Adult Martial Arts
Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone, including You!
The first time you come to our school you will be welcomed by our staff. Please arrive 15 minutes before class so you have enough time to prepare for practice.
"There is no losing in Jiu-Jitsu. You either win or you learn" – Carlos Gracie Jr.
Gracie Barra Derby & Ilkeston Adult Programme
Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts classes at Gracie Barra Derby and Ilkeston are perfect for any adult who wants to learn a new skill in a safe, challenging, and family friendly environment.
We offer a range of programmes for all skill levels, with structured curriculums designed specifically to help you succeed in achieving your individual goals; whether that be fitness, self defence or competitive success.
Our experienced instructors at Gracie Barra are committed to the development of every student. Through training martial arts at our Schools members will see improvement not only athletically, but also mentally as they incorporate Gracie Barra’s proven principles into their everyday lives.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submission holds. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches students methods to escape and counter an opponent, as well as how to control an opponent through gaining dominant positions and submission techniques.
We have three tiers of Adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes:
GB1 – This course can be thought of as Jiu-jitsu for beginners. It teaches the fundamentals and principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as well as the skills needed to grow personally in a Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle.
GB2 – The GB2 curriculum advances your Jiu-Jitsu knowledge taking your training beyond the fundamentals, introducing more advanced techniques and concepts, and challenging the personal skills you need to succeed.
GB3 – This programme is designed to consolidate a deeper understanding of the concepts and techniques of Jiu-Jitsu, enabling students to express their own unique style and achieve Black Belt excellence.
Locations: Derby & Ilkeston.
No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
NoGi – Nogi is a style of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training, without the Gi. NoGi still utilises many of the core techniques of traditional BJJ but with adaptations to the grips and controls and with some overlap to elements of wrestling and grappling as well.
NoGi training is highly transferable to Mixed Martial Arts.
Locations: Derby & Ilkeston.
Woman’s Only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Starting a new contact sport can be a daunting experience. However, our women’s only classes provide the perfect opportunity for women to start their martial arts journey, in a safe and friendly environment, with experienced and supportive coaches.
The Women’s Only programme has been designed specifically for females, teaching the fundamental skills of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with an added focus on simple and effective self defence techniques. BJJ is a highly effective form of self defence with the underlying principles to enable a smaller individual to overcome a larger opponent, making it one of the best styles of martial arts for women to practice.
Our Women’s only programme aims to empower women to feel strong and confident; through facing new challenges in training and pushing themselves past their perceived limits, as not only is BJJ an excellent form of self defence and fitness, it’s an exciting competitive sport! Our instructors pride themselves on our successful track record in coaching female athletes in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA at all levels; from beginner to elite level champions!
Locations: Ilkeston.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Mixed Martial Arts is an increasingly popular combat sport following the rise in success of the UFC. MMA classes teach students how to combine together the three main elements; striking, grappling and ground fighting.
Our MMA programmes are suitable for all levels, from casual fighters who want to improve fitness, learn self-defence, develop confidence and become part of a team, through to competitive fighters who want to test their abilities at amateur or professional level.
White-Collar MMA: Professor Patrick runs an annual Ultra MMA White-Collar Mixed Martial Arts programme from our Derby Academy. This is a novice program which involves training intensively over several months before then stepping into the cage to fight and raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Locations: Derby & Ilkeston.
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu
Japanese Ju-Jitsu is the traditional style of Ju-Jitsu, historically used by the Samurai warriors for close contact fighting. Japanese Ju-Jitsu teaches a well-rounded self defence system, utilising a combination of throws, locks and strikes to control an opponent in real life situations.
Sensei Patrick and our team of experienced Black Belt Instructors have developed a detailed and systematic curriculum, designed to support student’s individual progress from white belt to high level black belt Jujitsukas.
Locations: Derby.
BarraFit
BarraFIT is our answer for students who want a challenging class focused on aerobic exercise and strength training.
This class is a Jiu-Jitsu inspired workout that promotes weight loss while increasing your overall fitness. This unique fitness program is designed with the same principles and values we teach across our other programmes.
Due to its versatility and all-encompassing health benefits, BarraFIT is recommended both for those currently practicing Jiu-Jitsu and also those who just want to improve their physical well-being.
Locations: Derby.
Private tuition
Jiu-Jitsu is like any other sport or activity: your progress is a consequence of how hard and how smart you train.
Group classes are the best proven way to teach Jiu-Jitsu, since the diversity of training partners creates more varied opportunities and challenges, allowing a student to improve more quickly. However, private classes are definitely an essential complement that no serious Jiu-Jitsu student should do without.
The individual attention and approach to details that a one-to-one session with one of our instructors provides, can and does lead to significant improvement in a student’s personal development.
It is highly recommended that all students take at least one private lesson per month to review their techniques and address specific challenges in his or her Jiu-Jitsu game plan.
Private Bookings
Private bookings for self defence seminars and group workshops are also available for schools, businesses and groups.
These sessions are an opportunity for providing your staff/pupils with a basic awareness and knowledge of simple and effective self defence techniques, taught by experienced martial arts instructors, and can also be a great activity for team building.
Locations: Derby & Ilkeston.
