This Is Fitness

Based in South Shields, SBG is a martial arts and combat sports gym for the whole family. Training covers MMA, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, with beginner friendly classes alongside a dedicated Combat Athlete Program. Kids and teenagers have their own sessions, while adults can find classes across mornings, lunchtimes, evenings and weekends.

A martial arts gym like this suits a range of goals, whether you want to improve fitness, lose weight, learn self defence or work towards competing. Newcomers are generally welcomed into structured fundamentals classes before progressing.

Beginner friendly

Disciplines taught

Kids and teens classes

Adult classes

Competition program

New gym

SBG in South Shields offers MMA, kickboxing, BJJ and wrestling for adults and kids, with beginner and competitive classes.

SBG - MMA, Kickboxing & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Established in 2003, Sheffield Shootfighters is a long-running mixed martial arts club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. It teaches a Shootfighting system that brings together striking (kickboxing), wrestling (judo and freestyle takedowns) and ground fighting (Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling). The club is affiliated with Gordo Jiujitsu Europe for BJJ, and there's a Kids Academy alongside the adult classes.

Sessions cater to everyone from absolute beginners to professional and amateur fighters, and those who have trained elsewhere are welcome. An MMA gym like this is a good place to build fitness, learn self-defence and pick up striking and grappling skills, with training that many find useful for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Sheffield Shootfighters is an MMA, BJJ and kickboxing club in Sheffield, running since 2003, for beginners to fighters, plus kids' classes.

Sheffield Mixed Martial Arts MMA BJJ (Shootfighters)

Based in Manchester, K.M.M.A. Freestyle Martial Arts Academy is a martial arts club serving people across Greater Manchester. It offers training in a supportive setting for those looking to take up a martial art or develop skills they already have.

Martial arts training is a good way to build fitness, coordination and confidence, whether you're a complete beginner or working towards more advanced techniques. Classes typically suit a range of ages and abilities, and the discipline involved carries over into everyday life. If you're considering getting started, it's worth contacting the academy directly to ask about sessions and what to expect.

K.M.M.A. Freestyle Martial Arts Academy is a martial arts club in Manchester, Greater Manchester, for all ages and abilities.

K.M.M.A. Freestyle Martial Arts Academy

Based in Liverpool, Star Swimming Academy offers swimming lessons for all ages and abilities across Merseyside. The academy provides group lessons alongside smaller 1-1, 2-1 and 3-1 sessions, and works with schools to deliver swimming provision, PPA cover and sports based dinner clubs.

Swimming lessons are a good way to build water confidence and technique at your own pace, whether you are just starting out or looking to develop existing skills. An inclusive setting means learners of different ages and abilities can find a session that suits them.

All ages and abilities

Group and small classes

Fully inclusive

School provision

Star Swimming Academy in Liverpool offers inclusive swimming lessons for all ages, plus group, one to one and school sessions.

Star Swimming Academy Ltd

Pioneer Performance

Focused on mixed martial arts and skill development, Wayfarer Academy® is a martial arts gym based in Manchester. Training is organised around age groups, with dedicated programmes for kids (5-10), teens (11-15) and adults (16+), and the emphasis is on coaching and craft rather than natural talent. Beginner-friendly sessions and a strength and conditioning facility are part of what's on offer.

Membership is open to anyone with the right attitude and a willingness to learn, whatever their starting point. An MMA gym like this is a good place to build technique, fitness and confidence, whether you're stepping onto the mats for the first time or looking to refine what you already know.

Wayfarer Academy® is an MMA and martial arts gym in Manchester, with beginner-friendly classes for kids, teens and adults.

Wayfarer Academy®

Elevate Fitness Studios

EK Boxing Academy

Based in Luton, 210 is a Brazilian jiu jitsu club offering both gi and no gi training. Sessions take place at Salto Gymnastics Centre, and the club places an emphasis on developing its members through a community focused approach.

A BJJ club like this is a good option if you want to learn grappling, build fitness and practise techniques with training partners. Most clubs welcome newcomers alongside more experienced practitioners, so it is worth getting in touch to find out how to get started.

Gi and no gi

Community focused

Trains at Salto

210 is a Brazilian jiu jitsu club in Luton offering gi and no gi training at Salto Gymnastics Centre.

210 - BJJ in Luton

Based in Arnold, this martial arts club is part of the Gracie Barra network and serves the wider Nottingham area. It focuses on Brazilian jiu-jitsu, offering a place to train for those new to the mats as well as more experienced practitioners.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu centres on grappling and ground-based techniques, with an emphasis on leverage and control rather than strength. Sessions typically build fitness, coordination and confidence, and many people take it up for self-defence, competition or simply as a structured way to stay active. Visitors can usually expect coached classes suited to a range of levels.

Gracie Barra Arnold is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu martial arts club in Nottingham, welcoming beginners and experienced practitioners.

Gracie Barra Arnold

A women only gym in Derby, Ladies Gym Derby (also known as Tone Zone) offers a supportive space designed exclusively for women. Alongside general workouts, the gym provides personal training, group classes and Pilates, catering to a range of goals from building strength to getting back into fitness.

A ladies only gym like this suits those who prefer to train in a comfortable, women focused environment. With coached sessions and classes on offer, it can be a good fit whether you are just starting out or looking to build on an existing routine.

Women only gym

Personal training

Classes and Pilates

Free day pass

No contract membership

Ladies Gym Derby is a women only gym in Derby offering classes, Pilates and personal training.

Ladies Gym Derby

Based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Paul Powers Martial Arts is a martial arts club offering training for those looking to build skills, fitness and confidence. It provides a place in the local area for people to take up martial arts, whether they are complete beginners or already have some experience.

Martial arts training generally suits a wide range of goals, from learning practical self-defence and improving discipline to building strength and coordination. Sessions are typically structured to help members progress at their own pace, making it a good option for adults and children alike.

Paul Powers Martial Arts is a martial arts club in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, welcoming beginners and experienced students alike.

Paul Powers Martial Arts

Based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, The Combat Academy is a martial arts school offering training for children, teens and adults. Running since 2011, it serves as the club's flagship location, with programmes ranging from Ninja Tots and Little Ninjas for younger children through to junior and adult classes. Kickboxing, boxing and ladies only sessions are also part of the mix.

Martial arts training is a good way to build fitness, coordination and confidence, whether you are completely new to it or returning after a break. Classes are typically coached and structured by level, so beginners and more experienced students can train alongside each other.

Classes for all ages

Range of disciplines

Kids programmes

Ladies only sessions

Coached training

Established since 2011

The Combat Academy is a martial arts school in Barnsley with classes for kids, teens and adults, plus kickboxing and boxing.

The Combat Academy, Barnsley

Jamie Price Personal Training

Based at Yorvale Business Park in York, DNA MMA is a martial arts gym offering training across multiple disciplines alongside functional fitness. The club runs both group classes and private coaching, with sessions suited to every ability level, from complete newcomers to more experienced students. There is a strong focus on keeping the training safe and welcoming, and the gym is proud of the community it has built.

A martial arts gym like this is a good place to learn technique, build fitness and gain confidence, whether you fancy group classes or one to one coaching. Self defence workshops are also part of the mix.

All ability levels

Group and private coaching

Multiple disciplines

Self defence workshops

Based in York

DNA MMA is a martial arts gym in York offering group classes and private coaching across multiple disciplines for all levels.

DNA MMA

SOS Athletic Excellence

Based in York, X Martial Arts Schools HQ is the main hub of a martial arts organisation that runs across several locations in Yorkshire. Classes cover kickboxing, self-defence and general martial arts, with sessions available for all ages starting from three years old.

Martial arts schools like this one suit both children and adults, whether you are looking to build fitness and confidence or learn practical self-defence skills. A free taster session lets you try things out before committing.

Free taster session

Multiple locations

X Martial Arts Schools HQ in York offers kickboxing, self-defence and martial arts classes for all ages from three years.

X Martial Arts Schools HQ

Set in Luton, Warrior Fight Club is a martial arts gym offering a mix of striking disciplines for people at every stage, from complete beginners through to competitive fighters. Muay Thai, kickboxing, K-1 and boxing are all on the timetable, alongside personal training for those who want more focused one to one work.

The club also runs a fight team and women only sessions. Striking gyms like this are a good way to build fitness, coordination and confidence, whether you want to train casually or work towards competing. Free parking is available at the Selbourne Road venue.

Striking disciplines

All levels welcome

Fight team

Women only sessions

Free parking

Warrior Fight Club is a martial arts gym in Luton offering Muay Thai, kickboxing, K-1, boxing and personal training.

Warrior Fight Club

JC Full Body Fitness

Jazzy B Fitness

OriGym Cardiff

Based on Goose Gate in Hockley, Cardio Boxfit is a boxing fitness setup in the centre of Nottingham. The focus is on getting active and building fitness through boxing style training, with an emphasis on learning correct punching technique in a supportive environment.

Sessions cover the sort of boxing combinations used by the pros, along with pad work, bag workouts and other fitness drills. Boxing fitness of this kind is a good way to build overall fitness, improve muscle tone and pick up a new skill, whether you are new to it or want to keep things varied.

Boxing fitness training

Designed by a pro

City centre venue

Learn technique

Cardio Boxfit is a boxing fitness gym on Goose Gate in Hockley, Nottingham, offering pad, bag and boxercise sessions.

Clubs