Beginner Adult BJJ in Takoma Park
Built for adults starting from absolute zero: beginner-designated evening classes, 7 AM morning gi, and champions coaching you from your very first session. Your first class is free.
You don't need to be in shape to start. You need to start.
Beginner Brazilian jiu-jitsu at WDC BJJ is built for adults with zero experience — people who have never been on a mat and are wondering if they're too old, too busy, or too out of shape. Most of the adults on our mats started exactly where you are now.
Warm up with the group
Movement first: you'll learn how to fall safely, move on the ground, and get comfortable on the mats — the orientation every beginner needs.
Learn one or two fundamentals
Clear, step-by-step teaching of core positions and escapes — the same fundamentals champions build on, explained in plain language.
Drill with a partner
Practice the technique with a partner at a controlled pace. Your partners remember being new — that's the culture of this room.
Supervised live practice
Finish with practice scaled to your experience, with coaches watching the whole room. You will never be thrown in over your head.
Wherever you're starting from
Complete beginners
Beginner-designated sessions run at 6:00 PM Monday through Thursday. That's your starting line — built for first-timers, paced for learning.
Book a Free Trial Class →Morning training
Adults Gi at 7:00 AM Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday — train before work, and let the rest of the day happen.
See the Schedule →Transfers & visitors
Already training? Mixed and advanced sessions run at 7:00 PM, with open mat Saturday at 10:00 AM. Call ahead, arrive early to check in and sign the waiver, and talk with Professor Deivid about the right session.
Call (202) 636-3453 →Two games, one foundation
Gi: the traditional uniform — grips, controls, and techniques that use the fabric. No-gi: athletic wear — faster, more wrestling-like, built on body control. Enrollment includes a free uniform, so you're covered for gi training from the start.
Optional. Never required.
We have a competition team for those who want it — and most of our students never compete. You'll learn the same fundamentals either way; what you do with them is your call.
Professor Deivid Dias
GFTeam black belt, IBJJF Pan American Champion, American National Champion, Master Worlds medalist, 8× IBJJF Open Champion, and GFTeam Hall of Fame member. His lineage runs through the Fadda line — Maeda → Luiz França → Oswaldo Fadda → Monir Salomão → Júlio César Pereira → Ataíde Rafael → Deivid Dias. Beginners are the students he is most passionate about teaching.
Your first class is free.
No experience needed, and no contracts or long-term commitment — just come train. Enrollment includes a free uniform for kids, youth, and adults.
1. Send the free-trial request or call us.
2. We confirm the right class for your age and schedule.
3. Arrive 15 minutes early in athletic clothes.
4. Train in a real group class — then decide with zero pressure.
Everything you're wondering
No — the class is the fitness. Start at your own pace, rest when you need to, and let training build your conditioning week by week. Coaches would rather you pace yourself than sit out.
You'll warm up with the group, learn one or two fundamentals with clear step-by-step explanation, drill with a partner at a controlled pace, and finish with supervised practice scaled to your experience. Coaches know who is new and check on beginners throughout.
Live practice is always supervised and scaled to your experience. Nobody is thrown in against advanced students — you build up at a pace the coaches set with you.
Comfortable athletic clothes — no pockets or zippers — and a water bottle. We provide the gi for your trial class, and enrollment includes a free uniform.
Gi classes train in the traditional uniform, where grips on the fabric are part of the game. No-gi classes train in athletic wear — faster and more wrestling-like. You'll get both at WDC BJJ; mornings are gi, and beginner evenings start you with the fundamentals either way.
Tell the coaches before class and they'll work with you on what you can safely do. For anything medical, check with your doctor first — we're coaches, not clinicians.
Programs vary by how often you train, and we don't publish prices online. Come try a free class, and we'll walk you through the option that fits your family — with no contracts or long-term commitment.