If you’re looking for somewhere to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Exeter, you’ve got more options than you might think. The city’s BJJ scene has grown a lot in recent years, and there are now several dedicated academies alongside clubs that offer BJJ as part of a wider martial arts programme.
This guide covers every place you can train BJJ in Exeter right now, what makes each one different, and how to decide which is the best fit for you.
Costello BJJ
Location: Hard Knocks Amateur Boxing Club, Unit 4 Cofton Road, Marsh Barton, EX2 8QW Head Coach: Luke Costello (black belt under Braulio Estima) Website: costellobjj.com
Full disclosure: this is us. But we’ll keep it factual and let you make up your own mind.
Costello BJJ is led by Luke Costello, an IBJJF World Champion, 4x European Champion, Abu Dhabi World Pro Champion, and ADCC World Championship competitor. Luke holds black belts in both BJJ and judo and trained under Braulio Estima, who is widely considered one of the greatest BJJ competitors of all time.
The coaching team also includes Andy Costello, a former heavyweight British Judo champion and professional MMA fighter who previously ran Project Mayhem MMA (which has now merged with Costello BJJ), and Mark Allen, a black belt under Luke with over 11 years of training and multiple IBJJF competition medals.
Classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6:30 to 7:30pm) and Saturday mornings (11:30am to 12:45pm). All levels train together, and complete beginners are welcome at every session. Private tuition with Luke is available by arrangement.
Your first class is free. No gear needed, just turn up in a t-shirt and shorts.
Best for: Anyone who wants to learn from a genuinely world-class competitor. If the quality of instruction matters to you more than anything else, this is hard to beat anywhere in the South West, let alone Exeter.
Exeter BJJ Academy
Location: Check their website for current address Head Coach: Multiple black belt coaches Website: exeterbjjacademy.co.uk
Exeter BJJ Academy is the longest-established BJJ school in the city, having been running since 2004. That gives them over 20 years of history, which is unusual for a BJJ gym in the UK.
They offer a wide range of classes including gi, no-gi, kids, and a women-only class. Their coaching team has a depth of experience across BJJ and other combat sports. They use an online booking system for classes, so you’ll need to reserve your spot in advance.
The academy has a strong competition track record and has produced a number of competitive grapplers over the years. They also have a dedicated beginners programme, which is helpful if you’re nervous about jumping straight into a mixed-level class.
Best for: People who like a well-established club with a big community and variety of class types, including women-only sessions.
Union Jiu-Jitsu
Location: 15 Paris Street, Exeter, EX1 2JB Head Coach: Shane Caller (black belt) Website: unionjiujitsu.co.uk
Union Jiu-Jitsu is a dedicated BJJ academy in the centre of Exeter. Shane Caller is the head instructor, a black belt with lineage through Raphael Anao Dos Santos and Darren Yeoman, tracing back to the Gracie family.
They run gi classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays (7pm to 8:30pm), no-gi on Mondays (7pm to 8:30pm), an early morning session on Wednesdays (7am to 8am), and an open mat on Sundays (10am to 11:30am). That’s a solid schedule if you want to train frequently.
Membership is £70 per month for adults, with a student discount bringing it down to £56. They also offer drop-in sessions at £10 per class. Kids classes are listed as coming soon.
Your first class is free if you book online and apply the promo code FREE24.
Best for: People who want a city-centre location and a decent number of sessions per week, including early mornings and open mats.
Horizon Academy BJJ
Location: 2 Guinea Street, Exeter, EX1 1BS Head Coach: Zak Reed (black belt) Website: horizonacademybjj.co.uk
Horizon Academy is another city-centre option, based in a dedicated matted studio on Guinea Street. Zak Reed is the head coach, a black belt with over ten years of experience in BJJ. The academy is part of the Carlson Gracie Team under Ben Hall, making it the only Carlson Gracie affiliate in the South West.
They cater to a wide age range, starting from children as young as 3 years old up through teens and adults. They also provide coaching for the University of Exeter BJJ club, so if you’re a student, there’s a natural connection there.
Horizon offers a free taster week (not just a single class), which is a good way to try several sessions before committing.
Best for: Families looking for one club that covers everyone from young kids to adults, and university students who want a club connected to the uni scene.
Exeter Martial Arts
Location: Check their website for current address BJJ Coach: Dr Richard Catterick (black belt under Professor Sidney Silva, Rickson Gracie lineage) Website: exetermartialarts.co.uk
Exeter Martial Arts is a large multi-discipline gym that offers BJJ alongside traditional jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and other arts. If you’re not 100% sure that BJJ is for you, or you want to try a few different martial arts under one roof, this is worth a look.
Their BJJ programme is led by Dr Richard Catterick, a black belt whose lineage goes through Sidney Silva back to Rickson Gracie. They run fundamental and advanced classes, plus a strength and conditioning session. After 20 classes you get access to their open mat. They also have a three-class introductory course for complete beginners.
They also offer traditional (Japanese) jiu-jitsu, which is a different art from BJJ. If you’re not sure of the difference: BJJ focuses on ground grappling and submissions, while traditional jiu-jitsu includes strikes, throws, and weapons defence. Both are taught here.
Best for: People who want to cross-train across multiple martial arts, or who aren’t sure if BJJ specifically is what they’re after.
How to choose the right gym
Every gym on this list will welcome beginners and give you a good introduction to BJJ. The differences come down to what matters most to you.
If coaching credentials are your top priority, Costello BJJ has the most decorated head coach in the region by a significant margin. Luke’s competition record at world championship level is something you genuinely won’t find at most gyms in the country, let alone in Exeter.
If you want the most established club with the biggest community, Exeter BJJ Academy has been going since 2004 and has the deepest roots.
If location matters, Union Jiu-Jitsu and Horizon Academy are both in the city centre. Costello BJJ is in Marsh Barton, which is a short drive or bus ride from the centre. Exeter BJJ Academy’s location can be found on their website.
If you want lots of sessions per week, Union Jiu-Jitsu currently offers 4 regular sessions plus an open mat. Costello BJJ runs 3 sessions per week. Most other clubs fall somewhere in that range.
If you have kids, Horizon Academy takes children from age 3 and Exeter BJJ Academy has a well-established kids programme. Costello BJJ offers kids classes too.
If you want coaches with experience across MMA and judo as well as BJJ, Costello BJJ’s coaching team includes a former professional MMA fighter and heavyweight British Judo champion alongside world-level BJJ credentials.
If you’re a woman looking for women-only training, Exeter BJJ Academy runs a dedicated women’s class.
Try before you commit
Almost every gym in Exeter offers a free trial class. Take advantage of that. Visit two or three, see where you feel comfortable, and go with your gut. The best gym for you is the one you’ll actually keep showing up to.
If you’d like to try a class with us at Costello BJJ, get in touch on 07538 160189 or book through our website. Your first session is free, no experience or equipment needed.
See you on the mat.