What sets our beginners BJJ program apart?

After four years of running The Jiu Jitsu Company, one of the most rewarding things we’ve experienced is watching students walk through our doors with no prior experience—just curiosity and courage—and transform into skillful Jiu Jitsu practitioners and incredible training partners. We often find ourselves wishing for a time machine so they could see just how far they’ve come. The truth is, the kind of rapid, sustainable progress we see in our fundamentals program is not the norm in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It’s the result of something special.

So what does make our Fundamentals program stand out?

A Thoughtfully Designed Learning Environment

First and foremost, we believe people learn best when they feel safe, supported, and engaged. That’s why our fundamentals classes are intentionally structured to be approachable and welcoming. Our instructors do a phenomenal job of putting students at ease, and the culture on our mats is one of encouragement, not ego. New students are met with patience and guidance, not pressure. Our more experienced students are helpful and generous with their knowledge, and everyone is on the same team.

It’s simple: consistency is the most important factor in learning anything—especially Jiu Jitsu. And no one is going to be consistent if they’re not enjoying themselves.

Coaching That Goes Beyond Just Teaching Techniques

The quality of instruction matters. Our teaching team doesn’t just show moves—they teach students how to think in Jiu Jitsu. We place a strong emphasis on developing problem-solving skills, adaptability, and mental resilience. Our curriculum is built around helping students understand both what to do and why it works. We don’t believe in creating robots who memorize a list of techniques—we’re here to help people become smart, capable grapplers.

During the live sparring portions of class, we have multiple instructors on the mat, serving a few important roles:

• Keep things safe. Safety is always the top priority, especially for new students.

• Make sparring productive. We offer real-time feedback and shape the experience so students are challenged, not overwhelmed.

• Help you improve faster. A well-timed hint or adjustment can turn a frustrating roll into a breakthrough moment.

A Curriculum That’s Structured, Flexible, and Deep

Our curriculum is designed to give students a comprehensive introduction to the major positions and concepts of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It’s not linear, so you can jump in at any time and won’t “fall behind.” Over time, you’ll cycle through everything you need to build a strong foundation—from takedowns to escapes, submissions to positional control.

We aim to ensure that a student can land in any major position in a grappling exchange and know what to do next. The curriculum also loops regularly, which is why many of our advanced students continue to take Fundamentals classes—not only to sharpen their basics, but because they genuinely enjoy the classes.

Just as learning a new language requires both vocabulary and the confidence to speak, learning Jiu Jitsu means you need both the techniques and the ability to apply them against resistance. Our structured sparring and positional training provide that vital bridge between knowledge and skill.

A Foundation for All Paths in Jiu Jitsu

Every technique and concept in our Fundamentals program was selected with intention. It’s relevant not just for sport BJJ, but for self-defense and Mixed Martial Arts as well. But more than that—it plants seeds for future growth. The techniques you learn in your first few months become the base you’ll build on for years to come.

Whether your goal is to compete, get in shape, protect yourself, or just have fun learning something new, our Fundamentals program is designed to meet you where you are and grow with you.

Ready to begin your own Jiu Jitsu journey?

Try a class and see for yourself why our Fundamentals program is one of the most effective, friendly, and thoughtfully designed in Philadelphia.