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Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu · Nine Elms, London

One team.
One union.

Authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the heart of Nine Elms, Vauxhall. Gi, No-Gi and kids classes for every level, from your first day on the mats to the competition podium.

GiNo-GiKidsAll levels

The academy

Excellence.
Open door. Growth.

We started with a simple aim: to make authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu accessible to more people, and to teach it properly. Complete beginners train alongside experienced grapplers, and everyone learns the principles behind the techniques, not just the techniques themselves.

Gi class at BJJ UNION: pairs drilling guard work while the coach demonstrates 01 · Gi

Gi

Classic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the kimono: grips, control, guard passing and submissions. The heart of the art, where technique and strategy beat strength.

No-Gi at BJJ UNION: two grapplers in rash guards, one taking the back and attacking a choke 02 · No-Gi

No-Gi

Modern grappling without the kimono: faster transitions, wrestling, leg locks and submissions. A different rhythm that completes your game.

Kids class at BJJ UNION: a coach in a white gi with two young children in black gis on the mat 03 · Kids

Kids

Three age groups from four years up: 4–6, 7–11 and 12–16. Technique, discipline and confidence on the mats, in classes built to keep children focused and having fun.

BJJ UNION competitor attacking an armbar in competition 04 · Competition

Competition

For those who want to test themselves: dedicated sparring, game planning and a coach who has competed and won at every belt.

Gi + No-Gi full programme
All levels white to black belt
Kids 4+ three age groups
Trial class book online

Head coach

Led by
Max Lima

Max Lima, head coach of BJJ UNION, in the black gi on the academy mats
Max Lima Black Belt 3rd Degree · Roger Gracie / Cesar Lima

Max Lima is a 3rd degree black belt under Roger Gracie and Cesar Lima. His journey started with Capoeira in Brazil, where his agility and strength stood out from the beginning, a talent he carried into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, with multiple victories as a professional fighter.

He has competed in Gi tournaments around the world and today devotes his full time to developing students and competitors with high technique and an explosive training level.

Competition highlights
  • NAGA International Belt 2016Gold
  • London Winter IBJJF 2016Silver
  • London Fall IBJJF 2015Bronze
  • Bristol Open 2010 · Brown BeltBronze
  • British Open 2009 · Purple BeltSilver
  • Gracie Invitation Excel 2008–09Silver · Bronze
  • Copa Amaury Bitetti 2005–06 · Blue BeltGold · Silver

Timetable

A week
on the mats

Classes start on Monday 5 October

Monday

07:00 – 08:00 Adults Gi Mixed level
12:00 – 13:00 Adults Gi Mixed level
16:00 – 16:45 Kids 4–6 Gi
16:50 – 17:35 Kids 7–11 Gi
18:15 – 19:15 Gi Beginners
19:30 – 20:45 Gi Advanced

Tuesday

07:00 – 08:00 Adults No-Gi Mixed level
12:00 – 13:00 Adults No-Gi Mixed level
16:50 – 17:35 Kids 12–16 No-Gi
18:15 – 19:15 No-Gi Beginners
19:30 – 20:45 No-Gi Advanced

Wednesday

07:00 – 08:00 Adults Gi Mixed level
12:00 – 13:00 Adults Gi Mixed level
16:00 – 16:45 Kids 4–6 Gi
16:50 – 17:35 Kids 7–11 Gi
18:15 – 19:15 Gi Beginners
19:30 – 20:45 Gi Advanced

Thursday

07:00 – 08:00 Adults No-Gi Mixed level
12:00 – 13:00 Adults No-Gi Mixed level
16:50 – 17:35 Kids 12–16 No-Gi
18:15 – 19:15 No-Gi Beginners
19:30 – 20:45 No-Gi Advanced

Friday

07:00 – 08:00 Adults Gi Mixed level
12:00 – 13:00 Adults Gi Mixed level
16:00 – 16:45 Kids 4–6 Gi
16:50 – 17:35 Kids 7–11 Gi
18:15 – 19:15 Gi Beginners
19:30 – 20:45 Gi Advanced

Saturday

10:00 – 10:45 Kids 12–16
13:30 – 14:30 No-Gi Mixed level
14:40 – 15:40 Gi Mixed level

Sunday

10:00 – 12:00 Open Mat
15:00 – 17:00 Open Mat
Adults Kids · 4–6, 7–11, 12–16 Open mat Mon / Wed / Fri Gi · Tue / Thu No-Gi

Pricing

Simple,
as it should be

First time on the mats?

Start with a trial class.

No commitment and no kimono needed: come in shorts and a t-shirt and we will sort the rest. Drop us a message or just turn up a few minutes before class.

Book your trial class

Kids membership

£115/month

Unlimited kids classes in your child's age group. Rolling monthly.

Join now

Drop-in · Adult

£25/class

A single adult session, whenever you want to train without a membership.

Pay at the desk

Drop-in · Kids

£15/class

A single kids session, no membership needed.

Pay at the desk

Already a Southbank Club member?

You already have the gym, so you only pay for the jiu-jitsu, at a discounted price for adult classes. Ask at the front desk and we'll send you your personal link to join.

Join online and pay by card in a couple of minutes: your account in the BJJ UNION app is ready as soon as you have paid. Memberships roll monthly and can be frozen or cancelled with one calendar month's written notice. See the Membership Policy.

Location

Nine Elms,
Vauxhall

BJJ UNION trains inside the Southbank Club, a full sports club on Wandsworth Road. Your membership doesn't stop at the mats: the gym, the sauna and the steam room are yours too.

The academy

Southbank Club

124-130 Wandsworth Road
London SW8 2LD
Minutes from Nine Elms & Vauxhall stations

Get directions Google Maps

Included with your membership

  • Fully equipped gymWeights, machines, bikes, treadmills and boxing bags
  • SaunaWarm up before class, recover after it
  • Steam roomPlus heated loungers in the spa
  • Changing roomsLockers and showers

Café bar at reception for a coffee or a meal after training.

The academy app

The mats,
in your pocket

Every member gets access to the BJJ UNION app, included in the membership. Inside you'll find the class calendar, the technique curriculum for your belt with videos, your attendance and your full promotion history, from your first stripe onwards.

  • Class timetable and bookings, Gi and No-Gi
  • The techniques required for your next rank, with videos
  • Your progress: attendance, requirements, promotions
Open the app

Powered by Ossly, the operating system for BJJ academies.

Home screen of the academy app: current rank, next class and weekly activity
Your week at a glance
Classes screen of the academy app: Gi and No-Gi schedule with enrolment
Classes & bookings
Techniques screen of the academy app: belt curriculum with progress
Your belt curriculum

FAQ

Good
questions

I've never trained before. Can I start?

Yes. Most of our members started from zero. Start with a trial class. You don't need a kimono: shorts and a t-shirt are enough. We take beginners through the basics from the very first session.

What's the difference between Gi and No-Gi?

In Gi you train in the kimono and use its grips; in No-Gi you train in a rash guard and shorts: faster transitions, wrestling and leg locks. At BJJ UNION we train both, every week.

Where exactly are you?

We train at the Southbank Club, 124-130 Wandsworth Road, London SW8 2LD, in Nine Elms, a few minutes' walk from Nine Elms and Vauxhall stations. Members also get the club's gym, sauna and steam room.

How much does it cost?

A drop-in class is £25 for adults and £15 for kids. Unlimited monthly memberships are £145 for adults and £115 for kids, rolling month to month, and you can join and pay online from the Pricing section.

Do you have classes for kids?

Yes. Kids train every weekday afternoon in three age groups: 4–6 and 7–11 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 12–16 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning. See the timetable for the exact times.

Contact

The first step
is the easiest

Message us to book your trial class, ask about the timetable or just come and visit. We reply the same day.