FAQ
I HAVE LITTLE/NO EXPERIENCE IN BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU. WHAT CLASS WOULD BE BEST FOR ME TO COME TO?
All scheduled classes at KWBJJ are for any skill level. Each student receives instruction that is tailored to their experience/skill level. This model has served us well over the years as it provides higher ranking students the opportunity to help new teammates with the basics, which in turn helps them to learn how to articulate technique and teach as well. At relevant times there are competition-specific classes.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN I COME TO MY TRIAL CLASS?
Men should wear sweatpants or shorts, like board shorts, with no metal on them and a t-shirt/Under Armor type shirt. If you have a groin protector wear that as well. Women should wear a sports bra, sweatpants/yoga pants and a t-shirt/any type of exercise top. Hair should be pulled up and minimal jewelry (earrings and other body piercings, rings, etc) should be worn. Please ensure that your clothing will cover your body in a way that you will be comfortable with. We usually have clean loaner gis for people to wear for their trial.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I COME TO THE SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME?
When you first arrive you'll meet Kevin and talk a bit about why BJJ interests you, what your goals are (if you have any), what is expected of students (train safe and HAVE FUN!), and how class is structured. If you decide you want to just watch you are more than welcome to observe any class. If you want to participate to get a better idea if BJJ is for you, we will provide you with a gi to train in so that you will get the full experience of what we do. Prior to participating you will have to a waiver to sign and you will be good to go!
WHERE CAN I GET A GI?
We are fortunate to have The GiGrasshopper in our lobby and you can get all of your gear there. Or A gi can be purchased from numerous websites online. Two that we use frequently are www.budovideos.com and www.mmawarehouse.com. For kids, www.tatame.com has great gis. There are sizing charts on each of the websites to help you determine what size would be best for you. Don't forget to order your belt as well if it does not come with your gi!
DO I HAVE TO BE IN SHAPE TO START TRAINING?
Nope! Many of us started training quite a bit "out of shape" and through BJJ lost weight, gained muscle, and started to have better eating habits to better fuel our bodies for training. All we ask is that you try your best. That's it! If you find that you need to take a break you can at any time.
DO YOU DO BELT TESTING?
We do not do official belt tests at scheduled times throughout the year like most traditional martial arts. When an individual reaches the next level, they are promoted- and usually by surprise if we can help it. Occasionally we will hold promotions at Marcelo's (our BJJ "grand-father"; Kevin's instructor) but no one knows who will be promoted.
DO I HAVE TO COMPETE?
Not unless you want to! Competition isn't for everyone and we're okay with that. A lot of our members are hobbyists and have no intention on competing. Some used to compete and don't anymore; some love to go out and test themselves at competition. It's a personal choice and we'll never push you to do something that you aren't comfortable with.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET RANKED AT YOUR SCHOOL?
Getting stripes on your belt and being promoted to a higher belt depends solely on you and the work that you put in to bettering your Jiu-Jitsu. There is not a specific timeline that KWBJJ follows for promotions; showing up regularly does not mean that you will get a stripe every three months because your attendance is good. Stripes and belts are given to students when they reach a new level- and not everyone gets to that point in the same length of time. Some get there faster than others and that's okay- this is your journey and no one else's.
The best way to get ranked is to come to class on a regular basis, train hard on your drills, and schedule a private when you feel like you need a little extra one-on-one time to help you reach the next level. You will get a stripe or a belt when you get there and you will be, without a doubt, solid for your rank.
DO YOU OFFER PRIVATE LESSONS? WHAT DO THEY ENTAIL?
We offer private lessons for both kids and adults! They are different than taking a class in many ways. Many students book private lessons with a specific technique or "game" in mind that they want to work on, but sometimes students don't have a particular direction and just know that they could use the one-on-one attention. In instances such as those Kevin knows exactly what to help them work on to help improve their jiu-jitsu. Having that time alone with your instructor is invaluable and we recommend that every student tries to take a private lesson at least once a month. To book a private lesson, email Kaity, KWBJJ's administrator.
YOU OFFER IN-HOME PRIVATE LESSONS? HOW DOES THAT WORK?
Recognizing that there is sometimes a need for our services to be brought to you, we have begun offering in-home private lessons. Our price includes travel up to 20 miles from Dover, NH. We bring the mats and can set up in any room with a 10x10 space. In-home privates are one hour in length and are taught by Kevin. We are fully insured and for in-home lessons with women Kevin brings his wife Kaity (who is a blue belt) to ease any anxiety. Private lessons can also be recorded and sent to the client for review purposes.
All scheduled classes at KWBJJ are for any skill level. Each student receives instruction that is tailored to their experience/skill level. This model has served us well over the years as it provides higher ranking students the opportunity to help new teammates with the basics, which in turn helps them to learn how to articulate technique and teach as well. At relevant times there are competition-specific classes.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR WHEN I COME TO MY TRIAL CLASS?
Men should wear sweatpants or shorts, like board shorts, with no metal on them and a t-shirt/Under Armor type shirt. If you have a groin protector wear that as well. Women should wear a sports bra, sweatpants/yoga pants and a t-shirt/any type of exercise top. Hair should be pulled up and minimal jewelry (earrings and other body piercings, rings, etc) should be worn. Please ensure that your clothing will cover your body in a way that you will be comfortable with. We usually have clean loaner gis for people to wear for their trial.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I COME TO THE SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME?
When you first arrive you'll meet Kevin and talk a bit about why BJJ interests you, what your goals are (if you have any), what is expected of students (train safe and HAVE FUN!), and how class is structured. If you decide you want to just watch you are more than welcome to observe any class. If you want to participate to get a better idea if BJJ is for you, we will provide you with a gi to train in so that you will get the full experience of what we do. Prior to participating you will have to a waiver to sign and you will be good to go!
WHERE CAN I GET A GI?
We are fortunate to have The GiGrasshopper in our lobby and you can get all of your gear there. Or A gi can be purchased from numerous websites online. Two that we use frequently are www.budovideos.com and www.mmawarehouse.com. For kids, www.tatame.com has great gis. There are sizing charts on each of the websites to help you determine what size would be best for you. Don't forget to order your belt as well if it does not come with your gi!
DO I HAVE TO BE IN SHAPE TO START TRAINING?
Nope! Many of us started training quite a bit "out of shape" and through BJJ lost weight, gained muscle, and started to have better eating habits to better fuel our bodies for training. All we ask is that you try your best. That's it! If you find that you need to take a break you can at any time.
DO YOU DO BELT TESTING?
We do not do official belt tests at scheduled times throughout the year like most traditional martial arts. When an individual reaches the next level, they are promoted- and usually by surprise if we can help it. Occasionally we will hold promotions at Marcelo's (our BJJ "grand-father"; Kevin's instructor) but no one knows who will be promoted.
DO I HAVE TO COMPETE?
Not unless you want to! Competition isn't for everyone and we're okay with that. A lot of our members are hobbyists and have no intention on competing. Some used to compete and don't anymore; some love to go out and test themselves at competition. It's a personal choice and we'll never push you to do something that you aren't comfortable with.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET RANKED AT YOUR SCHOOL?
Getting stripes on your belt and being promoted to a higher belt depends solely on you and the work that you put in to bettering your Jiu-Jitsu. There is not a specific timeline that KWBJJ follows for promotions; showing up regularly does not mean that you will get a stripe every three months because your attendance is good. Stripes and belts are given to students when they reach a new level- and not everyone gets to that point in the same length of time. Some get there faster than others and that's okay- this is your journey and no one else's.
The best way to get ranked is to come to class on a regular basis, train hard on your drills, and schedule a private when you feel like you need a little extra one-on-one time to help you reach the next level. You will get a stripe or a belt when you get there and you will be, without a doubt, solid for your rank.
DO YOU OFFER PRIVATE LESSONS? WHAT DO THEY ENTAIL?
We offer private lessons for both kids and adults! They are different than taking a class in many ways. Many students book private lessons with a specific technique or "game" in mind that they want to work on, but sometimes students don't have a particular direction and just know that they could use the one-on-one attention. In instances such as those Kevin knows exactly what to help them work on to help improve their jiu-jitsu. Having that time alone with your instructor is invaluable and we recommend that every student tries to take a private lesson at least once a month. To book a private lesson, email Kaity, KWBJJ's administrator.
YOU OFFER IN-HOME PRIVATE LESSONS? HOW DOES THAT WORK?
Recognizing that there is sometimes a need for our services to be brought to you, we have begun offering in-home private lessons. Our price includes travel up to 20 miles from Dover, NH. We bring the mats and can set up in any room with a 10x10 space. In-home privates are one hour in length and are taught by Kevin. We are fully insured and for in-home lessons with women Kevin brings his wife Kaity (who is a blue belt) to ease any anxiety. Private lessons can also be recorded and sent to the client for review purposes.