If you’re looking for a MMA gym in Bristol to train, you have lots of gyms to choose from.
With plenty of gyms to choose from, picking the right martial arts gym can be challenging. To help, we have put together this MMA in Bristol guide.
In this guide, we discuss the best MMA gyms in Bristol and the factors you should consider when choosing a gym.
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Sweatbox Gym
Sweat Box Gym is a martial arts and performance gym based in South Bristol. The gym offers classes in a variety of martial arts including, MMA, BJJ, Boxing and Muay Thai. Sweat Box gym has a reputation as one of the most successful MMA gyms in Bristol.
The gym has a competition team that regularly compete in MMA and grappling events around the UK. Sweat Box is known for producing high-level fighters and has trained athletes who fight at the highest level of combat sports, from the UFC to the Common Wealth Games.
Sweat Box Gym welcomes people of all ages and experience levels and prides itself on being an inclusive martial arts gym. The gym welcomes everyone from complete beginners to professional athletes.
Check out Sweat Box Gym below.
Website: https://sweatboxgym.com/
Bristol Dojo
Bristol Dojo is one of the most established MMA gyms in Bristol. The gym is a full-time professional combat sports facility that specialises in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, K-1 Kickboxing, Boxing and Karate.
Bristol Dojo has a stable of competitive fighters who compete in a range of events including, Kickboxing, MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The gym has a track record of producing high-level martial artists, with several of their members competing at the European and World level.
You don’t have to compete to train at Bristol Dojo. Most students practice for fun, to learn a martial art or simply to get fit and healthy. The gym has a friendly atmosphere and welcomes people of all experience levels, from beginners to professional martial artists.
Check out Bristol Dojo below.
Website: https://bristoldojogym.com/
Impact Gym Bristol
Impact Gym is a Mixed Martial Arts & strength & conditioning gym located in Bristol. The gym offers professional martial arts instruction at a state of the art training facility that caters to all of your martial arts and fitness needs.
Impact gym offers classes in multiple martial arts including MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling and Boxing.
Impact gym is one of the fastest-growing MMA gyms in Bristol. The gym has a stable of competitive martial artists who compete in both grappling and MMA events.
Impact Gym welcomes people from all walks of life, from recreational fighters to competitive martial artists.
Check out Impact Gym Bristol below.
Website: https://www.impactgymbristol.com/
Bristol Combat Gym
Bristol Combat Gym is a Mixed Martial Arts gym that offers classes in MMA, Striking and grappling.
The gym has a friendly, fun and inclusive atmosphere and welcomes students of all experience levels.
Bristol Combat Gym also offers a martial arts program for children, teaching them valuable skills whilst having fun at the same time!
Check out Bristol Combat Gym below.
Website: https://www.fastdd.co.uk/
University Of Bristol MMA
If you are a student at Bristol University, you should check out the University of Bristol MMA society.
Classes are taken by head coach, Saeed Esmaeli who has over thirty years of experience teaching MMA and grappling. The University of Bristol MMA has also held several guest seminars from elite martial artists including, Bradley Scott (UFC competitor) and Samantha Cook (BJJ champion).
The University of Bristol MMA society welcomes students of all experience levels, from complete beginners to competitive fighters. The club is an opportunity for students to get fit, learn martial arts and make friends during the process.
Check out the University of Bristol MMA below.
Website: https://www.bristolsu.org.uk
The Pit Gym
The Pit Gym offers a variety of martial arts classes for students of all ages and experience levels.
The gym offers a range of classes including, MMA, Boxing, Muay Thai and BJJ. Alongside their martial arts classes, they also have a functional fitness area built for strength and conditioning.
As a side project, the gym also runs a community project that focuses on supporting the mental health of young people in the local area.
Check out The Pit Gym below.
Website: https://www.thepitbristol.com/
How To Pick A MMA Gym In Bristol
When choosing a gym in Bristol there are several factors to consider. Below are our 5 top tips for picking a MMA gym in Bristol.
MMA Gym Location
When choosing a MMA gym in Bristol, you should consider the location.
Factors to consider include:
- How much it costs to get to training.
- The distance from your work, school or home.
- How long it takes to get to training.
- What the traffic is like at rush hour.
- Is there public transport available?
If you want your MMA training to be sustainable, you should choose a gym that is within a 30-minute commute from your home.
Your MMA Experience Level
You should join a mixed martial arts gym in Bristol that matches your experience level.
For example, experienced fighters in Bristol should join an established MMA gym such as Sweatbox Gym. Professional fighters need high-level sparring partners to prepare for their upcoming fights.
If you are new to MMA, you should pick a gym in Bristol that welcomes people of all experience levels and offers a beginners program.
MMA Instructors
Every MMA coach has a different style of teaching classes.
If your instructor has a background in a specific martial art, they will specialise in that style.
For example, MMA gyms that are run by Muay Thai fighters will produce a stable of fighters with high-level striking skills.
MMA Gym Facilities & Size
If you’re looking to train mixed martial arts in Bristol, you should consider the size and facilities of the martial arts gym.
There are benefits to training at both large and small MMA gyms.
Benefits of training at a large MMA gym:
- Larger MMA gyms offer more classes per week.
- You will have more sparring partners at large MMA facilities.
- Large MMA gyms offer premium facilities.
Benefits of training at a smaller MMA gym:
- Smaller MMA gyms are often cheaper than larger gyms.
- Fighters get more 1-2-1 instruction at small MMA gyms.
- Smaller MMA gyms have a sense of community & family vibe.
Ultimately, when choosing a gym, it comes down to personal preference. As there are benefits to training at both large and small MMA gyms, we recommend trying a few different gyms before signing a long-term contract.
Try Before You Sign Up
Most MMA gyms in Bristol offer a free trial class.
Before signing a long term contract, we recommend trying a few different mixed martial arts gyms in Bristol.
MMA In Bristol FAQ’s
Choosing a mixed martial arts gym in Bristol can be challenging. To help, we have put together a list of common FAQ’s.
How Much Does it Cost To Train MMA in Bristol?
The price of training mixed martial arts in Bristol will vary depending on several factors.
These include:
- How many classes are on offer per week?
- Where the gym is located in Bristol.
- Who the MMA instructors are.
- Your MMA experience level.
- The size & facilities of the MMA gym.
In general, you should expect to pay between £50 – £90 per month for unlimited MMA classes in Bristol.
Most gyms offer membership options to suit all budgets. There is often an option to pay for single classes alongside different membership levels.
How Long Until I Have My First MMA Fight?
When should you have your first MMA fight?
Ultimately, your instructor is the person who will decide when you’re ready for your first MMA fight. Although they assess every martial artist on an individual basis, there are some common factors they will look at.
These factors include:
- Your technical ability.
- How long you have been training.
- Your fitness level.
- What weight class you’re in.
- How often you train per week.
Most martial arts gyms are full of both hobbyists and competitive martial artists. If you are new to your gym, you should express your desire to fight with your instructor.
What Equipment Do I Need To Start MMA?
After joining a mixed martial arts gym in Bristol, it’s time to buy your MMA gear!
- MMA Gloves – RDX MMA Gloves
- MMA Equipment Bag – Fairtex Gym Bag
- Muay Thai Gloves – Fairtex Muay Thai Gloves
- Muay Thai Shin Guards – Twins Muay Thai Shin Guards
When buying MMA equipment, you should always get the best quality equipment you can afford with your budget. High-quality martial arts gear is more long-lasting and durable than cheaper alternatives.
Where Can I Watch MMA Fights In Bristol?
There are regular MMA events in Bristol that feature both professional and amateur MMA fighters.
Amateur MMA shows also feature fights from a range of different martial arts including Muay Thai, Boxing and Kickboxing.
If you’re looking to catch world-class MMA events, keep an eye out for International shows such as Bellator, Cage Warriors and the UFC.
What Does A MMA Class in Bristol Consist of?
Although the format of MMA classes in Bristol may vary depending on the gym, they usually follow a similar format.
Classes are broken down into three parts.
- Warm-up – A warm-up that consists of shadow boxing and MMA specific movements.
- Technical Training – Technical training is a combination of pad-work, bag-work and partner drills.
- Sparring – Classes will finish with sparring, rolling or situational drills.
Sparring is usually optional for beginner and recreational martial artists.
How Can I Progress At MMA Faster
The best way to improve in MMA is to turn up to class. If you’re looking to progress faster, there are several instructionals available to supplement your MMA training.
We recommend:
- Muay Thai Fundamentals by Rafael Cordeiro
- Foundations of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by Bernardo Faria
- MMA Strength & Conditioning – Fighters Strength
Our Favourite MMA Gloves
RDX is one of the fastest-growing MMA equipment brands in the world. RDX MMA gloves are high-quality, durable, and offer premium protection!
What MMA Gym In Bristol Should You Pick?
When picking a MMA gym in Bristol there are several factors you should consider.
These include:
- The MMA gym location in Bristol.
- How many classes are on offer per week?
- The size & facilities of the MMA gym.
- The instructors at the MMA gym.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference when choosing a MMA gym in Bristol.
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