New Here?
Beginner jiu-jitsu classes in
Valparaiso. Start here.
Most people at KDL Combatives walked in knowing nothing. This page is what we wish they had read first: how a first class works, what to wear, which session to pick, and the questions everyone is embarrassed to ask. First class free.
The technique breakdown, where every class starts
How It Works
One adult program, built so a beginner can walk in on any night.
KDL Combatives does not run a separate beginners' course. Every class is the same adult program: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and self-defense, taught by black belts, with brand-new people training next to people who have done it for years. That sounds intimidating and is the opposite: the experienced students set the pace, look after you, and remember exactly what their first night felt like.
Your first class is free. Read the four steps below, pick a session, and come find out whether this is for you. It is for more people than you would think.
Your First Class
Four steps, none of them hard.
1. Pick a class
Tuesday or Thursday evening, Wednesday morning, or Saturday open mat. One adult program, so every session is beginner-friendly. Book it online or just show up.
2. Wear athletic clothes
A T-shirt without zips or pockets, shorts or leggings, water, short nails. No gi, no gear to buy, nothing to bring but yourself.
3. Say it's your first time
That sentence gets you paired with someone patient and takes all the pressure off. You warm up, learn one technique, drill it, and decide how much you want to do live.
4. Come back within the week
You will be sore and a little lost. Everyone was. The second class is where it starts to make sense, so book it before you leave the first one.
Pick a Session
Any of these works.
Saturday open mat is the most relaxed first look. Tuesday and Thursday are the full evening classes. Wednesday morning is the quietest room.
Book your free classRead Before You Come
The guides, shortest first.
- What to expect at your first jiu-jitsu class
- BJJ or Judo first? Why we teach both in one class
- Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu good for self-defense? An honest answer
- Starting jiu-jitsu in your 30s, 40s and 50s
- How to choose a BJJ gym in Northwest Indiana
- Open mat etiquette: how to show up to Saturday rounds
- Do I need a gi to start jiu-jitsu?
- How often should a beginner train jiu-jitsu?
- Which martial art should an adult start with?
- Glossary: the words you'll hear on the mat
Beginner Questions
The ones people are embarrassed to ask.
Can I come and watch a class before I try one?
Yes. Come to any class, say you would like to watch, and sit on the wall. Most people who watch end up on the mat the following week, but nobody will push you onto it.
Do I have to buy a gi before I start?
No. Athletic clothes are fine for your first class. Once you decide to keep training, ask Keith what to get and where; there is no rush and no brand you have to buy.
How often should a beginner train?
Once a week is enough to improve if you keep it up. Twice is the sweet spot for most working adults. More than that in your first months usually leads to soreness and skipped weeks, not faster progress.
Do I have to compete?
No. Nobody at KDL is required to compete. The program is built for everyday adults who want real skills, fitness and a good room to train in. If competition interests you later, talk to Keith.
What does it cost after the free class?
Ask Keith in person or call 219-306-1764. We do not post pricing online, and there is no paperwork waiting for you at the end of your first class.
Is there a minimum age?
KDL Combatives runs one adult program and no kids' class. If you are asking about an older teenager, call or text 219-306-1764 and ask Keith directly rather than guessing from a website.
I have an old injury. Can I still train?
Usually, yes, with honesty. Tell the instructor and your partners what to avoid, tap early, and skip anything that aggravates it. Plenty of people train around bad knees, shoulders and backs for years. If you are unsure, ask your doctor first.
Which class is best for a first visit?
Saturday 9:00 AM open mat is the most relaxed way to see the room. Tuesday or Thursday at 6:30 PM is the full taught class with Keith Loudenber. Wednesday 8:30 AM with Keith Wilson is the quietest. Any of them works, and the first is free.
Every bee was new once
Free First Class
Day one is free.
Pick a class, wear athletic clothes, tell us it is your first time. That is the whole plan.