ve been training and teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over ten years, long enough to see every version of “free training” imaginable. Some of it is generous and community-driven. Some of it is poorly structured and, honestly, unsafe. When people hear about redlands Free jiu jitsu, they often assume it’s either too good to be true or not worth serious consideration. In my experience, the truth sits somewhere in the middle, and knowing how to tell the difference matters.
The first time I participated in a free jiu-jitsu session was early in my career, back when I was still competing regularly and money was tight. A local gym opened its doors once a week for an open mat that didn’t cost a thing. No contracts, no sign-up desk. What surprised me was the quality of training. There were clear rules, an experienced instructor overseeing the room, and an understanding that this wasn’t a brawl disguised as practice. That session kept me training during a period when I might have walked away from the sport entirely.
I’ve seen similar setups work well around Redlands. Free classes or open mats often exist to lower the barrier for beginners or give people a chance to train without pressure. The good ones are intentional. There’s usually a coach present, even if they’re not running a formal lesson. Safety is enforced. Higher belts guide newer students instead of avoiding them. That last part is critical. If experienced grapplers treat free sessions like throwaway rounds, beginners get hurt or discouraged.
I’ve also stepped into free sessions that went sideways fast. One afternoon, I dropped in on what was advertised as a community jiu-jitsu meetup. No coach. No structure. People cranking submissions they barely understood. I spent half the time stopping rolls before someone’s elbow paid the price. That kind of environment gives free training a bad reputation, and deservedly so. Free should never mean careless.
From a coaching perspective, I’m cautious but supportive of free jiu-jitsu when it’s done right. I’ve sent students to free sessions in Redlands specifically to get extra mat time, with one condition: if there’s no clear leadership, they leave. More training isn’t better training if it reinforces bad habits or reckless behavior.
One mistake I see beginners make is assuming free sessions are only for people who “can’t afford” regular training. That’s not accurate. I’ve rolled with experienced competitors at free open mats who were there to sharpen specific positions or help newer students. In fact, some of the most honest learning happens when money isn’t part of the exchange. People show up because they want to train, not because they feel obligated.
Another misconception is that free jiu-jitsu won’t lead anywhere. I’ve personally watched students start in free community sessions, gain confidence, and eventually commit to full-time academy training once life allowed it. The mats don’t care how you got there. They only respond to consistency.
What experienced practitioners look for in Redlands free jiu jitsu is simple. Is there respect in the room? Are rules enforced? Are people helping each other improve, or just trying to win rounds? Those answers matter more than whether a class costs money.
After years in the sport, I don’t judge training by price tags. I judge it by how people move, how they treat their partners, and whether they leave the mat better than they arrived. Free jiu-jitsu, done with intention and oversight, can be a powerful entry point into the art. Done poorly, it’s just chaos. The difference is always in the culture, not the cost.