Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu Academy Ilkeston

Unit 4, 7 The Ropewalk, Ilkeston DE7 5HX, UK

4.8 (17 reviews)

Classes

Adults Classes

Facilities

Mat Space

Culture

Welcoming Environment

Access

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Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Derby & Ilkeston Jiu-Jitsu classes. Jiu-Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) & Self-defence Derby & Ilkeston

Class Schedule

Tuesday 8 classes

09:00 – 10:00 GB NoGi

10:00 – 11:00 GB1

11:00 – 11:30 Live Training

16:15 – 17:00 GBK (Tinies)

17:00 – 18:00 GBK (Junior & Teens)

18:00 – 19:00 GB1

19:00 – 20:00 GB2

20:00 – 21:00 GB3

Wednesday 6 classes

10:00 – 11:00 GB1

11:00 – 11:30 Live Training

17:00 – 18:00 GBK (Junior & Teens)

19:00 – 20:00 GB1

19:00 – 20:00 GB2

20:00 – 21:00 GB1 NoGi | GB2 NoGi

Thursday 6 classes

10:00 – 11:00 GB1 NoGi

11:00 – 11:30 Live Training

17:00 – 17:45 GBK (Tinies)

17:45 – 19:00 Youth Competition Team

19:00 – 20:00 GBF

20:00 – 21:00 GB2 Gi | GB2 NoGi

Friday 5 classes

10:00 – 11:00 GB1

11:00 – 11:30 Live Training

16:00 – 17:00 GBK - (Junior & Teens)

19:00 – 20:00 GB All Levels

20:00 – 21:00 Adult Competition Team

Saturday 4 classes

13:00 – 14:00 GB All Levels

17:00 – 18:00 GBK (Junior & Teens)

18:00 – 19:00 GB1

19:00 – 20:00 GB1 NoGi

Sunday 4 classes

09:45 – 10:45 GB All Levels

11:00 – 11:45 GBK (Tinies)

11:45 – 12:45 GBK (Junior & Teens)

12:45 – 13:30 GBK NoGi

Coaches

Coach Christine Martin Head Coach

First Degree Black Belt

Professor Christine Martin teaches the Junior and Adult BJJ and JJJ programmes at Gracie Barra Ilkeston and heads the Women’s BJJ Programme. She is an established European BJJ competitor, multiple IBJJF European and International title winner and former Pan American Champion.

Professor Stephen Martin Head Coach

2nd Degree Black Belt

Professor Stephen Martin is the Head Instructor at Gracie Barra Ilkeston, with over 15 years teaching experience in BJJ and Japanese Ju-Jitsu. He is an accomplished BJJ competitor with IBJJF World, European Gi, European NoGi and Brazil National Championship achievements, and has fought professionally in MMA.

Coach Mark Miller

Purple Belt

Coach Mark Miller teaches GB1, Future Champions Kids BJJ and MMA, and private tuition. He is an advanced-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor.

Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu Academy Ilkeston. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.

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Reviews

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Guy Chetiyawardana

Very supportive and great atmosphere. Both my kids started training at age 4 here and now aged 8 and 6 and still love it.

Atmosphere
Posted 2 months ago
Angela Taylor

If I could give more than five stars, I would. I joined Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu in May 2018, not long after moving to England. At the time, I knew nobody, had no transport and no real support network. Walking through those doors turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From day one, Steve and Christine made me feel genuinely welcome. The club quickly became so much more than somewhere to train — it became my family. Over the last eight years, I’ve built friendships that I’ll always treasure and met people I still consider family today. I’ve always believed family isn’t about blood; it’s about the people who want to see you grow and succeed, and that’s exactly what I found at Allegiance. There is a real family environment within the club, with such a strong emphasis on the art of jiu-jitsu, respect and community. It isn’t just about learning techniques or winning medals. It’s about bringing people together, supporting one another and helping everyone grow both on and off the mats. Whether you’re a complete beginner, an experienced competitor or a family looking for somewhere to train together, you’re made to feel part of something. Christine has been a huge inspiration to me as both a coach and a person. Watching the way she teaches, supports people and carries herself has always been something I’ve admired. Steve and Christine have also shown me what a healthy, supportive partnership can look like, and I’ve always had so much respect for the community they’ve built together. The coaching is outstanding! ⭐️ Every coach is knowledgeable, approachable and genuinely invested in helping each student improve, whether you’re stepping onto the mats for the first time or preparing for major competitions. The classes are well structured, the coaches have a huge amount of experience, and the club has a strong ethos while still maintaining a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The club gave me confidence, purpose and somewhere I felt I belonged. Through some incredibly difficult periods of my life, including working through childhood trauma and other major life events, the club gave me a place where I could switch off, keep moving forward and slowly rebuild myself. I genuinely believe I grew into a better and more confident person during my time there, although I’m still learning and growing, as we all are. Although I’ve now moved on, I’ll always look back on my time at Allegiance with so much gratitude. I’m incredibly proud to have been part of the club, and there are still people there who I will always consider family. I miss the club, I miss the people and I’ll always be cheering everyone on and wanting to see them succeed. If you’re thinking about starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, whether you’re looking for a friendly place to begin, somewhere for your family to train together or a club that produces excellent competitors, I honestly couldn’t recommend Allegiance highly enough.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 months ago
Jack Pywell

I dropped into a morning session. Nice group of people and very welcoming.

Classes Atmosphere
Posted 6 months ago
Simon Bailey

I’ve been training at Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu Academy Ilkeston since February. Back when I was younger, I did karate and kickboxing, but BJJ is a whole different ball game! I absolutely love how technical it can be. When I’m training here, I completely forget about everything else in my life. That’s one of the main reasons I joined. My job can be super demanding and emotionally taxing, and along with all the normal life stresses, it’s great to just come down here and forget about everything and train. I’ve never looked back since I started, and I absolutely love every moment of it. I’ve learned so many different moves, and everyone is super friendly and helpful. If you’re unsure about joining, just come down to the lesson, the coaches are a great support system. Today was actually my first time training at the new place. It’s at the end of “The Ropewalk”, and it’s a massive change compared to their previous place. They have two separate areas for training, locker rooms, a viewing area for parents, a small kids’ soft play area, and a reception area. You won’t be disappointed about joining them! The Allegiance Jiu-Jitsu family, whether it’s here or Derby, come down and give it a go. You won’t regret it!

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Luch Maxia

Me and my kid's have been training here for 3+ year's now it's great to see there confidence grow alongside there skills to. Everyone makes you feel welcome the sensei's are amazing alongside the coaches it's like a second home to us and feels like one big family. So if you're thinking of joining I would highly recommend you won't regret it.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Taylor snipes

My son has been training at the academy for just over 5 years now, and out of the various clubs over the years that we have been involved in, this is by far and away the best. It's well structured, disciplined, respectful, value for money, has good communication, and most importantly is welcoming and fun. All coaches are extremely patient, diligent and encouraging to all members; children and adults alike. It can be as relaxed or as competitive as you wish, depending on your personal journey with Jiu Jitsu. It builds confidence and self esteem, along with great friendships. Cannot recommend highly enough!

Instructors Classes Pricing Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Sharon Sanghera

We joined this academy 4years ago and it has by far been one of the best decisions we made, for my boys & us as a family. Both my sons, now 11yrs & 8yrs old attend at least 4/5 times per week. They have always been bought up to have an athletic mindset and now have a real love & passion for the sport since being at Allegiance JiuJitsu Academy. As well as teaching them new skills & techniques it has had the most positive impact on their confidence & discipline. It is a very family friendly environment & there are so many great role models within the Sensei"s &coaches to aspire the kids to do well. In the current climate we live in, with all the knife crime and concerns parents have, it's comforting to know our children are in safe hands & off the streets. Thank you Allegiance JiuJitsu Academy Ilkeston.

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Dominic Adams

My 3 boys have trained with Allegiance for the last 6 years, the coaching is impeccable. The knowledge, skills and confidence my kids have gained is awesome. Don't hesitate to give it a go and get the kids involved. You'll be coached by international champion black belts.

Instructors
Posted 1 year ago
Justin Saunders

Awesome group of people, amazing coaches. This place is a second home to me and I consider these people family.
Posted 2 years ago
Gareth Dakin

Great club, with equally great instructors. Got involved with my teenage daughter and we are both hooked, I think her favourite bit is when she gets me in a sneaky arm bar. Loads of kids and adults classes to suit all abilities. Highly recommend.
Posted 2 years ago
Marie Bennett

Very helpful food is amazing 🤩
Posted 2 years ago
Travis Lawson

The best sport to get into for fitness moral and self defence by far! Great people, coaching and environment.
Posted 5 years ago
Darien Potter

My first impression of the club was bad - an unfriendly greeting, slightly unprofessional conduct and overall, I did not feel welcome as a new "potential customer". The facilities were poorly maintained and the club seemed to do little about hygiene e.g., I did not see the mats being cleaned in between sweaty classes and the only available toilet was dirty and did not have a door that closed. It's a club where the leaders don't seem to care about individual levels of fitness nor who their members are. Needless to say it's a very uncomfortable training environment. It's not a club I recommend if you want to go at your own pace in your training journey - too competitive.
Posted 4 years ago