01
You arrive
Ten minutes early, in gym kit, with a bottle of water. Someone will meet you at the door, take your name and introduce you to whoever is teaching. Shoes off at the edge of the mat.
Beginners
Everyone here
Everyone here
started as
a beginner
Everyone starts as a beginner, we have a full syllabus for step by step guidance from beginner to black belt.
New for September
Beginners only.
Beginners only.
Tuesdays, 6pm.
You've spoken, and we've listened. From September there's a class with just beginners, white belts and yellow belts on the mat.
- Slower pace, small numbers, time to get it right
- The full TJK self-defence syllabus from step one
- Beginners, white belts and yellow belts only
- Every Tuesday, 6.00pm – 7.00pm · £8
Your first
hour.
Nobody is going to throw you across the room. Here is what actually happens, in order.
02
Warm-up
Ten minutes of movement to get you loose. It's a warm-up, not a fitness test — work at whatever pace you're comfortable with and nobody will say a word.
03
Breakfalls
Before you learn to throw anyone, you learn to land. Breakfalling is the first skill every Jujutsu student is taught and the one that makes everything afterwards safe.
04
Technique
Two or three techniques from the white-belt syllabus, drilled slowly with a partner who knows you're new. On Tuesdays at 6pm that's the whole class; on other nights you'll be on your own mat with an instructor.
05
You go home
Slightly sweaty, probably having laughed at least once, and knowing more than you did an hour earlier. Nobody will chase you for a decision.
The white belt programme
Ten sessions to
Ten sessions to
your first grade.
Every new student goes onto the introductory programme — the white-belt syllabus. It usually takes around ten sessions to complete, and it gives you a genuine foundation rather than a handful of disconnected moves.
- Breakfalls, stance and movement
- Core strikes, blocks and releases
- First throws and takedowns
- Basic ground control and escapes
- The practical self-defence scenarios TJK is known for
Honest
answers.
The questions people email us before they book, answered without the sales pitch.
I'm really unfit. Is that a problem?
No. Beginners work within their own capabilities and at their own pace. Jujutsu is technical before it is physical, and the fitness turns up on its own after a few weeks.
I'm worried I'll get hurt.
It's why the first thing you learn is how to fall safely and why beginners work on beginner syllabus. All senseis are level 3 first aid trained and fully insured.
Do I have to spar or compete?
Sparring is encouraged at Tewkesbury for honing self-defence skills, but it is always optional. You do not need to compete to grade at TJK.
What do I wear?
Gym kit — shorts or joggers and a t-shirt — and a bottle of water. No gi needed until you decide to stay and grade.
Will I be the oldest one there?
Almost certainly not. The club runs from teens to sixties on the same mat, and people arrive at Jujutsu at every stage of life.
I'd rather not train with men.
Sensei Gemma runs a women-only mat area every Sunday, 5–6pm. See the women's self-defence page.
What if I hate it?
Then you've lost an hour and nothing else. The first class is free and there's no contract, no joining fee and no conversation to have if you don't come back.
How much does it cost after that?
£8–£10 a class pay-as-you-go, or £50 a month for everything. Most people start with the four-class introduction offer at £4.
★★★★★I wish I had taken this up sooner! Have been at the club since the start of this year. Really professionally run, making sure you go through the basics before you start taking on anything more. Lessons are well structured and informative. Everyone at the club is really welcoming and friendly, there are no egos and they all just want to help you improve. I managed to train twice a week but wish I could train more. Would highly recommend.
Josh LewisFacebook
★★★★★While looking for a martial arts club I found TJK classes, since there was a free trial I decided to give it a go to see what is all about. In summary, it was a great find — training sessions which are very high quality are led by approachable and passionate instructors, who are keen on sharing their expertise while making sure their students thrive. As a complete beginner, I never feel out of place or that I don't know enough. Welcoming and friendly members will make you feel part of the club from day one.
Luka WoFacebook
★★★★★Very high quality instruction.
Welcoming, safe environment for beginners.
Good, engaging mix of self defence and sport.
Great physical conditioning, but with a focus on technique over strength.Darren RehoFacebook
★★★★★I train with TJK Tewkesbury whenever I can on top of my usual main class (TJK Chosen Hill). It's a great addition as the style of training is slightly different. It allows me to push myself and really test the skills under a little extra pressure with friendly grappling and sparring sessions. Everyone there shows huge respect for each other and help each other out whenever possible, no matter what level they might be. If you're nervous about stepping in for your first lesson, don't worry, within minutes you'll be welcomed by everyone and will feel a lot more at ease. Then you'll wonder why you didn't start years ago.
Dave HumphriesFacebook
★★★★★Jen and Mark are both hugely talented jujutsu practitioners who live and breathe Japanese jujutsu. Their understanding of the art is exceptional and their attention to the smallest details make them tremendously effective teachers. I learn something new every time I have the opportunity to train with them.
Ian Connor
★★★★★I cannot recommend Mark and Jen enough as teachers. I have been training with them now for 5 months and they have provided me with so much support and insight in to my practice. You won't regret it if you give it a go. I promise!
Ellie Kim