mcart

James McGar’s

FAQ

Q.  Do I need previous experience to participate or have a certain level of fitness to start?  

No, all experience and fitness levels are welcome and no previous experience is required. 

Q. What should I wear to my first class and what equipment will I need?  

If you are new to martial arts, just wear comfortable gym clothes (no metal), and there is no equipment necessary while you are just checking things out.  Most people wear shorts and a t-shirt. 

Q. If I already have my own Jiu-Jitsu uniform (Gi), do you only allow certain colors? 

We allow White, Blue and Black Gi’s.

Q. Can I bring a friend?   

Sure. If you feel more comfortable bring a friend to partner up with.  However, you are welcome to come by yourself as well.   Our team will make you feel at home and you are guaranteed to make several new friends.

Q. Can I watch a class before participating?

Yes! If you feel more comfortable seeing what our classes are like before participating, feel free to come watch first.   We have a sitting area with benches and restroom where you can make yourself at home. 

Q. Where do I park? 

You can park in our parking lot attached to the building.

Q. Do you have a youth program?

Yes. We currently provide a youth program and enjoy teaching your children how to defend themselves against bullies. 

Q. What age can you start? 

We have members ranging from age 5 to those in their 50’s, and all ages in between. Don’t let age hold you back from the many benefits martial arts has to offer.

Q. What is No-Gi and what is the attire?

No-Gi is the common term for Jiu-Jitsu without the uniform.  You will utilize many of the same concepts as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes, but the grips are different since you do not have a uniform to grab. Typical attire is shorts and a t-shirt.

Q. What is Sparring and do I have to participate?

Sparring is a class session where people practice striking techniques live against their partners with intensity that closely mimics an actual bout.  No one is required to spar, and it is completely optional.  

Q. How often should I train?

This answer is variable depending on an individual’s availability and fitness level. Like many sports, someone who practices more often, will typically improve faster. However, if you are not accustomed to this type of training or need to improve your fitness level, you might start off only training a couple days per week and then build up to more sessions as your body becomes adjusted to the new demands you’re placing on it. Also, some people might have a demanding schedule between family, work, or school. However, if you train too much you do not give your body time to heal. In BJJ just be consistent. Two or three days a week should be all you need.

Q. Do I have to compete?

The amount of people who compete make up a small percentage of Martial Arts.  We do feel that competition does have many positive benefits, but we also understand that it is not for everyone. Therefore, no one is ever pushed in that direction. However, if at some point you decide you would like to compete, let our instructors know and we would be glad to help you get prepared. Otherwise, we just want you to enjoy the arts without putting pressure on yourself.

Q. Are private lessons available and why might someone want to do them instead of group classes?

Our instructors are available for private lessons, which can accelerate your improvement significantly.

Q. How does the belt system work and how long does it take to get promoted?

There are fewer belts in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu than many traditional martial arts.  Adults start with a white belt, which is then followed by, blue, purple, brown, and then black. Within each belt color, skill is typically differentiated by stripes (or degrees). Typically a student will achieve multiple stripes on each belt before progressing to the next belt color. As far as the length of time and skill set required to achieve the next degree or belt, this varies from school to school.   Kenpo Karate on the other hand takes a different mindset and time frame.  If you want me to quantify it with numbers it would take around 10 to 15 years to earn a Black Belt in BJJ.  It would take you around 10 to 15 years to earn a 3rd Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate.     
 
It also depends on a variety of factors like how often the member trains, whether they are demonstrating noticeable improvement, etc.  At our academy, we take pride in helping students truly earn their rank through encouragement, technical instruction, and a positive learning environment.  While many new members are concerned with how quickly they achieve the next rank, we encourage an attitude of enjoying the learning process. 

Q. How often do you clean the training area?

A clean, safe training environment is a priority to us! We clean our mats on a consistent basis.