Frequently Asked Questions

First and foremost, please know that you can ask any of the instructors or students any questions you have when you are here. Cogito Jiu-Jitsu is a family and we want you to feel welcome. However, before your first class, you might have some questions (we all did before our first class), so here are some FAQs to help you out.

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I'm out of shape/have never trained/am not coordinated...so I can't succeed, right?

Totally wrong!  Now, we aren't saying that you are going to train for a month and be able to win gold at some competition.  But that's not why we do this anyway.  Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai are some of the BEST ways for you to get in shape, start training, and learn to become more coordinated.  Everyone starts somewhere and we all know that.  Everyone, students and instructors, are here to help you.  

I'm scared of getting hurt...

If you've never trained before, we promise that we're not just going to throw you into a class.  First things first: call or email us and schedule an introductory class with us so that we can teach you our rules for the gym, some basic movements, etc.  Next: in class, the purpose of learning technique and drilling so much is to prevent injuries.  The instructors are there to watch you and make sure you are safe.  Of course, we cannot prevent all injuries from happening, but we are creating the safest environment we can to prevent all that we can.  

I have never been to one of your classes.  What do I wear?  What about hygiene?

All students should make sure that fingernails/toenails are clipped short, that no jewelry (including wedding bands) are worn, and that long hair is tied back.  Jewelry (earrings and rings) can cut the person you are training with, and long nails can scratch your training partner (and bend back/break on you).

If you are coming into a No-Gi class, wear what you would wear to the gym.  Gentlemen: board shorts, compression shorts/pants, rash guards, tee shirts, etc.  Women: tee shirts, high impact/activity sports bras, compression pants (yoga pants), board shorts, etc.  

If you are on a trial membership, you can also wear this to your first few BJJ classes.  However, once you join, you will want to wear a gi.  Underneath your gi, you can wear compression shorts/ pants, rash guards, tee shirts, tank tops, etc.  Women: we highly recommend that you wear compression shorts and a sports bra (and tank top if you would be uncomfortable with just the sports bra).  It gets hot wearing a gi, and it can take you a few classes to get used to the weight.  

Please make sure that you wash your training clothes between classes so  that you are clean before class.  (Coming to a grappling class right after having gone on a five mile run is a really mean thing to do to your training partner.  We work very closely with each other, so please be aware of yourself and your hygiene.)