New beginner's BJJ course: Build your grappling foundation

Whether you are stepping onto the mats for the very first time or looking to sharpen your core techniques, a new BJJ Fundamentals class is coming to Borderlands every Friday evening from 19:00 to 19:45, held at Ludlow Primary School.

Designed around a structured 12-week syllabus, the curriculum covers the core positions every grappler needs to know, including closed guard, mount, back control, and takedowns. Each 45-minute session focuses on technical instruction and active learning games without live sparring, making it a safe, approachable environment to build confidence and muscle memory.

To give you a chance to put your new skills into practice, every Fundamentals class is immediately followed by a 1-hour open mat. This time allows you to drill the day's techniques, ask questions, or get live sparring rounds in at your own pace.

What you need

All you need to get started is a gumshield and water.

Beginners are welcome to get started in suitable sports clothing without any hard metal or plastic toggles. However, this is a gi class, so you will be asked to purchase a gi (what is a gi?) as you gain experience.

Decent gis start at around £40 and will typically last you for several years of training.

Open to all levels

While designed as an entry point for beginners, experienced grapplers are strongly encouraged to attend to refine their foundational movements and mentor the next wave of training partners.

Higher belts are asked to keep the pace deliberate and gentle, ensuring a welcoming environment for first-timers.

Flexible joining options

You can jump into the BJJ Fundamentals program in whichever way suits your schedule and budget best:

• Pay As You Go (PAYG): £8 per session

• Membership: Use your standard membership plans

• Beginner’s package: £55 for 12 consecutive weeks of access

You can find all of these options on our pricing page. Or, for PAYG, you can book directly through our timetable.