If you’re looking for a gym to train BJJ in London, you have dozens of world-class gyms to choose from.
With so much conflicting information out there, choosing a BJJ gym can be challenging. To help we’ve put together this BJJ in London guide!
In this BJJ in London guide, we discuss the Best BJJ gyms in London and the factors you should consider when choosing a BJJ gym.
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London Fight Factory
London Fight Factory is a BJJ & MMA gym located in Old Street, East London. The gym offers classes in BJJ, Thai Boxing, MMA, and Wrestling.
London Fight Factory is one of the most established BJJ gyms in London. They cater to both hobbyists and competitive BJJ fighters.
London Fight Factory always have a large turn-out for BJJ competitions in London.
What we like about London Fight Factory:
- The gym offers morning, afternoon and evening classes
- Friendly atmosphere
- London Fight Factory offer classes in several martial arts
What’s great about London Fight Factory is the flexibility that the timetable offers. The gym has morning, afternoon and evening classes.
This caters to Londoners who work evenings or untraditional hours.
Check out London Fight Factory using the link below.
Website: https://londonfightfactory.com/
Location: 19 Ebenezer St, Hoxton, N1 7LU
Email: info@londonfightfactory.com
Fight City Gym
Fight City Gym is a martial arts gym with locations in both Balham and Moorgate. They specialise in BJJ, MMA and striking.
Fight City Gym caters for martial artists of all levels. Their classes focus on both fitness and fundamental techniques.
Fight City Gym also offers BJJ classes for beginners and children.
BJJ classes at Fight City Gyms are overseen by head coach Alain Pozo. He is a BJJ black belt under Wilson Junior from the Carlson Gracie Team. Alain Pozo is now part of the ZR Team.
What we like about Fight City Gym:
- They cater to martial artists of all levels
- Central London location
- There are classes tailored towards beginners
Fight City Gym has a friendly and inclusive vibe. The gym caters for people looking to both stay fit and learn martial arts.
Check out Fight City Gym below.
Website: https://fightcitygym.co.uk/
Location: Balham High Road, Balham, SW12 9AW
Email: info@fightcitygym.co.uk
Gracie Barra Oval Academy
Gracie Barra Oval is a full-time BJJ gym in South London.
The Gracie Barra association was formally founded by Master Carlos Gracie Jr in 2005. Currently the Gracie Barra Team has over 600 schools worldwide. Gracie Barra is one of the largest BJJ associations in the world.
Classes are separated by age group and experience level. They offer a full-time timetable that benefits BJJ fighters with busy schedules.
What we like about Gracie Barra Oval:
- Membership gives you access to all Gracie Barra Academy’s
- The gym has a full-time timetable
- They offer beginner, intermediate and advanced classes
The benefit of being a Gracie Barra member is that you get to train at any of their gyms globally.
Check out the timetable for Gracie Barra Oval below.
Website: https://fightcitygym.co.uk/
Location: Balham High Road, Balham, SW12 9AW
Email: info@graciebarralondon.com
Roger Gracie Academy
The Roger Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy is run by the legendary Roger Gracie and his father Mauricio Gomes.
Roger Gracie is one of the greatest grapplers of all time. He is a 10-time Jiu-Jitsu world champion and professional MMA fighter. Roger is also the grandson of the founder of BJJ, Carlos Gracie.
The Roger Gracie Academy caters to BJJ practitioners of all experience levels. The gym also offers a fulltime schedule to fit around a busy London lifestyle.
What we like about Roger Gracie Jiu-jitsu Academy:
- World-class instructors
- The gym offers a full-time timetable
- Central London location
Roger Gracie Academy is one of the best BJJ gyms in London.
The great thing about BJJ is that you get the opportunity to train with world-class fighters like Roger Gracie.
Check out the timetable for the Roger Gracie Academy below.
Website: https://rogergracie.com/
Location: Glen House, Hammersmith, W6 0NG
Email: academy@rogergracie.com
Gauntlet Fight Academy
The Gauntlet Fight Academy was founded in 2015. They’ve recently opened a large facility in Ealing Broadway, West London.
The Gauntlet Fight Academy offers classes in BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA and Krav Manga.
The gym is owned by BJJ black belt Neto Nunes. Neto is a 3rd degree BJJ black belt, under Henrique Lima. The Gauntlet Fight Academy is part of the Checkmat association.
What we like about The Gauntlet Fight Academy:
- It has great facilities
- Family-friendly atmosphere
- Several martial arts on offer
What’s great about The Gauntlet Fight Academy is the atmosphere. The gym cultivates a positive mat culture and a supportive and fun environment for all students to learn.
Check out The Gauntlet Fight Academy Below.
Website: https://www.thegauntletfightacademy.com/
Location: 1A Haven Green, Ealing Broadway, W5 2UU
Email: gauntletfightacademy@gmail.com
Carpe Diem BJJ London
Carpe Diem is a BJJ gym located a short walk from Borough station.
The gym is run by Tsuyoshi Tamaki, who was originally the head instructor of the Carpe Diem Aoyama dojo.
What we like about Carpe Diem London:
- Japanese based organisation
- Friendly vibe
- Central London location
Carpe Diem BJJ London offers afternoon and evening classes to BJJ practitioners of all experience levels. The gym has a friendly atmosphere, so is a good option if you’re nervous about starting.
Check out the most recent Carpe Diem London timetable below.
Website: http://carpediembjj.co.uk
Location: 16-18 Marshalsea Rd, London SE1 1HL
Email: cdbjjuk@gmail.com
Carlson Gracie BJJ
Carlson Gracie London is one of the leading BJJ gyms in the UK. The gym is located in Hammersmith, West London.
Carlson Gracie London was founded in 2002 by Wilson Junior and Luca Menagacci.
Carlson Gracie offers classes in BJJ, Muay Thai, Judo, Wrestling and MMA. The gym is a fulltime martial arts gym, offering classes throughout the day.
The Carlson Gracie Team has a strong competition team and has produced several British, European and World Champions.
What we like about Carlson Gracie London:
- The gym has one of the best reputations in the UK
- Successful competition team
- World-class instructors
Carlson Gracie London also offers a beginners BJJ program for people new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
To this date, Carlson Gracie remains one of the most successful and influential BJJ gyms in London.
Check out Carlson Gracie London below.
Website: http://bjjlondon.com/
Location: 89 Richford St, London, W6 7HJ
Email: info@bjjlondon.com
New Wave BJJ Academy
New Wave is a BJJ and MMA gym located in Croydon, South London. The gym offers classes in BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, Boxing and Wrestling.
New Wave have a competition team that regularly fight in BJJ and MMA competitions.
What we like about New Wave BJJ:
- They offer kids & women-only classes
- Several martial arts on offer
- Strong competition team
New Wave offers fundamental BJJ classes for people new to BJJ. The gym also offers a children’s program and women-only BJJ classes.
Check out New Wave BJJ below.
Website: https://www.new-wave-academy.com/
Location: 38 Hermitage Ln, Croydon SE25 5HH
Email: info@new-wave-academy.com
Wave BJJ
Wave BJJ is a martial arts gym based in Chiswick, West London. The gym offers classes in BJJ, Wrestling, Muay Thai and MMA.
Wave BJJ is run by Lorenzo Fraquelli, who is a black belt under the famous Roger Gracie.
What we like about Wave BJJ:
- The gym has a friendly atmosphere
- Wave has an active competition team
- They offer beginners BJJ classes
Wave BJJ has a friendly training atmosphere with a busy social scene. If you’re new to BJJ, Wave also offer beginner classes.
Check out the timetable for Wave BJJ below.
Website: https://www.wavebjj.co/
Location: Prebend Gardens, London, W6 0XT
Email: info@wavebjj.co
Mill Hill BJJ
Mill Hill is a BJJ gym owned by Nick Brooks. The gym is located just outside of Hendon, North London.
Mill Hill is one of the most successful BJJ gyms in London. The gym has produced several world-class grapplers including Daniel Strauss and Ed Ingamells.
Mill Hill have a strong competition team that regularly compete at BJJ competitions in London.
What we like about Mill Hill BJJ:
- World-class instruction
- Fulltime timetable
- Successful competition team
Mill Hill offers classes morning, afternoon and evening.
Check out Mill Hill BJJ below.
Website: https://millhillbjj.com/
Location: 270 Watford Way, London NW4 4UJ
Email: info@millhillbjj.com
Diesel Gym London
Diesel Gym is a MMA gym located in the Royal Albert Docks next to the O2 arena and excel centre.
The gym offers classes in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu, MMA and Muay Thai.
10th Planet BJJ is a grappling system developed by Eddie Bravo. 10th Planet was the first association to focus specifically on No-Gi grappling. It’s known for its unorthodox grappling style.
What we like about Diesel Gym:
- Chilled out vibe
- 10th Planet BJJ affiliate
- Fulltime martial arts gym
Diesel gym is one of the longest established BJJ gyms in the UK. The 10th Planet grappling system is known for its constant evolution and experimentation.
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional BJJ, then the 10th Planet BJJ system is a great option.
Check out Diesel Gym below.
Website: https://www.dieselgym.co.uk/
Location: Diesel Gym HQ, 1012 Dockside Road, E16 2QT
Email: cliff@dieselgym.co.uk
Fightzone London
Fightzone is located in the heart of East London. The gym was established in 2012 by Marco Canha and James Roach.
Fightzone has a comprehensive timetable with classes running six days per week. Alongside their world-class BJJ program, they also offer classes in MMA, Thai Boxing and Boxing.
What we like about Fightzone London:
- Friendly & inclusive atmosphere
- World-class instructors
- Competitive fight team
Fightzone is a world-class BJJ gym. Over the years they have produced several British and European champions.
Fightzone has a friendly and inclusive atmosphere that promotes a positive mat culture. If you’re a beginner looking to learn BJJ and compete then you should consider Fightzone.
Check out Fightzones timetable below.
Website: https://www.fightzonelondon.co.uk/
Location: Pritchard’s Road, E2 9AP
Email: fightzonelondon@gmail.com
Urban Kings Gym
Urban Kings is a martial arts and fitness gym, located a five-minute walk from Kings Cross station.
The gym has a full timetable offering classes in BJJ, Boxing, Muay Thai and MMA.
BJJ classes take places six days per week and welcome fighters of all experience levels.
What we like about Urban Kings:
- Central London location
- Welcomes people of all experience levels
- Premium facilities
Membership at Urban Kings includes over 60 classes per week and the use of the sauna and gym. The facilities at Urban Kings are some of the nicest in London.
Urban Kings cater to both busy professionals in the city looking to stay fit, and people looking to train martial arts.
The gym offers fundamental BJJ classes for people with no previous BJJ experience.
Check out Urban Kings below.
Website: https://urbankingsgym.com/
Location: 4 Bravingtons Walk, Kings Cross, N1 9GA
Email: info@urbankingsgym.com
How To Pick A BJJ Gym In London
When deciding on what BJJ gym to join in London, there are several factors you need to consider.
Timetable
Many Londoners work untraditional hours, so need to find a BJJ gym that fits their schedule.
The great thing about training BJJ in London is that there is a gym to suit everybody’s schedule.
Lots of gyms offer full-time training, with classes in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Location
When choosing a BJJ gym in London, you should consider the location.
Some factors you should consider:
- The distance from your work/home/school
- Cost to get to training
- Time it takes to travel
- Is there public transport?
- Rush hour traffic
For you to progress at BJJ, your training needs to be sustainable. You should weigh up the quality of the gym against the time it takes to get there.
We recommend choosing a BJJ gym with less than a 30-minute commute.
BJJ Instructors
Different BJJ instructors will have different styles of teaching BJJ.
For example, some instructors are known for their passing game, whilst others are expert guard players.
Physical features can also come into play. If you have a short and stocky figure, it can be beneficial to train under a BJJ instructor with a similar build.
Gym Size
You should consider the size of the BJJ gym before joining.
Larger BJJ gyms will have more training partners and better facilities. The downside of training at a large BJJ gym is that it can take a while to feel part of the gym.
Smaller gyms will generally have less training partners. The benefit of training at a small BJJ gym is that you will have more personal instruction. Smaller BJJ gyms often have a larger sense of community.
Try Before You Commit
Most Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in London will offer a free trial class. You should try out a few different BJJ gyms before committing to a long-term contract.
Training BJJ in London FAQ’s
Choosing a BJJ gym in London can be challenging. To help, we’ve put together a list of common FAQ’s.
What Equipment Do I Need For BJJ?
When it comes to BJJ equipment, the only essential equipment you need is a BJJ GI and Belt.
We recommend:
- Sanabul essential BJJ GI
- Hayabusa Ultra-Lightweight Jiu Jitsu Gi
- Hayabusa Goorudo 3 Gold Weave Jiu Jitsu Gi
When it comes to buying BJJ gear, you have three options. Order online, visit a sports store or buy it from your gym.
Some gyms sell branded BJJ GI’s for you to support your gym.
How long until I have my first BJJ competition?
Competing in BJJ is a great way to test your skills against an opponent of similar level to you.
The good thing about BJJ is that if you tap early, you’ll avoid getting injured.
It’s best to check with your instructor when they think you are ready. There are weekly BJJ competitions in London, so we recommend signing up to one where your instructor will be present.
How Much Does it Cost To Train BJJ in London?
The price of training BJJ in London will depend on several factors. These include; the number of classes per week, the location and the facilities on offer.
In general, you should expect to pay between £60 – £100 per month for unlimited BJJ training.
How do I Find BJJ Competitions In London?
In the UK there are several competitions each week to test your skills.
You can check out this competition calendar for a list of BJJ competitions.
What Does A BJJ Class in London Consist of?
Although the format of BJJ classes vary, they tend to follow a similar schedule.
First, you will do a BJJ specific warm-up. After that, you’ll drill techniques with a partner. Finally, you will roll or do some situational sparring drills.
WARRIOR STRENGTH PROGRAM
Do you want to win your next fight, transform your body & unleash your potential as a martial artist?
We work exclusively with combat athletes to improve their performance, optimize their recovery time, and reduce stress during training.
What BJJ Gym In London Should You Pick?
There are several factors you should consider when choosing a BJJ gym in London. These include; location, gym size and the timetable.
The most important thing when choosing a BJJ gym is that you like the atmosphere and enjoy the training.
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