Most adult classes will follow this general pattern. Warm-up exercises leading into technical instruction about a particular concept, technique, and/or chain of movements. To finish usually full sparring or positional sparring which encourages students to apply the techniques learnt in a more-realistic setting.

No. We have had students find success that started at all different levels including being very unfit, overweight and or more senior up their 50’s . You will find as much success as you wish providing you are able to be patient with finding results, consistent with your training and sensible in terms of listening to your body’s needs.

Read our guideline requirements for each class on our timetable page to find the right class for you before booking. In general we recommend starting with a Foundation class and then finding your own preferred combination of classes that work for you. Complete beginners can try a class for free by registering for a discount code here.

When you first start it is fine to train in comfortable sportswear providing it’s clean and free of toggles, zips, and buttons.

If attending a Gi class, a clean BJJ Gi is essential. We have no rules on patches, academy affiliation or Gi colour, but do ask that you wash new clothing to ensure no ink bleed on our mats.

Sparring (also known as rolling) is the most fun part of learning the sport. It’s an opportunity to attempt to apply the techniques you have learnt against another student who is also trying the same . We only permit students that have had at least 3-5 classes to spar for obvious safety reasons.

When you get caught in a submission hold, to let your partner know they’ve got you, you clearly tap their body (at least twice) with your hand or by verbally saying “Tap”. Etiquette dictates that they then immediately release whatever part of your body they are attacking to avoid injury and enable you to restart your roll.

BJJ was popularised by the Gracie family who demonstrated the sports effectiveness in challenge matches and the early UFC events. They showed that a BJJ practitioner could neutralise bigger and stronger foes that did not understand how to fight on the ground. Because BJJ has no striking, it allows people to get plenty of practical experience of trying to subdue an opponent without taking the physical damage associated with contact striking martial arts like boxing or muay-thai.

Training is all about learning and improving together with your partners. You can roll as hard as you want providing both you and your partner are happy; but by using less strength, you are more likely to improve quicker and stay injury free. It is always okay to let your partner know that you would like them to turn down the intensity and to choose not to to spar with someone if you don’t want to.

Nothing great ever comes easy, so yes! It is both physically demanding as well as being a highly technical sport which takes years of study to master. For these reasons, it is important to pace yourself when you first start and be realistic about how good you are when comparing yourself to those that have trained for many years. On average it takes 10 years to earn a BJJ black belt which is at least twice the duration of most martial arts.

Attend as many classes as you can and watch videos online. If you are already doing this, then don’t be afraid about asking an instructor as it likely depends on your needs as an individual. For example, if your fitness is letting you down then maybe consider adding in running or swimming to your training. If you feel weak then consider weight training. If you are having difficulties recovering between sessions then consider your nutrition, sleep, and/or adding something to stretch and relax you like Yoga.