Getting Started in Jiu Jitsu

With the vaccine roll-out and the unwinding of restrictions coming along, people who have been working from home and in quarantine may be wanting to get active and try a new sport.

Jiu Jitsu may be that sport, and if it is, we here at Progress JJ have provided a guide of what you’ll need and where to start Jiu Jitsu.

Finding the Right Jiu Jitsu Club

First of all, you’ll need to find a club that suits you. With social media, you can easily research the club for you. You can choose the club based on convenience, location, class times, and the style of Jiu Jitsu—whether it's primarily a Gi school or a No Gi-focused school. Most academies have a Facebook page, Instagram account, and websites where you can do your research. They will usually post information about the instructor’s lineage on their website, such as who they got their grades from. Their Instagram would be full of techniques they teach, accomplishments of their competitors and students, and team accomplishments. Many academies that are seen as ‘legitimate’ are followed on Instagram by higher grades from other academies and have relationships with other owners, as Jiu Jitsu is a close-knit community.

What You’ll Need to Start Jiu Jitsu

When it comes to what you need when you start out in Jiu Jitsu, we’ve put together a list of items you’ll need.

• Progress Academy Kimono – Our brand new basic kimono, made with the brand new starter in mind, which comes with a free white belt. The kimono is lightweight and extremely easy to dry, combining Progress JJ's style with affordability.
• Bearfoot Slides – When you are on the mats, you are usually barefoot unless you wear wrestling boots, which is rare in a Jiu Jitsu class. If you need to nip to the loo during the session or grab some water, you need easy footwear. Bearfoot JJ specializes in slides and flip-flops at great prices.
• Rashguard and Spats – Especially after the pandemic, hygiene is in the forefront of everyone's mind. Rashguards and spats are usually worn under the kimono to help protect against skin infections. Here you can look at the range of rashguards we sell at Progress!
• Antibacterial Soap – Keeping clean is a key component of close-contact combat sports. There are many soaps you can use to help fight possible infections. Brands such as Defense Soap, Armbar Soap, and Idee Pure all offer great soaps to help protect you against skin infections.
• A Towel – Whether it's to help keep you dry during the session or one for your post-training shower, a towel will be needed in your kit bag.