Brazilian Jiu Jitsu · Wimbledon SW19
Beginner-friendly BJJ,
first class free
Get fit, get confident and learn real self-defence with black belt coaching at YMCA Wimbledon. No experience needed.
“Is BJJ for me?” Almost certainly — here's why
These are the six things people worry about before their first class. None of them should stop you.
“I've never done a martial art”
Perfect — you're exactly who our fundamentals classes are built for. Every technique is taught step by step, and you'll be paired with partners who remember their own first class.
“I'm not fit enough”
You don't get fit to do Jiu Jitsu — you do Jiu Jitsu to get fit. Go at your own pace, rest when you need to, and let the fitness come as a side effect.
“Is there a class for women?”
Yes — a dedicated women-only class every Thursday evening, focused on practical self-defence in a respectful environment. Your first one is free.
“Am I too old for this?”
BJJ runs on leverage and technique, not youth or strength. People start with us in their 30s, 40s and 50s — we match partners and pace to you.
“What about my kids?”
Our Junior programme (ages 8–15) runs Tuesday evenings: small classes teaching technique, discipline and the Seven Virtues. First class free.
“I'm nervous about walking in”
Everyone was. Message us before you come and we'll meet you at the door, introduce you to the coach, and walk you through everything.
Four programmes. One free first class.
Whether you want fitness, self-defence, competition or something great for your kids, there's a class for you.
Fundamentals (Gi)
Best first class for most beginnersAdults 16+ · All levels
The traditional art in the gi: grips, leverage and technical precision. Mixed-ability classes where beginners are paired with experienced training partners — you will never be thrown in at the deep end.
Fundamentals (No-Gi)
No uniform neededAdults 16+ · Thursdays
Faster-paced submission grappling in shorts and a rash guard. Huge crossover with wrestling and MMA. No gi required — just sportswear.
Women's Jiu Jitsu
First class freeWomen only · Thursday evenings
A women-only class covering practical self-defence and BJJ fundamentals in a focused, respectful environment. Coached to your pace, with training partners of similar size and experience.
Junior Jiu Jitsu
First class freeAges 8–15 · Tuesdays & Saturdays
Small, structured classes built around technical development and the Seven Virtues: discipline, respect and confidence that carries over to school and home.
Weekly timetable
All classes at YMCA Wimbledon, 198 The Broadway, SW19 1RY — 8 min walk from Wimbledon Station.
Tuesday
21:00 – 21:30
Open Mat
Thursday
21:00 – 21:30
Open Mat
Saturday
13:45 – 14:15
Open Mat
Arrive 10–15 minutes early for your first visit — changing rooms, lockers and showers on site. Open Mat is free extra mat time for members after class on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Rated 5.0 ★ on Google
31 reviews. Every single one five stars.
Learn from a black belt, not a YouTube tutorial
Mike Buckman-Cowling is a 1st Degree Black Belt with 14+ years coaching experience. He has built True Virtues around expert instruction and the traditional values of Bushido — respect, discipline and honesty on and off the mats.
The academy regularly hosts world-class seminars — including ADCC World Champion Ffion Davies — and supports a growing competition team. Want to compete? You'll get dedicated coaching. Just want to train? That's equally respected.
Black Belt
1st degree, head coach
14+ yrs
Coaching experience
ADCC
Hosted world champion Ffion Davies
UKBJJA
Affiliated academy
Simple pricing. No contracts. No joining fees.
Every membership is rolling monthly with a free month's freeze included. But start with the free trial — you don't pay a penny until you know you love it.
Start here
Free Trial Class
£0
- ✓ Try any beginner-friendly class
- ✓ No experience needed — all levels welcome
- ✓ Meet the coach and the team
- ✓ Zero obligation, zero pressure
Basic
£70/month
- ✓ 1 class per week
- ✓ Online curriculum access
- ✓ 1 free month freeze per year
Pro
Most popular£100/month
- ✓ 2 classes per week
- ✓ Online curriculum access
- ✓ Free grading events
- ✓ 1 free month freeze per year
Elite
£120/month
- ✓ Unlimited classes
- ✓ Online curriculum access
- ✓ Free grading events
- ✓ 1 free month freeze per year
Questions? Answered.
Is BJJ for me if I've never done any martial art?＋
Yes — most of our members walked in having never trained anything. Every class is coached step by step, you're paired with helpful partners, and nobody expects you to know a single move on day one. Absolute beginners are the people we built this academy for.
Do I need to get fit before I start?＋
No. You don't get fit to do Jiu Jitsu — you do Jiu Jitsu to get fit. BJJ uses movement patterns no gym machine replicates, so the only way to build 'BJJ fitness' is on the mats. Go at your own pace; resting out a round is completely normal.
Do you do a women's class?＋
Yes. We run a dedicated women-only class every Thursday from 18:00 to 19:00, covering practical self-defence and BJJ fundamentals in a focused, respectful environment. Your first women's class is free, and many members also train in the mixed adult classes when they're ready.
Do you compete?＋
Yes — members who want to compete get full support with competition-focused coaching, and we regularly attend UK tournaments as a team. But competing is completely optional: most members train for fitness, self-defence and fun, and there is zero pressure to step on a competition mat.
Am I too old to start?＋
No. BJJ is built on leverage and technique rather than strength or athleticism, which is exactly why people start in their 30s, 40s and 50s. We pair you with suitable partners and adjust the pace to you.
What do I wear to my first class?＋
Comfortable sports clothing with no zips, buttons or loops — a t-shirt and shorts or leggings is perfect for your first class. Bring water and flip-flops for off the mats.
Is Jiu Jitsu dangerous?＋
BJJ is considerably safer than striking arts — there are no punches or kicks. You learn to 'tap' from your very first lesson, training intensity is matched to your level, and beginners are never thrown in with full-intensity sparring.
Where exactly are you, and is there parking?＋
We train at YMCA Wimbledon, 198 The Broadway, SW19 1RY — 8 minutes' walk from Wimbledon Station and 10 from South Wimbledon tube. Street parking restrictions lift after 18:30, and the venue has changing rooms, lockers and showers.
Are there contracts or joining fees?＋
No contracts, ever. All memberships are rolling monthly and include a free month's freeze if life gets in the way. And your first class is free, with no obligation to join.
Do you teach kids?＋
Yes — our Junior programme (ages 8–15) runs twice a week: Tuesdays 17:45–18:45 and Saturdays 11:00–12:00. Small, structured classes built around technique and the Seven Virtues. The first junior class is free.
Still unsure? Book a free class — it's the fastest way to find out.
On The Broadway, in the heart of Wimbledon
We train at YMCA Wimbledon, a few minutes' walk from both Wimbledon and South Wimbledon stations.
YMCA Wimbledon
198 The Broadway
Wimbledon, London SW19 1RY
- · 8 min walk from Wimbledon Station
- · 10 min walk from South Wimbledon (Northern line)
- · Street parking free after 18:30
Prefer email? truevirtuesjiujitsu@gmail.com
Book your free trial class
Fill in the form and we'll confirm your class within 24 hours. Here's exactly what happens next:
- 1We call or text to confirm your class time and answer any questions.
- 2Turn up 15 minutes early — the coach will meet you, show you around and pair you with a friendly partner.
- 3Train the full class at your own pace. No pressure, no hard sell afterwards.
Prefer to talk to a human? 07947 606137 · DM @truevirtuesjiujitsuacademy