BJJ stands for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a martial art and self-defense system focused on ground fighting (grappling). The goal is to make an opponent submit through joint locks, chokes, and positional control, without strikes or kicks. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu emerged in Brazil in the early 20th century, evolving from Japanese Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Today, BJJ is considered one of the most effective martial arts in the world, especially on the ground, and is a core component of MMA and many self-defense systems.

NoGi BJJ is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu without the traditional kimono (Gi). Instead of training in a Gi, we train in rashguard and shorts. This makes the training faster and more dynamic. At Elevate Jiu Jitsu in Munich, we train exclusively NoGi, with a clear focus on principles, ground control, and properly structured beginner progression. The advantage for beginners: less grip material, more focus on position, movement, and body awareness.

A BJJ training session at Elevate lasts about 60 minutes. It starts with a dynamic warm-up, moves into games with a clear goal, and ends with sparring. You learn through the games themselves, not through separately teaching and then applying techniques. The focus is always understanding, not just repeating movements.

BJJ is widely considered one of the most effective martial arts in the world, especially on the ground. The big advantage for beginners: you don't need extraordinary strength or speed, because Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is built on leverage, position, and technique. Smaller and physically weaker people can dominate larger opponents once they understand the system. That's why BJJ is a core part of MMA and many self-defense systems, and is often called "human chess", because strategy and tactics matter more than raw strength.

For the Crash Course, normal sportswear is fine. No need to buy anything special to start. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is trained barefoot on the mat. A mouthguard is recommended. You can buy one directly from me (€10) and we'll fit it together. A towel for showering is helpful. If you're unsure what you need: message me beforehand, I'm happy to help.

Yes, experienced grapplers and BJJ practitioners are very welcome. My coaching is built on the Five Laws of BJJ, a principles-based system that opens new perspectives even for advanced students. Experienced students benefit especially from the depth: instead of collecting more techniques, you deepen your understanding of why BJJ actually works. Working on clean fundamentals doesn't hurt at any level, and often makes the difference between hitting a plateau and continuing to grow.

After the Crash Course, you can continue with the 4-Week Course, the follow-up at Elevate. Over four weeks, you train on two fixed days per week, plus an additional review day, building a foundation step by step. You decide freely after the Crash Course whether it's right for you.

BJJ training at Elevate is taught fluently in English and German. I'm bilingual and adapt to the group, every new person is welcome regardless of their primary language. International students, expats, and visiting grapplers are just as welcome at Elevate Jiu Jitsu in Munich-Westend as locals.