Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.