BJJ In Newcastle Guide

If you’re looking to train BJJ in Newcastle & The North East, you have loads of BJJ gyms to pick from.

In the past decade, the popularity of BJJ has exploded. There are so many benefits to training BJJ including, improved mental health, weight loss and learning self-defence.

With so many gyms available, choosing a BJJ gym can be challenging. So, to help, we’ve put together this BJJ in Newcastle guide!

In this BJJ in Newcastle guide, we discuss the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in Newcastle and the factors you should consider when picking a gym.

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SBG South Shields

SBG MMA in South shields

SBG South Shields is one of the most successful martial arts gyms in the North of England. The gym is home to a stable of amateur and professional fighters who regularly compete on the biggest promotions in the world including the UFC, Cage Warriors and Bellator.

Due to its MMA background, SBG South Shields specialises in No-Gi Grappling and Wrestling alongside traditional BJJ lessons.

Why you should check out SBG South Shields:

  • SBG offers a specific program for beginners.
  • The gym has a reputation for producing some of the best MMA fighters in the UK.
  • SBG offers both No-GI grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

SBG South Shields offers a beginner-friendly program with classes running 7 days per week. The gym welcomes both professional fighters and hobbyists looking to train for self-defence, fitness and fun.

Check out SBG South Shields below.

Website: http://www.southshieldsmma.com/

Origin BJJ Newcastle

origin bjj newcastle

Origin BJJ is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club in Newcastle, affiliated with the Gracie Barra team.

The gym offers a combination of Gi & submission grappling classes six days per week.

Why you should check out Origin BJJ:

  • Origin BJJ offers both afternoon and evening classes.
  • The gym offers a free trial class for new members.
  • Origin is one of the most established BJJ gyms in Newcastle.

Origin BJJ has a competition team that regularly compete at local tournaments and major BJJ events such as the British Open. The gym also and also runs its own interclub inviting other local BJJ and martial arts gyms.

Check out Origin BJJ below.

Website: https://originbjj.co.uk/

The Dungeon BJJ

The Dungeon BJJ & MMA Academy in newcastle

The Dungeon is one of the most successful BJJ and MMA academies in Sunderland. The gym offers a variety of classes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi Grappling, MMA and Boxing.

Classes at Dungeon BJJ take place in both the afternoon and evenings, catering to people who work untraditional hours.

BJJ classes at Dungeon are mixed ability classes where beginners get to train with more experienced BJJ practitioners. At Dungeon BJJ, everybody trains together and classes cover a variety of techniques, from fundamentals to advanced positions.

Why you should check out The Dungeon BJJ:

  • Dungeon BJJ offers both daytime & evening classes.
  • The gym has a friendly mat culture.
  • Dungeon teaches a variety of martial arts.

Dungeon BJJ has a competition team that regularly compete in grappling competitions throughout the UK.

Check out Dungeon BJJ below.

Website: http://thedungeonbjj.co.uk/

ACE MMA South Shields

ACE MMA is a full-time martial arts gym located in South Shields. The gym offers classes in several martial arts including, BJJ, MMA and Kickboxing.

ACE teaches both traditional BJJ and No-Gi grappling classes.

BJJ classes consist of drilling movements to learn new techniques and positional sparring to practice techniques against resisting opponents.

Why you should check out ACE South Shields:

  • ACE MMA offers classes in a variety of martial arts.
  • The gym offers both Gi & No-Gi grappling.
  • ACE MMA offers specific women and children’s classes.

ACE MMA provides a friendly training environment with professional coaches offering high-level martial arts training. The gym welcomes fighters of all ages and experience levels, from hobbyists to competitive fighters.

Check out ACE MMA South Shields below.

Website: https://www.acemma.co.uk/

Serenity Jiu-Jitsu

Serenity Jiu-Jitsu newcastle

Located in North Shields, Serenity Jiu-Jitsu is a martial arts gym that specialises in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling and Self-Defence.

Why you should check out Serenity Jiu-Jitsu:

  • Serenity Jiu-Jitsu has both Gi & No-Gi classes.
  • The gym offers self-defence training.
  • Serenity Jiu-Jitsu has a friendly atmosphere.

The gym offers classes Monday to Saturday in both Gi and No-Gi grappling. Classes are suitable for anyone and everyone, regardless of your martial arts experience or fitness level.

Check out Serenity Jiu Jitsu below.

Website: https://www.serenityjiujitsu.com/

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Newcastle

Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Newcastle

Alliance is one of the most successful BJJ associations in the world. They have won the IBJJF world team championship award on several occasions including, 1998-1999, 2008-2016 and 2019.

Why you should check out Alliance BJJ Newcastle:

  • Alliance is one of the most successful BJJ teams in the world.
  • The gym offers a specific juniors program.
  • Alliance Newcastle has a strong competition team.

Alliance Newcastle welcomes people of all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned competitors.

Check out Alliance Newcastle BJJ on Facebook.

Roker Rough House MMA

Roker rough house MMA

Roker Rough House is a BJJ and MMA gym located in Sunderland. The gym offers classes in a range of martial arts including, BJJ, Wrestling, MMA and Boxing.

Why you should check out Roker Rough House MMA:

  • Roker Rough House offers classes in a variety of martial arts.
  • The gym has a specific children’s program.
  • Roker Rough House has a competitive BJJ team.

Roker Rough House welcomes BJJ practitioners of all levels, from dads trying to lose weight to competitive grapplers.

Check out Roker Rough House MMA below.

Website: http://www.rokerroughhouse.co.uk/

Itaipava Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Newcastle

IPT Newcastle

Itaipava Newcastle is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu team fighting out of Newcastle Fight Centre.

The gym offers a combination of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling and Submission Grappling classes.

Classes are led by Peter Irving, a highly decorated MMA and Kickboxing champion who is also a BJJ Black Belt.

Why you should check out Itaipava Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu:

  • Itaipava produces some of the best grapplers in the North of England.
  • The gym has some of the best BJJ instruction in the UK.
  • The gym has a strong presence in regional grappling & MMA competitions.

Check out Itaipava BJJ on Facebook.

Website: https://mmanewcastle.co.uk/

The Lab MMA

The Lab MMA

The Lab MMA is Darlington’s most established Mixed Martial Arts gym. 

The gym offers a range of martial arts classes including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Boxing and fitness classes.

Why you should check out The Lab MMA Gym:

  • The gym offers specific women and children’s classes.
  • The Lab has a friendly & inclusive atmosphere.
  • The gym is Darlington’s most established BJJ gym.

The Lab MMA welcomes fighters of all ages and experience levels from dads staying fit to competitive BJJ fighters. The gym also offers separate classes for women and children.

Check out The Lab MMA Gym below.

Website: https://thelabmmagym.com/

How To Pick A BJJ Gym In Newcastle

Picking the right BJJ gym in Newcastle can be challenging. To help you decide, we have put together a list of our top tips!

BJJ Timetable

When picking a BJJ gym in Newcastle, you should consider the timetable of the gym.

Some gyms are open only in the evenings, whilst others offer a combination of morning, afternoon and evening classes.

If you work non-traditional hours or have a busy lifestyle, we suggest joining a gym that offers a full-time schedule.

Newcastle BJJ Gym Location

Who is the head instructor at the BJJ gym?

In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the grappling style of your instructor will heavily influence your game.

For example, Carlson Gracie gyms are known for their heavy top game, pressure passing and strong grappling. It can also be beneficial to learn from a BJJ instructor with a similar physique to yourself.

BJJ Instructors

When choosing a BJJ gym, you should consider your experience level.

If you often compete and are looking to fight in the best BJJ competitions in the world, it makes sense to join a BJJ gym in Newcastle with a strong competition team.

On the other hand, if you’re just looking to train a couple of times a week, maybe a more laid back gym would be a better fit?

Your BJJ Experience Level

When choosing a BJJ gym, you should consider your experience level.

If you are a fighter who often competes, and is looking to fight in the best BJJ competitions in the world, it makes sense to join a BJJ gym in Newcastle with a strong competition team.

On the other hand, if you’re just looking to train a couple of times a week, maybe a more laid back gym would be a better fit?

Gym Facilities & Size

Does size really matter?

Larger BJJ gyms will often have more classes on offer per week and better facilities. In large gyms, you will have more training partners but it might feel less personal than training at a small BJJ gym.

Smaller BJJ gyms may have a less frequent class schedule and fewer amenities than large BJJ Gyms. What we love about smaller BJJ gyms is the sense of community and a more personal approach to training.

Try Before You Commit

Most BJJ gyms in Newcastle offer a free trial class for new students. We recommend checking out a few different gyms before signing up for one as a member.

Training BJJ in Newcastle FAQ’s

Joining a BJJ gym in Newcastle can be daunting. Below is a list of common FAQ’s.

What Equipment Do I Need For BJJ?

When starting BJJ, we recommend you buy the following equipment:

Remember, always buy the best quality equipment you can afford in your budget! High-quality BJJ gear is more durable and will last longer than cheaper alternatives.

When Should I Enter My First BJJ competition?

BJJ competitions are an awesome way to test your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills against an opponent of a similar experience level.

What’s great about BJJ competitions is that you can avoid getting injured by simply tapping.

We recommend entering your first competition after around six months of BJJ training. After six months, you should have a basic understanding of BJJ positions and submissions.

For your first competition, you should enter a tournament where your instructor is present.

How Much Does BJJ in Newcastle Cost?

The price of training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Newcastle will vary depending on several factors.

These include:

  • How many BJJ classes are on offer per week.
  • The BJJ gym location.
  • The facilities of the BJJ gym.
  • Who the instructors of the BJJ gym are.

In general, you should expect to pay between £60 – £100 per month for unlimited BJJ training in Newcastle.

How do I Find BJJ Competitions In Newcastle?

There are several BJJ competitions in the North East of England every month.

BJJ competitions are often a combination of both No-Gi grappling and Gi Jiu-Jitsu.

For more information on BJJ competition dates, check out the competition calendar.

What Does A BJJ Class in Newcastle Consist of?

In general, BJJ classes are broken down into three parts.

  • BJJ specific warm-up – A warm-up that incorporates stretching and BJJ specific movements.
  • Technical work – Technique work that consists of partner drills.
  • Sparring / rolling – Either situational drills or free rolling.

Whilst BJJ classes in Newcastle will vary depending on the gym, they tend to follow a similar format.

How Can I Progress Faster In BJJ?

Whilst there is nothing better than regularly attending class, there are several BJJ instructionals that can help you progress faster.

We recommend that you check out the BJJ courses below:

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What BJJ Gym In Newcastle Should You Pick?

There are tons of benefits to training BJJ including, weight loss, learning how to defend yourself and improved mental health.

Remember, the most important factor when choosing a BJJ gym in Newcastle is that you enjoy your training.

When picking a BJJ gym, there are several factors you need to consider.

These include:

  • The instructors of the BJJ gym.
  • How many BJJ classes are on offer per week.
  • Where the BJJ gym is located.
  • The size & facilities on offer.

Ultimately, when picking a BJJ gym in Newcastle, it comes down to personal preference.

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Gareth Davies

I'm a martial arts competitor and enthusiast. Over the last 15 years, I have trained and competed in several martial arts. I live in Manchester U.K working as a strength & conditioning coach when I'm not travelling and exploring martial arts around the world.
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