We have kids classes at Bellingham BJJ, starting with ages six and up!
The best time to start jiu-jitsu is always the same: right now! We think this class is a terrific entry point to this martial art. The focus of this program is introducing BJJ fundamentals to kids in a friendly, positive, and supportive environment.
The details: Three classes per week: These classes happen on Tuesday and Thursday (gi) from 4:30-5:30, and Wednesday at 4:30-5:30 p.m. (nogi). Feel free to bring in your child to either watch and meet folks, or just try a free week of classes. You can see the full schedule here: BellinghamBJJ.com/schedule
$100 per month, per child. Our signup link is live on this page, and you can just choose Kids Membership or click this direct link. If you’re signing up multiple kids, ask us to add the Multiple Child discount in ZenPlanner.
Our head instructor for this class is Rob Long, a proud father and talented instructor who is a brown belt in jiu-jitsu and has a passion for teaching kids. Rob is joined by black belt and father Mike Napoli, purple belt Cody Schuler, and with a host of volunteers. Often, parents that train come in and help with the class (or train in an adjacent room), and parents that don’t train often stay and watch. Every kids class has at least two instructors to maximize learning. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions are below this picture!
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS NOT COVERED HERE: You can e-mail me, Jeff Shaw, at jeff @ bellinghambjj.com. You’re always welcome to e-mail me with questions or just to say hello. Once you’re in the academy, of course, you can also ask any questions you might have.
Ages: 6 and up. At times we may divide the session into two classes based on age. Students 11 and up can also join adult classes if they choose with this membership.
Gear: Classes with be in the gi (kimono). Instructors may decide to mix in some no-gi training, but a gi is required for this class. Camp attendees received a free gi. If you need a gi, we have them for sale for $100. (You’re also welcome to supply your own gi). We also have shorts and rashguards available, but the only requirements are a gi and a positive attitude!
Signing Up: We do not charge signup fees or do contracts, so please feel free to pause or cancel at any time. The card you put on file will be charged on the first of each month. If you need to pause or cancel, please give us 48 hours notice before the first of the month.
Over the years we’ve been fortunate to learn from some incredible people. We’re excited to share that with you! Here are some of the things people are saying about us. We’ve poured many years of teaching experience into designing this Intro series, so we’re looking forward to seeing you there!
WHEN AND WHERE DOES CLASS HAPPEN?: Classes take place at Bellingham BJJ, 205 W. Holly St., right downtown. We’re a block away from a parking garage (free after 5 p.m. and on weekends), a block from a bus stop, and we have bike racks inside the building for cyclists.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO CLASS?: Besides the gi, you’ll want to wear athletic shorts (like bike shorts, fight shorts, or any secure shorts or leggings without zippers and pockets) underneath the gi. Some people wear a shirt or rash guard under the gi. Many do not. Please trim your nails short and be clean (i.e. have showered) before class— we are in close contact with one another and hygiene is a priority for everyone at BBJJ.
You’ll want to wash the gi after every class, and hang it up or tumble it dry on low so it doesn’t shrink too much. There are three single-person bathrooms, a dedicated single-person changing area and men’s and women’s dressing rooms at the academy. We encourage students to use the changing facilities that comport with their needs and gender identities. One of our private washrooms and both group dressing rooms are ADA-compliant.
Here’s a basic explanation of what a typical BJJ class will look like. Here is the school’s values statement. Here are some school policies. We also have a resource for new people called the White Belt BJJ Starter Kit. It’s a series of blog posts about common topics and questions, including basic BJJ academy etiquette. Check it out; we’re adding to it all the time!
AFTER CLASS STARTS, HERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW:
As you progress through the class, you can check out the “study guide” supplementary resources page we’ve prepared. These are for adult students, but the videos are still a good resource!
Again, thank you so much for your interest! We’re looking forward to meeting and training with you.
Jeff, Rob, Jesse and everyone at Bellingham BJJ