Best K-1 Kickboxing In Bristol – A Definitive Guide

Example highlights of top schools’ offerings:

Choosing a Kickboxing club that suits your own individual needs is challenging – we get it. Everyone has their own goals and objectives and differing lifestyles mean that Kickboxing / K-1 to the family-oriented individual may look very different from Kickboxing / K-1 to the 17-year-old, hungry athlete looking to build a career in the sport.

In analysing the top Kickboxing schools in Bristol, we have collected a number of data points. Here’s a summary before we get started on the rankings.

🥋 Multiple mat spaces (2+)
This is great for classes running at the same time, for people that can only make one-time slots and still have access to multiple classes. Great for running striking alongside grappling classes.

👨‍👧‍👦 Kids programmes
Kids programmes are a strong indicator of the success of a club. A more intricate data point is the segmentation of the kid’s classes. Larger, more established Kickboxing classes will be able to facilitate better segmentation by age, and proficiency in order to optimise individual learning (this is usually achieved by a larger facility and broader ranges of coaches in order to best serve).

Coaching techniques and teaching children discipline, overcoming failure, dedication and building social skills are paramount in their martial arts journey.

1. Roger Gracie North Bristol

Roger Gracie Academy Bristol is a full-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy with over 500+ active members. Primarily a BJJ school, RGA Bristol has recently expanded into boxing, kickboxing and MMA with prestigious coaches.

Run by black belt brothers Luke & Clayton Chamberlain, and 20+ coaches, the team delivers over 65+ classes per week in the weekly schedule. The school is open 7 days per week and with classes morning, afternoon, and evening, it has a schedule that meets all varying lifestyles.

There is a full spectrum within RGA Bristol with Kickboxing classes for children starting at 7 years old. The core of the club is passionate, friendly and welcoming individuals who like to train regularly throughout the week – with the standards all spearheaded by a broad coaching team.

2. Sweatbox Gym

A functional fitness and weights facility called Sweatbox. They have multiple martial arts classes on offer, but with only 1 Kickboxing class per week which is only available to adults. Sweatbox Striking team also have high-level fighters who compete regularly and also have success at the highest levels.

3. PCT Gym

A full-time Striking academy in Speedwell, PCT is ran Paul Studholme. There is classes for both kids and adults. A striking-only gym, focusing on K-1 and Muay Thai. Paul is a 1st Dan black belt in Kickboxing.

4. Keynsham Combat Academy

A striking academy based in the Keynsham area of Bristol. They also offer Jiu-Jitsu and have weekly grappling classes. The striking is run by Remi Makulec.

5. Elite MMA

A Martial arts academy based in the Avonmouth area of Bristol, Artemis BJJ is run by black belt Can Sönmez. They have 12+ classes per week in their schedule, however, have a lot of ‘open mats’ which is where there is no class structure and you have the freedom to use the mats however you wish (stretching, practising technique, sparring etc). They offer only two kids’ classes which are on a Sunday.

6. Bristol Dojo

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Bedminster area of Bristol, Bristol Dojo is a martial arts school with different martial arts classes such as Karate and  Kickboxing. Bristol Dojo offers 12+ BJJ classes per week in their schedule across two mat spaces, including classes for kids twice a week. It is a family-run school run by Simon O’Brien and his family. His son, Dylan O’Brien is a black belt, and his daughter Carys O’Brien runs K1 and Kickboxing classes. Simon also manages lots of different competitions around the South West of the UK such as Pro Sport Grappling and the Somerset Open.

7. Gracie Barra Yate

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the outskirts of Bristol, in the area of Chipping Sodbury. The school is run by black belt Antonio Bustorff. With 49+ classes per week, they include a variety of classes in their schedule such as Ladies only, competition classes, wrestling and more. The school is open 6 days a week and is closed on Sundays. GB Yate also has a handful of competitors who compete regularly and have had success in competition.

8. Aftermath BJJ

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Knowle West area of Bristol. The school is run by black belt Nick Jordan. With 20+ classes per week. The school is open 7 days a week. Aftermath BJJ also has a handful of competitors who compete regularly and have had success in competition.

9. Art Of Movement

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Lawrence Hill area of Bristol. The school is run by black belt Rad. With 12+ classes per week, the school is open 6 days a week and runs both Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira in the same facility. Art Of Movement also has a handful of competitors.

10. RR Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school based in the Hanham area of Bristol, RR Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a full-time academy with over 22+ classes per week. The school is run by head coach Rich Rubino, who is a black belt under Pedro Bessa. They offer a daytime schedule, classes for kids, and classes for women only, with also a competitive interest with competitive coaches and a competition team.