First class? Start here.
New to Jiu-Jitsu?
Start Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) as an adult beginner at Northbound in Côte-Saint-Luc, near NDG, Hampstead and Montreal West. We’ll guide your first class. You don’t need experience or a certain fitness level, and you won’t be pushed into sparring on day one.
You’re not supposed to be good yet.
Most people are nervous before their first class. That’s normal. You don’t need to know the names of positions, be flexible, or be in shape. The first class is just to help you get oriented, try a few basics, and see if the room feels right.
You don’t need to get fit first
That’s what training is for. If you need to slow down or take a break, you can. Nobody’s keeping score.
You won’t be thrown into sparring
Your first class is about learning the basics. Harder rounds come later, if and when you want them.
Most people started new
You’ll train with people who remember their first class and know what it feels like to be unsure.
We make the first visit simple.
You’ll know where to go, who to talk to, what to wear, what happens in class, and how to ask questions. The first step shouldn’t feel like a test.
We don’t throw people into chaos.
You’ll learn how to tap, how to move safely, and how to work with a partner before anything gets intense.
- Tell the coach about injuries before class
- Learn tapping and partner safety first
- No sparring on day one
- The coach chooses partners thoughtfully
No ego. No intimidation.
You can ask questions, take breaks, and say when something feels off. The goal is to help you learn, not make you prove anything.
- Coaching for people who are new
- Partners matched with care
- Women train here and are respected
- Move at your own pace
Clean mats. Clear standards.
Jiu-jitsu is close-contact training, so we enforce clear hygiene standards to help protect everyone on the mats. We clean the mats and loaner gear, require clean training clothes, and don’t allow anyone to train while sick or with open cuts or rashes.
- Mats and loaner gear are cleaned
- Clean training gear is required
- No training while sick or with open cuts or rashes
- Coaches uphold these standards for everyone
Try one class first.
After class, we’ll answer your questions and explain the options. No pressure, no obligation, and no surprise fees.
- See if the room feels right
- Ask questions before choosing
- Uniform options explained after class
- Join only if it makes sense for you
What starting actually looks like.
What happens in your first class.
Arrive 15 minutes early
Meet the coach, see the room, and tell us about any injuries or concerns.
We’ll give you a trial uniform
Bring an athletic T-shirt that’s clean and some underwear. If you’re wanting to try the nogi bring a set of shorts.
Learn safety first
We’ll show you how to tap, how to pause, and how to ask questions.
Try a few basics
You’ll learn simple positions and movements with a partner chosen by the coach.
Ask questions after class
We’ll tell you which class makes sense next and answer practical questions.
Decide without pressure
If it feels right, we’ll explain membership options. If not, no problem.
Questions before your first class.
Getting started
Do I need to be in shape before starting BJJ?
No. You don’t need to get fit before you start. That’s what training is for. You can take breaks, move at your own pace, and build up gradually.
Am I too old to start?
People start at many ages. Whether you’re 25 or 55, brand new or getting back into training, we’ll help you start at a pace that makes sense.
Can I start if I am overweight?
Yes. You can start where you are. You won’t be asked to pass a fitness test before you’re allowed to learn.
Are women welcome?
Yes. Women train here. Coaches set clear expectations and choose partners thoughtfully.
Safety & Support
Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu safe for beginners?
Any contact sport has risk. The point of the first class is to show you how to tap, move safely, and work with a partner before anything gets intense.
Can I train if I have an old injury?
Tell the coach before class. We’ll help you adjust movements and avoid anything that doesn’t make sense for your body.
What does tap mean?
Tapping is how you tell your partner to stop immediately. You’ll learn it before anything more intense is introduced.
Are beginners paired with advanced students?
The coach chooses partners based on size, experience, comfort level, and what the class is working on.
Can I choose who I train with?
Tell the coach if you have partner preferences or concerns. We’d rather know upfront than have you feel uncomfortable.
How clean are the mats?
We clean the mats and loaner gear and require clean training clothes. We don’t allow anyone to train while sick or with open cuts or rashes. Coaches uphold these standards to help protect everyone on the mats.
Your first class
What happens in the intro class?
You’ll meet the coach, mention any injuries or concerns, learn a few safety basics, try simple movements, and ask questions after class.
What should I wear to my first class?
We’ll give you a trial uniform. Bring an athletic T-shirt that’s clean and some underwear. If you’re wanting to try the nogi bring a set of shorts.
Do I need to buy a gi before trying a class?
No. We’ll give you a trial uniform for your first class. We’ll explain uniform options after you’ve tried it.
Will I have to spar on my first day?
No. Your first class is about learning the basics, not being thrown into live rounds. Sparring comes later, if and when you’re ready.
Will I get choked or submitted in my first class?
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu focuses on submissions, but we do so in a controlled environment. Your first class is focused on safety and basics and you’ll be matched with a senior member who will respect you. Submissions are taught with tapping, supervision, and control when students are ready.
Training after your trial
Is this for self-defense, fitness, or competition?
People come for different reasons. The first focus is confidence, safety, practical self-defense. You will certainly get fit by learning a real skill. When the time is right, if you want to enter competition with more serious rounds at the gym or a genuine local competition, we have the competitors at the gym and are more than happy to help you prepare and train for that moment.
Will I have to compete?
No. Competition is optional. You can train for confidence, fitness, self-defense, and community without competing. We have many members who only come to train and engage in friendly competition with other training partners, who never decide to compete in regional competitions.
How much does it cost after the trial?
After class, we’ll explain the current membership options clearly before you choose. No pressure and no surprise fees.
Are there contracts?
Ask after your trial and we’ll explain the current membership options plainly before you decide. You don’t need to sign up for any long-term commitment, unless you want to, in which case we are happy to explain the benefits of becoming a long-term member.
What happens after the intro class?
We’ll answer your questions, recommend the right next class if it feels like a fit, and let you decide without pressure.
First class? Start here.
Book your free intro class
Send the short request below and we’ll help you choose the right first class.