If you've never set foot in a jiu jitsu academy before, the idea of your first class can feel a little intimidating. What if you embarrass yourself? What if everyone else already knows what they're doing? Here's the truth: every single person on the mats at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Murrieta — including the black belts — started exactly where you are right now. Knowing what to expect ahead of time makes that first step a lot easier.
Before Class: Check-In and Introductions
When you arrive for your free trial class, you'll be greeted at the front desk and introduced to the coach running that session. You'll fill out a quick waiver, and someone will point you toward the locker room or a spot to set your things down. Coaches at our academy make a point of meeting new students personally before class starts — you won't be left to figure things out on your own.
The Warm-Up
Class typically opens with a warm-up that gets your body moving and introduces some of the basic movement patterns used in jiu jitsu — things like shrimping (hip escapes), forward and backward rolls, and bridging. This isn't a CrossFit-style burnout. The goal is to get your heart rate up and prep your joints and muscles for the technical work ahead. As a beginner, you can always scale movements to your own pace.
Technique Instruction
After the warm-up, the coach will demonstrate a specific technique — a position, a sweep, a submission, or an escape — and break it down piece by piece. You'll then pair up with a partner (often another beginner or a patient, experienced student) and drill that technique together, taking turns. Nobody expects you to get it perfectly on the first try. Repetition is how jiu jitsu is actually learned.
Live Training (Rolling)
Toward the end of most adult classes, students get the chance to "roll" — light, controlled live practice where you apply what you've learned against a partner who is also trying to improve their position. As a brand-new student, your first rolls will usually be lighter, slower, and closely guided by your training partner and coach. Nobody is trying to smash a first-timer. The culture at a well-run academy is about helping new students learn, not proving dominance.
What to Bring
- Comfortable athletic clothing (we train no-gi, so no traditional uniform required)
- A water bottle
- A small towel
- An open mind — that's genuinely the most important thing
You Won't Be the Only Beginner
One of the most common misconceptions is that everyone else in the room has years of experience. In reality, academies run regular Fundamentals classes specifically built around beginners, and even our "all levels" classes have a steady stream of new faces. You'll likely be training next to someone who joined a month before you, or even that same week.
Ready to See It for Yourself?
The best way to understand what a first class feels like is to experience it firsthand. 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Murrieta offers a completely free trial class for residents of Murrieta, Temecula, Wildomar, Menifee, and the rest of Southwest Riverside County — no pressure, no obligation, just a chance to see if it's the right fit for you.