Freestyle Martial Arts FAQ's

Q: When can I start training?
A: Immediately.  You don't have to wait for a beginner's course. All of our classes are run in such a way that beginners have particular attention paid to them to ensure that they are safe and comfortable with what they are doing.

Q: Will I need to be fit to train in martial arts?
A: The style of martial arts that we train allows students to begin at their current level of fitness, and over time, this will develop as your martial arts develops.

Q: Will I need to wear a uniform or any special clothing?
A: If you are taking trial classes and you don't have a uniform we suggest that you wear track pants and T-shirt but not your best ones as martial arts training can be hard on clothing. If, after the trial classes, you decide to join, you will be required to wear the uniform. It forms an integral part of the training of many of the techniques practised in our classes.

Q: How often should I train, how long does it take to get a black belt.
A: For most students, 2-3 classes a week are required to maintain good progress and understanding of martial arts. A committed student who trains 3 times a week can expect to be at a black belt level in 3-4 years, however some of our best students have taken 5-6 years or more before wanting to grade to black belt. Your experience and the skills you learn are more important than the colour of your belt.

Q: How safe is it?
Our primary emphasis is on safety, all members train together (usually in pairs) at a pace of the least experienced student under the supervision of an experienced and qualified instructor.

Q: I'm a busy person, its difficult to find time to train?
Martial Arts requires a significant commitment to regular training to progress. Many club members are busy professionals and shift workers. The club offers daytime and evening training in an effort to enable them to train as well. 

For more information call us now on 1300 853 161

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu FAQ's

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Jiu-Jitsu began with Mitsuyo Maeda, a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master and member of the Kodokan. Maeda emigrated to Brazil in the 1910s where an influential businessman named Gastão Gracie helped him get established. In return for his aid, Maeda taught the fighting art to Gastão's son Carlos Gracie, who then taught the art to his brothers and sons. When Maeda taught the art to the Gracies he called it Jiu-jitsu. The Gracie family refined this art form into what is now known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

What makes BJJ different from other martial arts?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu differs from other martial arts fundamentally. While other martial arts rely heavily on strength and speed, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu relies on superior technique and leverage.

What's a Gi?
A Gi (sometimes referred to as Kimono) is the uniform that is typically worn when training Jiu-Jitsu. It consists of 3 pieces: a jacket (or top), pants, and a belt. The material in which the three pieces are made is specially reinforced to withstand the rigors of daily practice.  Most practitioners of Jiu-Jitsu who advocate the usage of the Gi cite the more technical aspect of grappling with a Gi.

What are the Belt Rankings in Jiu-Jitsu?
As with other martial arts, the progress of a student is marked with a series of colored belts. Unlike other martial arts where Black Belt marks a person’s proficiency in a style, in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu the rank of Black Belt is conferred to individuals who have mastered the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The belts in order are: White, Blue, Purple, Brown and Black.  The ranks for children are different. Blue belt and higher ranks have age requirements so children have the following ranks beginning with White, Yellow, Orange and Green.  These belts are utilized until age 16.

How long until I get my Black Belt?
Typically, it takes anywhere from 8 to 15 years to attain the rank of Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Each belt takes about 2-5 years of dedicated practice.

Who can learn Jiu-Jitsu?
Practically anyone can utilize the techniques created by Carlos Gracie. Carlos Gracie, when he created his revolutionary system, weighed about 60kgs (Indeed, our own head instructor, Daniel Lima is only 60kg). The core principle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to provide a method for smaller, weaker individuals to protect themselves from bigger, stronger attackers.

Is BJJ good exercise?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can provide you with far more extensive results than typical aerobic exercise. The resistance encountered while rolling provides you with a good base to improve your core strength through intense abdominal workout, increase your muscle tone, and reduce you body fat while improving your balance, bodily coordination, cardio vascular capacity, and muscular endurance.

What do I wear my first time (Intro Class) to class?
The best thing to wear to a first class is a shirt and shorts.  We have some spare gi's that you can borrow for your first couple of lessons.

What's a typical class like?
We begin class with some light calisthenics and stretching. Following our warm-up we then begin drilling technique. These drills when done over and over help form muscle memory and help our students retain technique. After our drilling is completed then we begin to spar (or roll). Rolling is when students are able to put their techniques to the test with training partners who can resist and counter just as they would in an actual fight, providing valuable real-world experience should the techniques ever need to be applied in an actual fight.

 
For more information call us now on 1300 853 161