Let me be straight with you. Walking into a martial arts gym for the first time is uncomfortable. You don't know anyone. You don't know what you're doing. You feel like everyone is watching you. That feeling is completely normal and every single person on our mats has felt exactly the same way.
So rather than let that feeling stop you, here's exactly what happens when you come to your first class at LOBO BJJ. No surprises.
When You Arrive
Come a few minutes early. Introduce yourself to whoever is at the door — more often than not that'll be me. We'll have a quick chat about what you're looking to get out of training, answer any questions you have, and get you sorted before class starts. You don't need to bring anything special for your first session — shorts or leggings and a t-shirt is absolutely fine.
The Warm Up
Class starts with a warm up. At LOBO BJJ these aren't random fitness exercises — they're movements specific to jiu jitsu. Hip escapes, rolls, shrimping. You'll probably look and feel a bit awkward doing them the first time. That's fine. Everyone did. By week three they'll feel natural.
The Technical Part
After the warm up, the coach demonstrates a technique. You'll be paired up with someone and practice it. On your first class that'll usually be a more experienced member who knows to take it steady and help you through it. Nobody expects you to get it perfect first time. The point is just to start building the muscle memory.
Live Training
At the end of class there's usually some form of live training — either positional sparring from a specific spot on the ground, or full rolling depending on the class. As a first timer you'll never be thrown in the deep end. If you're not ready for it yet, you're not expected to do it. Simple as that.
After Class
This is honestly one of my favourite parts of what we do at LOBO. After class people hang around, chat, help each other out. The culture here is genuinely a team. Nobody is trying to prove anything. People want each other to get better.
The Bit Nobody Talks About
You'll probably go home after your first class feeling a bit overwhelmed. That's normal. There's a lot to take in. You'll have forgotten most of what you were shown. That's also normal. Come back to the next class and it starts to click.
The people who get the most out of BJJ are never the ones who were naturally gifted on day one. They're the ones who just kept showing up.
Ready to Come In?
We run a 4-week Beginners Course specifically for people in your position — complete beginners who want a proper introduction before joining the main timetable. Spaces are limited.
Message us on Instagram @lobo_bjj with the word JOIN and we'll get back to you same day.