Adults Jiu-Jitsu Classes
The Northern Beaches Jiu-Jitsu Academy (NBJJA) in Cromer was established in 2019 by Collaroy local, Jack Cox. Having experienced such positive physical and mental benefits from training Jiu-Jitsu, Jack wanted to share his love for the sport in a politics-free environment.
NBJJA started out from a loft in Manly, and now fills out our huge warehouse in the heart of Cromer. We focus on lifestyle, meaning our members train Jiu-Jitsu for the love of the sport, the mental stimulation and the incredible local community we have brought together. While we don’t push competition, there is always the opportunity to pressure test your Jiu-Jitsu at Inter-Academy competitions with other Pedro Sauer affiliates, and external comps.
We live by our 5 core values:
We have fun
We are open-minded and free from politics or bias
We support, trust and respect one another
We are committed to improving our physical and mental health
We honour the heritage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu community
Our doors are always open to anyone with an open-minded attitude and willingness to grow, both mentally and physically.
GETTING STARTED: OUR 6 WEEK INTRO PROGRAM
Most members at NBJJA start with our 6 week Intro to Jiu-Jitsu program. It’s a great way to give the sport a go, without a heavy financial or time investment. We know it can be intimidating walking into a martial arts Academy for the first time, but there is no need to feel that way at NBJJA. Our vibe is friendly, welcoming and we’re all here to learn.
You 6 week Intro Program includes a new Gi, custom NBJJA merchandise and unlimited training for your first 6 weeks. Learn more about our beginners Jiu-Jitsu program here.
CONTINUED LEARNING: OUR FUNDAMENTALS PROGRAM + NO-GI
Our students learn the fundamentals and are constantly progressing, thanks to the curriculum we follow from the Pedro Sauer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Association (PSBJJA), the highly respected global association we’re affiliated with. We teach the principles of the art, and commit the core movements to muscle memory, rather than rote learning and memorising each technique. The controlled and constant drilling of techniques then creates a better understanding of leverage, pressure, angles and timing, which accelerates your Jiu-Jitsu to the next level.
We educate our students to better control their techniques, to help prepare them for live training. The time taken to understand and practise the fundamentals right from the start help to minimise the risk of injury, giving students a greater deal of confidence on the mats. This is one of the key factors that sets us apart from other Jiu-Jitsu Academies.
Our fundamentals program includes instructional classes for both Gi and No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. See our timetable for details.
LET’S ROLL: OPEN MAT
Our weekly timetable includes several Open Mat sessions, plus many ad-hoc ones throughout the year too (especially on Public Holidays). It is literally what it says - ‘open mat’ time outside of structured lessons, where you can come and drill moves, experiment with techniques and roll with different people. It’s really relaxed and a fun way to get to know your team mates and socialise (though the chat will almost always come back to Jiu-Jitsu!). If you are new to NBJJA, talk with Coach Jack before attending your first Open Mat so you know what to expect.
Being a zero politics Academy, we welcome Jiu-Jitsu practitioners from all other Associations to join our Open Mats.
ADVANCED TRAINING: BLUE BELT AND BEYOND
Our Advanced curriculum is for students with their Blue Belt and above, enabling them to delve deeper into the techniques and strategic movements of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We often run seminars for our coloured belt students, and additional training sessions off the timetable to advance your Jiu-Jitsu knowledge and practical skills.
THE JIU-JITSU LIFESTYLE: SEMINARS, CAMPS AND EVENTS
As part of the PSBJJA, we are fortunate to be surrounded by other lifestyle-focused Academies who share the same values as us, including Leverage Jiu-Jitsu in Melbourne, Higher Jiu-Jitsu in Woolloomooloo and Sydenham and MDMMA in Grafton. We work closely together to share ideas, learnings and techniques, and travel regularly to run seminars and events at each others Academy. After running a seminar with a different black belt instructor, we find that everyone’s energy and passion for Jiu-Jitsu grows, and there’s a great vibe all around.
As a lifestyle-focused Academy, our personal growth and strong community is built off the mats too. Some examples include:
We partner with Man Anchor, a local organisation committed to improving mental fitness on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
We sponsor and enter a team each year in the 24 hour Head Above Water charity swim for Gotcha4Life, another incredible mental health foundation.
Our ‘social director’ Tom organises drinks and social events off the mats, including our regular Wings and Tins night.
We sponsor Collaroy Plateau Public School and have donated many prizes to aligned local organisations and events.
We hosted the first PSBJJA 4 day camp, which included a whole lot of Jiu-Jitsu, plus surfing, hiking, pizza, BBQs, axe throwing and more!
Follow NBJJA on Instagram to see what’s happening day to day at NBJJA.
Why More Women Should Train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu has so many positive physical and mental health benefits for women
Jiu Jitsu is an awesome physical workout, combining both anaerobic and aerobic exercises, core strength, mobility and flexibility. However, it’s also an incredible mental workout - knowing an opponent’s next move, anticipating it and countering it. That’s why it’s often called “kinaesthetic chess”.
As the principles of BJJ are that a smaller, weaker person can defend themselves against a larger, stronger person, it’s great for people of all shapes and sizes. This is also why BJJ has grown in popularity for women, as they can use technique and skill rather than size and strength.
Some of the key benefits for women who train jiu-jitsu are:
It makes you a positive role model for younger girls: A girls grow up, they need positive role models to look up to and guide them. As a woman practising Jiu-Jitsu, you will be this person - you practise healthy habits, are physically fit, disciplined, confident and able to defend yourself.
Self-defence: In six months to a year, women can effectively defend themselves in any number of situations by learning to take the fight to the ground. Using leverage and proper techniques, someone of any size is able to defeat their opponent without hurting them.
Empowerment: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu teaches women to love their body for what it can do, because it doesn’t require being big, strong, or tall. It’s all technique. Women are able to feel empowered with increased mental, physical, emotional and spiritual strength.
Fitness: While Brazilian Jiu Jitsu doesn’t necessarily require strength it is still a workout, and requires endurance, because it is both aerobic and anaerobic, it burns calories, up to 700 in an hour according to some studies. It is also good for joints and muscles because it increase overall mobility and flexibility.