Questions people ask before their first class.

No. Most people who walk in for their first class have never trained before. Gracie Combatives, our foundational program, is built specifically for beginners and assumes no prior knowledge.

Training involves physical contact, and no contact sport is without risk. What we control for is pace and supervision: beginners train at a controlled intensity, techniques are taught in progression, and instructors are present to guide safe practice.

No. Class pace is controlled, not exhausting. You'll work at a level appropriate to your fitness, and conditioning tends to follow naturally from consistent attendance — it isn't a prerequisite.

Our adult programs are built for adults of any age. We have students in their twenties training next to students in their fifties and sixties.

In your first classes you'll be paired with a senior student — someone who knows the material well enough to guide you through it safely. As you get more comfortable, you'll work with a wider range of partners, generally at a similar level or someone you're already at ease with. You're never forced into a pairing you're not comfortable with.

Comfortable athletic clothing — a t-shirt and shorts or sweatpants work fine. We'll let you know if you need anything else, and a uniform (gi) isn't required for your intro class.

We'll talk about what you experienced, answer any questions, and — if it feels right for you — walk you through membership options and where to start on the class schedule. There's no pressure to decide on the spot.

Gracie Combatives is a co-ed program covering position, control, escapes, and submissions for a full range of physical confrontations. Women Empowered is a women-only program focused specifically on escaping common threats and dangerous situations women are statistically more likely to face. Many women train in both.

No. Competition is entirely optional and not part of our core curriculum. Most students never compete. Our focus is practical self-defense and personal development, not sport.