BJJ GYM REVIEW: THE BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU ACADEMY, MARKET DRAYTON

BJJ GYM REVIEW: THE BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU ACADEMY, MARKET DRAYTON

A friendly, fundamentals-driven academy bringing real Jiu-Jitsu culture to rural Shropshire

Market Drayton isn’t the first place you’d expect to find a thriving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community — but that’s exactly what this academy has built.

Tucked inside a clean, purpose-built training space, The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy delivers a warm, community-first environment backed by solid technical instruction and a genuinely welcoming vibe for beginners, hobbyists, and visiting grapplers passing through Shropshire.

LINEAGE & INSTRUCTORS

The academy is run by experienced black belt instructors, offering structured, fundamentals-focused classes for adults and kids from age 6 upwards. The coaching style is clear and methodical: techniques are broken down into digestible steps, drilled with intent, and then reinforced through positional sparring and live rounds.

It’s very much “learn properly, then pressure-test” — without ego or macho posturing.

Mark Badham is the founder of The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and co-founder of the British Army Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team. Training since 2011, Mark has competed in prestigious international competitions including the IBJFF World Masters, and has trained in Rio De Janeiro with world leading experts. He brings a wealth of technical knowledge and competitive experience to every class, while keeping the tone of the session fun and relaxed.

THE TRAINING EXPERIENCE

One thing to state about this academy is that a high percentage of members are serving or retired members of the armed forces. This makes for a matesy, friendly atmosphere, but also means that the level of fitness and physicality is higher than you would get at the average academy. These are good people, but there are a lot of physically very athletic and capable people here. Having said that, I'm particularly unathletic and immobile, and I found the training here to be fulfilling and fun!

Classes follow a predictable, beginner-friendly rhythm: warm-up, technical blocks, positional work, then sparring. The room is friendly, the rolls are controlled, and the culture leans heavily toward learning rather than proving a point.

If you’re newer to BJJ or returning after time off, this is exactly the kind of environment that keeps you progressing without feeling overwhelmed.

More experienced students will appreciate the emphasis on high-percentage fundamentals — solid takedowns, pressure passing, tight top control, and clean submissions. There’s scope for competition-minded grapplers, but the core identity of the gym is accessible, well-structured Jiu-Jitsu for everyday people.

FACILITIES & ATMOSPHERE

The facility is a full-time matted academy, with plenty of space for busy classes, good ventilation, and a professional feel. The mats are clean, the kit is tidy, and the overall impression is of a gym that takes both safety and standards seriously.

What stands out most, though, is the community: people introduce themselves, kids and adults mix well around class times, and visitors are made to feel part of the group quickly.

SCHEDULE & DROP-IN FRIENDLINESS

The timetable runs six days a week at the time of writing with Gi, No-Gi, beginners, kids, and early-morning open mats. That makes it easy to fit training around work and family life, and ideal for travellers passing through who want to squeeze in a session before or after a day on the road.

Communication is straightforward via the website and social channels, and the academy actively invites newcomers to book a free taster session. Please check with the academy for the latest timetable before attending as things can change.

WHO THIS GYM IS PERFECT FOR

Beginners wanting a safe, structured introduction to BJJ

Parents looking for a positive, confidence-building activity for their kids

Hobbyists who value community and fundamentals over hard-core competition culture

Travellers in Shropshire needing a friendly, well-run mat to train on.

THE GENTLE ART GUIDE VERDICT

A professionally run, black-belt-led academy with a strong fundamentals focus, a full-time facility, and a genuinely welcoming community. A standout option for both new and experienced grapplers in rural Shropshire.

PRACTICAL INFO

Website: thebrazilianjiujitsuacademy.com

Instagram: @thebjjacademy_est2022

Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire, UK