The Fitness Locker

Transform Physiques Gym

Based in Kennington in south London (SE11), BJJ ART UK is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy that welcomes students from age four upwards. Classes are taught in a relaxed, no-ego setting, with an emphasis on practical self-defence, technique and respect. The academy describes itself as a community built on hard work and a genuine love for the art, treating newcomers like family from their very first session.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling-based martial art that suits all ages and fitness levels, and a first visit usually involves learning fundamental movements and controlled drills alongside other students. A free trial class is available for anyone wanting to give it a go.

All ages welcome

Free trial class

No ego environment

Self defence focus

Safeguarding in place

Kennington location

BJJ ART UK is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Kennington, London (SE11), welcoming students aged 4 and up.

BJJ ART UK - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Bushido USA Dojo

First Dance London - Wedding Dance Lessons in Central London

Le Coach Fitness

Based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, Lincoln Karate School offers structured karate classes for children, teens and adults. Sessions are organised by age and school year, from Karate Kids through to Juniors and a combined Teen and Adult group, with family classes also available. The emphasis is on building confidence, discipline and fitness at a pace that suits each person.

A martial arts school like this is a good place to develop coordination and self control alongside physical fitness. Newcomers can book a free taster class to try things out before committing.

Free taster class

Classes for all ages

Age based groups

Family classes

Beginner friendly

Lincoln Karate School runs karate classes for children, teens, adults and families in Lincoln, Lincolnshire.

Lincoln Karate School

Midtown Grappling Academy

Simon Says Dance

Based in Swindon, Total Martial Arts Premier Academy teaches a range of disciplines to both children and adults. Programmes for younger members include Tiny Tigers (ages 3.5 to 6), Young Dragons (ages 7 to 11) and a leadership stream, while adult classes cover Jun Fan Kung Fu, Kali and Filipino martial arts, basic combat, self defence, MMA and Thai boxing, alongside health, fitness and conditioning work.

A martial arts academy like this can suit complete beginners as well as those wanting to build fitness and confidence. Classes run across the week, giving families and working adults some flexibility over when they train.

Kids classes

Adult disciplines

Classes six days a week

Free parking

Two locations

1:1 sessions

Total Martial Arts Premier Academy in Swindon, offering martial arts classes for children and adults across the week.

Total Martial Arts Premier Academy

Carl Jackson Martial Arts/ CJMA (JKD-Kali- Kickboxing)

Forsyth Fitness Personal Training

M3 Perform

Stable Strength | Semi-Private Personal Training in Oxford

Tucked away in Sheffield, The Gamers Guide Café is a board game café run by a small two-person team. There's a board game library to explore alongside food and drinks, with a menu to browse and the option to book a table in advance. Titles on offer range from quick family games like Hey That's My Fish to lighter picks such as Monkey Flip for younger players.

Board game cafés like this one suit friends, families and newcomers alike, giving you a relaxed spot to try something new, revisit an old favourite or spend an afternoon over food and drink between rounds.

The Gamers Guide Café is a board game café in Sheffield with a game library, food and drinks for players of all ages.

The Gamers Guide Cafe

TKO Elite Gym

Set in Stockton-on-Tees, Balance Mixed Martial Arts is a martial arts gym offering training in mixed martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. MMA sessions blend striking practice, situational sparring, takedown work and a grappling element, with controlled sparring using gloves and shin pads. The BJJ side focuses on the ground game, where leverage and technique are used to control and submit an opponent rather than striking.

Martial arts gyms like this are a good fit for anyone wanting to build fitness, learn self-defence and pick up new skills in a respectful setting. Beginners and more experienced students alike can generally find a discipline that suits them.

Disciplines taught

MMA training

Controlled sparring

Respectful environment

Balance Mixed Martial Arts is a martial arts gym in Stockton-on-Tees offering MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training.

Balance Mixed Martial Arts

BODYCORE

Based in Clifton, City Gongfu KIDS is a martial arts club in Bristol aimed at children and families. The main focus is Wing Chun Kung Fu, with elements drawn from other styles including Jujitsu, Muay Thai and Arnis. Alongside physical skills, the club places weight on character, following a code of conduct built around respect, self-discipline, teamwork and helping others.

Martial arts classes for children can be a good way to build confidence, coordination and focus in a structured setting. Sessions are typically instructor-led and grouped by age or ability, so newcomers usually have room to learn at their own pace.

Wing Chun Kung Fu

For kids and families

Free taster session

Character focus

Gradings offered

City Gongfu KIDS is a children's and family martial arts club in Clifton, Bristol, teaching Wing Chun Kung Fu.

City Gongfu KIDS (Clifton)

Hawkes

In Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Legacy Martial Arts is a martial arts academy focused on practical self defence. Classes cover Jeet Kune Do (Bruce Lee's approach to training), Western Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Filipino Kali, taught by qualified instructors in a friendly setting.

Martial arts training like this suits people looking to build fitness, confidence and self defence skills, whether they are complete beginners or have trained before. Both adults and children can take part, with separate class programmes for each age group.

Qualified instructors

Adults and children

Children's life skills

Free intro session

BMABA approved

Legacy Martial Arts in Bromsgrove teaches JKD, boxing, Muay Thai, kickboxing and Kali for adults and children.

Legacy Martial Arts

M3 STUDIOS Performing Arts School - CANNOCK (HQ)

Based in South Liverpool, Perform Functional Fitness is a coaching-led gym focused on helping locals build strength, fitness and confidence. It is aimed at people who are new to training or coming back after a break, with a friendly, supportive approach and no pressure to already be fit.

The gym offers a six week Kickstart programme designed to ease newcomers into training safely and simply. As a coached fitness setting in Merseyside, it is the kind of place where you can expect guided sessions and a plan suited to your starting point, whatever your age or experience.

Coached sessions

Six week Kickstart

South Liverpool location

Perform Functional Fitness is a coaching-led gym in South Liverpool helping beginners and returners build strength and confidence.

Clubs