Which Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in Bristol should you choose for your kids? ?
There are many great Jiu-Jitsu schools to send your kids to in Bristol. In this article, we will provide a comparison of the top Jiu-Jitsu schools in the city of Bristol to help you make a clear decision on what is best for your children.
? Here is a summary of what this article will contain:
✅ A comprehensive analysis of BJJ clubs in Bristol.
✅ Top 10 list of Jiu-Jitsu clubs for kids in Bristol.
✅ An individual breakdown of the pros and cons of each club.
✅ Collection of key data points when selecting the best club including location, price range, and third party reviews.
Roger Gracie North Bristol
Pedro Bessa BJJ
Gracie Barra Keynsham
Impact Gym
Artemis BJJ
Bristol Dojo
Gracie Barra Yate
Aftermath BJJ
Art Of Movement
RR Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
⚠️ An important note before you read on
Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, for many is a lifelong journey. Yet, many people choose a club for their kids to start training super-fast. And it’s usually based on how close it is to them.
It’s really important that you take the time to clearly understand each individual club’s merits before jumping in. Your decision should primarily be based on the quality of Jiu-Jitsu and the culture of the club, and secondarily on location.
We have written this post in order to have a clearer understanding of the best clubs in Bristol and therefore best equip you to make an informed decision for your child(ren).
Example highlights of top schools’ offerings:
Choosing the best Jiu-Jitsu club for your kids in Bristol that suits your own individual needs is challenging – we get it. Every parent has their own busy schedule and differing lifestyles and every child has unique requirements.
In analysing the top Jiu-Jitsu schools for kids in Bristol, we have collected a number of data points. Here’s a summary before we get started on the rankings.
? Timetable and overall availability
There is a very small selection of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, full-time schools in Bristol. Full-time indicates the staff are dedicated to Jiu Jitsu, who pursue Jiu Jitsu as a career.
? Multiple mat spaces (2+)
This is great for classes running at the same time, and for busy parents who can only make one-time slots and still have access to multiple classes. Great for running striking alongside grappling classes.
??? Kids programmes
Kids programmes are a strong indicator of the success of a club. A more intricate data point is the segmentation of the kid’s classes. Larger, more established BJJ clubs will be able to facilitate better segmentation by age, and proficiency in order to optimise individual learning (this is usually achieved by a larger facility and broader ranges of coaches in order to best serve).
?♂️ Classes split by ages
It is important that classes are separated by age, and not a generic ‘kids’ class. As you may know, kids grow very fast, and the size and capabilities of an 11-year-old vs a 4-year-old differ greatly. Therefore when classes are split, they are optimised for each age group.
Coaching techniques and teaching children discipline, overcoming failure, dedication and building social skills are paramount in their BJJ journey.
1. Roger Gracie North Bristol
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (120+ reviews)
? Pricing: £50 per month for kids.
? Address: The Youth Centre, Greystoke Avenue, Southmead, Bristol
☎️ Contact: 07796 790866
? Website: www.rogergracienorthbristol.com
Roger Gracie Academy Bristol is a full-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy with over 500+ active members. Primarily a BJJ school, RGA Bristol has recently expanded into boxing and kickboxing with prestigious coaches.
Run by black belt brothers Luke & Clayton Chamberlain, and 20+ coaches, the team delivers over 65+ classes per week in the weekly schedule.
For kids, the classes are split up into age groups:
- 3-6 Year Olds
- 7-10 Year Olds
- 11-15 Year Olds
Daily classes for children starting from just 3 years old are run by a full-time competition team that has starred on BBC, ITV and UFC Fight Pass.
The core of the club is passionate, and friendly with the standards all spearheaded by a broad coaching and competition team who compete regularly and succeed at the sport’s highest levels.
(Roger Gracie is widely regarded as the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu)
? Pros
? Largest Jiu-Jitsu academy in Bristol with 500+ members
? Ranked #1 BJJ club in the U.K. (March 2023)
? National and International gold medalist kids coaches in the most prestigious competitions (ADCC, British Open, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, and more)
✅ Full-time, dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy.
✅ 15+ kids classes per week.
✅ Open 7 days a week.
✅ Kids programme with daily classes (5 times per week) plus segmentation between young children, juniors, and teenagers.
✅ Full-time coaching team
? Cons
❌ No kids classes on the weekend.
❌ No cafe facilities.
2. Pedro Bessa BJJ
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (10+ reviews)
? Starting from: £35 per month for kids.
? Address: Sweatbox Gym, Princess St, Bristol BS3 4AG
☎️ Contact: 07833493238
? Website: https://sweatboxgym.com/classes/martial-arts/jiu-jitsu/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school which runs out of a functional fitness and weights facility called Sweatbox. Pedro Bessa BJJ is one of the longest-running BJJ schools in the city of Bristol.
Pedro Bessa is an accomplished competitor from Brazil. They offer 4 kids classes per week including beginners and advanced classes. Out of the 4 kids classes, 2 are split by age groups. and these classes are on the weekend.
? Pros
✅ Kids classes on Saturday.
✅ Established 10+ years.
✅ Central location.
? Cons
❌ Only 4 kids classes per week.
❌ Kids’ classes are not every day.
❌ No full-time competition team.
3. Gracie Barra Keynsham
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (3+ reviews)
? Starting from: £50 per month for kids.
? Address: Bath Hill, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1EB
☎️ Contact: 07305 629601
? Website: https://www.graciebarrakeynsham.co.uk/
A full-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Keynsham, Gracie Barra Keynsham is part of one of the largest Jiu-Jitsu organisations in the world, Gracie Barra. Run by Salvatore Pace black belt Damien Barrett.
With 5 kids classes per week and classes starting from 4 years old for kids. Classes are split by 4-8 year olds and then 9+ year olds.
? Pros
✅ Great for beginners.
✅ Newly renovated premises.
✅ Part of a worldwide organisation.
? Cons
❌ No Full-time competition team
❌ Not a full-time academy
❌ Only 5 kids classes per week.
4. Impact Gym
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (35+ reviews)
? Starting from: £39.99 per month for kids.
? Address: Hayward Rd, Soundwell, Bristol BS16 4NY
☎️ Contact: 0117 329 0059
? Website: https://www.impactgymbristol.com/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Downend area of Bristol, Impact Gym is run by brothers Tom and Jake O’Hagan. They have 5 kids Classes per week in their schedule, including MMA, Striking and Wrestling.
? Pros
✅ Lots of martial arts under one roof.
✅ Access to weights facility.
✅ Large facility.
? Cons
❌ 3 striking classes per week.
❌ Kids’ classes are not split by age.
❌ No Full-time competition team.
5. Artemis BJJ
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (7+ reviews)
? Starting from: £20 per month for kids.
? Address: 7 Easton Rd, Bristol BS5 0BY
☎️ Contact: 07740 197319
? Website: https://www.artemisbjj.com/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Easton area of Bristol, Artemis BJJ is run by black belt Can Sönmez. They have 2 kids’ classes per week in their schedule. Kids classes are split by the following ages: 4-10 year olds and then 11-15 year olds.
? Pros
✅ Very beginner friendly.
✅ Great central location.
✅ Low monthly cost.
? Cons
❌ Only 2 kids classes per week.
❌ Small mat space (sq ft.)
❌ Only classes for kids are on Sunday.
6. Bristol Dojo
⭐️ Rated: 4.7/5 on Google Reviews (20+ reviews)
? Starting from: £48 per month for kids.
? Address: 1-21 Bedminster Down Rd, Bedminster, Bristol BS13 7AB
☎️ Contact: 0800 756 6990
? Website: https://bristoldojo.com/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Bedminster area of Bristol, Bristol Dojo is a martial arts school with different martial arts classes such as Karate and Kickboxing. Bristol Dojo offers 2 BJJ classes per week for kids in their schedule. It is a family-run school run by Simon O’Brien and his family. Simon also manages lots of different competitions around the South West of the UK such as Pro Sport Grappling and the Somerset Open.
? Pros
✅ Very beginner friendly.
✅ Kids can also choose to train karate,
✅ Smaller class attendance which means more mat space.
? Cons
❌ Only 2 kids classes per week.
❌ Limited parking
❌ Kids’ classes are not split by age.
7. Gracie Barra Yate
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (20+ reviews)
? Starting from: £50 per month for kids.
? Address: 11 Heron Way, Yate, Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6XW
☎️ Contact: 07788 245306
? Website: https://www.graciebarrayate.co.uk/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the outskirts of Bristol, in the area of Chipping Sodbury. The school is run by black belt Antonio Bustorff. The school is open 6 days a week and is closed on Sundays. GB Yate also has a handful of competitors who compete regularly and have had success in competition.
Their kids classes are split by the following ages:
3-8 year olds
8-12 year olds
13-17 year olds
? Pros
✅ Two mat spaces.
✅ 15+ kids classes per week.
✅ Classes split by age.
? Cons
❌ Small sq ft mat spaces for the number of classes offered.
❌ No classes on Sunday.
❌ No full-time coaches.
8. Aftermath BJJ
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (24+ reviews)
? Starting from: Unknown.
? Address: 37 Filwood Broadway, Knowle, Bristol BS4 1JP
☎️ Contact: 07967 496772
? Website: https://aftermathbjj.co.uk/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Knowle West area of Bristol. The school is run by black belt Nick Jordan. With 8+ kids classes per week, the school is open 7 days a week. Aftermath BJJ also has a handful of competitors who compete regularly and have had success in competition.
Their kids classes are split by the following ages:
4-6 year olds
7-10 year olds
10-15 year olds
? Pros
✅ Open 7 days week.
✅ Competition team.
✅ Classes split by age.
? Cons
❌ Small mat space.
❌ Jiu Jitsu for kids only 3 days out of 7.
❌ Limited parking.
9. Art Of Movement
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (14+ reviews)
? Starting from: £40 per month for kids.
? Address: St Luke’s Church, Church St, Bristol BS5 9FB
☎️ Contact: 07734 469251
? Website: https://www.artofmovementbristol.com/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Lawrence Hill area of Bristol. The school is run by black belt Rad. With 3+ kids classes per week. The school is open 6 days a week and runs both Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira in the same facility. Art Of Movement also has a handful of competitors.
? Pros
✅ Capoeira classes for kids.
✅ Central location.
✅ Beginner friendly.
? Cons
❌ Only 3 BJJ sessions for kids per week.
❌ Kids classes not split by age.
❌ Limited parking.
10. RR Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
⭐️ Rated: 5/5 on Google Reviews (5+ reviews)
? Starting from: £40 per month for kids.
? Address: High St, Hanham, Bristol BS15 3DR
☎️ Contact: 07951 701027
? Website: https://rrbrazilianjiujitsu.com/
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Hanham area of Bristol, RR Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-time academy with 4+kids classes per week. The school is run by head coach Rich Rubino, who is a black belt under Pedro Bessa. RR have a competitive interest with competitive coaches and a competition team.
Their kids classes are split by the following ages:
5-9 year olds
10-15 year olds
? Pros
✅ Classes split by age.
✅ Competition team.
✅ Discounts for members for other local businesses.
? Cons
❌ Kids classes only run during term time.
❌ Limited mat space.
❌ Kids classes are only two days per week.
