Frequently Asked Questions

+ Who should try martial arts?

Everyone! Ronin offers classes & training for young, old, men, women, boys, & girls alike. Even more, we tailor experiences for beginners through advanced athletes.

Martial arts offer a one-of-a-kind workout & act as an alternative, more exciting means of exercise. It also develops coordination, flexibility, body & spatial awareness, strength, speed, & power. All of these benefits serve to improve health & increase physical literacy & daily functionality across the lifespan.

Martial arts also provides a solid foundation for any future endeavors in the exercise & sports world, whether pursued recreationally or on a more serious level.

+ Am I too old to start training martial arts?

Here at Ronin, we believe that no one is ever too old to roll. Or strike. In fact, martial arts is a great activity for older adults because of the many physical, social, & mental benefits that come with training.

Plus, our coaches will help you adapt or modify any exercises necessary to help facilitate learning while mitigating risk of injury.

+ Do I already need to know martial arts to come to classes?

Of course not! Many of our members are first-time practitioners when it comes to martial arts. The majority of our classes are a healthy mix of beginner, intermediate, & advanced individuals, and all of our coaches do an excellent job modifying exercises to meet the fitness levels & needs of each person.

While Ronin members & coaches work together to create a supportive and understanding atmosphere, we are also sensitive to the inclinations of wanting to work out in a more private setting. Thus, if the idea of a group class remains intimidating, our coaches offer personal one-on-one sessions to help take the pressure off & allow you to develop your techniques as well as build your strength at your own pace & comfort.

+ Are all classes beginner-friendly?

Yes! Our classes are structured in a way that benefits everyone in attendance- whether they are there for the first time or a lifelong professional athlete. All of our coaches & members are there to help because we're more than just a gym. We truly strike to create a welcoming community where everyone feels welcome, regardless of skill level or ability.

We also offer a jiu-jitsu fundamentals class on Thursdays evenings (you can see it on the class schedule here), which is perfect for beginners! This class will help you become more comfortable & familiar with the basic positions that the more advanced movements build upon. (This is also why it's a great class for even more experienced practitioners- improving your fundamentals is important to enhancing overall performance).

+ Can I try a class for free before signing up?

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. All first-time customers are eligable for a free trial to give you an opportunity to try different classes with different coaches & get the full Ronin Warrior experience.

If you'd like to try out a class (or two) for free, fill out our brief free trial request form & we'll get you set up for the class(es) that best suit your interests & goals.

+ What do I need to bring or wear?

For first-timers, we understand that you probably don’t own your own equipment, & that’s okay. We have plenty of spare gloves, shin guards, & GIs. So, all you need to bring is you. And a water bottle (although we do have a water fountain). Clothing should be comfortable, breathable, & allow for movement. Don’t worry about shoes- we highly recommend being barefoot to avoid slipping & to preserve the longevity of the mats.

Upon signing up for a membership, you will need your own pair of gloves & hand wraps for striking classes. We also recommend shin guards & a mouthpiece for safety.

If you are interested in our BJJ program, a Gi is required, unless you are only attending No-Gi classes. When the time comes, coaches can provide recommendations and/or set you up with a Ronin gear order.

+ Is it normal to feel lost in the beginning?

It’s completely normal to feel uncomfortable or intimidated when you first walk into a new gym, sit through your first class, or try anything new for the first time!

But we strike to foster a culture of respect & hospitality. After all, we were all beginners once, & we don’t become great on our own. All of our coaches & members are here to help you along the way. That's what our Warrior community is all about. And as long as you keep coming back, we guarantee that feeling will pass sooner than you think.

+ Do I have to participate in rolling or sparring?

Of course not- no matter how long you've been with us, you never have to do anything you aren't comfortable with. We get it can be intimidating, especially if it's your first day.

(And if it is your first day, it's often beneficial to stick around & just watch other members roll because it helps you better understand what BJJ & jiu-jitsu are all about!)

However, live rolling & sparring (see the Other section below for definitions) are an important part of training martial arts. They provide the opportunity to practice what was covered in class & they help you better understand the techniques you've learned as well as your ability to use them in a more dynamic situation. This is especially crucial if you're taking classes as a means of learning self-defense.

Plus, we are never rolling or sparring with the intention of causing damage. In fact, the people that roll/spar in an over-competitive manner usually make the least amount of progress in their training.

Our coaches keep a close eye on everyone participating to ensure nothing gets out of hand. We're never out for blood, but instead practicing control over our movements while trying to hone techniques.