We get it; choosing a new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym is a big step, whether it's your first time or if you've trained before.
You want a gym that has:
- Good vibes
- A schedule that fits you
- Classes that make you better
You could never just choose a gym without trying it. That's why we offer a free trial week.
Book your free trial week now based on your experience:
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email:
contact@starkjiujitsu.be.
First time?
First of all, relax. You'll be joining a beginners-only class. It's super welcoming session that doesn't require you to know anything, and you don't even need to be in shape.
What to bring to your first class?
Just bring a towel, some slippers, a water bottle, normal workout clothes (without zippers) and good vibes.
For women a sports bra/ tight shirt without metal will be most comfortable to wear under their gi. For no-gi any T-shirt will do, as long as it's without metal.
Here's what your predecessors had to say!
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Whoa there, that’s kind of a big question. That's why we wrote this entire page about it.
Q: So, what does this cost?
We offer a couple of different packages, depending on the duration of your commitment. And we do offer a student discount. Find out more about our pricing here.
Q: What's the schedule?
We offer about 16 sessions per week, but we also let full-members train at other times when the mats are available. There's basically no limit on how much you can train. Check out our schedule here.
Q: Am I going to get bullied there because of my belt/ sexual orientation /wealth /ethnicity / Etc.
We have a strict no-bullying policy, which means we don't give people nicknames they didn’t ask for, try to remember everyone’s name, stand up for each other, and try to create a positive attitude. Talk to your coach if you feel picked on or unsafe.
Q: What types of classes do you offer?
We're proud to say we offer 5 types of classes:
- Gi BJJ Classes in gent
- No Gi BJJ Classes in Gent
- Beginner's classes in Gent
- Standing Classes in Gent
- Sparring classes in gent
- Ladies only classes
Questions from beginners
Q: Do I need to be in shape before starting Jiu-Jitsu?
Absolutely not, Jiu-Jitsu will help you get in shape, and technique can be applied by people of any body shape and size. That being said, it does help in competition to be flexible, strong, and have good cardio. But those are problems for later. Let’s start with technique :).
Q: What material do I need before class?
If you warn us in time before coming, we should be able to provide you with a loan gi and a white belt. So that’s really enough to do your first class. Remember to bring a towel and a water bottle. It's also recommended to get a mouthpiece to protect your teeth, but not strictly necessary. Pretty much any mouthguard is good, we recommend just starting with the cheapest one you can find.
Q: How does Jiu-Jitsu relate to other martial arts?
Well, it’s obviously the best martial arts of all time (except maybe boxing 😉). It has no punching or kicking, it's just grappling. So kind of wrestling with submission holds. The best part about it is that you can go 100% intensity, without hurting each other. This makes it great for self-defense too, because you get used to the intensity and are unlikely to hurt someone by accident, avoiding legal liabilities. The UFC was started to find the best martial arts, so it’s no surprise BJJ dominated everything the first few editions.
Q: Is it dangerous to train jiu-Jitsu?
While injuries do happen from time to time, it’s mostly a safe sport. Most people train at high-intensity multiple times a week for years without getting injured. Most injuries come from people not being careful with themselves at each other. If you’re new, people know to be careful with you. Don’t worry it’s safe enough for you to give it a shot.
Q: How do I start?
At the moment, we’re taking the whole group through an extended foundational program, so for now, you can basically start in every class and you should be fine. Later on we’ll probably split up the beginners class from the advanced class.
Questions from experienced grapplers
Q: Will half the class be some watered-down CrossFit?
Absolutely not. Expect to be doing actually jiu-Jitsu the whole time you are on the mat.
Q: Are people going to go insane on me when we role?
There’s a time and a place for everyone. If two competitors want to fight to the death they can do so. But everyone has the right to the role at a level of intensity they’re comfortable with. Communicate clearly with someone if you have injuries, or if you want to have a serious round. So short answer: “No, unless you ask for it.”
Q: I already have a gym, and I want to compete for them and get promoted by them, can I still train with you?
Yes, absolutely. We’re not protective over our techniques or our people. Train wherever you want, get promoted where you want, compete for the team you feel connected to. Just communicate about it, follow the other rules, pay your membership fees and we're good.
Q: So is this more of a competitive gym, or more casual?
This is a gym for people that want to improve at Jiu-Jitsu. You don’t need to compete, you don’t need to go hard. But you do need to have the willingness to learn. That being said, we do focus on techniques that are effective in competition and competitors are definitely welcome and supported.
Q: Are you more of a Gi or more of a NO-Gi gym?
We're proud to say we're equally strong at Gi and No-Gi. We have separate (but aligned) lesson plans, and head coaches for Gi and No-Gi. We also allow people to drill no-gi during the gi classes and vice versa. We believe everyone should get the space to work on their own goals.