BJJ & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in London, Kent

I've trained here for years after trying other gyms. Carpe Diem has been a great experience for me. A few highlights: There is a real focus on improving the offering and as a long time member, I can say that they keep refining both (already excellent) the instruction and the community aspect as well. The instruction is very technical and they really care about teaching well. The gym is always very clean and safety is a major priority - they take both of these very seriously, which is not true everywhere. It's a tight knit gym where people get to know each other. Members come from a bunch of backgrounds (from students to folks who are 40+). Some people really like to compete, others are mainly looking for fitness or skill development. If you look at the wall of member photos, you see a lot of upper belts hanging around, which is always a good endorsement. Huge number of class times which makes it easy to attend.

Having practised BJJ for almost 6 years , I wish I'd found Carpe Diem earlier! There are many reasons why I find this club exceptional, but I'll outline the most relevant ones: 1) The instructors are all competent, approachable and down to earth. and all the members in this club receive the same amount of time/attention. 2) The club is inclusive , there are no cliques, no politics and no big egos disrupting the vibe. 3) High technical standard. 4) Sparring is 100% safe and everyone is very respectful, as a woman I can't emphasize this enough. White belts are taught straight away to be disciplined and contain themselves during sparring sessions. 5) A plethora of classes to choose from which run 7 days per week: you have a choice of morning, afternoon and evening Monday to Friday, there's both Gi and Nogi, beginners' classes, open mat and a ladies only class. 6) Super clean and well organised. I love training here and I can confidently say this is one of the best places to train BJJ in London.

Edit: I am reposting my review to ensure my experience is shared. As a long-term paying member of Carpe Diem BJJ London from July 2018 to March 2023, I want to clarify this is based on my personal experience. Most of my training was under the Head Coach, and my experiences with him ultimately led to my decision to leave the club. Despite being a long-term member and reaching blue belt, I did not feel I received the guidance and support to progress, especially considering the close-knit nature of the club. Initially, I had a positive student-coach relationship, but over time, I felt there was a noticeable imbalance in how students were treated. During technique classes, I observed certain members, particularly some male students, received significantly more detailed corrections. We had small classes, where I was often the only female, and the Head Coach frequently chose to roll with other students, including beginners, but often overlooked me. Despite my regular attendance, adherence to dojo etiquette, and respectful approach, the lack of engagement affected my growth in the sport. Additionally, there seemed to be a preference for students with social media influence or perceived status. During the 2020 lockdown, I continued to pay my membership fees despite the club being closed and even made additional contributions. This totalled around £1,400. Given the level of support, I expected a sense of mutual respect and investment in my development. However, when I sought BJJ advice from the Head Coach, I often felt dismissed. When I asked questions, I was directed to watch his YouTube videos instead of receiving direct feedback. Meanwhile, other students appeared to receive immediate, in-depth explanations and even impromptu drills. When I faced a major challenge in my training and sought guidance, I was told there would be no personal feedback and told never to discuss BJJ or any other matter with him again. This was unexpected and disappointing from someone in a leadership role. The club promotes itself as a supportive environment for members to reach their goals, but that was not my experience. I had previously taken private lessons with the Head Coach, and he had offered me training sessions as a gesture of appreciation for my financial contributions during lockdown. However, when I tried to ask for a session, I was told he was too “busy” to take on “new” students, despite being a long-term member. I later learned private sessions were still available to others. Whilst I do not know the personal reasoning behind these actions, I wish concerns had been addressed directly. Looking back, I regret not leaving sooner, as I could have benefitted from better training opportunities elsewhere. When I reached out to a senior figure about my concerns, I was assured a follow-up, but nothing ever happened. After sharing my experience on Facebook, I was no longer able to engage with the club’s page. I also observed that the club had a low percentage and high turnover of female members, which raised concerns for me about inclusivity. Whilst I have seen recent efforts to promote a more female-friendly environment through social media, this does not change my personal experiences. On a positive note, I want to acknowledge the brown belt coaches who were always professional, supportive, and provided excellent instruction. I also appreciated the guest coaches from Japan, who were friendly and created a great learning experience. I enjoyed visiting the Carpe Diem Hiroo dojo whilst on holiday in Tokyo. Overall, my time at this club started well, but my later experiences led to disappointment. I hope this review provides insight for others considering training here.