5 Best Martial Art Classes in Glasgow Worth Your Punch Card
I’ve always thought that a martial arts class in Glasgow can give me more for my money than personal trainers could. I’m not just sweating through reps, but actually learning something useful.
Glasgow’s fight scene backs that up nicely, with everything from old-school boxing gyms to serious MMA camps churning out proper competitors. Martial arts sharpens the head as much as the body, so you get stress relief, discipline, and self-defence skills all at once.
This review is for anyone ready to weigh up coaching, beginner-friendliness (even for kids!), schedules, and monthly costs before booking a trial and seeing which class actually lands the best first punch.
How much does a martial arts class cost in Glasgow?
Martial arts classes in Glasgow usually cost £8 to £15 per drop-in class, or around £50 to £80 a month for unlimited training.
Many gyms also offer beginner courses for £40 to £60, but you should budget an extra £50 to £100 upfront for gear like gloves, shin guards, a mouthguard, or a BJJ gi.
1. Mike Krause Martial Arts Academy
Address: 54 Washington St
Contact: +447960299170
Business hours:
Monday to Friday, 10 AM–9 PM
Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
As someone who already regularly trains, I liked that Mike Krause Martial Arts Academy gave me proper Muay Thai work without the usual macho-gym nonsense. The Washington Street location makes it easier to fit into daily life, which matters more to me than a motivational poster.
The classes have real striking value, so it’s great for athletes who want to add sharper technique, better conditioning, and more purpose to their weekly workouts.
It’s not just another one-track fight gym, either. The academy draws from Jeet Kune Do, kali, silat, kickboxing, and self-defence, so the whole place feels more rounded and more interesting than a standard pads-only setup.
I also appreciate how it feels welcoming without going soft, which is harder to find than it should be. I find that it suits strikers, beginners, and even kids well, especially if you want practical training in a family-friendly setting rather than a hardcore competitor-only room.
I’d book a trial here if you want Muay Thai plus a broader skill set, though pure grapplers or those after a specialist MMA camp may want something more narrowly focused.
Customer Reviews
He has a vast array of knowledge from many renowned predecessors
Mike is a fantastic coach. I’ve been training with him for a few years now, and he’s got fantastic knowledge, skills and humour! You will have a brilliant time with him, learning old-world skill sets that can serve you today in many ways. He has a vast array of knowledge from many renowned predecessors. It’s a good confidence boost, a good workout, and he’s a total gem of a human!
- Lisa Cunningham, Google Review
He is also a genuinely good person and a reliable mentor
I have been training with Mike for almost 6 months now, and my weekly 1-on-1 sessions have become the thing I look forward to most. Not only does Mike have an incredible in-depth knowledge of Martial Arts, but he is also a genuinely good person and reliable mentor. Training with him has made such a positive impact on my life, both physically and mentally.
- Moray Malyon, Google Review
2. Mark Connor MMA
Address: Top floor, 84 Miller St
Contact: +447721933648
Business hours:
Monday to Tuesday, 6–9 PM
Wednesday, 5–9 PM
Thursday, 6–9 PM
Saturday, 12.30–4.30 PM
Sunday, noon–2.30 PM
My nephew was interested in joining a kids’ BJJ class, and Mark Connor was one of the few places that felt like an easy yes. The studio takes young ones’ training seriously without making the whole thing feel too intense for beginners like him.
Mark Connor’s pro MMA background and BJJ black belt give the place real credibility, but my nephew still found his coaching approachable and not overly hardcore or intimidating.
The kids’ classes are built around confidence, focus, and proper technique, so it feels more like a smart long-term activity than just burning off energy. His mum, on the other hand, likes that it’s in the Glasgow City Centre, which makes the run-to-training shuffle a lot less painful.
Do note that this gym is ideal for grappling, BJJ, and kids’ classes. They’re not focused on traditional forms or kata-heavy styles. I’d book a trial here if you or your child is curious about BJJ or wants a gym that balances structure with a friendly atmosphere.
That said, it will not likely suit those looking for traditional martial arts, and the set class times may be awkward if your week is already packed.
Customer Reviews
Awesome gym!
Just dropped in for a class while travelling. Welcoming group of people, lots of good rolls. Wish I were staying in Glasgow longer. Awesome gym!
- Eric Sanchez, Google Review
Spacious gym with clean mats
Visited the open mat on Sunday due to a cancelled flight home. Quick contact by mail and a welcoming bunch. Spacious gym with clean mats, and I was able to rent a Gi and belt. Thank you for the rolls!
- Jordy O, Google Review
3. Hybrid Fight Academy
Address: 5 Dornoch St, Bridgeton
Contact: +447872529094
Business hours:
Monday, 6.30–7.30 PM
Tuesday to Wednesday, 6.30–9.15 PM
Saturday, 10 AM–2.30 PM
I have a highly competitive colleague who was looking for private coaching for his upcoming competitions. Hybrid Fight Academy immediately caught his attention as a place for serious martial arts folks, with private lessons as a big part of the appeal.
He finds it best for striking and mixed combat training over traditional forms. He likes that it doesn’t pretend to be a soft, all-things-to-all people academy. The key lessons cover boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, combat submission wrestling, kali, and silat.
The culture feels fighter-focused and no-nonsense, with Guru George Johnston leading things and a programme built around real combat sports rather than ceremony. It suits competitors and committed cross-trainers far more than kids or casual dabblers.
It’s also handy enough for Glasgow, sitting just outside the city centre without becoming a trek he starts resenting by week two.
He recommends the academy to those who want sharper technique, harder rounds, and coaching that feels built for progress rather than just sweating.
The downside is that it may feel too intense for hobbyists, and the wide mix of styles can be less appealing to those who want one pure discipline only.
Customer Reviews
Such a fantastic variety of martial arts to train in
The most amazing martial arts academy ever! Such a fantastic variety of martial arts to train in, run by a teacher with spectacular knowledge and understanding. Wouldn’t want to train anywhere else, this place is number 1!
- Erin Cumming, Google Review
George & Mark are so patient and supportive
Our family have been going along for some lessons to help the kids learn some self-defence skills and build confidence. George & Mark are so patient and supportive and really good at making the kids feel at ease. We are all complete beginners, but they create a friendly and supportive environment. We never feel rushed or judged when we don’t get it right. They simply break things down into bite-sized chunks and slow it down. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
- D N, Google Review
4. Glasgow Jiu Jitsu Company
Address: 1 St Luke’s Pl, Gorbals
Contact: +441414291961
Business hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 AM–9 PM
Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM
My bestie and I liked that the Glasgow Jiu Jitsu Company makes the entire “let’s try the one free class first” idea possible. That free session takes the pressure off straightaway, which is exactly what we wanted when we’re equal parts and curious.
We immediately liked how it feels more like a proper family-run academy than a bruiser’s clubhouse. It suits grappling and kids wanting to learn martial arts, not in striking or traditional forms.
The coaching has a real pedigree, but the atmosphere stayed welcoming when we were there. We also appreciated how the location is convenient enough for regular training without it becoming a full expedition for us.
The key lessons are BJJ in both gi and non-gi, with classes for kids, adults, and more serious competitors. The whole place feels structured, safe, and beginner-friendly, so it’s a smart choice for those who want to learn BJJ properly without getting thrown into the deep end.
I recommend booking a trial here if you want a friendly grappling gym with strong coaching, though anyone after striking, MMA, or a broader martial-arts mix may find it a bit too specialised.
Customer Reviews
The school is incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable
As an absolute newcomer to BJJ in every way, joining GB Glasgow in 2022 is one of the best things I have ever done. The school is incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and full of members who want to support each other. If you are considering trying BJJ, I cannot recommend enough that you book a trial class at GB Glasgow.
- Gary Baird, Google Review
Very friendly atmosphere
Dropped in for a class while travelling to Scotland for work. Great 6 am class. Very friendly atmosphere. Fun rolls. The boys even invited me to coffee after class. 100% would visit again.
- John English, Google Review
5. Kuk Sool Won Glasgow
Address: 3rd Floor, Victoria Chambers, Martial Arts Centre, 142 W Nile St
Contact: +447515442065
Business hours:
Monday, 5.30–8.30 PM
Wednesday, 5.30–8.30 PM
Thursday, 6.30–8.30 PM
Friday, 5.30–8.30 PM
Because of his busy work schedule, my brother only had 6 weeks to commit to Kuk Sool Won’s beginner course. Luckily, that’s the exact amount of time he is asked to embark on his new martial arts path.
He immediately liked the structured and family-friendly ambience, though the teaching had proper depth behind it. It suits newbies like him who want clear guidance instead of being flung into the chaos and being told to keep up.
The classes cover beginner training, sparring, breakfalls, conditioning, weapons, and syllabus. There’s more variety than just repeating the same moves for an hour.
It’s more ideal for traditional forms, self-defence, and kids who want to learn martial arts (not really for pure grappling or full-on fight training). He recommends it for learning traditional Korean martial arts with a solid learning curve and a disciplined atmosphere.
That said, it’s not a good fit for people chasing BJJ, hard sparring, or modern MMA, and the traditional format may feel formal for those wanting fast, fight-focused training.
Customer Reviews
You will learn a variety of martial arts skills
I can not recommend this Club enough, superb and very well prepared instructors, excellent location! You will learn a variety of martial arts skills that will have an enormous impact on your mind and body over time, and not to forget, you will be part of a fantastic group of people!
- Marco Giannasi, Google Review
The style covers kicking, punching, throwing, and weapon work
Very welcoming community with a wide variety of people coming from a range of different backgrounds. Great club to come along to, whether you want to keep fit, learn self-defence, or learn a new martial art. The style covers kicking, punching, throwing, and weapon work, and has a weekly (optional) sparring session where you can put your skills to the test.
- Michael Sutherland, Google Review