Bristol Gig Club - Rowing

Based in Bootle, Merseyside, Budo Kai Ju Jitsu Academy is a martial arts club focused on self defence and personal safety, with training sessions in Bootle and Litherland. Its programmes cover kids, families, adults and women, alongside one to one private lessons, all led by experienced instructors in a friendly setting.

Ju jitsu is generally a practical martial art built around throws, locks and escapes, which makes it a popular choice for people wanting realistic self defence skills. Classes of this kind typically help build fitness, coordination and confidence, and many clubs welcome complete beginners as well as those keen to progress or compete.

Free first lesson

Kids and family classes

Ladies self defence course

Adult ju jitsu

Private lessons

Bootle and Litherland venues

Ju jitsu and self defence club in Bootle, Merseyside, offering kids, family, adult and ladies classes plus private lessons. First lesson free.

Budo Kai Ju Jitsu Academy

Set in Webton, Herefordshire, this dojo teaches traditional Japanese martial arts through the Bujinkan system. Training covers Budo Taijutsu and Ninjutsu alongside Kenjutsu (Japanese fencing), giving members the chance to explore nine distinct martial arts under experienced instructors, all within around ten minutes of Hereford city centre.

A martial arts club like this is a good place to build fitness, focus and practical self-defence skills while learning a discipline with deep cultural roots. Sessions are coached, and newcomers can expect a mix of physical training and mental development in a friendly group setting.

Nine martial arts

Kenjutsu training

Coached sessions

Self-defence focus

Near Hereford

Welcoming community

Bujinkan Shinryu Dojo in Webton, Herefordshire, teaches traditional Japanese martial arts including Ninjutsu and Kenjutsu.

Bujinkan Hereford Shinryu Dojo

Bury Aikido

Kyokushin karate is the focus at this not-for-profit club in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, which describes itself as the oldest established karate club in the town. The style is known for its knockdown approach, and the club places weight on training karate as a genuine martial art rather than a sport or a route to easy belts. Training fees cover hall rent, licences, equipment and insurance rather than paying the instructors.

Karate training generally works as a form of interval exercise, building strength, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness. Many people also find that steadily testing themselves in class helps with confidence, focus and stress relief, alongside learning practical self-defence and traditional kata.

Kyokushin karate

Not-for-profit club

Long-established in town

Fitness and confidence

Not-for-profit So-Kyokushin karate club in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, teaching knockdown karate, kata and self-defence for fitness and confidence.

Bury St Edmunds So-Kyokushin Karate

Camberley Taekwon-Do

Cambridge Goju Ryu

Cambridge Thai Boxing Academy

Based in St Helens, Merseyside, Capricorn Netball Club is a community netball club for people in and around the town. It offers a local option for anyone looking to get involved in the sport close to home.

Netball clubs like this generally give players the chance to train regularly, improve their skills and enjoy competitive matches as part of a team. They are often a good way to stay active, meet new people and become part of a friendly sporting community, whether you are returning to the game or keen to play more often.

Community netball club

Capricorn Netball Club is a community netball club in St Helens, Merseyside, offering a local way to get involved in the sport.

Capricorn Netball Club

Cardwell Theatre School

Based in Dunfermline, Carnegie Dojo is a karate club teaching Shotokan to children, teenagers and adults across Fife. Registered as a Scottish charity (The Karate Initiative SCIO), the club welcomes members of all abilities, from complete beginners to more experienced students.

A martial arts club like this is a good place to build fitness, discipline and confidence while learning practical technique in a structured setting. Shotokan karate combines striking, stances and forms (kata), with sessions typically progressing through a grading system as skills develop.

Shotokan karate

All abilities welcome

All ages

Registered charity

Carnegie Dojo is a Shotokan karate club in Dunfermline, Fife, teaching children, teenagers and adults of all abilities.

Carnegie Dojo

Caterpillar Dance School

Based in Hull, Cavendish Martial Arts is a martial arts club that welcomes people of all backgrounds. Training covers several disciplines, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, Judo, Karate and boxing, so there is scope to explore different styles and build skills over time. Sessions run on a pay-as-you-go basis with no contracts, giving you the freedom to train on your own terms.

A martial arts club like this is a good place to improve fitness, build confidence and pick up practical technique in a supportive setting. New starters can try their first session free before deciding whether to continue.

Cavendish Martial Arts in Hull teaches BJJ, Judo, Karate, boxing and grappling with pay-as-you-go, no-contract sessions.

Cavendish Martial Arts

Cayton Shotokan Karate Club

Based in Nottingham, CDN Taekwondo Academy is a martial arts club focused on taekwondo. It is listed here for anyone in the city looking for a place to train in this Korean striking art.

Taekwondo is generally known for its dynamic kicking techniques, along with patterns, sparring and a structured belt grading system. Clubs of this kind often welcome a wide range of ages and abilities, and regular training can help build flexibility, coordination, fitness and confidence. If you are thinking of starting, it is usually worth getting in touch with a club directly to ask about beginner sessions and what to bring.

CDN Taekwondo Academy is a martial arts club in Nottingham offering taekwondo training. Find out more about this local club.

CDN Taekwondo Academy Nottingham

Ceroc Worcestershire - Tuesdays

Based in Burnley, Lancashire, CGM Boxing & Fitness is a martial arts gym focused on boxing and general fitness training. It offers a place for local people to learn the fundamentals of the sport while building strength and conditioning.

Boxing gyms like this one are generally suited to those looking to improve fitness, learn technique and train in a structured environment. Whether you are starting out or have some experience, you can usually expect coached sessions covering footwork, pad work and conditioning.

CGM Boxing & Fitness is a boxing and fitness martial arts gym in Burnley, Lancashire.

CGM Boxing & Fitness

Teaching karate in Warrington since 1978, Cheshire Karate Centres is a long established martial arts school in the town. Sessions aim to build skill, discipline and respect in a safe and engaging setting, with an emphasis on fitness and conditioning that draws students of all ages.

Teaching is adapted to suit the individual rather than the class, which can be helpful for younger children and beginners. A karate club like this generally offers coached sessions where you learn technique, forms and self discipline, with progress at your own pace.

Established 1978

All ages welcome

Adapted teaching

Fitness focus

Private sessions

Cheshire Karate Centres is a karate school in Warrington teaching students of all ages since 1978.

Cheshire Karate Centres Warrington

Based in Manchester, Greater Manchester, City of Manchester Rhythmic Academy is a gymnastics club listed in our directory. Its name points to a focus on rhythmic gymnastics, though it's worth contacting the club directly to confirm what sessions are currently on offer.

Rhythmic gymnastics generally combines elements of dance and gymnastics, with routines performed using apparatus such as ribbon, hoop, ball, clubs and rope. Clubs of this kind typically help members build flexibility, coordination, balance and musicality, and many welcome young gymnasts starting out as well as those working towards competition.

City of Manchester Rhythmic Academy is a gymnastics club in Manchester, Greater Manchester. Find out more and get in touch.

City of Manchester Rhythmic Academy

Cobra Life Family Martial Arts Black Belt Academy - Chester City

COMMUNITY FITNESS

Based in Glasgow, Conceptual Hapkido is a martial arts club teaching the Korean self defence system of Hapkido. It offers a place for people across Glasgow City to learn practical techniques and develop their skills in a structured setting.

Hapkido training typically covers a mix of joint locks, throws, strikes and self defence drills, so a visitor can generally expect a well rounded approach suited to a range of abilities. Sessions usually build technique gradually, making the discipline accessible to newcomers as well as those with previous experience.

Conceptual Hapkido is a martial arts club in Glasgow teaching the Korean self defence system of Hapkido.

Clubs