Your First Class At Praetorian MMA

Your first class is often the part people worry about most. Walking through the door can feel like a big step, but once you arrive, our job is to help you feel comfortable, welcomed and supported from the moment you get to Praetorian MMA.

If you have not already read it, start with our guide: Getting Started at Praetorian MMA. That article explains the wider process of choosing a class, booking your trial and finding the right starting point.

This article is more specific. It is about what actually happens when you arrive for your first session, what to expect in the room and how to make that first class feel less overwhelming.

You Have Already Done The Hardest Bit

Most people think the hardest part is the training. It usually is not. The hardest part is deciding to start, searching online, asking questions and booking that first class.

Once you arrive, you are not expected to know everything. You are not expected to be fit, flexible or experienced. You are simply expected to turn up and give yourself the opportunity to begin.

Whether you are trying Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, NoGi BJJ, MMA, Kickboxing or looking at classes for your child, the same rule applies: nobody expects you to arrive already knowing what to do.

Before You Arrive

Make sure you have booked onto your chosen session through the Gymdesk app. If you are unsure which class to attend, you can view the full Praetorian MMA Timetable.

We recommend arriving a few minutes early for your first lesson. This gives you time to meet the coach, ask any questions, find where you need to be and settle in before the class starts.

If you are bringing a child for the first time, arriving early also gives them time to look around, meet the coach and get used to the environment. Some children walk straight in confidently. Others need a few minutes to take everything in. Both are normal.

If you are serving military, a veteran, part of the emergency services or returning to training after time away, the same applies. You are welcome to speak to us before the class, ask questions and make sure the session you have booked is the right fit.

What Should You Wear?

For your first lesson, wear comfortable training clothes that allow you to move freely. A t-shirt and shorts or tracksuit bottoms are usually ideal.

Avoid clothing with zips, hard buttons, pockets with sharp edges or anything that could catch during training. If you are trying BJJ or MMA, close-fitting clothing is usually better than loose clothing because it is less likely to get pulled or tangled.

You do not need to buy specialist kit before your first class. If you continue training, we can guide you on what is useful, what is unnecessary and what makes sense for the class you choose.

For members who do want club clothing, rashguards, hoodies or training kit, available products can be ordered through the Praetorian MMA Shop.

Walking Through The Door

This is the moment most people build up in their heads. The reality is usually very different.

You will be greeted by a coach, a member of staff or one of our regular members. If you are feeling nervous, tell us. You will not be the first person to feel that way and you certainly will not be the last.

Our team are used to helping new people settle in. You can learn more about the people behind the club on our Meet The Team page, or read about individual coaches including Martyn Styler, Rob Goodson, Nathan Johnstone, Christian Bloomfield and Josh Woodbourne.

If you have already spoken with Kelly Sparks, one of the coaches may already know you are coming. If there is anything we need to be aware of before the class, such as nerves, previous injuries, confidence issues or a child needing extra reassurance, let us know.

What Happens When You Arrive?

When you arrive, we will help you find where you need to be. You will usually remove your shoes before stepping onto the mats, check in for the class and wait near the training area until the session begins.

You do not need to stand awkwardly wondering what to do. If you are unsure, ask. We would much rather you ask a simple question than stand there feeling uncomfortable.

For children and teenagers, the coach will help them join the group. Parents can stay and watch if needed, especially during those first sessions where a child may still be building confidence.

For adults, the first few minutes are usually about getting settled, meeting people and understanding the structure of the class. You will not be thrown into something without explanation.

How The Class Begins

Most classes start with a warm-up, movement drills or a simple introduction to the techniques being covered that day.

You do not need to keep up with everyone else. You do not need to understand everything straight away. Simply listen, take part and work at a pace that suits you.

If anything is unclear, ask. If something feels difficult, ask. Coaches would much rather answer a question than have somebody worrying about getting something wrong.

In a Gi BJJ or NoGi BJJ class, you may learn positions, escapes, grips, controls, submissions or movement drills. In MMA, you may work on striking, wrestling, grappling or how those areas connect. In Kickboxing, you may focus on stance, movement, punches, kicks, defence and fitness.

If you are not sure which class is best for you, read BJJ, MMA or Kickboxing: Which Is Right For You?. It explains the differences between the main training options and helps new starters choose a sensible first step.

If You Feel Nervous

Feeling nervous is completely normal.

One thing we have learned over the years is that almost everybody arrives with similar concerns. They worry about fitness, confidence, skill level, age, ability or whether they will fit in.

Parents often worry about whether their child will listen, join in, be too shy, get overwhelmed or cope with the structure of the class. Adults often worry about looking out of place, holding people back or not being fit enough.

The truth is that the people standing next to you have often had exactly the same thoughts. They understand what it feels like to be new because they have already been where you are now.

That is also why the First Steps articles exist. They are designed to answer the questions people often have before they feel confident enough to begin.

For Parents Bringing A Child

If you are bringing your child to Praetorian MMA for the first time, you may feel just as nervous as they do.

You may be wondering whether they are old enough, whether they will listen, whether they will cope with the class, whether they will get upset or whether they will want to join in once they arrive.

That is normal. Children all settle at different speeds.

Our Kids Pathway and Teen Pathway are designed to give families a clearer starting point, especially where parents want structure, kit, routine and a proper route into training.

Younger children may need extra support at first. Some may need a parent nearby. Some may need a quieter introduction. Some may need a few sessions before they fully relax. We would rather support that process properly than force confidence too quickly.

Children and teenagers can also train through our Kids and Teens BJJ programme and our MMA Kids and Teens classes, depending on age, confidence, maturity and the best fit for them.

For Military, Veterans And Emergency Services

Praetorian MMA has a strong connection with serving military personnel, veterans and emergency services workers.

Many people who come through the club are looking for structure, challenge, routine, fitness and a team environment. For some, training becomes a positive way to reconnect with those things after a change in work, lifestyle or personal circumstances.

If you are serving military, a veteran or part of the emergency services, you may also be eligible for support through REORG at Praetorian MMA. REORG helps eligible people access Brazilian Jiu Jitsu through approved gyms, and Praetorian MMA is proud to be part of that network.

You can also read more about why that relationship matters in our article on REORG at Praetorian MMA.

After The Class

Once the session finishes, take a few minutes to speak to the coach if you have any questions.

They can help you understand which classes might suit you best, how often to train and what your next step should be.

If you are currently on a 7 Day Free Trial, use the week properly. Try different classes, meet different coaches and discover what part of the club feels right for you.

Some people know immediately which class they want to continue with. Others need to try a mix of BJJ, MMA, Kickboxing or different coaches before they find the right rhythm. That is fine.

The First Few Weeks

Your first class is only the beginning.

The first few weeks are about learning the environment, recognising faces, understanding how classes work and slowly building confidence.

At first, you may feel like you are taking in a lot of information. That is normal. You are learning new movements, new words, new people and a new routine all at the same time.

Over time, the club starts to feel familiar. You recognise the coaches. You understand how the classes flow. You start to remember names. You begin to feel more comfortable asking questions.

That is usually when people realise they are no longer just trying a class. They are becoming part of the team.

Your Next Step

Your first class does not need to be perfect. It simply needs to happen.

Once you have walked through the door once, the next session becomes easier. Then the one after that becomes easier again.

That is how confidence grows. That is how friendships are built. That is how people become part of the Praetorian MMA community.

If you are ready to begin, explore the timetable, speak to the team and take the first step.