In London, TEAM SHARK is a martial arts academy focused on Muay Thai, Muay Boran and kickboxing. The school brings these striking disciplines together under one roof for people across Greater London looking to train.

A martial arts academy like this is generally a good fit whether you want to build fitness, learn practical striking technique or work towards competition. Sessions typically combine drills, pad work and conditioning, and most striking schools welcome newcomers alongside more experienced students working at their own pace.

TEAM SHARK is a martial arts academy in London teaching Muay Thai, Muay Boran and kickboxing.

TEAM SHARK. Martial Arts Academy. Muay Thai. Muay Boran. Kickboxing

Based in the centre of Leicester, Total Combat Academy is a mixed martial arts and fitness gym welcoming people of all ages and abilities. It offers a broad mix of disciplines, from MMA and boxing to Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, alongside strength and conditioning and general fitness training. There are also dedicated kids classes for younger members.

Martial arts gyms like this are a good place to build fitness, confidence and practical skills, whether you are stepping onto the mats for the first time or looking to develop existing technique. Sessions are coached, so newcomers can expect guidance as they learn the basics.

Beginner friendly

Range of disciplines

Kids classes

Coached sessions

Strength and fitness

City centre location

Total Combat Academy is a mixed martial arts and fitness gym in central Leicester, with classes for all ages and abilities.

Total Combat Academy

NHF Gym

Striking Clinic Banbury

Female Personal Trainer

Fitforit Personal Training

Based on Cheney Manor Industrial Estate in Swindon, Warriors Martial Arts & Fitness Academy offers a mix of martial arts and fitness training for kids, ladies and adults. Sessions cover self defence, MMA, kickboxing and boxing, with options ranging from group classes to one to one personal training.

A martial arts academy like this is a good place to build fitness, confidence and practical self defence skills, whether you are completely new to training or looking to develop further. Beginners can try things out through a free trial lesson before committing.

Classes for everyone

Free trial lesson

Personal training

Women's self defence

North Swindon location

Warriors Martial Arts & Fitness Academy in Swindon offers MMA, kickboxing, boxing and self defence for kids, ladies and adults.

Warriors Martial Arts & Fitness Academy

Fortitude Fitness | Gym Ipswich

A dance and performing arts school in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Harc Studios welcomes both children and adults. Classes cover a range of styles including street, commercial, musical theatre and jazz, so there is something whether you are picking up a new hobby, building confidence, or working towards a career in the performing arts.

Dance schools like this are a good way to develop movement, coordination and stage skills in a friendly setting. Alongside regular classes, Harc Studios also runs seasonal programmes such as a summer school and its Stage To Screen experience.

Adults and children

Range of styles

Children's classes

Summer school

Stage to Screen

Bolton venue

Harc Studios is a dance and performing arts school in Bolton offering children's and adult classes across styles including street and musical theatre.

Harc Studios Dance and Performing Arts - Bolton

London Taekwondo Warriors

4FITT HQ

Kyuki-Do Martial Arts of Elgin

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

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.

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

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

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

Lincoln Karate School

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

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

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.

Clubs