Fortress Academy is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, offering Gi, kids, women's and MMA classes. It is rated 5/5 from 21 Google reviews.
Step into our Personal Development Haven, located in the vibrant town of Ilkeston, where our 2000 square foot facility awaits – with separate areas for Martial Arts and our Functional Fitness studio gym. Quality coaching is at the core of our ethos, offering diverse group classes and personalised 1-2-1 training in multiple martial art and combat art styles as well as functional fitness. Our martial arts training room includes heavy bags, joint friendly training mats, Thai pads, kick shields, MMA cage wall and more. Whilst our martial arts roots trace back to training fighters, today we stand for much more than a fight academy – we’ve evolved into a family-friendly, student orientated establishment, specialising in enrolling absolute beginners and training them to a high level of proficiency in martial arts and fitness. Our professional classes are tailored for individuals aged 12 and above (with members aged over 60). Our Functional Fitness studio gym offers a range of Olympic free weights, dumbbells, kettlebells, pull-ups bars, wallballs, hip / bum and core machines, as well as ski, row and assault bike ergometers and is available exclusively for our academy members to use (subject to specific membership). Once you choose to immerse yourself in one of our Martial Art & Fitness programmes, rest assured Fortress Academy has one goal in mind – to provide a second-to-none facility to help people ‘Live Their Potential’. If you’re a beginner or have limited experience – and are looking to learn martial arts to a high level, sky rocket fitness, build mental and emotional resilience and make new friends – join us to start your life changing journey, where coaching excellence meets welcoming community experience.
Contact the gym for current prices.
Contact the gym for current prices.
Unit 1, Westside Factory, Unit 1 Belper St, Ilkeston DE7 5FJ, United Kingdom
Location Information
Contact gym for detailed directions
Address: Unit 1, Westside Factory, Unit 1 Belper St, Ilkeston DE7 5FJ, United Kingdom
Welcoming community with women's only classes and dedicated kids programs for all family members.
Conveniently located in Unit 1, making it easily accessible for training.
Details last checked: December 2025. Contact the gym directly for the current timetable and prices.
Ilkeston • BJJ (Gi), No-Gi, Kids Classes, Women's Classes
Nottingham • BJJ (Gi), Kids Classes, Women's Classes, MMA
Nottingham • BJJ (Gi), Kids Classes, Women's Classes, MMA
No prior experience is necessary. Fortress Academy welcomes complete beginners and provides a supportive environment to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu fundamentals.
For your first class, bring comfortable athletic clothing, a water bottle, and a positive attitude. The gym can provide information about purchasing a gi (BJJ uniform) once you decide to continue training.
Yes! We offer dedicated kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs. Contact us for age group information and class schedules.
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A fantastic place to train. All the instructors are really supportive and push/encourage each individual to be the best that they can be. Training at Fortress has given me the confidence in my abilities to complete other endurance type challenges. Everyone is extremely friendly and I feel very safe during the different activities in class. Whether it's general fitness or martial arts Fortress has something to offer for everyone. 100% recommend it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The best martial arts academy I've been to in 25+ years of training. I've been at Fortress for a couple of years now and it's great for improving physical fitness, mental strength and technique. Friendly instructors and class mates who all help each other. Thoroughly recommended.
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My eldest son started training at fortress in 2013 quickly joined by my youngest son. Fortress Academy is a wonderful, supportive and caring place. Not only does the academy help with the physical element but also improves confidence. My children go to fortress not because I want them to but because they want to go.