The Full Story
Member testimonials
At Playfair Jiu Jitsu Edinburgh we believe the student comes first, we take a more progressive and modern attitude on marital arts, self defence and teaching. We focus on keeping up to date with the latest developments in our sport and it is the task of the coaching team to support and work with all of our members as equals.
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👋 Maria -
“I’ve been training at Playfair for about 6 months and absolutely love it here.
Level of teaching is so high (very accessible for beginners), everyone is very welcoming and supportive.
There is a big group of girls training which can be rare in bjj gyms.
It truly is a great community.
I appreciate constant support from coaches and higher belts and I am motivated to keep improving my jiu jitsu here”
Pal 👋
“Firstly I just want to say I am better with numbers than words but I’ll give it a go 😂.
So, I’ve been coming to Playfair for over a year now. I got fed up with not knowing anything about self-defence, plus I’m a big fan of @jockowillink, so BJJ was an easy pick.
I was scared shitless to walk in the first time, but I remember Steven just sitting in the corner of the mat, chill and smiling as always. I felt welcomed and immediately knew I was in the right place.
In the past year, I’ve met the most amazing people, made new friends, got much fitter (and a wee bit heavier), and learnt loads of techniques, yet the end is nowhere in sight.
Rolling with my training partners and coaches pushes me to be better, to face my weaknesses and not to accept them.
I have my first competition coming up in September, and I’m excited to see how I’ll do.
Every time I leave training, I do so with a grin on my face, regardless of how many times I got tapped.
The Friday lunchtime session is honestly the best part of my week.
Walking through that door last June was one of the best choices of my life.”
Charlotte
“I started training at playfair in September last year.
I took my daughter for a trial class with the kids and stayed after to try it out myself and was hooked after that!
I train a few times a week and also help out in the kids classes. It’s a great experience and wonderful to see the kids confidently growing and developing their skills as well as have a lot of fun together.
I’ve had some personal training from @missy_wraw.bjj in the last few months and have booked in some more sessions. She is an absolute powerhouse and fantastic teacher.
All of the coaches have been supportive and each bring their own strengths and personalities to make Playfair such an engaging place to train.
There is a great community at Playfair and it has become a big part of our family life.”
Charlotte has been helping out with our kids program and is a great asset to the classes!
Alex 🇺🇸
“As a small female with no martial arts background, my friends and family laughed when I told them I impulsively booked a BJJ fundamentals block at Playfair!😂😅
But their laughter was mistaken because as it turns out, it’s really fun! I love the intensity, strategy, and technical elements of it.😬
The community is another highlight. We’ve got a great group here that laughs with you, encourages you, and makes you better.🤭
BJJ is challenging and humbling, but that makes the progress all the more rewarding. The coaches are patient, offer insightful feedback, and are super welcoming. 🥳
Christina has been a great PT and is helping me develop a game that plays to my strengths. I’m always glad I went to class even on days I haven’t been feeling it.😎
Would highly recommend trying it out if you haven’t before.”🙂↔️
Member highlight James 👍🏻!
I really wish we had a before picture of James because this transformation is nothing short of amazing!
Starting weight: 106kg
Current weight: 83kg
Let’s hear it from the man himself.
“My story might resonate with many people in their 40s: spending the day behind a desk, neglecting exercise, feeling incredibly unfit, and thinking it’s too late to start something new. 🙇♂️
I’ve always admired Brazilian jiu-jitsu and decided to give it a try since working out alone in a gym didn’t appeal to me, and I knew I’d struggle to stay motivated. 🥋
After researching local options online, I signed up for a trial class at Playfair Jiu-Jitsu. Although I felt a bit anxious walking in, Steven, Mariusz, Niall, Christina, and all the members immediately made me feel welcome. 💁♀️
Now, 10 months later, I’m thrilled I took the leap. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m learning and improving a little each week, gaining a deeper understanding of the sport’s technical aspects, and enjoying rewatching old matches with new insights. 🧙♂️
The gym environment is fantastic, with excellent coaches and training partners. 🕺
In these 10 months, I’ve lost 23kg 🔥and feel fitter than ever. I highly recommend Brazilian jiu-jitsu to anyone, especially at Playfair Jiu-Jitsu. 🥳”
James is a role model for new students always comes early, always gets stuck in and looks fresh in shoyoroll gear something we can all appreciate. 😎