Everything you need to know

None whatsoever. We welcome complete beginners at every session. Our coaches take pride in building people up from scratch — whether you’ve never set foot on a mat before or you’ve trained at another gym, you’ll be met exactly where you are. Most of our members started with zero experience.

Adults (16+): Your first 2 weeks are completely free. Attend as many classes as you like with no obligation to sign up.

Kids & Teens (4–15): Your child’s first 1 week is free — no strings attached.

For both trials we’ll loan you a Gi (uniform) so you don’t need to buy anything upfront. Just show up in comfortable clothing and we’ll sort the rest.

For your trial we’ll loan you a Gi, so you only need:

• Comfortable clothing to change into (we have changing facilities)
• A water bottle
• A small towel
• Flip flops or sandals for moving between the changing room and mat (you train barefoot on the mat)
• A mouth guard is recommended for sparring
• Ear guards (optional but recommended for wrestling/Judo)

Once you’re a regular member, you’ll want your own Gi. We can advise on good value options when you join.

Everything is managed through our online member portal:

• Adults: Register your account, then log in to book classes
• Kids/Teens: Register here — each child needs their own separate profile — then log in to book

If you have trouble registering, email admin@defiantmartialarts.com and we’ll get you sorted.

Your first two weeks are free — no payment required until you decide to join.

Adult membership gives you unlimited access to all adult classes — BJJ (Gi and No-Gi), Judo, and Wrestling. Check the current timetable and book sessions through the member portal or on our timetable page.

No. We have members across a wide age range, including people who began training in their 40s and 50s. BJJ in particular rewards technique and leverage over raw athleticism — many practitioners find it becomes more effective as they age. If you have a specific health concern, speak to your GP first and let our coaches know on your first session so we can adapt where needed.

We accept children from 4 years old. Groups are structured by age:

When a child turns 16 they move to the adult programme and adult pricing.

A drop-in rate of £8/session is available if you’d prefer to pay as you go.

For Grapple Cubs (4–6.5 years), we ask that a parent or guardian remains on the premises during the session, as very young children can need support settling in. For Kids BJJ and Junior BJJ, parents are welcome to stay and watch but are not required to. All coaches hold appropriate safeguarding qualifications.

Yes — when taught by qualified coaches in an age-appropriate environment. Children’s BJJ focuses on movement, body awareness, positional control, and fundamental grappling skills. Sparring for young children is positional and controlled, with only age-appropriate techniques taught. Beyond the physical benefits, children develop focus, confidence, respect for others, and the ability to manage adversity.

At 16 your child moves to the adult programme and adult pricing (£70/month unlimited). We’ll contact you when this transition is approaching to make it as smooth as possible.

Most adult sessions follow this structure:

• Warm-up — movement drills, shrimping, breakfalls and solo mat work
• Technique — the coach demonstrates 2–3 techniques or a positional sequence, which you drill with a partner
• Positional sparring — controlled, structured rolling from a specific position
• Free sparring (rolling) — live rolling rounds, typically 5–6 minutes each
• Cool-down & debrief — stretching and questions

Beginners are never required to spar — you can sit out of rolling rounds until you feel ready.

No problem — life happens. With unlimited access you can attend any session that suits you, so there’s always flexibility to make up a missed class. If you’ll be away for an extended period, contact us and we can discuss a membership pause.

We may reduce the timetable or close on certain bank holidays (e.g. Christmas, Easter). Any closures are announced in advance through our social media channels — we aim to give at least one week’s notice. Kids classes may be adjusted during summer and Christmas breaks; adult classes generally run through school holidays.

Yes — adult membership covers all classes, including both Gi BJJ (with the traditional uniform) and No-Gi / Wrestling sessions (shorts and a rash guard). Training both disciplines is strongly encouraged — they complement each other and make you a more complete grappler.

• Gi — for BJJ/Judo Gi classes. Expect £50–£90 for a quality beginner Gi; we’ll recommend options
• Rash guard & shorts — for No-Gi / Wrestling. Compression rash guard and board shorts or MMA shorts (no pockets or metal)
• Mouth guard — essential once you start sparring
• Flip flops — worn between the changing room and mat to keep the mats clean
• Ear guards — recommended for wrestling and Judo, especially for regular training

You don’t need everything on day one — ask your coach what to prioritise first.

• Shower before training if you can, or at least arrive clean
• Wash your Gi and training gear after every session — never wear the same kit two sessions in a row
• Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed short
• Wear flip flops off the mat — bare feet go from the changing room to the mat only
• Cover any open cuts or skin abrasions before training
• If you have a skin infection (ringworm, staph etc.), stay off the mats until fully cleared
• If you are unwell (cold, flu, gastro illness), please do not train

No. Shoes are never worn on the training mat. Conversely, bare feet should not be worn off the mat (to the toilet, car park, etc.) as this brings outside dirt back onto a surface your face will be very close to. Flip flops bridge the gap.

• Tap early, tap often — there is no ego in tapping. It’s how you protect yourself and your partner
• Control your intensity — match the energy of your partner, especially with beginners. There is no winning in training, only learning
• Communicate — if something hurts or you need to stop, say so immediately
• Look after beginners — the more experienced partner keeps the round safe and educational
• No slams or spikes — explosive takedowns that endanger a partner are not permitted
• Shake hands before and after every roll — a cornerstone of martial arts culture

• Be on time — if you arrive late, wait at the edge of the mat for the coach to acknowledge you
• Listen when the coach is demonstrating — avoid chatting during instruction
• Respect every training partner regardless of size, experience, or background
• Bullying, harassment, or intimidation will not be tolerated under any circumstances
• Look after the gym — keep changing rooms tidy and dispose of rubbish
• Use phones away from the mat — filming without consent is not permitted

Defiant Martial Arts holds public liability insurance that covers members training at our gym. For competition-related cover, members should also consider personal sports accident insurance through bodies such as the British Judo Association or UKBJJA. As with all contact sports, injuries are possible — we minimise this through structured coaching, proper warm-ups, and responsible sparring culture.

Tell your coach immediately. Do not train through pain — if something doesn’t feel right, stop. First aid is available at the gym. For ongoing niggles, don’t hide them — let your coach know so training can be modified. If you need time off to recover, contact us to discuss a membership pause rather than cancellation.

In many cases, yes — but please consult your GP first if you have a condition that may be affected by intense physical activity or contact. When you register, please disclose any relevant medical information on your intake form so your coach can adapt your training appropriately. We treat all medical information in confidence.

Membership fees are charged monthly by direct debit through our member management system. Billing begins after your free trial period ends — your trial is truly free with no payment required upfront. You’ll receive a notification before your first payment is taken.

You can cancel at any time with 30 days’ notice in writing — email admin@defiantmartialarts.com or use the member portal. We don’t tie you into long-term contracts and we don’t make cancellation difficult. If you’re leaving because of a specific concern, please let us know — we’d always rather resolve an issue than lose a member.

Yes — if you need time off for injury, travel, work, or personal reasons, get in touch and we’ll discuss a membership pause. Email admin@defiantmartialarts.com. We’d far rather hold your spot open than see you cancel and have to start over.

Adult BJJ uses five belt ranks: White → Blue → Purple → Brown → Black. Each belt (except white) has four stripe levels — so there are 25 recognisable levels of achievement in total. BJJ is well-known for being one of the most time-intensive martial arts to progress through. A black belt typically takes 10–15 years of consistent training. Every rank genuinely represents ability.

Promotions at Defiant are awarded by the head coach based on a holistic assessment — technical ability, mat time, sparring performance, attitude, and contribution to the gym’s culture. There is no grading exam you sign up for. Stripes and belt promotions happen throughout the year. Don’t chase your belt — focus on improving your game, and the promotions will follow. For kids and juniors, we use an age-appropriate stripe system recognising progression, attitude, and effort.

Yes — we support members who wish to compete at local and national level tournaments. Competition is entirely optional and never required for grading or progression. Many members find competing to be one of the most rewarding and accelerating experiences in their training journey. We’ll let you know about upcoming events and prepare you thoroughly if you decide to give it a go.

We are located at 51 Mallusk Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 4PX. Free parking is available on site. We are accessible from the M2 motorway, convenient for members from Belfast, Antrim, Ballyclare, and North Belfast. View on Google Maps →

• Email: admin@defiantmartialarts.com
• Phone: 07340 707 859 (Justin McGibbon, Head Coach)
• Website: Contact form

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours on weekdays.

Just ask! Email admin@defiantmartialarts.com or call Justin on 07340 707 859. There’s no such thing as a daft question — we’d far rather answer it than have you unsure about coming in.