Frequently asked questions
I WANT TO TAKE AMERICAN JIU JITSU BUT HOW DO I GET STARTED?
All beginner students start with our Introductory Program. Participating in the Introductory Program will give you the "hands on" experience you need to make an educated decision to choose the best school for you.
The Introductory Special provides a FREE 60 minute semi-private lesson.
HOW MANY CLASSES PER WEEK ARE RECOMMENDED?
We recommend students attend two classes per week. Adults with busy schedules can make progress with one class a week as well, although at a slower pace.
WILL MY CLASSES BE SAFE?
Absolutely. The Theodorou Academy has gone to great lengths to make your training a safe and enjoyable experience. As with any physical sport, injuries can happen, however, all classes are strictly monitored by our top notch instructors to ensure safety. Students learn very early on how to fall without getting hurt and how to work safely with a partner.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMERICAN JIU JITSU AND OTHER MARTIAL ARTS LIKE BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU AND KARATE?
Our style of Jiu Jitsu is a complete martial arts system with focus on self-defense scenarios. In our system of Jiu Jitsu you will learn everything from striking, throwing, weapon defenses, multiple attack scenarios, ground fighting and more. Its a complete system that covers all scenarios.
Other styles like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and many forms of karate are sport based (rather than a complete fighting art). They are specialized sports that involve training for tournaments and competing in class. Each of these sport styles have a specialized niche for competition. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students are great grapplers as 75% of their training involves ground work but there is much more to fighting than just that. Karate / Tae Kwon Do students will learn how to use high kicks and certain punches to spar in/out of a ring or in point-fighting competitions.
Strategically we are very different from the sport styles as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate/Tae Kwon Do practitioners train and fight with rules and to win tournaments. They limit their responses and tactics based on the rules of the tournament they compete in.
We train our students to fight with the reality of the street in mind with no regards to rules. That's why learning how to fight against weapons or mulitple attackers are great examples of things you would learn in our school that you would not see at a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school or a Karate school that primarily focuses on kicking and punching for tournament sparring. Our goal is not to win a competition but to train you in the most complete fighting system designed for street self-defense.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BECOME REASONABLY PROFICIENT?
The time it takes to become proficient varies with each individual. Students are often amazed by their own ability and accomplishment in as little as six months. Training will give you the confidence of knowing that you can defend yourself in most situations. Your real goal should be to attain the rank of Black Belt. This level of proficiency typically takes about 5 years for adults.
CAN ANYONE DO AMERICAN JIU JITSU?
Students of all ages, physical fitness and experience train in our school. We have students from ages twelve to sixty in our school. Our school enrollment is comprised of a balanced mix of male and female students, the vast majority with no prior experience. If you are not in shape – don’t worry! That’s why you need to enroll – you will enhance your fitness and lose weight while learning self-defense at our school.
I HAVE NEVER DONE A MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM BEFORE, WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Fun. A friendly environment. A non-confrontational approach to learning. A hands-on, interactive self-defense learning experience. We specialize in a classroom atmosphere that is engaging and caters to adults and teens. The majority of our students start with no previous martial arts training.