Serving Clapham, Battersea, Wandsworth & Greater London
Looking for a BJJ gym in London? Carlson Gracie Clapham is one of South London's leading BJJ gyms, offering authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in a welcoming and supportive environment. At our BJJ gym in London, we pride ourselves on making martial arts accessible to everyone, from complete beginners to experienced practitioners.
About Carlson Gracie Clapham BJJ
Welcome to Carlson Gracie Clapham
Welcome to our martial arts academy, where our head instructor, Martin Foot, brings over 40 years of martial arts experience to the forefront.
A Supportive Environment
With 24 years dedicated to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and over a decade as a Black Belt, Martin fosters an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for all students.
To Challenge Yourself
Our classes will build your strength, self-defense capabilities, and overall confidence and competence in all stressful situations. We invite you to join us and discover the profound impact of martial arts training.
What Our Students Say
Hands down the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in London! I originally joined when I was living in Clapham, but even after moving to Greenwich, I still make the trip across the city just to train here—that's how good it is. Coach Martin is incredibly skilled, patient, and genuinely invested in everyone's progress. The classes are welcoming, inclusive, and suitable for all levels, from total beginners to seasoned grapplers. Plus, the vibe is always on point with Coach's bangin' playlists keeping the energy high.
I visited Martin's class while on vacation since I train at a Carlson-affiliated school, Supreme MMA Oakland. Martin's teaching was clear, the pace was excellent, and the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming. The students were skilled and friendly, making the session both challenging and enjoyable. If you're in London and looking for a high-quality BJJ class with authentic Carlson Gracie lineage, this is the place to go. Highly recommend!
Carlson Gracie Clapham is an exceptional place to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The coach Martin Foot is not only highly skilled and experienced but also incredibly personable and down-to-earth, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. The quality of instruction is top-notch, and the emphasis on proper technique over brute strength makes it accessible for people at all levels. What really stands out is the sense of community—there's a genuine camaraderie among the students, and everyone supports each other's progress. Highly recommend!
Why Train at Our South London BJJ Gym?
Carlson Gracie Clapham has become the destination BJJ gym for practitioners across London. Our students regularly travel from all corners of the city—and some even from outside London—to train with us. Here's why our gym stands out:
Prime South London Location
Perfectly positioned on the borders of Lambeth and Wandsworth, our BJJ gym in London is ideally located for residents across South London. Whether you're in Clapham, Battersea, Brixton, Stockwell, Vauxhall, or Nine Elms, you'll find us easily accessible and convenient for your training schedule.
Excellent Transport Links
Our gym is incredibly well-connected, making it one of the most accessible BJJ gyms in London:
- 10-minute walk from Clapham Common tube station (Northern Line)
- Direct bus routes: 77, 87, and 452 from Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, and surrounding areas
- Short journey from Vauxhall Station (Victoria Line, mainline trains)
- Easy access from Battersea, Stockwell, and Kennington stations
- Street parking available for those driving from further afield
Worth the Journey from Across London
As one student noted in their 5-star review: "I originally joined when I was living in Clapham, but even after moving to Greenwich, I still make the trip across the city just to train here—that's how good it is."
Our students travel from all over London because they value:
- Authentic Carlson Gracie lineage - Learn from a legitimate source with direct connection to the legendary Carlson Gracie team
- Expert instruction - Train under Martin Foot, a black belt with over 24 years of BJJ experience
- Welcoming community - A supportive environment where everyone, from beginners to advanced practitioners, feels at home
- Quality over quantity - We focus on proper technique and individual development, not just filling classes
- Flexible training times - Classes throughout the week, including early morning Saturday sessions
Serving All of London
While we're based in South London, we proudly welcome students from across the capital. Current members regularly travel from:
- South London: Clapham, Battersea, Brixton, Stockwell, Streatham, Tooting, Balham
- Central London: Westminster, Waterloo, Borough, Southwark
- West London: Fulham, Chelsea, Putney
- East London: Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Peckham
- North of the river: Victoria, Pimlico, and beyond
If you're searching for a BJJ gym in London that combines authentic lineage, expert instruction, and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere, the journey to Carlson Gracie Clapham is worth it.
Experience the Difference for Yourself
Join students from across London who have made Carlson Gracie Clapham their BJJ home. Your first class is completely free—no experience necessary.
Timetable
Location
Find us conveniently located on the borders of Lambeth and Wandsworth in South London. Our BJJ gym serves students from across London, with easy access from Clapham, Battersea, Brixton, Vauxhall, and the wider South London area.
Frequently Asked Questions
For your trial class at Carlson Gracie Clapham, you will be paired with an experienced member who'll guide you through the basics. You should wear sports clothes (shorts/tracksuit and sports top) and our classes run 60-90 minutes and include warm-ups, technique instruction, and optional sparring at your comfort level.
Absolutely not! At Carlson Gracie Clapham, almost all our members started with zero martial arts experience. We welcome complete beginners and all fitness levels. While there's a lot to learn initially, you'll quickly discover the fun side of jiu jitsu. Our experienced training partners and coaches ensure you feel supported from day one.
Absolutely, women are not only welcome but are a vital and growing part of the global BJJ community! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is uniquely suited for women because it emphasises technique, leverage, and strategy over brute strength or size. This means it's an incredibly effective self-defense system that empowers a smaller individual to control and defeat a larger, stronger opponent.
Carlson Gracie Clapham actively fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for women, to build confidence and competence to compete.
BJJ provides immense benefits and we encourage all women to experience the transformative power of BJJ!
Carlson Gracie Clapham offers monthly memberships starting at £50 for one class per week, £70 for two classes per week, or £90 for unlimited classes. Your first trial class is completely free. Gis (uniforms) are purchased separately. All memberships are monthly commitments. All classes are included in your membership with no hidden fees or premium class charges. Start with your free trial and find the membership that fits your schedule at South London's friendliest jiu jitsu gym.
Yes! Jiu jitsu at Carlson Gracie Clapham is excellent for both fitness and weight loss. Most members lose weight while building core strength and improving cardiovascular fitness. The intensity is entirely up to you and your training partner - from slow and technical to high heart rate workouts. You'll often be so focused during sparring that you won't notice how hard you're working, making it more engaging than traditional gym workouts. You'll typically see fitness improvements within a few months. While some members add strength training and stretching, jiu jitsu alone provides a complete workout.
Absolutely. BJJ training, through fight emulation and progressive resistance, builds crucial presence of mind as it is fundamentally a mindfulness practice and the strategic tools for de-escalation. Should a situation turn physical, it programs your subconscious with effective physical solutions. We highly recommend our Tuesday and Thursday No-Gi classes, as they focus on standing wrestling—where most fights begin.
Carlson Gracie Clapham is located at 68 St Rule St, Nine Elms, London SW8 3ED. We're easily accessible by public transport - just 10 minutes from Clapham Common tube station on foot, or take buses 77, 87, and 452 from Vauxhall or Clapham Junction. We run classes every day except Sundays. All classes are beginner-friendly while offering advanced concepts for experienced practitioners. Street parking is available nearby. Ready to start training? Fill in the sign-up form below to book your free trial class at South London's most welcoming jiu jitsu gym.
Start Your BJJ Journey Today
Ready to begin your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey with Carlson Gracie Clapham? Join our welcoming community and discover the art of BJJ in South London.
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