Why Every Martial Arts School Needs a Fundamentals Class

Key insights from the Black Belt Business Podcast – Episode 48

In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Easton Training Center CEO Mike Tousignant joins co-owner Eliot Marshall to break down one of the most overlooked and misunderstood components of running a successful martial arts academy: the fundamentals class.

If you're serious about long-term student retention and creating a smooth path from white belt to advanced ranks, this episode is a must-listen.

The Case for Fundamentals

Most new academy owners want to be inclusive—so they skip fundamentals and run only “all-levels” classes. But this creates a lose-lose scenario:

• Beginners feel overwhelmed, lost in advanced techniques and paired with partners far above their level. Or:
  
  
• Experienced students feel underwhelmed, stuck reviewing basics they didn’t sign up for.
  
  

A fundamentals class solves both problems by giving students the right expectations and a proper progression.

What Makes a Good Fundamentals Program?

We’ve found that there are three critical components of a strong fundamentals class:

1. Have a Fundamentals Class
   This seems obvious, but many schools don’t offer it. Beginners need a clear, safe space to build confidence without being thrown into the deep end.
   
   
2. Keep the Warm-Up the Same Every Time
   A consistent warm-up helps new students feel successful fast. When they know what’s coming, anxiety goes down and engagement goes up. The warm up should reflect the techniques they’ll be using as the foundation of their games moving forward. In Jiu Jitsu, this means movements like hip outs (shrimping), bridging, takedowns, etc.
   
   
3. No Live Sparring
   Beginners shouldn’t spar right away. Letting untrained students roll often leads to bad habits or injuries. Instead, use controlled positional drills with predetermined outcomes to teach movement and timing.
   
   

Set Clear Expectations

The key to a successful class structure is clarity. Beginners should know exactly where they belong, and advanced students should know what to expect if they choose to revisit fundamentals. A clear curriculum with defined progressions ensures no one gets lost or left behind.

The Long-Term Payoff

A good fundamentals class isn’t just about safety and retention—it’s also about building culture. The structure you provide in those first few months shapes how students train, progress, and interact for years to come. And yes, even your best advanced students will still benefit from revisiting the basics.

Want a Proven Curriculum?

Easton Online offers a full fundamentals curriculum that’s been tested across eight thriving academies. Whether you're just getting started or ready to level up your school's program, we can help.

Check it out on BJJ Fanatics or join our Academy Accelerator Program to get access to all of our martial arts curricula as well as all the systems, processes, and SOPs we use to run our academies every day.