Transformation takedown: Women’s jiu jitsu classes at Carson Fight and Fitness build strength and instill confidence | Lifestyle

Women looking to improve their health and fitness while also building a new community in 2026 should consider a different route this year, one completely free of lonely “dread”mill walks and indecipherable gym machines — jiu jitsu. 

Though jiu jitsu has traditionally been a male-dominated form of martial arts, more and more women have begun to practice it as well, especially since it is a great way to learn moves that can be used as self-defense in everyday life, should they be needed.

“It’s a lot of strategy in how to move and how to maneuver out from under somebody, and doing different holds, different chokes,” says Tulsan Kariss Reed, 28, who began attending the women-only jiu jitsu classes offered at Carson Fight and Fitness (9535 E. 47th Pl.) last March. “Compared to when I started, I feel a lot more confident in myself now.”

“It helps (women) be comfortable in scary situations,” says Brooke Cochran, who leads the beginner-friendly women’s class along with co-instructor Lisa Rush. “There are also physical benefits, it gets you in shape, it helps you understand your body and what you are capable of. You learn to trust yourself and that you can do this thing that seems really challenging, then that translates into the rest of your life.”

Classes consist of Cochran and Rush demonstrating different techniques — such as how to take someone down from a standing position, use your own body weight to control an opponent, restrict someone’s movements, break out of a hold or escape being pinned down — before participants then practice in pairs.

“Once you get a takedown you have a pretty good advantage,” says 10-year-old Olive Rainey, who’s been practicing jiu jitsu since she was 5 and regularly competes in competitions. Though Rainey mostly practices with kids her age, she occasionally joins the women’s class, which sees ages ranging from teens to 20-somethings to moms of grown children. 

You learn a lot about camaraderie, like learning how to work with other women, or even men, and finding a comfort of working together and trusting other people, too, which is nice because sometimes that’s missing in society,” adds Cochran.

In addition to women’s and co-ed jiu jitsu, CFF also offers Muay Thai, kickboxing, wrestling and mixed martial arts competition training, as well as high-intensity interval training and yoga classes. Opened in 2021, CFF is owned by Broken Arrow graduate and former professional MMA fighter Jonny Carson, who has been practicing martial arts since he was 16.

“It gave me confidence that I lacked growing up, and it just kind of empowered me,” he says. Carson emphasizes that jiu jitsu and the martial arts are for anybody and everybody, and that beginners will find a welcoming community at CFF.

“We’ve all been that person where it’s scary to come here at first because you don’t know what to expect,” Carson says. “So I think we can all appreciate when a new person is brave enough to come in and try it.”

Reed attests to the friendly and supportive environment she’s found at CFF. 

“When I first started coming here I didn’t know what the heck I was doing,” she says. “They made me feel welcomed and like family from the very first day, and have made the experience of learning something new less intimidating and more inviting.”

And for those nervous to give jiu jitsu a try, Rainey has some encouraging words.

“It’s hard at the beginning but once you get used to it, it gets really fun,” she says. “And also, when you start, it’s not only about doing jiu jitsu; you also have a lot of friends, and competitions, and you get your hair braided, and it’s really fun … It makes me feel stronger. I’ve definitely gotten stronger since I started jiu jitsu.”

To learn more, visit carsonfightfitness.com. Also be on the lookout for a basic beginner’s jiu jitsu course, which CFF will be offering soon.