Nope! Most people who join our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, or Self-defense classes in Asheville are total beginners. You’ll learn everything step-by-step, and our coaches and members will help you feel comfortable right away.

Not at all. Training and moving your body will help you build the endurance to participate successfully in any of our classes. Coach Brian and Coach Colleen both started training as way to meet their fitness goals and later turned those goals/hobbies into careers. All coaches here at Underdog Martial Arts are knowledgeable enough to help you reach your own goals while training safety at your own pace. Just keep showing up!

For your first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Self-Defense class, wear athletic clothes and something that covers your shoulders to prevent mat burn (it’s not much fun). For Kickboxing, just bring water, and wear something you can move and sweat in. We have loaner gear for your first two weeks if you need it. You’ll be barefoot on the mat, so shoes that you can slip on and off (like flip-flops) are perfect.

Gi Jiu-Jitsu uses the traditional uniform for grips and control — it’s typically slower and more technical, while No-Gi is done in rash guards and shorts or leggings, focusing more on movement, timing, and body control. Both are awesome, and we encourage you to do both, but it’s not required. You don’t have to train both styles of jiujitsu to get ranked by us, but more mat time is more mat time. We’re excited to offer both Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu classes in Asheville.

Absolutely! BJJ teaches you how to stay calm, control an opponent, and in most cases escape a bad position safely — even against someone bigger or stronger. It’s one of the most proven self-defense systems out there. Studies suggest that between 61% and 90% of real altercations end up on the ground — and that’s where Jiu-Jitsu shines.

Heavy Bag HIIT is a fitness class — lots of movement, no contact, heart rate pumping. Our Kickboxing program focuses on real striking techniques, tactics, and form — we’ll hone in on the details while still working up sweat. Doing both will have you ready for whatever life throws at you.

Kickboxing classes start with a warm-up, then we hit combinations, bag work, and conditioning. You’ll learn real striking techniques and probably sweat more than you expected (in a good way). This is the class where we hone in on your technique and form. Don’t worry – it’s not Fight Club – We won’t make you fight your first night, and you’re definitely allowed to talk about it.

Safety is our top priority. While we are training full contact Martial Arts and Combat Sports, our coaches strive to keep practitioners controlled, precise and intentional with their movements. If you’re just surviving a training session, you’re not really training. At Underdog, our goal is to get better, not just beat everyone up and go home. After all, if your training partners aren’t getting better, you aren’t getting better. While we encourage students to compete, we will never pressure you into competing, or let someone compete who isn’t ready.

The quick answer is that 2-3 times a week is perfect when you’re starting out. Consistency beats intensity — showing up regularly is how you’ll see real progress in your BJJ, Kickboxing, and Self-Defense training. Now, if a member intends to compete we up the training frequency and add strength and conditioning while balancing the rest of your life, nutrition and recovery. At the end of the day, its your training and you gotta do what’s right for you.

Nope. You’ll start with drills and technique first. When you’re ready, you can ease into light rolling (for BJJ) or controlled sparring (for kickboxing). We care more about your growth than toughness — you can test that when you decide to compete. While there are Live Rolling and Sparring Classes on the schedule, beginners should stick to the fundamentals classes until their Coaches graduate them to the more intense classes. That way when you get to the No-Gi Live Rolling classes or the Kickboxing Sparring class, you’ve got good habits already ingrained and are prepared for productive training

Most kids start around 5 or 6 years old. Our Kids BJJ and Kickboxing classes focus on confidence, focus, and discipline — while keeping things fun. This goes for everyone, but especially the kiddos, the more fun you’re having while training, the more you’ll be here and the more you’ll learn. Around 12, we start blending them into our adult classes, based on size, ability to participate in class and individual assessments. If you have a child over 12 and want to train along side them, you’re more than welcome to partner with them during class. If your child is still under 12, we encourage you to train together during an open mat time.

Just bring comfortable clothes and a good attitude. We’ll help you with any gear you need. After two weeks, you’ll want your own gear:

• For kickboxing: 16 oz gloves, shin guards, and a mouthpiece.

• For BJJ: a rashguard, shorts or leggings, or a Gi, and a mouthpiece

• For Heavy Bag HIIT: 16 oz Gloves

Definitely! BJJ and Kickboxing are both incredibly empowering and practical for women — no matter your reason for training. Whether your goals include self-defense, fitness, competition, or just finding a strong community, you’ll feel right at home here.

At Underdog, women make up nearly half our members, and we offer dedicated Women & Femme-Only Classes and workshops for those who prefer to train in a focused, supportive environment. You can also build strength and endurance in our Heavy Bag HIIT Classes, or develop real-world safety skills in our Self-Defense programs designed to build confidence, awareness, and control under pressure.

You’ll learn how to stay calm, think clearly, and move with confidence — all in a welcoming, judgment-free space where empowerment and skill go hand in hand

You’ll feel a difference in your fitness and confidence within a few weeks. Skill-wise, it’s a lifelong journey — but that’s part of what makes martial arts rewarding. Keep in mind, your training partners are improving too, which can make it harder to notice your progress at first. Trust us — your coaches will see it even if you don’t.

You’ll laugh, sweat, and learn real skills. You’ll get stronger, more confident, and more capable. You’ll train pressure tested Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and Self-Defense — all while joining a community of supportive Asheville badasses.

Plus, we have dogs.