FAQ

LEGACY JIU-JITSU ACADEMY

What makes Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Academy different from other martial arts gyms?

LJJA offers a true family atmosphere with over 4,000 sqft of mat space, certified coaches trained by the US Center for SafeSport, and programs for all ages starting at 4 years old. As proud affiliates of Ares BJJ Association and partners with We Defy Foundation, we're committed to building community while teaching practical self-defense. Plus, our Women's Self-Defense class is offered FREE to the community every Friday.

What do I wear for practice or to train?

For training, you’ll wear either a gi (kimono) or no-gi attire. For trial classes, wear any comfortable workout clothes—we’ll loan you what you need.

After you sign up, you’ll need to purchase a gi from one of our preferred vendors (WarTribeGear, FujiSports, or Venum). A gi includes a jacket, reinforced pants, and a belt. All students should wear a rash guard and spandex shorts under the gi.

We also offer no-gi training (and optional competition), sometimes called submission grappling. No-gi attire is a rash guard and fight/board shorts.

Do you offer a trial before committing to membership?

Is Legacy Jiu-Jitsu suitable for complete beginners with no martial arts experience?

Do you have childcare available?

Do you offer discounts for military or first responders?

How should I care for my BJJ gi to keep it clean and lasting longer?

We require that you wash your gi before every class. This helps to prevent infections and makes training much more pleasant for everyone.

First wash: wash separately. After that, wash with like colors.
Settings: cold water, low/medium spin, normal soil.
Drying: air dry only. Avoid the dryer—heat will shrink your gi.
Care: don’t iron prints, logos, or patches.

For extra odor and bacteria control, add 1–2 cups of white vinegar to the wash along with your normal detergent, and use a heavy cycle when needed to help fully clean the fabric.

How do I get started?

Getting started is easy:

Claim the intro offer: click “3 Classes & Free Tee!” to sign up for the $20 / 3-class trial (includes a free T-shirt).

Pick a class time: check the Class Schedule and choose the session that fits your age group/program.

Show up and train: come to 1324 Jadwin Ave, Richland, WA 99354 in comfortable workout clothes. During your trial, they’ll loan you the appropriate attire.

Questions before your first class? Call 509-438-6955 or email legacyjiujitsuacademy@gmail.com

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art and self-defense system that uses leverage and technique over strength and size, making it effective for people of all ages and body types, including women and kids. It focuses on grappling and ground control to position an opponent and achieve a submission. BJJ also provides a challenging full-body workout that improves strength, flexibility, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

What should I wear for BJJ training?

For trial classes, wear comfortable athletic clothing and we'll loan you the appropriate gear. Once you sign up, you'll need to purchase a gi (uniform) from one of our preferred vendors: WarTribeGear, FujiSports, or Venum. A gi consists of a jacket, reinforced pants, and belt. Wear a rash guard and spandex shorts underneath. For no-gi classes, you'll need fight/board shorts and a rash guard.

Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu good exercise and will it help me get in shape?

Do I have to compete in BJJ tournaments?

What's the difference between Gi and No-Gi BJJ training?

How are belt promotions handled at Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Academy?

MUAY THAI

What Is Muay Thai?

Is Muay Thai training safe? What safety measures do you have?

What do I wear for Muay Thai training at LJJA?

What age groups can train in Muay Thai at Legacy Jiu-Jitsu Academy?

LITTLES BJJ

What is Littles BJJ and how is it different from regular kids' martial arts?

What should my child wear to Littles BJJ class?

What will my child learn in Littles BJJ classes?

How long are Littles BJJ classes and how often should my child attend?

Is it safe for young children to learn Jiu-Jitsu?

Will Littles BJJ help with my child's behavior and focus at home and school?

KIDS MARTIAL ARTS

What programs do you have for Kids at LJJA?

Our Kids Martial Arts offerings for ages 8-12 include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes and Muay Thai classes. Your child can choose one program or train in both for comprehensive self-defense skills: BJJ teaches ground fighting and grappling, while Muay Thai covers striking. We also offer Open Mat sessions where kids can practice and play in a supervised setting. Each class is taught separately with age-appropriate curriculum designed specifically for this age group.

What if my child has never done martial arts before? Will they be behind other kids?

What should my child wear to Kids Martial Arts classes?

Is the training safe for kids? What safety protocols do you have?

TEEN MARTIAL ARTS

What do teens wear for training?

What makes the Teen Martial Arts program different from kids or adult classes?

Our Teen Martial Arts program is specifically designed for ages 13-16, recognizing that teenagers have different physical abilities, attention spans, and goals than younger kids or adults. Training is more intensive than kids' classes with advanced techniques, while still being age-appropriate. Classes provide a positive peer environment that builds confidence during crucial developmental years.

How does martial arts benefit teens beyond self-defense?

Martial arts training provides structure, discipline, and goal-setting during a critical time in adolescent development. Teens gain increased confidence, improved physical fitness, stress relief and emotional regulation, respect for themselves and others, a positive peer group, leadership skills, and a healthy alternative to screen time. Many parents report improvements in grades, attitude, and overall behavior.

When my teen turns 17, can they continue training at Legacy?

WOMEN'S SELF-DEFENSE

What should I wear to Women's Self-Defense class?

Do I need to pre-register or can I just show up?

Is this class only for women or can men attend to support their partners?

What will I learn in Women's Self-Defense classes?

My daughter is 15—can she attend the class with me?

If I enjoy the FREE Friday class, can I train more frequently in other programs?

Before you train

Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai are highly intimate sports that involve a lot of close contact. That close contact can result in awkward situations and gross out moments. This is a friendly PSA with some tips and tricks to keep your training partners safer and happier:

Make sure you clip your fingernails and toenails. However, it is not enough to merely clip them. Clipping a nail makes it far sharper, so while it may be shorter, the threat of it may have been accented. Rather, clip the nail, then FILE it. This takes an extra 3 seconds per nail, but it ensures that your nails will not cut your training partners or snag on their rash guards.

Gi/equipment cleanliness is crucial. When we train we get abrasions on our exposed skin from the coarse gi material/contact, and if the gi material is dirty that can lead to infections. Moreover, smelly equipment makes training much less pleasant. If you do not intend to wash your equipment, immediately after using it hang it up somewhere, this allows the moisture that it absorbed to evaporate. Bacteria and fungus love moisture and they don't love open air. This should go without saying, but: wash your equipment every time you use it.

Wear deodorant. Bonus points for wearing odorless/scentless deodorant. Training with smelly partners can be bad; rolling with smelly partners with BO (body odor) takes the bad to a whole different level. Not everyone likes the scent of Axe or Old Spice; an unscented deodorant gets rid of BO without putting new, potentially unpleasant smells into the mix.

Brush your teeth regularly. Better yet, use mouthwash or eat a mint before rolling.

Shower after (and, if possible, before) every training session. Showering before isn't always possible; showering after is a MUST. When you do shower, use a soap with natural antiseptic products like tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, etc. These products are easy to find and well-advertised to grapplers; there are also generic products that you can get for relatively cheap. These will help aid in staving off infections.

Eat yogurt. This is a serious one: there are live and active cultures in yogurt that help your body mitigate would-be fungal infections.

Don't expose your training partners and yourself to bacteria that can lead to terrible things such as MRSA (staph on steroids), staph, and ringworm. If you do have a skin infection, treat it immediately and make the instructors aware.

FAQ