Frequently Asked Questions

What is jiu jitsu?

Jiu jitsu is a grappling-based martial art and combat sport. The goal of jiu jitsu is to take down, positionally control, and submit one’s opponent (force the opponent to “tap out”) with properly applied strangles and joint locks.

What is the difference between gi and nogi jiu jitsu?

Gi jiu jitsu is practiced in a gi, a training uniform consisting of a heavy jacket, drawstring pants, and a belt. Gi practitioners utilize grips on the material of the gi to control and submit their opponents. Nogi jiu jitsu is practiced wearing tight-fitting athletic clothing. Grabbing clothing is not permitted in nogi jiu jitsu. Nogi practitioners control and submit their opponents by directly gripping their opponent’s body.

Do you offer self-defense classes? Is jiu jitsu useful for self-defense purposes?

At OGA we focus on sport-oriented jiu jitsu training and not self-defense-specific jiu jitsu. That being said, many dedicated and consistent sport jiu jitsu athletes have demonstrated the ability to apply their jiu jitsu knowledge successfully in self-defense and mixed martial arts contexts. In general, some of the more fundamental jiu jitsu techniques you will learn at OGA are similar to techniques that comprise the curriculum of some self-defense-specific jiu jitsu programs. OGA believes that a long-term, dedicated, consistent practice of sport jiu jitsu that involves participation in live sparring with resisting training partners can provide an individual with some skills that may be implemented in self-defense situations.

How may I or my child attend a class? (how to contact, how early to arrive, waiver, what to bring/wear, etc.)

To attend your first class, simply come to the gym 10 minutes prior to the class you want to attend. New adult students with no prior jiu jitsu experience may only attend fundamentals classes. When you arrive, you will be directed to fill out a waiver. You will also be introduced to your instructor(s) and shown around the facilty. Please email us if you’d like to let us know you’re coming, or if you have any questions prior to your first class that are not answered in the FAQ. Our email is info@oregongrapplingarts.com. You may also contact us through our website contact form by clicking on the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page.

What should I bring to my first class or my child’s first class?

Please bring a water bottle and athletic clothing. Tight-fitting athletic wear or even just gym shorts and a t-shirt free of buttons and zippers will work. If you are attending a gi class, we may be able to loan you a gi if you don’t have one. We strongly recommend that all students wear a sports mouth guard during practice.

How old does my child need to be to attend class?

Children must be at least three years old on the date of their first class.

Will I participate in live sparring during my first practice?

Yes, but only if you want to. You are never required to participate in live jiu jitsu sparring, and may watch if you prefer. Many students do choose to participate in live sparring during their first class. Live sparring for new students is limited to positional sparring.

What is a “gi/kimono” and where can I purchase one?

A gi is a training uniform consisting of a heavy jacket, pants with a drawstring, and a belt indicating the student’s rank (all new students begin as white belts). Many different brands spanning a wide price range are available online and at jiu jitsu and MMA gear shops in the Portland area.

Do you have gym uniform requirements?

For gi classes, students must wear a gi (any color) and belt corresponding to their rank. For no gi classes, students must wear athletic clothing free of zippers and buttons. All gear must be washed and free of odors before each class. We do not require students to wear any particular brands, colors, or gym-specific gear.

Do you offer a free trial membership?

We currently offer a three-day free trial membership for all prospective youth and adult members If you or your child is interested in trying out our classes, feel free to reach out to us through our contact form located here. OUR THREE-DAY FREE TRIAL IS MEANT FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS/STUDENTS AGES 5+ CONSIDERING A MEMBERSHIP ONLY. ALL DROP-IN STUDENTS MUST PAY THE $30 DROP-IN FEE PER DAY. PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS AGES 3-4 MAY ATTEND ONE FREE TRIAL CLASS PRIOR TO ENROLLING IN A MEMBERSHIP.

Is your gym for hobbyists or competitors?

OGA is for both hobbyists and competitors. Although OGA prides itself on producing athletes who are successful in competition, the vast majority of individuals who practice jiu jitsu are hobbyists. At OGA, we strive to ensure a safe environment where both hobbyists and competitors can thrive and receive the highest level of instruction.

Do I have to pay to receive a belt promotion?

You will never have to pay money for a belt promotion at OGA.

Are out-of-town and local visitors welcome at OGA?

Visitors may attend class for a drop-in fee of $30/day. Longer-term visitors from out-of-town should inquire about a partial-month membership to save money. All visitors must read and sign a waiver.

How do I sign up for a membership?

To purchase a membership, you can send us an email at info@oregongrapplingarts.com stating which membership you would like and we will get back to you as quickly as possible with a secure payment link. Also, an OGA instructor can help you sign up for a membership in person at the gym.

What are your membership prices?

All of our memberships are month-to-month/no contract/no commitment. We do not charge activation/initiation fees.

Kids’ Ages 3-4 Membership: $105/month - provides access to our Sunday ages 3-4 class

Kids’ Ages 5-7 Membership: $130/month - provides access to all ages 5-7 classes on the gym schedule

Kids’ Ages 8+ Membership: $140/month - provides access to all ages 8+ class on the gym schedule

Adult Unlimited Membership: $170/month - provides access to all adult classes

Adult 2x Per Week Membership: $150/month - provides access to two adult classes per week (classes do not rollover week to week)

Drop-in fee: $30/day

*We are no longer accepting new or intermittently attending youth drop-in students.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards as well as cash payments.

Are your memberships contractual or month-to-month?

Currently, all of our memberships are month-to-month and we do not charge membership activation fees.

How do I cancel my membership?

Students may cancel their membership by emailing the gym at info@oregongrapplingarts.com. Please make sure to send your cancellation email at least five days prior to your next billing date. If we don’t receive your cancellation notice five days prior to your next billing date, you may be billed. See our refund policy below.

I haven’t been attending class and wasn’t able to cancel my membership prior to being billed. I would like a refund. What is your refund policy?

For students/parents who request membership cancellation up to five days after their billing date and who have not attended classes after their billing date, we will issue a full refund for the month minus a 15% refund processing fee. For students/parents who request membership cancellation five to ten days after their billing date and have not attended classes after their billing date, we will issue a 50% refund for the month. Refunds will not be issued to students/parents canceling their membership more than ten days after their billing date. 

If a student attends class after making a tuition payment, a full or partial refund will not be issued for that tuition payment except in cases of significant injury, illness, family, or employment emergency, and the refund will be made at the discretion of Oregon Grappling Arts’ staff.

Individuals who cancel a membership at a discounted or grandfathered rate may not be offered the same discount or price if they wish to re-enroll at the gym.

Is it possible to put my membership on hold?

Yes, students may put their memberships on hold for extended vacations or work trips, injuries, health issues, and personal or family emergencies. All hold requests must contain a definite start date and end date. We do not issue holds for periods shorter than two weeks. To put your membership on hold, please email us at info@oregongrapplingarts.com at least five days prior to the start of the requested hold. Please note that if your billing date is less than five days before your requested hold start date, you may be billed, and any refunds will be subject to our refund policy. If you are not able to provide five days’ notice for your hold request, please email us or speak to a staff member as soon as possible.

How do I contact the gym?

Please contact us via email at info@oregongrapplingarts.com or use the contact form located here.

Are out-of-town and local visitors welcome at OGA?

Yes. Out-of-town and local adult visitors may attend class for a drop-in fee of $30/day. Out-of-town/vacationing youth visitors who are currently training at a BJJ gym may attend class for a drop-in fee of $30/day. We no longer accept local drop-in students in our youth classes. Longer-term adult visitors from out-of-town should inquire about a partial-month membership to save money. All visitors must read and sign a waiver.

What constitutes good hygiene for jiu jitsu practice?

All gear must be washed and free of odors before each class. Training gear should never be used for more than one class without being washed. Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed and kept short. Long hair must be tied back during practice. Do not attend class with an illness or skin infection of any kind. We recommend bathing as soon as possible after training. Glitter, facepaint, bleeding dye, and non-medical adhesive stickers are not permitted on the mats.

What is considered good class etiquette?

In general, we ask that all students practice good hygiene, keep their fingernails and toenails trimmed, always wear footwear in the bathrooms, and refrain from talking or engaging in distracting behavior when an instructor is teaching. Students must also do their best to stay mindful of their own safety and the safety of others while participating in class.

Does my age or current level of physical fitness matter if I am considering starting jiu jitsu?

People of all ages, athletic abilities, and levels of fitness find jiu jitsu to be a fun and engaging form of exercise that helps them improve their physical wellness. However, if you have particular health concerns about training, we encourage you to speak with a healthcare provider before starting.

I have an injury. Should I train with it?

You may be able to modify your training to work around some minor injuries. However, this is a question that you should discuss with a healthcare provider.

I have a serious health condition. Should I train?

This is a question you should discuss with a healthcare provider.

How is class formatted?

Our adult classes include approximately forty to fifty minutes of practicing jiu jitsu techniques, followed by approximately twenty minutes of positional sparring. In intermediate classes, these positional sparring rounds are then followed by at least thirty minutes of live, full sparring rounds. Live sparring for new students is limited to positional sparring.

Do you do warm-ups?

We do not include non-jiu-jitsu-related warm-ups or exercise routines as part of our adult classes. We believe that students benefit more by spending extra time practicing jiu jitsu techniques, which in turn can serve as a warm-up for sparring. When warm-ups are included in class, they typically involve the practice of jiu jitsu techniques. If you have additional warm-ups or stretching you like or if you feel you need to warm up, please do so before class begins.

Will I participate in live sparring during my first practice?

Yes, but only if you want to. You are never required to participate in live jiu jitsu sparring, and may watch if you prefer. Many students do choose to participate in live sparring during their first class. Live sparring for new students is limited to positional sparring.

What should I bring to my first class or my child’s first class?

Please bring a water bottle and athletic clothing. Tight-fitting athletic wear or even just a t-shirt and gym shorts free of buttons and zippers will work. If you are attending a gi class, we may be able to loan you a gi if you don’t have one. We strongly recommend that all students wear a sports mouth guard during practice.

Do you have gym uniform requirements?

For gi classes, students must wear a gi (any color) and belt corresponding to their rank. For nogi classes, students must wear athletic clothing free of zippers and buttons. All gear must be washed and free of odors before each class. We do not require students to wear any particular brands, colors, or gym-specific gear.

What is the difference between gi and nogi jiu jitsu?

Gi jiu jitsu is practiced in a gi, a training uniform consisting of a heavy jacket, drawstring pants, and a belt. Gi practitioners utilize grips on the material of the gi to control and submit their opponents. Nogi jiu jitsu is practiced wearing tight-fitting athletic clothing. Grabbing clothing is not permitted in nogi jiu jitsu. Nogi practitioners control and submit their opponents by directly gripping their opponent’s body.

What is a “gi/kimono” and where can I purchase one?

A gi is a training uniform consisting of a heavy jacket, pants with a drawstring, and a belt indicating the student’s rank (all new students begin as white belts). Many different brands spanning a wide price range are available online and at jiu jitsu and MMA gear shops in the Portland area.

What constitutes good hygiene for jiu jitsu practice?

All gear must be washed and free of odors before each class. Training gear should never be used for more than one class without being washed. Fingernails and toenails must be trimmed and kept short. Long hair must be tied back during practice. Do not attend class with an illness or skin infection of any kind. Glitter, facepaint, bleeding dye, and non-medical adhesive stickers are not permitted on the mats.

What are belt promotions in jiu jitsu?

Belt promotions are a way for instructors to recognize a student’s progress and technical development in jiu jitsu. All new adult students begin as white belts, and then progress to blue belt, purple belt, brown belt, and, finally, black belt. All new youth students (age 16 and under) begin as white belts, and then progress through gray belt, yellow belt, orange belt, and green belt.

How long does it take to receive a belt?

Promotions occur at the discretion of our instructors. We do not administer tests for students to be promoted. The timing of promotions varies greatly from student to student. As such, we encourage students to focus on skill development, and we are always happy to help our students make plans to grow their jiu jitsu knowledge.

Do I have to pay to receive a belt promotion?

You will never have to pay money for a belt promotion at OGA.

I would like to compete. How long should I train until I consider competing?

The time needed to prepare a new student to compete will vary considerably from student to student. In general, most new students will not be prepared to compete prior to 9-12 months of regular jiu jitsu practice, at the earliest. Technical knowledge, an ability to to participate in all live sparring rounds without significant fatigue in a training session, and success against similarly-ranked peers in the training room are strong indicators of competition readiness. A prospective new competitor should be familiar with all of the major positions of jiu jitsu, and should know several offensive and defensive techniques from each of those positions. Aspiring competitors must also understand all of the submissions allowable at their level, as well as corresponding submission defenses.

Students wishing to compete must train in the all-levels and intermediate classes, and must participate in full jiu jitsu sparring rounds. Participation in only fundamentals classes and situational sparring rounds will not adequately prepare you for competition.

How can I prepare appropriately for competition?

The first step to preparing properly for competition is to speak with an OGA coach at least two months prior to the event so that they can help you. In general, OGA youth and adult members seeking to compete should train a minimum of four times per week for local events for white belt, blue belt, beginner, and intermediate brackets at the adult level and three times per week for local events for white belt, blue belt, beginner, and intermediate brackets at the master’s level. OGA members seeking to compete at higher belt levels (purple-black) and experience levels (advanced/elite/expert) in adult age brackets in local competitions should be training a minimum of five times per week or a minimum of four times per week at the master’s level. OGA members intending to compete in semi-pro, pro, IBJJF major, and ADCC-type events in adult age brackets should be training a minimum of six days per week or a minimum of five times per week at the master’s level. Competitors must attend intermediate and all-levels classes, and must participate in all full sparring rounds for those classes. Students attending only fundamentals classes or only participating in situational sparring rounds are not adequately prepared for competition.

Do you offer self-defense classes? Is jiu jitsu useful for self-defense purposes?

At OGA, we focus on sport-oriented jiu jitsu training and not self-defense-specific jiu jitsu. That being said, many dedicated and consistent sport jiu jitsu athletes have demonstrated the ability to apply their jiu jitsu knowledge successfully in self-defense and mixed martial arts contexts. In general, some of the more fundamental jiu jitsu techniques you will learn at OGA are similar to techniques that comprise the curriculum of some self-defense-specific jiu jitsu programs. OGA believes that a long-term, dedicated, consistent practice of sport jiu jitsu that involves participation in live sparring with resisting training partners can provide an individual with some skills that may be implemented in self-defense situations.