option and help you select the membership that works best for you.

Any changes related to your membership must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Required notice timeframes are dependent on your specific membership agreement or contract term.

Yes, both holds and cancellations are available. The specific requirements and notice periods for each depend on your membership agreement or contract term.

All pause or cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Holds due to illness or injury are always free.

We work closely with active duty military members to accommodate deployments and permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

Yes, we do!

Active duty service members receive 10% off their membership.

For families, we offer a tiered family discount structure, starting at 15% off the second valued membership, with the discount increasing by 10% for each additional membership thereafter.

We also proudly offer a special First Responder rate. Please speak with our front desk team for details about this program.

Our instructors will always introduce themselves to you. As a general rule, instructors who hold a black belt are addressed as "Professor", while instructors who hold colored belts are addressed as "Coach".

Our academy follows the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) graduation standards, which emphasize technical skill, consistency, knowledge, and character—not just time on the mat.

You can view the full graduation system here: https://ibjjf.com/graduation-system

For adult students, the belt progression follows the traditional IBJJF structure:
White → Blue → Purple → Brown → Black

While individual progression varies, the IBJJF establishes minimum time requirements at each rank before promotion eligibility:

White to Blue: No minimum time requirement (based on skill and consistency)

Blue Belt: Minimum of 2 years

Purple Belt: Minimum of 1.5 years

Brown Belt: Minimum of 1 year

Black Belt: Awarded after meeting all technical, time, and maturity standards

Youth belts progress through the following colors:
White → Gray → Yellow → Orange → Green

Each belt color represents a stage of development rather than a fixed skill ceiling. Within each belt, students can earn up to four stripes, which acknowledge consistent attendance, technical improvement, effort, and positive behavior on and off the mats.

IBJJF guidelines also establish minimum age requirements for belt transitions, ensuring that promotions are developmentally appropriate. As youth athletes mature, they advance through the system until they are eligible to transition into the adult belt ranks at the appropriate age.

At our academy, we follow these IBJJF standards while focusing on long-term growth, confidence, and a love for the sport—not rushing belts, but celebrating progress in a meaningful way.

For our recreational youth program, we also offer a junior belt system. This system allows younger athletes to see progress more frequently, helping reinforce motivation, confidence, and long-term adherence to training while still building strong fundamentals.

Within each belt, students may earn up to four stripes, which recognize progress, consistency, and development between belt promotions. Stripe advancement is instructor-awarded and based on attendance, performance, effort, and growth.

Yes. We are proud to offer KNOXX brand Jiu Jitsu gis and no-gi attire as our official academy uniforms. KNOXX is known for its high-quality materials, durability, and athlete-focused design—built to hold up to regular training while remaining comfortable and functional on the mats.

We carry a variety of sizes and color options to ensure the right fit for each athlete. Our staff is happy to assist with sizing and help you select the appropriate uniform for your training program.