Do I Need Any Experience to Start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, or Self Defense?
Short answer?
No. Zero. None. Not even a little bit.
Longer answer?
You’re actually the person these programs are built for.
Everyone Starts at Day One
Nobody walks into their first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or kickboxing class knowing what they’re doing.
Not the athletic guy.
Not the “I used to wrestle in high school” guy.
Not the person who’s been “meaning to get in shape for years.”
Everyone starts at the same place: confused, slightly nervous, and trying to remember which foot goes forward.
That’s normal.
At Underdog Martial Arts here in Asheville, we expect beginners. Our programs are structured so that someone with zero experience can walk in and start learning immediately.
You don’t need to “get in shape first.”
You don’t need to “watch some YouTube videos.”
You don’t need to “wait until life slows down.”
You just start.
What Your First Classes Actually Look Like
A lot of people imagine walking into a fight scene.
That’s not what happens.
Beginner classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, and self defense are focused on:
Learning basic positions and movements
Understanding simple techniques step by step
Controlled partner drills (not chaos)
Building timing, coordination, and confidence
No one’s throwing you into the deep end.
You’ll be coached. You’ll be guided. You’ll be working with people who remember exactly what it felt like to be brand new—because they were, not that long ago.
“But I’m Out of Shape…”
Good. Then you’re in the right place.
Training is how you get in shape—not something you earn the right to do after you’re already fit.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu improves endurance, strength, and mobility.
Kickboxing builds conditioning, coordination, and power.
Self defense training sharpens awareness, reaction time, and confidence.
You don’t show up fit. You become fit by showing up.
“What If I Feel Awkward or Slow?”
You will.
Everyone does.
There’s a gap between knowing what to do and being able to do it smoothly. That gap is where all the progress happens.
The goal isn’t to look good on day one.
The goal is to get a little better each class.
And that adds up fast.
Why Starting as a Beginner is Actually an Advantage
People who start from scratch tend to:
Build better fundamentals
Develop cleaner technique
Avoid bad habits from other sports
Progress more consistently over time
You’re not behind. You’re just early in the process.
The Only Thing You Actually Need
You don’t need experience.
You need:
A willingness to try
The ability to show up
A little patience with yourself
That’s it.
Everything else—skill, fitness, confidence—comes from training.
Ready to Start Training in Asheville?
If you’ve been thinking about trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, or self defense in Asheville, this is your sign.
No experience required.
No “perfect time” needed.
Just show up, and we’ll take it from there.
👉 Book your free trial class at Underdog Martial Arts and get started this week.