An Empowerment
Studio For You

Belts in jiu jitsu begin at white and progress through blue, purple, brown, and black. At Femme Rising, we are a no-gi studio, meaning we do not wear a gi, and therefore, we do not wear or train with colored belts. However, we do promote individuals to different belt levels based on their growth and skill. Promotions and the receiving of belts are ceremonial, celebrating your progress and achievements.

Jiu Jitsu empowers women with self-defense techniques that don’t depend on size or strength, using leverage and control instead. Since many attacks end up on the ground, Jiu Jitsu is especially valuable for women, providing effective strategies to defend against larger opponents. Beyond physical skills, Jiu Jitsu trains the mind, encouraging critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving. The practice builds confidence and mental resilience, helping women feel more secure, capable, and self-assured both on and off the mat.

First, be proud of yourself for taking this step! Most women and girls here are new to martial arts; it hasn’t been designed for you until now. It’s normal to feel nervous, but at Femme Rising, your comfort is our priority. We encourage boundary-setting and stopping if you feel uncomfortable. Remember, you’re in control, and we’re here to guide you. Our coaches are patient and experienced with beginners, ready to support you in a compassionate and encouraging environment every step of the way.

For now, we’re focused on introducing more women and girls to the fundamentals of jiu jitsu and kickboxing in a welcoming, supportive environment. Most gyms already cater to advanced practitioners, and our priority is creating a space where beginners can thrive and feel empowered. That said, for those ready to take it further, we offer Jiu Jitsu Level II and Applied Kickboxing, both designed to deepen your practice and challenge you in new ways. As our community grows, we’ll continue expanding our class offerings to meet the evolving needs of our participants.

Nope! We’ve got all the equipment you need. However, if you have your own pair and would like to bring them, you’re more than welcome to do so.

No, we don’t use punching bags in our kickboxing classes. Instead, we practice partnered mitt work. This approach allows for more dynamic training, improving accuracy, timing, and reflexes. It also encourages connection, communication, and teamwork with your partner, making it a more engaging and interactive experience.

While we don’t offer standalone fitness classes, both our Self-Defense and Level I Jiu Jitsu classes include 30 minutes of HIIT-style fitness at the start of each session. You’ll build strength, endurance, and flexibility before moving into technique, giving you the best of both worlds every time you train.

We embrace a no-gi style, encouraging you to wear any activewear that makes you feel comfortable. If you prefer to cover your arms and legs for added protection during training, that’s entirely your choice—whatever suits you best! We train barefoot or in socks on the mat, so slides are perfect for arriving; just leave them at the mat’s edge before stepping on. You’re also welcome to keep your water bottle with your slides for easy access.

It depends! To keep you and your training partners safe, please remove any loose or bulky jewelry and clothing with exposed zippers. We provide trinket dishes in our lockers for your items, and you’re welcome to bring a lock. Small studs and piercings are fine as long as they have no sharp edges. For nails, focus on smooth, safe edges. Medium or shorter nails are recommended to prevent injury.

At Femme Rising, we prioritize cleanliness to ensure a safe, healthy environment. Our mats and equipment are sanitized after each class, and we ask all participants to practice good hygiene, including handwashing and wearing clean training clothes. We train barefoot or in socks, so slides or easy-to-remove footwear are suggested. Please store your shoes and water bottle at the mat’s edge before stepping on. Cover any scratches or cuts with bandages, available in our amenities area. If you’re feeling unwell, we ask that you stay home to prioritize everyone’s well-being.

At Femme Rising, “Femme” represents more than just a word—it’s a tribute to the French-American community that has been integral to our founding. The word “Femme” is French for “woman” and speaks to the feminine energy we aim to cultivate in our space. We also acknowledge that “Femme” holds deep significance in the queer community, especially within lesbian identity, as a term that expresses unique gender presentation. We honor this history, celebrating its meaningful role in LGBTQIA+ identity while also respecting its roots in the French-American community.

Absolutely. At Femme Rising, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment. Our “women” and “girls” language extends to all genders and identities, including non-binary and trans individuals. Our space is open to anyone who has ever felt unsafe or out of place in traditional martial arts settings. We believe that no one should feel unsafe, bullied, or uncomfortable learning self-defense, and we are here to provide a safe place for that journey.

Absolutely. At Femme Rising, we reserve a portion of our memberships for income-sensitive individuals as part of our mission to make our services more accessible to women and girls. Individuals can inquire through our contact page here to see if they qualify for income-sensitive pricing, which offers 40% off standard rates. This discounted pricing applies to recurring memberships and monthly passes, helping make sure that financial limitations don’t stand in the way of anyone’s empowerment journey.

We understand that life happens, and plans can change! If you need to cancel a class, we kindly ask that you do so at least 6 hours in advance to avoid a late cancellation fee of $15 (this fee is waived for Women’s Unlimited Memberships). Regardless of membership or package, if you’re unable to make it and don’t cancel in advance, a no-show fee of $20 will apply. Late cancellation and no-show fees are automatically charged every two weeks to the payment method on file. This policy helps us keep class sizes manageable and ensures that waitlisted participants have a chance to join. We truly appreciate your cooperation in helping us create a fair and efficient scheduling system for everyone.

Memberships are an economical and straightforward option for those attending regularly, billed on a monthly recurring basis. Memberships are based on a set number of classes per month, with options for unlimited, eight, or four classes, and do not roll over. Class packages can be purchased as single, five, or ten-class packs. They never expire, are not recurring, and can be used at your own pace for any studio class. Monthly memberships and class packages are non-refundable and cannot be transferred or credited once purchased.