Based in Grays, Thurrock, Luna BJJ Academy is a martial arts gym teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in association with ZR Team UK, with a second location in Laindon. Classes cover adults from beginner to advanced, a women's only programme, kids (7 to 14) and PeeWee (3 to 6) sessions, plus judo for all ages. Newcomers can book a free trial class.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling art built around positional control, takedowns and submissions, and it suits people of most fitness levels. A typical class mixes technique drilling with live rolling, giving a solid workout alongside practical self-defence skills and a supportive training community.

Free trial class

Kids and PeeWee BJJ

Women's only classes

Judo for all ages

Black belt head coach

Two Essex locations

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and judo in Grays, Thurrock, with adult, women's only and kids classes, plus a free trial class for newcomers.

LUNA BJJ ACADEMY

Based in Grays, Thurrock, Tekio Cempa Martial Arts teaches a martial arts and self defence system that draws on mixed martial arts and combat sports. The club's philosophy centres on keeping an open mind and not being tied to a single style, and it publishes separate syllabuses for juniors, cadets and adults. Personal training is also offered.

A mixed system like this generally suits people who want practical self defence skills alongside fitness and discipline. Visitors to a martial arts club can usually expect structured sessions covering technique, conditioning and drilling with partners, with progress measured against a grading syllabus.

Mixed martial arts system

Junior and cadet syllabuses

Adult syllabus

Personal training available

Open-minded approach

Martial arts and self defence in Grays, Thurrock, blending MMA and combat sports, with junior, cadet and adult syllabuses plus personal training.

Tekio Cempa Martial Arts

Traditional Goju karate is the focus at SRK Martial Arts Grays, part of the Seitou Ryu Karate school in Thurrock. The school runs clubs across South Essex, with further venues in South Ockendon and Wickford, and offers karate for children, adults and teens, as well as family karate sessions and Tai Chi.

Traditional karate styles such as Goju generally combine kata (set forms), basic techniques and partner work, with students progressing through a belt grading system. Many people find martial arts classes a good way to build fitness, coordination, confidence and discipline, and family classes can let parents and children train side by side.

Traditional Goju karate

Children's karate classes

Adults and teens

Family karate

Tai Chi on offer

Free trial available

Traditional Goju karate in Grays, Thurrock, with children's, adult, teen and family classes plus Tai Chi. Free trial available.

SRK Martial Arts Grays

Based on Whitehall Lane in Grays, Thurrock Martial Arts is a family run gym teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Karate. Classes are aimed at students of all ages and abilities, with adult BJJ alongside Karate, and the coaching team now includes sessions in no gi grappling. New Karate and BJJ members receive a free uniform when they join, and trial sessions can be booked through the club.

For anyone in Thurrock looking for a martial arts club, disciplines like these generally offer a mix of fitness, technique and confidence building. BJJ focuses on grappling and ground control, while Karate develops striking, discipline and structured progression through grades.

BJJ and Karate

Family run gym

All abilities welcome

Free uniform for newcomers

No gi sessions

Book a trial

Family run martial arts gym in Grays, Thurrock offering BJJ, no gi and Karate classes for all ages and abilities, with trial sessions available.

Thurrock Martial Arts

Goju-Kai karate is the focus at Yamaguchi Goju-Kai Karate-Do in Grays, Thurrock. The Grays club is one of a group of karate clubs run under the same banner, with other locations across Essex (including Thorpe Bay, South Ockendon, Stanford-le-Hope, Leigh and Purfleet) and in the Newcastle area. Instruction comes from qualified, experienced instructors, and new students of all ages are welcome to get in touch.

Traditional karate clubs like this generally offer a structured way to build fitness, coordination and confidence, with progress usually marked through a grading system. Many people find the regular training and club atmosphere a good fit whether they are starting out or returning to martial arts.

Goju-Kai karate

All ages welcome

Qualified instructors

Part of a wider group

Child protection policy

Goju-Kai karate club in Grays, Thurrock, with qualified instructors and new students of all ages welcome.

Yamaguchi Goju-Kai

Based in Grays, Thurrock, Bmakg essexkarate club is a martial arts club focused on karate. It serves people in the local area who are interested in taking up or continuing their training in this traditional discipline.

Karate clubs generally offer structured training that builds fitness, coordination, discipline and confidence, with students often progressing through a grading system over time. Sessions usually combine basic techniques, forms (kata) and partner work. Anyone thinking of joining is best advised to visit the club's own website or get in touch directly to find out more about sessions and how to get started.

Bmakg essexkarate club is a karate and martial arts club in Grays, Thurrock. Find out more about training locally.

Bmakg essexkarate club

Based in Grays, Thurrock, Loke Martial Arts Studios teaches Tang Sou Dao Ren Yi Wu Kwan, a traditional Chinese martial art founded by Grandmaster M K Loke. The style takes its roots from the Shaolin tradition and shapes them into practical self-defence, and it has been taught in clubs across the UK and abroad for more than 50 years. Classes are open to all ages, and newcomers can try a first lesson free.

Traditional martial arts training generally blends self-defence technique, set forms and drills with a focus on respect and self-control. Many people take it up to improve flexibility, strength and stamina while building confidence, and no previous experience is usually needed to get started.

Free first lesson

Classes for all ages

Shaolin-rooted style

Over 50 years of teaching

DBS checked instructors

Forms and gradings

Traditional Chinese martial arts in Grays, Thurrock. Tang Sou Dao classes for all ages with Shaolin roots and a free first lesson.

Loke Martial Arts Studios

Based in Grays, Thurrock, Essex Fighting Arts is a martial arts club with a focus on Filipino Kali. Training covers a range of techniques from the system, including panantukan (empty-hand striking), pangamot, dumog (grappling and clinch work) and stick fighting, with an emphasis on practical self-defence skills alongside fitness.

Martial arts training in general is a good way to build fitness, coordination and confidence while learning skills that can be useful in real situations. Filipino martial arts are known for blending weapons work with empty-hand techniques, so visitors to a class of this kind can typically expect drills that move between the two. Getting in touch before a first visit is usually a sensible step.

Filipino Kali

Stick fighting

Striking and grappling

Fitness and self-defence

Essex Fighting Arts is a martial arts club in Grays, Thurrock teaching Filipino Kali, including panantukan, dumog and stick fighting.

Martial Arts clubs in Grays