Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Atlanta.

Not at all. Jiu-jitsu is unusual that way — most people get tired in their first few sessions whatever their fitness, because they're moving their body in ways they haven't before. Fit, unfit, in between: everyone arrives the same. You'll build the kind of fitness this sport asks for as you train, and most people find it happens faster than they expected.

Gi is the traditional uniform, no-gi is shorts and a rash guard. Same sport, different grips and rhythms. Our timetable leans no-gi, but we coach both and most of our members train both.

A few different ways. There are rules every member follows — no slams, for example, and others — that exist purely to keep training safe. We pair people thoughtfully, based on size, experience, and what they're working on. And we coach with risk in mind — when there's danger in a position or submission, we explain it as we're teaching it, not after. Jiu-jitsu, like any sport, carries a small risk of injury. We focus on smart training and minimizing risk wherever we can. We have a duty of care to every member, and we want our students to be able to keep training.

For no-gi, shorts and a rash guard (or a t-shirt that won't bother you when it's getting pulled around). For gi, you'll need a gi — bring or borrow one to start. We can lend you one for your first sessions while you decide if you want your own. Bring a water bottle. That's it.

Often it's hard to notice yourself progressing — but as your coaches, we can always tell how you're going. If you ever have questions, concerns, or worries about whether you're doing well enough, come and find one of us. We'll happily give you feedback and guidance.

Not at all. Most of what we teach is about reading a situation and managing distance — fitness builds as you train, but it's never the bar to walking in.

Both. The class is built so the techniques work regardless of size, strength, or gender — most of what we teach is about leverage, position, and timing, not muscle.

Real situations people actually find themselves in — being grabbed, being followed, being cornered, ending up on the ground. We'll work through every aspect of a scenario — what to do, when, how to create distance, how to protect yourself, and if the situation demands it, how to incapacitate the threat.

Yes, where it applies. Grappling and jiu-jitsu techniques used inside the narrow context of self-defence, focused on the fundamental truths of protecting yourself. We'll also cover when striking is appropriate and in what scenarios — but control and defence are the core.

Both come first, every time. Physical self-defence is the last resort — the bulk of staying safe happens before that point. We cover how to read a room, how to spot a situation developing, and how to defuse it where there's still time. The physical training is what we turn to when those have run out.