Kids can start Jiu-Jitsu at my gym at 3 years old.
I've been teaching Jiu-Jitsu in Fort Worth since 1998. I fought in the UFC, I hold a coral belt from Carlos Machado, and I've raised four kids on the mat. All of them train. My wife Erin is a Black Belt. So when I talk about kids martial arts, I'm talking as a coach and as a dad.
Below is a look at our kids program at 6913 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 133, and why I think Jiu-Jitsu is the best martial art you can put a kid in.
Why Jiu-Jitsu instead of punching and kicking
A lot of kids martial arts in Fort Worth is punching, kicking, and board breaking. That's fine. It's just not what we do.
Jiu-Jitsu is grappling. Kids learn how to fall without getting hurt, how to get up, how to get out from under somebody bigger, and how to hold a position without hurting anybody. Striking isn't part of it.
That matters. If something ever happens at school, pinning another kid safely until an adult gets there is a much better outcome than trading punches. More on that in Is Your Kid Getting Bullied? What Jiu-Jitsu Teaches Fort Worth Kids That a Lecture Can't.
The other reason is confidence. You can't hand a kid confidence. They build it. Every class asks them to keep working when they're tired and to try again after a tap.
The littles class: ages 3 to 5
Our littles class is for our youngest kids, ages 3 to 5. It runs Monday and Wednesday, 5:00 to 5:30 PM.
Thirty minutes is the right length for a 3 year old. The class is a lot of games, standing up, rolling around, and following directions. We're teaching them to listen, take turns, and move.
At that age the goal isn't technique. It's getting a kid comfortable on the mat and listening to a coach.
The kids class for older kids
Once they're older they move into the regular kids Jiu-Jitsu class for ages 5 to 13. New kids start with the fundamentals: breakfalls, movement, and following a coach. Adults have their own classes.
Five-year-olds can go in either class depending on the kid. We'll figure out the right fit together.
We have gi classes and a no-gi class for kids, so they learn both. The kids class runs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (no-gi), and Thursday, 5:30 to 6:30 PM.
You can see the current times on our schedule and more about the program on the Kids Martial Arts page.
Unsure which one fits? Call 817-781-4243 and we'll help you choose.
What the first class looks like
Get there a little before class and find Erin. She'll walk your kid to the mat. Shorts and a tee work for day one. Skip anything with zippers or big pockets. Kids train barefoot, and the gi can wait.
Class is short demos and lots of doing, so nobody stands around long enough to get nervous. Coaches keep an eye on every pair and step in if something looks unsafe.
Some kids barely say a word their first time. For the full rundown, read What your kid's first week of Jiu-Jitsu at Camp Bowie actually looks like.
Don't burn them out
Raising my own kids taught me that pushing too hard backfires.
Ours trained lighter during the school year and picked it up over the summer. The goal is a kid who still wants to train as an adult, so it has to stay fun. The longer version is in Raising my kids in Martial Arts.
A steady couple of classes a week will get a kid further than a big burst followed by quitting.
Families from all over the west side
We're on Camp Bowie, so we're an easy drive from Ridglea, Western Hills, Arlington Heights, Benbrook, and White Settlement. And if you end up sitting on the bench watching your kid and wanting to try it yourself, we have adult classes too. We offer a discount for family members.
FAQ
What age can my child start martial arts at your gym? Age 3. The littles class is for ages 3 to 5 and runs Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 to 5:30 PM.
Does my kid need a gi? Not for the first class. A t-shirt and shorts with no zippers is fine.
Will my kid get hurt? Kids are paired with kids, coaches watch the whole room, and anything unsafe gets stopped. They also learn early that tapping is okay.
Do you teach kids to fight? No. Avoiding trouble comes first. The physical skills are a last resort, and they're about control, not hurting anyone.
Conclusion:
The goal isn't raising a fighter. It's raising a calm, confident kid, and starting young makes all of it feel natural.
The easiest way to start is our $20 trial. You get a consultation and a trial class so you can see the room, meet us, and watch your kid on the mat. Reserve your first class here.
Or call or text 817-781-4243 with any questions about your child.
Travis Lutter Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 6913 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 133 Fort Worth, TX 76116
Hope to meet you and your kid soon.
Travis Lutter