Brazilian jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that revolves around grappling and ground fighting. Most of the techniques focus on taking your opponent to the ground where you can control and work to submit them – making them tap out. BJJ promotes the idea that a smaller, weaker person can use leverage, grip, knowledge, position plus tactical skills and problem solving to successfully defend against a bigger, stronger assailant by successfully applying a range of techniques like chokeholds and joint locks.
Sparring/rolling is included in the majority of our classes (apart from beginners’ sessions) as it enables students to put what they’ve learnt to the test and many of our members participate in BJJ competitions throughout the course of the year – although this is obviously a personal decision.
Students are ranked depending on their level of skill and experience with beginners starting as white belts before progressing to become blue, purple, brown and black belts.
Class Information
Our students can take part in either our beginner, intermediate, advanced or mixed lessons. If you’ve never trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before we do recommend that, if you can, you start in our beginner sessions rather than a mixed class though. This is because lessons will be geared specifically towards your level and there will also be lots of other students at a similar stage in their training as you are. If you’d like to start training here but aren’t sure which category you fall into please just drop us an email!
All our classes start with a vigorous conditioning warm up and instructors then move on to demonstrate techniques, set ups and positions. Students will then drill these and use them in the sparring that follows, although sparring isn’t included in the beginner(fundamental) only classes.
Equipment
We train with gi which, as you can see from our BJJ photos, is a two piece judo-like suit and belt.
If you’re new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and don’t have a gi then it’s ok to wear a t-shirt and shorts (or similar) for the first few classes. Please note, there should be no zips and/or buttons (and preferably no pockets on any item of clothing) and please ensure your finger nails and toenails are short!
Trial Lessons
Potential students are welcome to try out one of our classes for free. Just click on the ‘Sign up for a trial class’ button and let us know when you’d like to join a class. Please note, we ideally ask for at least 48 hours’ notice as this gives us plenty of time to respond to your request!