Never trained before
Start here
No experience needed — we welcome everyone regardless of your level or athleticism. Here is exactly what happens, so there are no surprises.
How it works
No experience needed, whatever your level or athleticism.
Four steps
from here to the mat
Book your free week
Fill in the form, pick a start date, and we'll confirm. Four consecutive days, no cost, no card.
Sign your waiver
We'll email it to you with your confirmation. Sign it before your first class so your first day starts on the mat.
Arrive ten minutes early
622 Edmonton Trail N.E., 3rd Floor. Street parking around the building, entry at the front.
Do the Fundamentals class
Tuesday or Thursday at 6:00 PM. Thirty minutes built for people who have never done this before.
Your first class
What actually happens
Three parts, and nobody is going to throw you into a fight.
Warm-up. Movement drills, mostly on the ground. Awkward the first time, familiar by the third.
Technique. The instructor shows a position or a sequence, then you partner with someone experienced and practise it at different levels of resistance. This is the bulk of the class and it is where you actually learn.
Rolling, optional. Live training against a resisting partner. We prefer and encourage new students not to roll during their first month or two. If you really want to, we'll pair you up with an instructor or an experienced member who can control the pace.
What to bring
- Athletic shorts or pants — no zips, buttons, or pockets ideally
- A t-shirt with sleeves — sleeveless is not allowed
- A water bottle
- Flip-flops or sandals for walking off the mat
- Trimmed fingernails and toenails
- No jewellery, no watch
You do not need a gi to start, and we can lend you one for gi classes. Don't buy anything before your first class. If you decide to stick around, we'll point you at gear that is actually worth the money.
The honest version
What stops people,
and why it shouldn't
“I'm not athletic enough”
You don't need to be. We welcome everyone regardless of level or athleticism. The movements are unfamiliar to everyone at first, which is why the first class is tiring for the whole room — that fades within a couple of weeks.
“I'll get hurt”
New students learn technique before they spar, and when they do roll it is with instructors or experienced members who have the control to keep it safe. Tapping early is not a failure — it is the mechanism that makes the whole thing work.
“Everyone will be better than me”
Everyone will be better than you. That is exactly the point, and it is temporary — you learn fastest from people further along than you are.
“I'm too old”
Jiu-jitsu is built on leverage rather than athleticism, which is precisely why it works for people who are not the biggest or fastest in the room.
Beginner questions
Something not covered? Just ask.
Everything else
What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art adapted from Japanese Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie family, mainly Helio and Carlos Gracie. The Gracie brothers developed a comprehensive fighting system built on technique, timing, and leverage rather than strength and athleticism. Using these principles, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was born as a self-defence martial art, allowing individuals to defeat bigger and stronger opponents.
Do I need to be in shape before I start training?
No. You do not need to be in shape before you start. We welcome adults of all fitness levels and you can begin at any experience level. If you want more one-on-one attention, private classes are available. You can also try a free week to see if it is a good fit.
What can I expect at my first class?
All you need is athletic wear — pants or shorts and a t-shirt (sleeveless is not allowed). We start class with a warm-up, followed by technical instruction, and finish with an optional rolling session. New students usually review technique at the end; if they decide to roll, they only do so with advanced students or instructors who have more control and can help prevent accidental injuries.
Do I need to buy a gi to start?
No. Shorts or athletic pants and a t-shirt are all you need to begin, and we can lend you a gi for gi classes while you decide whether to commit. Gi training runs from October to the end of April on Mondays and Tuesdays; May to September is no-gi only. When you are ready to buy your own we are happy to recommend where.
What colour gi can I wear?
White, blue (light or dark), or black. We do not require a branded uniform or a particular manufacturer, but we do ask that you stick to those three colours — no camo, no green, no unusual patterns. If you already own a gi in one of those colours, wear it.
What should I bring to my first jiu-jitsu class?
Athletic shorts or pants, a t-shirt with sleeves, a water bottle, and flip-flops or sandals for walking off the mat. Trim your nails and remove any jewellery. That is genuinely all you need.
Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu safe for beginners?
Yes, when it is taught properly. New students at Wiley Jiu-Jitsu YYC learn technique before they spar, and when they do roll it is with instructors or experienced students who have the control to keep it safe. Tapping early and often is normal and expected — it is how everyone learns. Tell your instructor about any injury or medical condition before class and we will adapt.
How often should I train as a beginner?
Two to three classes a week is the sweet spot for most new students. It is frequent enough to build real skill and light enough that your body adapts without burning out. Consistency over months matters far more than intensity in any single week.
What is the difference between gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu?
In gi jiu-jitsu you wear a traditional uniform and can grip the fabric, which rewards patience and precise grip control. In no-gi you wear shorts and a rash guard, grips are on the body only, and the pace is faster. At Wiley Jiu-Jitsu YYC we train both on a seasonal pattern: October to the end of April is gi on Mondays and Tuesdays and no-gi on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and May to September is no-gi only. Beginners can start with either.
Can I try a class before I commit?
Yes. If you have never trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu before, you get a free week — four consecutive days of training, no credit card and no obligation. If you already train elsewhere, a $30 drop-in is the right route in.
I am nervous about starting. Is that normal?
Completely normal. Nobody expects you to know anything on day one, and we run a safety-first room that welcomes everyone regardless of experience or athletic ability. Come and do a Fundamentals class on a Tuesday or Thursday — it exists for exactly this.
Do I need to be flexible to do jiu-jitsu?
No. Flexibility helps in some positions but it is not a prerequisite, and it improves on its own as you train. Technique, timing, and leverage do far more work than flexibility does.
Beginning
Four days.
No cost. No pressure.
The hardest part is walking through the door the first time. After that it gets considerably easier.