Beginners Guide
Thinking about trying Jiu Jitsu but not sure what you’re walking into?
You’re not alone; almost everyone on our mats felt exactly the same way before their first class. This guide covers what Jiu Jitsu actually is, what to expect, what to wear, and how to get started at Siren Jiu Jitsu.
Get Started at Siren Jiu Jitsu
Book a FREE Class!
You can try us out at Siren Jiu Jitsu for no cost.
Our trial offer gives you your first Jiu Jitsu class for FREE!
Why People Start Jiu Jitsu
You learn how to control a confrontation and protect yourself if a situation goes to the ground, without relying on size or strength.
Rolling (live grappling) engages your core, grip, legs, and cardio in a way that doesn’t feel like a typical gym session.
Jiu Jitsu rewards patience and problem-solving under pressure. Most students notice gains in focus and confidence that carry over off the mat.
You train with people, not against them. Training partners push each other, and that builds real camaraderie.
At Siren, we built our program around one core belief:
everyone, every body type, every fitness level, every background, can benefit from training in Jiu Jitsu.
You don’t need experience or a certain level of fitness to start.
What to Expect in Your First Class
Every adult class at Siren runs about an hour and follows the same general flow:
— movement prep specific to grappling.
— a standing skill where you learn to take your partner to the ground with wrestling or judo throws.
— the instructor breaks down one or two techniques for the day.
— you practice the technique with a partner at a controlled pace.
— apply what you drilled in a more live, controlled scenario.
— once class wraps, you’re welcome to stay and roll live with other members. This part is always optional, especially early on.
Nobody expects you to “know” anything walking in.
Watch, ask questions, and go at your own pace, that’s how everyone starts.
What to Wear (and Bring)
- Your first class: wear clothes you’d wear to any workout. We will lend you a gi (uniform) for your first free trial classes, so you don’t need to buy one before trying us out.
- No-Gi classes: athletic top and shorts or leggings work well. Please no tank tops for No-Gi, they tend to get caught on grips.
- Nails: please keep fingernails and toenails trimmed short, for your safety and your partner’s.
- Jewelry & piercings: Please remove before stepping training to avoid breaking and or injury.
- Makeup: we ask that you skip or remove makeup when training, since it can transfer onto uniforms.
- Bring a water bottle.
Basic Positions & Terms Worth Knowing
You’ll pick most of this up naturally, but knowing the vocabulary ahead of time helps class make sense faster:
- Guard — you’re on your back, using your legs to control your partner.
- Mount — you’re on top, controlling your partner’s torso.
- Side Control — you’re pinning your partner from the side.
- Back Control — you’re positioned behind your partner, typically setting up a choke.
- Submission — a joint lock or choke that ends a round when your partner “taps.”
- Tap — tapping your partner or the mat to signal “stop.” Tapping early and often is a normal, encouraged part of training, not a failure.
Tap early, tap often, tap loud, and tap proud. We tap today to train tomorrow.
Our Studio Schedule!
Are you looking to start rolling on the mat?
Then be sure to check out our studio schedule for the best time for your training!
The Belt System
Jiu Jitsu Adult belts are earned slowly and mean something when you get them:
Belt |
Typical Experience |
| White | Beginner, everyone starts here people normally have their white belt for 1 to 2 years. |
| Blue | Roughly 1–2+ years of consistent training |
| Purple | Intermediate, developing a personal style |
| Brown | Advanced, refining control and detail |
| Black | Expert — most practitioners reach this after 8–10+ years |
Progress depends far more on consistency than natural athleticism.
Two to three classes a week is a great starting pace.
Common Questions New Students Ask:
Yes. You get in shape by training, not before it. Most beginners notice a real jump in their conditioning within the first month.
No! We welcome students well into their 40s, 50s, and beyond. Technique beats athleticism, which is the whole point of the art.
Totally understood. Siren is a woman-owned studio, there are consistently women training in classes you can partner with, if you are not interested in training with a man. Beyond this, we host a free women’s-only class/open mat once a month, doors locked, no men admitted, as a low-pressure way to train, ask questions, and get comfortable. Ask us about the next date.
Jiu Jitsu is generally safe to train when practiced with proper techniques and under the guidance of experienced instructors. The martial art emphasizes control, leverage, and technique, which helps minimize the risk of injury. At Siren Jiu Jitsu, we prioritize safety by ensuring all classes are conducted in a supportive and supervised environment.
We also emphasize the importance of mutual respect and clear communication between training partners, which further contributes to a safe training experience.
As with any physical activity, it’s important to listen to your body, follow our safety guidelines, and inform your instructor of any concerns or limitations you may have. With these practices in place, Jiu Jitsu can be a rewarding and low-risk sport that promotes physical fitness, mental resilience, and self-confidence.
Getting Started at
Siren Jiu Jitsu.
Try it free first:
Adult students get their first week free.
New kids students get their first class free.
No contracts:
Month-to-month memberships, with discounts for military, veterans, teachers, medical/EMS/fire, students, and families, plus income-based sliding-scale pricing available on request.
Full details are on our Membership/Pricing page.
Contact Us!
Start your training journey at Siren Jiu Jitsu in Newport News! No matter your experience, everyone in the Hampton Roads community and those nearby is welcome to join us, including those in Hampton, Yorktown, Poquoson, Tabb, and Fort Eustis.