Competition Class

What it is

Competition Class is a members session for students who plan to compete. It runs for two hours on Saturday mornings at the Sterling academy, and it is invite-only.

Apex runs active competition teams in BJJ and MMA, and its coaches help competitors prepare with specialized drilling, extra mat time, and competition strategy. The standard is the same one every class follows at both academies: technique first, then intensity.

Competitors train under coaches who are world champions themselves, with IBJJF and ADCC experience on the staff. A gi tournament, a No-Gi division, and a submission-only match each reward different habits, so knowing the ruleset you are entering matters as much as the technique you bring to it.

Who it is for

Competition Class is for members, and joining is by coach invitation. The Sterling schedule lists it with the adult classes, adults 18+.

It is not a class for everyone, and it does not need to be. Members who never compete are training fully without it. In most combat sports, a first competition teaches as much about nerves, pacing, and making weight as it does about technique, which is why many athletes treat the first one as a learning event.

Competing asks for a steady training week, honesty with your coach about injuries and goals, and a willingness to hear what needs work. Those habits are built in regular classes.

How you join

1. Begin with a free class. Choose a trial class: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at either academy, or MMA. Sterling's free MMA class is its own Adult MMA trial, and Ashburn's free MMA class is the Intro to MMA class held at the Sterling academy. No experience is needed.
2. Become a member and train consistently. Competition Class is for members, so membership comes first.
3. Ask a coach about joining. Tell your coach you want to compete. Joining Competition Class is by coach invitation.

If you already compete and are coming from another gym, mention it when you book your free class, so the coach knows what to watch for. You can also ask about Competition Class through the chat on this page or by contacting the Sterling academy. Parents of younger athletes will find the kids and teen competition paths in the questions below.

At Apex Jiu Jitsu & MMA Sterling

By coach invitation

1 classes a week

• Competition Class · Sat 10:00 AM

See the Sterling schedule

Ask a coach about joining

Questions about Competition Class

Do I have to compete to train at Apex?

No. Competition is completely optional in every program at Apex. Plenty of members never enter a tournament and train for fitness, self-defense, or the enjoyment of getting better. Competition Class is a members session joined by coach invitation, so members who do want to compete can ask a coach about joining.

What kinds of events do Apex competitors enter?

Apex has active competition teams in BJJ and MMA, and the wrestling programs travel to regional events. Across jiu-jitsu, tournaments generally run separate gi and No-Gi divisions, and some events use submission-only rules, so each format rewards different habits. Ask your coach which format suits your game before you pick a first event.

How does someone get invited to Competition Class?

Joining is by coach invitation. Competition Class is for members, so a new student's first step is a free class and then membership. From there, tell a coach you want to compete and ask about joining. The class meets on Saturday mornings at the Sterling academy for two hours, and competition stays optional in every program.

Is there a competition path for kids and teens?

Yes, and it starts in the regular classes. Parents can choose sharpening competition skills as their goal when they book a free class. Wrestling offers a competition team at Sterling for ages 5 to 13, Advanced Wrestling at Ashburn includes competition prep, and High School Wrestling at Ashburn is the competitive track for ages 14 and up. In every case, competition is optional.