If you’ve ever thought about starting Jiu-Jitsu but don’t know where to begin, this article is for you. I’ll demystify everything — what it is, how it works, what to expect from your first class, and why this martial art can change your life.
What is Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a ground-based martial art built on a simple but powerful principle: technique and leverage beat brute force. A smaller person, with the right technique, can control and submit a much stronger opponent. That’s why BJJ is often called “human chess” — every position, every movement, every reaction is a strategic decision.
Unlike boxing or muay thai, Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t rely on punches or kicks. The fight unfolds primarily on the ground, with techniques for control, guard passing, sweeps and submissions — chokes and joint locks applied with surgical precision.
GI or No-Gi: what’s the difference?
At Be Water Lisboa, we offer both:
Jiu-Jitsu GI (with kimono): The traditional form. The kimono is part of the fight — you use grips on the fabric to control, sweep and submit. The pace is more technical and deliberate. It’s the best entry point for beginners, because it forces you to develop patience and technical precision.
Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi (without kimono): Faster and more physical. Without fabric grips, you work with clinch, wrist control and neck ties. It’s the style closest to MMA and competition grappling. You train in shorts and a rash guard.
Open Mat (Saturdays at 11:30am): Free training without a structured class. Ideal for practising what you’ve learned during the week, rolling with different partners and developing your personal game.
My recommendation for beginners: try GI first. The technical base you build with the kimono naturally transfers to No-Gi. Then, once you feel comfortable, add No-Gi sessions to your plan.
What you’ll learn in the first months
In the first months, the focus is on building a solid foundation:
- Fundamental positions — closed guard, half guard, mount, back. You learn to recognise where you are and what to do in each position.
- Defence and escape movements — escaping from mount, defending chokes, recovering guard. Before attacking, you learn to survive.
- Basic guard passes — how to get past your opponent’s legs to reach dominant positions.
- Fundamental submissions — rear naked choke, triangle, americana, kimura. Techniques that work at every level.
- Ukemi (breakfalls) — how to fall safely. It seems basic, but it’s essential for training without injuries.
Master Alexandre Izidro — 6th degree black belt with over 25 years of experience, former professional fighter and 3rd place at the World Championship — structures the classes so beginners and advanced practitioners train together productively. The more experienced help the newcomers, and you learn as much from the professor as from your training partners.
”Do I need to be fit to start?”
No. This is the question I hear most and the answer is always the same: Jiu-Jitsu gets you fit — you don’t need to be fit to start. In the first weeks, your body will adapt to movements it’s never done before. It’s normal to discover muscles you didn’t know existed. It’s normal to get tired quickly. And that’s exactly how it should be.
What you’ll develop with regular practice:
- Flexibility and joint mobility — the ground forces you to move in ways no conventional gym works
- Full-body functional strength — gripping, pulling, pushing, rotating, stabilising
- Cardiovascular conditioning — 5 minutes of rolling is more intense than 30 minutes on a treadmill
- Motor coordination and body awareness
- Mental resilience — in Jiu-Jitsu, you learn to solve problems under pressure
What to bring to your first class
- Comfortable sportswear (t-shirt and shorts or leggings)
- Flip-flops for the changing room
- Towel and water bottle
- Trimmed nails (hands and feet) — a matter of hygiene and safety
- No loose jewellery or piercings
For GI, you’ll need a kimono. If you don’t have one, don’t worry — for your first class, train in regular clothes and we’ll sort it out after. For No-Gi, just fitted shorts and a rash guard (or a tight t-shirt).
Jiu-Jitsu schedule at Be Water
- No-Gi: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00am | Monday and Wednesday at 7:30pm
- GI: Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30pm
- Open Mat: Saturday at 11:30am
With Be Water plans, you have access to all classes across all modalities. You can train Jiu-Jitsu and complement it with functional training in the same week — in fact, that’s what we recommend. The combination of BJJ with physical conditioning significantly accelerates your evolution.
Why Be Water for Jiu-Jitsu in Lisbon?
Three reasons:
- Master Alexandre Izidro — one of the most qualified professors in Portugal. 6th degree black belt, Cage Warriors champion, 3rd at the Worlds. The quality of instruction is unmatched.
- A real community — Be Water isn’t a gym you just pass through. It’s a club where people know each other, train together and grow together. The atmosphere in the dojo is demanding but inclusive.
- Multi-modality — beyond BJJ, you have functional training, muay thai and boxing. A Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who trains strength and conditioning is a more complete practitioner.
The first step
Send us a message on WhatsApp (933 869 791) and book your free trial class. Arrive 15 minutes early, bring comfortable clothes, and leave the rest to us. It doesn’t matter your age, weight or fitness level — the mat is for everyone.
Be Water Lisboa — Av. do Brasil 7, Campo Grande. Monday to Friday 7am–9pm, Saturday 10am–1pm.
— Tiago Viseu, Co-Founder
