Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can feel like stepping into a foreign country where everyone already speaks the language—and occasionally puts each other in chokes.
If you’re in Bend, Oregon and you’ve been hovering over the “Book Free Trial” button at SBG Bend, this guide is for you. Think of it as your first 90-day roadmap for Bend BJJ, so you know exactly what to expect from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Bend, Oregon.
Weeks 1–2: “Wait, Which Way Do I Shrimp?”
In your first couple of weeks:
- You’ll be in Foundations / beginner-friendly classes, not tossed straight into full-power sparring.
- You’ll learn basic movements: shrimping, bridging, technical stand-up, breakfalls.
- You’ll get introduced to key positions: closed guard, mount, side control, back control, half-guard.
- You’ll hear your coach talk about concepts like base, posture, frames, and connection.
Your number one job in these first two weeks is showing up consistently. Don’t worry about submissions. Worry about breathing, learning to move, and understanding where your limbs are supposed to go.
If you leave class with a sweaty gi and one new concept that makes sense, that’s a win.
Weeks 3–4: Surviving, Escaping, and Not Panicking
By week three, you’ll start to feel less like a tourist and more like a beginner student of BJJ in Bend.
What changes:
- You’ll start connecting positions together:
“If I’m stuck under mount, here’s how I escape. If I escape, here’s where I go next.”
- You’ll begin isolated sparring (live mini-games from a specific position) at controlled intensity.
- You’ll tap a bunch. This is normal. It’s literally how you learn.
You’ll also notice some non-BJJ shifts:
- Your grip strength is improving.
- You’re less gassed walking up the stairs at home.
- You start to look forward to class, even on rough days.
At this stage, it’s crucial to remember: nobody at SBG Bend expects you to “win” rounds. What we care about is effort, safety, and honest training.
Ask questions. Laugh at yourself. Keep coming back.
Weeks 5–8: Building Your First Actual “Game”
By now you’ve survived the awkward “Bambi on ice” phase of Bend BJJ.
In class you’ll:
- Start recognizing common patterns:
“This person is trying to pass my guard.”
“I’m on their back, I should look for the choke.” - Build a basic “A-game” from a couple of positions you like. Maybe you’re discovering you’re good at half-guard, or you love playing closed guard.
- Roll more rounds at the end of class, with better awareness of when to push and when to tap.
Expect some emotional swings here:
- Some nights you’ll feel like Gordon Ryan.
- Some nights you’ll feel like you forgot everything you ever learned.
Both are data. Both are normal.
Your coaches will keep hammering the same message: fundamentals beat tricks. Focus on posture, pressure, and frames, not fancy YouTube moves. The cool stuff will land on top of solid basics later.
Weeks 9–12: Starting to Feel Like a BJJ Person
By the 90-day mark, a few things usually happen for beginners at SBG Bend:
- You’ve made a couple of friends you look forward to seeing each week.
- You can roll with newer students and actually help them, which reinforces your own learning.
- You’re starting to notice real-life changes: less stress, better sleep, more confidence in your body.
On the mat, you’ll:
- Have 2–3 reliable escapes you trust under pressure.
- Know a small handful of submissions you can hit sometimes against resisting partners.
- Be able to roll a full round at a sustainable pace without mentally imploding when you get stuck.
Are you ready for the Mundials? No.
But you’re solidly on the path.
What Your First 90 Days at SBG Bend Are Really About
Underneath all the techniques, your first three months of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Bend, Oregon are really about a few key things:
Learning how to train—and train safely
You’ll learn how to tap early, communicate with partners, and move in ways that protect your neck, shoulders, and knees. Safety is not optional at SBG Bend; it’s the foundation of everything we do.
Working through our 18-lesson Foundations program
Our structured Foundations curriculum gives you a clear path: 18 core lessons that cover the essential positions, escapes, and concepts you’ll use for the rest of your BJJ journey. You don’t have to guess what to learn next—we’ve already mapped it out.
Building real endurance and mat fitness
The more you show up, the more your body adapts. Over your first 90 days, you’ll build the specific kind of endurance that only comes from actual BJJ training: grip strength, hip mobility, core stability, and the ability to stay calm while working hard.
Learning the community and integrating into the gym
You’re not just learning jiu-jitsu; you’re joining a team. You’ll get to know your coaches, training partners, class culture, and the rhythm of life at SBG Bend. That sense of belonging is a huge part of why people stick with BJJ long-term.
Layering in all the other benefits along the way
Confidence, stress relief, better focus at work, improved body awareness, a healthier routine—these “side effects” sneak up on you. The longer you train, the more they stack. Everything else in this blog—movement, techniques, conditioning, friendships—feeds into those bigger life changes.
Common Questions From New Bend BJJ Students
“How many days a week should I train?”
For the first 90 days, 2–3 classes per week is the sweet spot. Enough volume to learn, not so much that your body and schedule revolt.
“Do I need to do extra conditioning?”
You can, but you don’t have to. Early on, BJJ itself is your conditioning. If you want to sprinkle in lifting, running, biking, or skiing, just communicate with your coach and listen to your body.
“What if I miss a week?”
Life happens. Just come back. Everyone at SBG Bend has had stretches where work, family, or injury took them off the mat. What counts is getting back on.
Ready to Start Your First 90 Days of Bend BJJ?
If you’re in Bend and curious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is now.
Hit the “Book Free Trial” button, come try a Foundations class at SBG Bend, and let your first 90 days on the mat change the next 10 years of your life.
