Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

What to bring and what to expect when you start:

Mat Rules:

Train hard, take care of your teammates. Check out the Mat Rules to see how we roll.

What to expect:

A beginner-friendly, structured class
Step-by-step instruction and guided drilling
No experience required
A clean, respectful, and supportive environment
You’ll be learning and moving right away

Just show up—we’ll take care of the rest.

What to bring:

Comfortable workout clothes (t-shirt and shorts or athletic wear)
Water bottle
Flip flops or sandals (for off the mats)
A positive attitude

Gi (uniform):

If you already have a gi, feel free to wear it—any color, brand, or affiliation is fine
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gis are preferred, but Judo gis also work
If you don’t have a gi yet, we can lend you one during your trial
Long term, you’ll need your own gi—but you’re not required to buy one from us

Under the gi:

Not mandatory, but preferred if men wear a t-shirt or rashguard under their gi top.
Women: tight-fitting, high-collar athletic top
Many women also choose to wear yoga pants or compression pants under the gi

Beginner - Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Our Beginner Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class is designed for anyone new to the art, or those looking to build a strong technical foundation from the ground up.

You’ll learn the core positions, movements, and principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while training in the traditional gi (kimono). Classes focus on practical techniques, controlled drilling, and simple, effective strategies that you can actually use—not just memorize.

There’s no expectation of prior experience. We keep the pace structured and approachable so you can develop confidence, coordination, and understanding without feeling overwhelmed.

This class is ideal if you want to:

Start Brazilian Jiu Jitsu the right way
Build solid fundamentals and good habits
Improve fitness, mobility, and body awareness
Train in a supportive, no-ego environment

Whether your goal is self-defense, fitness, or eventually progressing to advanced classes, this is where everything starts.

All Levels Jiu Jitsu:

These classes are open to everyone—from complete beginners to experienced practitioners.

Classes are structured to accommodate mixed experience levels. Beginners will continue building fundamentals, while more experienced students refine technique, timing, and strategy. Instruction is clear and practical, with options and variations so everyone can work at an appropriate level.

OpenMat is our "affiliation". It was started by our coach, Elliott Bayev.

In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, an affiliation is a formal connection between a gym and a larger team or organization, usually led by a higher-ranked instructor (often a black belt).

Affiliations typically provide:

Technical guidance and curriculum direction
Belt promotions and rank recognition
Access to seminars, competitions, and a broader team network

You’ll often see affiliations represented through patches on a gi or team names used in competition.

At The Chop Shop, we’re open to all affiliations. Whether you have a team, a lineage, or no affiliation at all—you’re welcome here.

We also support and encourage cross training. Training at different gyms, learning from different coaches, and getting exposure to different styles is a positive thing. It helps you grow, build perspective, and become a more well-rounded grappler.

At the end of the day, an affiliation reflects lineage and connection within the sport—but your progress is shaped by consistent training, good coaching, and the environment you’re part of.