Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Beginner
Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu for adult beginners. No experience required. No fitness prerequisite.
Is Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Beginner the right fit?
- Age Range
- Ages 13 – Adult
- Experience Level
- Beginners welcome. Instruction is calibrated to each student's current level.
- Students Who Thrive
- Anyone who shows up consistently. Effort matters more than starting point.
- Problems It Solves
- Builds confidence, discipline, and real skill through structured practice.
BJJ Where Adult Beginners Belong.
The Adult BJJ Beginner program is the most welcoming entry point at the academy. It is taught directly by Professor Michael Madeley, a 5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado, with the entire class structured around adults who have never grappled before.
Classes run 60 minutes. The format is warm-up, technique instruction, drilling, and supervised positional work. Live rolling is introduced at reduced resistance once the instructor determines you have the mechanics to engage safely. Most adults are rolling within their first month.
BJJ rewards technique and patience over athletic explosiveness, which means every adult body type and starting fitness level can train productively from day one. There is no minimum fitness requirement and no embarrassment for moving slowly while you learn.
- Carlos Machado fundamentals curriculum
- Core positions: mount, side control, guard, back
- Sweeps, escapes, and basic submissions
- Positional drilling and controlled live rolling
- Adult belt progression (white → blue → purple → brown → black)
When Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Beginner runs.
Current class times for this program are listed on the full weekly schedule.
60 min · Multiple sessions per week
Book your free trial class below, or see the full weekly schedule.
Michael Madeley
5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado
Professor Madeley is a 5th Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado. He started martial arts at age 7, was introduced to BJJ in 2001 by Klay Pittman at Texas Tech, trained at the original academy in Rio after college, and moved to Dallas to train directly under Carlos Machado. He earned his black belt in 2009 and has led students and teams to multiple DFW competition wins.
LEARN MOREWhat Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Beginner delivers.
Real Skill, Real Progression
Belts and milestones are earned through demonstrated competency, not handed out on a calendar. Students see measurable advancement in the first months and own every step of it.
Calibrated to Where You Are
Instructors meet each student at their current level. Intensity, complexity, and resistance are tuned per student, so beginners and experienced students train productively in the same room.
Coaches Who Actually Coach
Every instructor on staff holds a recognized rank in the discipline they teach and has completed our internal coaching certification before leading a class on their own.
What to Bring on Day One.
- 01 Athletic clothes for day one. No gi required for trial
- 02 Water bottle
- 03 Mouthguard (optional but recommended once rolling)
- 04 No prior fitness or experience required
What Families Are Saying
Live Google reviews and student feedback will appear here.
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Common questions about Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Beginner.
I am out of shape. Can I start?
Yes. BJJ is the most accommodating martial art for adults starting from any fitness level. Conditioning improves as a result of training, not as a prerequisite.
I am in my 40s or 50s. Is this for me?
Yes. Some of our most consistent students started in their 40s and 50s. The technique-over-strength nature of BJJ ages well.
Do I have to roll right away?
No. Rolling is introduced when Professor Madeley decides you have the mechanics. For most adults this is within the first month, at controlled resistance with experienced partners.
When do I move to the Advanced class?
Promotion to the Advanced class typically happens at blue belt or when the instructor determines you have the technical base to train at a higher intensity. There is no fixed timeline. It is based on your training, not your tenure.
BJJ for Adults Who Want the Real Thing.
Try a real Adult Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: Beginner class before you commit. Pick a time on the calendar, show up, train, decide from there.
No contract · No experience required · Walk-ins welcome
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