You Can Start Today

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 20:04:20 GMT

Do I Need to Get in Shape Before I Start Classes?

One of the main questions or comments we get is: “Do I need to get in shape before I start classes?” or “I would like to do this, but I need to get in shape first”.

It’s an incredibly common thought.

When you’re looking at a new training program - whether that’s Jiu Jitsu, kickboxing, self-defense, or strength and conditioning - we have a tendency to see something we’ve never done before, or something we haven’t done in a long time, and compare where we are now to what we see in videos.

And we might look at those videos and go: “Man, there’s no way I could do that” or “I’m so far from doing that”.

In some cases, depending on the program, that might actually be true. If you’ve never gone running, you might want to do a little bit of training before you do a half marathon.

However, our programs at Endeavor Defense and Fitness are specifically built so that everybody can come in on day one, no matter what their background or ability level is, and we'll meet you where you’re at.

Meeting You Where You’re At

As an example, in a strength and conditioning class, we may have the workout written up on the board and broken into three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 3 is for people who have been training for a while, can move a little extra weight, or need extra reps. Level 1 is entry level. Maybe you haven’t done a lot of strength and conditioning before, or the movements are new to you. We’ll use lighter weights and better progressions that fit that person at a better starting point.

Those three levels are really just jump-off points. The coaches then work with the individual to find out exactly what’s right for them. It might be a mixture of Level 1 and Level 2, or it might be something completely different. If somebody comes into one of our classes with a previous injury or something that happened outside of the gym, we can adjust the program to make sure we’re working appropriately for that person.

The same is true in Jiu Jitsu.

You have various backgrounds, ability levels, and goals. Some people want to learn as a hobby, pick up something new, or find a new way to work out. Other people may be interested in eventually competing.

If you’re new to Jiu Jitsu, we’re going to start with some of the basic fundamental principles. You’re learning how to move appropriately, learning the terminology, and learning some of the basic ideology around where you want to put your hands, how we can build defense, and things like that.

For somebody on a more competitive level, we can take that same idea and make it harder to accomplish or add other elements on top of it.

The most important part is that ** we can meet people where they’re at. You can move at your own pace. **

Everyone Started Somewhere

When you see videos on Instagram or Facebook, it can be hard to imagine the steps or progressions it took to get there. But every single person started day one somewhere.

We have a lot of people who have come to us without any training background at all. They haven’t touched a weight in their entire life. We’re able to start them with basic movement - understanding how their body moves appropriately, what positions to get into, and what is a safe form of muscular tension versus when something is starting to get dangerous.

The same thing applies to self-defense. If you come to a Krav Maga or self-defense class, the concepts and movements can be intimidating. We’re moving around, throwing punches, and it is physically taxing.

However, we will meet you where you’re at. We can change the drills and slow the pace down to get what person needs out of class, and they’re still going to get valuable training. In those early phases, you’re learning a lot about what you’re capable of. You’re learning the terminology and how to move your body in certain ways.

And along the way, your fitness is going to increase.

Progressing at the Right Pace

The biggest struggle is ourselves more often than not.

We have a tendency to want to go faster than we should, or to do something we’re just not prepared to do yet because we don’t understand the two, three, or four steps that came before it. That’s one of the reasons we’re so big on small group training, where you have a coach leading each class.

The coach can take whatever the lesson is for the day and formulate it to where you’re at while making sure you’re progressing in a safe way and at a safe pace. We’re not pushing you too hard too fast.

We’re also there to nudge you forward when maybe you’re not comfortable nudging forward and you’re staying in a place that’s a little more complacent.

Our coaches are incredibly knowledgeable. They’re there to keep an eye on you, make sure you’re working safely, answer questions about a drill or concept, and help you identify your goals and the progressions necessary to reach them.

They’re also there when it’s time to pump the brakes. If we keep moving at the wrong pace, we might get burned out, run into injuries or nagging issues, or stall our overall progression. It’s important to know how to move at an appropriate pace.

There’s work time. There’s recovery time. Everybody’s intensity level and needs are going to be different, and it’s part of the coach’s job to help you figure out what makes the most sense for you.

You Don’t Have to Be Strong Enough Before You Start

If you’re thinking: “Man, I think I need to get in shape before I ever try something like that”.

We want you to understand that coming into one of our classes, we’re going to make sure you’re moving at a safe pace and that you can absolutely participate.

Again, if we go with a strength and conditioning example, everybody in the room can deadlift.

If I have a group of individuals, I might have one person deadlifting five pounds - a lighter kettlebell - just to understand the form and movement of the deadlift. Then I might have somebody deadlifting two times their body weight in the same exact room, right next to each other.

What matters is that both people are learning how to safely and effectively pick up something from the floor to their waist. That’s really what it’s about.

All of the courses and programs are set up so that you can meet progressions and get what you need out of them in that moment, from building good, safe movement all the way up to getting into competition or setting personal records or personal bests.

The real deal is: You have to start somewhere.

At Endeavor Defense and Fitness, our goal in our Jiu Jitsu, self-defense, fight conditioning, and strength and conditioning programs is to make sure the coursework and coaches are set up so we can take brand-new athletes and seasoned athletes and meet them where they’re at.

We can set appropriate movement standards and make sure they’re getting what they need out of the workout, as opposed to simply writing random workouts up on the board and letting it be a free-for-all.

You Can Start Today

When you take that first step through the door, we’re going to make sure the coach is there to take care of you, move well with you, and make sure you have progressions and understand how things should be moving.

You’ll find out your starting point - where you’re at right now - the next step that’s going to walk you toward your goal, and the long-term plan of doing it safely over time. All training programs can be modified to your ability level. You’re going to have coaches who want to make sure you’re moving well, progressing, and staying safe.

And you get to do it with people who are all chasing goals of their own. They understand what you’re going through. They’ve been in your place before, and they’re going to be there to support you through that. That’s one of the best parts about coming into a group training program - to take that first step and have not only the educational side of it, but the support side of it from peers as well as coaches.

Long story short, it’s totally normal to feel: “Oh man, that doesn’t seem like something I can do” or “I’m just not healthy or fit enough to jump into that just yet, and I need to get fit first”.

We're here to tell you that **you can absolutely start today** , and that we have a plan in place to get you started!

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You Can Start Today

Do I Need to Get in Shape Before I Start Classes?