Open Mat

What it is

An open mat is training time without a set lesson plan. Instead of a coach teaching one technique to the whole room, members use the time for their own work: drilling something from a recent class, running positional rounds, rolling with training partners, or asking a teammate to walk through a detail they missed.

Apex runs open mats at both academies, and they are members-only. At Ashburn, open mat is on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday. At Sterling, it runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with a longer session on Saturday, and a Teens Open Mat runs alongside it.

Rolling at open mat follows the same rule as every class: it is always optional. A member can spend the whole session drilling and never roll at all.

Open mat has the same etiquette as class. Experienced members go light with newer teammates, and aggressive or disrespectful behavior is addressed immediately. Mats are cleaned and sanitized daily, and everyone is expected to bring clean gear, trimmed nails, and good hygiene. If you are sick, stay home and come back when you have recovered.

Session lengths vary. Ashburn's weekend open mats run two hours. Sterling's weeknight sessions run an hour, and its Saturday session runs 90 minutes.

Who it is for

• Ashburn members using the weekend Open Mat entries on that academy's schedule.
• Sterling members using Open Mat, or Teens Open Mat, which the schedule lists for ages 14 to 17 and runs at the same times.

Open mat suits members who are preparing for a tournament, working through a position that keeps giving them trouble, or simply want more rounds in their week.

How you join

1. Book a free first class. Choose a trial class and a time that works. Adults and teens who are new to jiu-jitsu can choose a fundamentals class.
2. Become a member. After that first class, the academy goes over membership options with you. There is no high-pressure sales pitch.
3. Show up. Members can come to open mat at their academy on the posted days.

If you are a newer member and unsure whether open mat will help you yet, ask a coach after class. They can suggest what to work on so the time is well spent.

At Apex Jiu Jitsu & MMA Ashburn

Members only

2 classes a week

• Open Mat · Sat, Sun 12:00 PM

See the Ashburn schedule

New here? Start with a free BJJ class

At Apex Jiu Jitsu & MMA Sterling

Members only

8 classes a week

• Open Mat · Tue, Thu 8:00 PM; Wed 12:00 PM; Sat 11:00 AM
• Teens Open Mat · Tue, Thu 8:00 PM; Wed 12:00 PM; Sat 11:00 AM

See the Sterling schedule

New here? Start with a free BJJ class

Questions about Open Mat

Can I drop in to an open mat if I train at another gym?

Open Mat is listed as members-only at both academies, so it is not available as a trial class. If you train elsewhere and are visiting the area, contact the academy you want to visit and ask. For anyone considering Apex, the standard way in is a free first class in a regular program, where a coach can see your game and answer your questions.

Is there an open mat for teens?

Yes. Teens Open Mat is listed on the Sterling schedule for ages 14 to 17 and runs at the same times as Open Mat. It is members-only, so it is not a trial class, and new teens can start with a free class in Teen BJJ or Teen BJJ Fundamentals before joining as members.

When are the open mats?

Ashburn holds open mat on Saturday and Sunday. Sterling holds open mat on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, plus a longer session on Saturday. Exact times are on each academy's class schedule and in the academy sections below. Schedules can change around holidays and events, so members should check the schedule page before heading over.

Is open mat a good place for my first class?

No, and it is not offered as one. Your first visit should be a regular class, where a coach teaches the technique, runs the drills, and pairs you with an experienced partner who knows how to work with new students. Open mat is extra training time for members who want more rounds or more practice on specific positions.