New Generation Martial Arts - NGMA

Fantastic experience: One of the best gyms I've trained at. Knowledgeable coaches, a safe and exciting atmosphere!

Fantastic experience: Great gym. I train BJJ only and found it very friendly and had a good level of technical sparring partners.

Fantastic experience: Amazing gym, great atmosphere with friendly and knowledgeable instructors :D

Fantastic experience: Best gym in the south

Fantastic experience: NGMA is a great and well equipped place to train with excellent coaches, the place offers a wide variety of classes including bjj, kickboxing, Muay Thai and many more. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a place to train in Southampton.

Fantastic experience: Been training in this gym for around 6 months now. Lovely atmosphere and extremely skillful and engaging instructors (special shout-out to Steve, Will and Scott). Alice and Rachel manage the place in a caring and attentive way, so that every one feels comfortable to get involved and motivated to continue improving. The offer of martial arts you can try is outstanding: boxing, kickboxing, muay thay, bjj, wrestling, mma. Great way to get fit, enjoy yourself and be part of a fantastic community! Absolutely recommended!

Fantastic experience: Everyone super welcoming and friendly with no egos. Well equipped gym with class schedule so busy you could live here. Great communication on Instagram, all questions answered within minutes, no matter how small or silly they might sound. Would recommend 100%

Fantastic experience: Everyone is super friendly! Whether you’re just visiting or looking to join a new class they are all super welcoming! If you’re looking at joining a new gym in the Southampton area I can not recommend them enough!

Fantastic experience: The NGMA is a great academy, one of the biggest one in South East UK ! You can almost everything you want : Kickboxing , Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Submission Grappling, Strength and conditioning etc . The academy have showers, great locker rooms, sauna , cafe-bar full with everything. I am a BJJ black belt and I found the sessions and people amazing, everybody is super friendly and helpful. You just have to come in and train.

Positive experience: The main BJJ instructor/classes are extremely sub par given the area has lots of high quality practitioners - could do MUCH better to remain competitive. Only one of the teachers is actually up to date with the latest no gi methods but doesn't teach for the majority of the time. Wrestling is very good however, usually taught independently outside of the institution through the university. If striking is your thing, apparently it's also really good here.

Fantastic experience: Been at the gym around 1 year now and I’ve improved on a crazy level thanks to the amazing coaching from ngma and how much they push me to get better. The most important aspect that I’ve learned since being in ngma is discipline and that’s helped me in all aspects of life. NGMA are phenomenal.

Fantastic experience: I've been training at NGMA for a year now, and it’s been an incredible experience! The gym is well equipped and clean, but what really sets it apart is the amazing community and coaches. I've tried quite a few classes here but I really love Will's and Alice's kickboxing classes! The instructors are not only highly skilled but also genuinely invested in helping you improve. The environment that Alice and Rachel have created is super friendly and supportive, which creates a really positive atmosphere. If you're looking for a place to get fit, learn martial arts, and be part of a great community, NGMA is the place to be!

Fantastic experience: I've been training at NGMA since June 2021 and it's been absolutely wonderful! The gym is so well-equipped and there's so many disciplines to choose from taught by one of the best coaches. One of the standout features of NGMA is definitely its sense of community. The environment is welcoming and inclusive, making it easy to stay motivated and committed to your fitness goals. I'm quite sad to go, but I'd 100% recommend it for anyone in the area who's looking to start/continue their martial art journey.

Fantastic experience: I've been a member for around 2 years. The gym is exceptionally well-equipped with everything you need for a comprehensive work out. Love all the coaches, really professional, encouraging, and interesting! Enjoying every session here. Highly recommend NGMA to anyone looking to improve their fitness or learn a new material art!

Fantastic experience: I began training at NGMA a few years ago a relative novice in martial arts and was overwhelmed by the warm community feel of the gym. This paired with experienced coaches who have pushed me to keep improving as a martial artist is what makes this place special. There's excellent facilities and a range of different disciplines at different times across the week allowing regular training. I would highly recommend NGMA to anyone looking to try martial arts for the first time or those experienced looking to sharpen their skills.

Fantastic experience: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR BEGINNERS. I came along to one of NGMA beginner classes with my sister a few months ago, I was really nervous first time walking through the door but the staff and coaches there made me and her feel really welcome. The community within the gym has been extremely friendly, the higher belts/more experienced guys/girls really take time to walk you through the fundamentals, they have had an unbelievable amount of patients with me as a beginner. The really cool thing about NGMA is all the different disciplines they teach, if you decide that one isn’t for you, they offer loads more under the same roof. The hygiene in the gym is outstanding, Probably one of the cleanest gyms within Southampton. Shower facilities, changing rooms, equipment is all kept extremely clean. Very spacious venue, allways space and equipment free to train on. Genuinely a hidden gem within Southampton/Hampshire, I wish I’d found out about this place sooner, can’t say a bad word about this gym if I tried. Every lesson is really beneficial and you walk away feeling like you have learnt alot, had a great workout and most of all: had fun/made friends! Can’t praise this gym enough. This is the gold standard.

Fantastic experience: Having trained Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for more than 17 years in different gyms in the UK and US, I would say that NGMA is a great place train. Moving down from FIGHTZONE London I found that NGMA matched closely the training spirit and atmosphere that I was used to. In my time, I have seen the full spectrum of training spaces and I will say that this gym is definitely one of the best ones, everything is new, clean and it is well equipped. In general, the vibes are really fun, chilled and importantly there is no ego. In terms of BJJ classes there are loads, including several lunch time slots which are great (life savers). Lukasz the BJJ headcoach is very experienced,  knowledgeable and cares deeply about teaching his students properly. The rapid improvement I have seen in many of his students are a clear indicator that his training methods work very well. Belts are only given when earned. The atmosphere in the classes is maybe best described as friendly competitiveness with people eager to help eachother in terms of learning new techniques. I think the gym is good for all skill levels with dedicated classes for beginners but there are also mixed and advanced one. All in all I highly recommend NGMA for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

Fantastic experience: Such a wonderful gym with a fantastic culture and brilliant staff. Would highly recommend training BJJ or any other martial art here. Lukasz is a great head BJJ coach and chill guy with a really deep knowledge of the sport. Without exception all the people I’ve trained with here have been really considerate and supportive and I’ve never felt unsafe. As well as this, the training is of a really high standard, and if it’s your goal, you can progress very quickly here.

Fantastic experience: Have been members for 6-7 years and loved every minute of it. The best coach’s around have built an amazing environment for all to train. An amazing atmosphere every training session along with top grade facilities and equipment. Hands down the best mixed martial arts business around.

Negative experience: Join if you want to be offended I really enjoyed my time at Ngma when they were in central Southampton. I attended ju-jitsu and enjoyed learning to use my body in a different way. Ngma became a safe space without being embarrassed of failure, to learn new things which I loved. It was really nice feeling myself get better and feel more confident over the weeks. However when they moved to a larger building, I was not able to join the previous class I was in so joined another that was similar. I was nervous to attend as ju-jitsu requires very personal contact to strangers, which is not something I’m completely used to yet. I entered to class to the teacher who I had never met, scalding me for being a few minutes late. I was expecting a greeting but apologised anyhow. The teacher replied grunting ‘ go find someone‘. for a beginners jujutsu class, in a room with people I hadn’t met before I had never been so offended and unwelcome. The teacher walked off as the students continued to roll. As a uni student who can’t drive, I spent £13 on a cab to attend the lesson, as on-time as possible; this was on top of the lesson fee, which for a student is not ideal. I cannot help the traffic. The tone of the class was uninviting and I would never recommend the class or company to anyone I know anymore. It’s a shame the company changed when it moved because it was a lovely class that was the highlight of my week. I want to express how upset and disappointed I am with this class as it is a skill and activity I enjoyed thoroughly. I am appalled and disgusted at the recent treatment since moving though. The few other staff I had met had been so polite and my experience to this point had been positive. I had told other students I live and study with, about Ngma and recommended it, but will warn to be weary of what to expect from this point on. I don’t expect to be treated like that ever by anyone let alone in a class where I am meant to be learning something new, and am still very much a beginner. I asked for a refund and was greated apologetically by other staff, but was told that’s the way the teacher is. If that is the treatment a new class member is given then I don’t believe that Ngma is something I am going to peruse anymore. Definitely not beginner friendly.

Fantastic experience: Started a couple of months ago and honestly addicted! Trainers are all super friendly, knowledgable, and as a complete beginner I’ve felt so supported throughout my whole journey here so far. It’s a great way to keep fit and the membership package means you can literally do as many classes as you want which is such great value for money and incentive to put your all into it!

Negative experience: I was with NGMA for a few months back when they were at their central location. This review is regarding the BJJ classes. Firstly, hygiene standards were pretty low. Prior to starting the class people were coming in, taking their shoes of at the reception area and then walk barefoot to the mats. Everyone who has done BJJ at a place that respects its members knows that this is a huge health hazard for skin infections. More concerning is how they treat new-comers. I was a low belt practitioner when I came in and was expecting a few basic standards in terms of treating new members. There was no greeting, no discussion on how training is done, you just go with the flow. When teaching techniques the instructor was not paying attention at low belts and as a result people were doing random things (technique-wise). The instructor's focus was on a few specific members at each class who they seem to know personally too. But that too can be ignored, at the end of the day people do BJJ to relax and work-out. However, the breaking point for me and the reason that I would suggest avoiding this gym was a series of incidents involving another member of the gym that apparently was training at that time for a professional MMA match. I had the bad luck of being paired with them for sparring. Normally, I don't have an issue with the physique of the person that I am sparring with. I expect that sensible human beings training at a local gym understand that not everyone there is training to be a pro. This person despite our obvious muscle/weight/height difference was going all out at a pace that disregarded our obvious difference. I was manhandled and the same was the case for other gym members as well during that time. While I can't speak for others I personally was appalled. Despite our obvious strength difference this person was acting in a dangerous manner and the instructor did not even blink. This happened numerous times in different classes and I ended up avoiding this person, however I was met with snarky comments from the instructor for doing so. I ended up being injured and requiring physio rehab from our encounters. This behavior from both the member and the instructor is the exact opposite of what BJJ preaches. Other than that it says a lot about management. Such negligence of the health and safety of members of the gym is unacceptable. NGMA is not my first BJJ gym. I moved here from a different city and the gym I was before was respectful towards others. High rank belts and everyone in general had the sensibility to assess the skill/strength of their opponent and spar likewise. When that wasn't the case, the instructor intervened and put everyone to their place. The fact that the instructor at NGMA did not spot such issues (or cared for others' safety) and did not set that person straight was the reason for me to stop training there and led me to write this review, so that people who want to get the most out of BJJ know that this is not the place to be. BJJ is a haven for many to escape the daily routine, work out and meet new people. It's expected to get injured from time to time as well. But being in danger of hurting yourself while also not being respected is something that I can't take lightly.

Fantastic experience: What a gym! Being away from my home gym, I was lucky enough to stumble on NGMA, and Alice was super welcoming to me. Incredible facilities, genuinely feels like a world class gym. Super clean, tidy, modern, and just a cool place to hang out. Thanks to Monique for her boxing class and Lukas for his bjj class (both of whom demonstrated their wealth of knowledge and experience), and all the members who were also welcoming and respectful. I would recommend this gym to anyone, from complete beginner to elite level. An absolute bloody pleasure to attend!

Fantastic experience: Great gym friendly staff and good coffee

Fantastic experience: easily the best gym i’ve been to. professional but such a friendly atmosphere and perfect for beginners

Fantastic experience: From owners, to the coaches and the members themselves; NGMA is a more than a gym, it’s a community. One of my favourite places to be!!

Fantastic experience: I have been attending NGMA for around 4 months. Already I have great friends, coaches make the effort to know me and the support is indescribable. My confidence has grown huge amounts and I can definitely credit the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the high-class training the coaches provide.

Fantastic experience: Joined NGMA as a complete novice 6 months ago and have thoroughly enjoyed every session since. Huge choice of Martial Arts to choose from, all the coaches are more than accommodating for all level's of attendees and the facilities are impeccable. The owners have taken real time and care to creat something special, couldn't recommend it any higher. Coffee shop with a view of the river itchen and the city is a lovely touch too.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been training at NGMA for quite some time now, and I can confidently say that it’s one of the most inclusive and welcoming martial arts clubs I’ve ever been a part of. Here’s why: Diverse Membership: NGMA embraces diversity. From beginners to seasoned practitioners, people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels come together here. It’s heartwarming to see such a mix of individuals supporting each other. Open-Hearted Atmosphere: The instructors and fellow members create an environment where everyone feels valued. Whether you’re a complete novice or a black belt, you’ll find encouragement and camaraderie. Adaptive Training: NGMA understands that everyone has unique abilities and challenges. They tailor their training programs to accommodate different needs. Whether you’re dealing with physical limitations or have specific requirements, NGMA adapts. Respect and Empathy: Respect is at the core of NGMA’s ethos. There’s no room for discrimination or exclusion. Everyone is treated with kindness and empathy. It’s a place where you can be yourself without judgment. Community Events: NGMA hosts regular community events, workshops, and seminars. These gatherings foster connections beyond the mat. Whether it’s a self-defense workshop or a social gathering, everyone is invited. In summary, NGMA isn’t just about kicks and punches; it’s about building a strong, diverse, and inclusive martial arts family. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll be accepted, challenged, and supported, NGMA is the right choice. At NGMA, you’re not just a student; you’re part of a caring community.

Fantastic experience: Love coming to NGMA. Very welcoming, classes cater to all abilities. I feel comfortable trying new styles and classes, and there are so many options of classes. All the coaches are expert pros and really approachable. Highly recommend

Fantastic experience: I was in the area for work and looking for a gym to train at. NGMA were near, i messaged and they were extremely welcoming. When i arrived the facility is very clean, well run and very friendly. I would recommend them to anyone in the area!

Fantastic experience: I thought that martial arts wasn’t for me, after falling out of love with it in 2022, until I joined NGMA in 2023. The environment and atmosphere at NGMA reinvigorated my passion for martial arts and I haven’t stopped training since joining (7+ months). When I first started, I instantly felt safe and respected. Everyone at the gym, from the coaches to the training partners, all look out for each other. It doesn’t matter what level you are, your ego gets left at the door and respect is constant throughout. Alongside this, they have elite coaches who genuinely want to see you get better and will give you all the time in the world, at the drop of a hat. From a personal perspective, ever since utilising the variety of sessions available, my overall skill set has improved drastically. All in all, a great place to train, come on down and see for yourself!

Fantastic experience: Best fight gym I've ever trained at. All the facilities are top class. Alice and Rachel have done an amazing job creating the perfect training environment. If you're a hobbyist or a professional, you can't go wrong here. Also, did I mention the Sauna?!

Fantastic experience: 10 / 10 Highly recommend NGMA gym, brilliant staff & amazing training facilities to meet all of your needs, Located in Southhampton NGMA strive for excellence, look forward to returning and training at their brand new facility located in Woolston!

Fantastic experience: Started as a complete beginner 1 year ago and this place changed my life. Coaches are amazing and all of them are absolute wizards at what they do; the pure definition of practice what you preach! The owners really go all out to make you feel like family while pushing you to your best. Thanks for everything guys!

Fantastic experience: NGMA is a bit like cheers but with fighting, you are made to feel welcome the moment you walk through the door, like you belong to something really special. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Fantastic experience: Great club. Turned up for a visit. Everyone nice and friendly. No egos. Good level of technique. Would thoroughly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Couldn't be happier with my experience at NGMA! The coaches are world class and truly care about their students' progress and well-being. The variety of classes offered, including boxing, BJJ, muay Thai, judo, wrestling, and kickboxing, keeps workouts interesting and challenging. The gym's commitment to inclusivity is evident in the diversity of the members and the welcoming atmosphere, it's super welcoming and accommodating of all levels from beginner to pro-athletes. I love the fact that it's a local business, that truly cares about the community and their members. It's also extremely clean which is really important. I highly recommend this gym to anyone looking to improve their fitness and explore their interest in martial arts.

Fantastic experience: Been training here since September and have trained at other gyms previously for a few years. Always takes a little while to get used to how new gyms work but overall the team have been incredibly helpful and welcoming! Everyone’s really friendly and there’s always a great vibe in the Muay Thai and Kickboxing classes, with some amazing coaches aswell (only two classes I do, I imagine the rest are the same vibes). Really happy I found the gym after moving into the city, roll on the Christmas party

Fantastic experience: I spent 7 months training at NGMA whilst working in the area, and since leaving I have found myself missing it more than anything else about my time there. Before walking through the gym doors, I had never trained MMA or indeed most of the other martial arts they teach, so I had no idea what to expect. What I found was a more than just a new hobby. Not only did I learn a huge amount about the technique and mindset behind a large variety of different martial arts styles, but I also found a genuinely wonderful community of talented and enthusiastic coaches alongside a friendly group of trainees. I can genuinely say that training at NGMA built my self-confidence, fitness, martial arts skill, and personal discipline to levels that I did not at all expect when I signed up. Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend to anybody interested to give it a go! Finally, to the coaches, particularly Anton and Alice: thank you for such a wonderful year, and I wish you all the best of luck in continuing to make NGMA even better! I’ll definitely try and get back down to the gym when I can for a few sessions! - Josh

Fantastic experience: An absolutely class place to train! Could not ask for a friendlier or more welcoming vibe. You can step in as a complete beginner and feel comfortable that everyone understands what it is like to be new, and they will give you time and advice. The instructors are brilliant, professional, and clearly knowledgeable. Additionally, the established higher-grade students have so much time for the beginners, always happy to chat on and off the mat about how to improve. Can't recommend NGMA enough for people who want to have a crack at a martial art.

Fantastic experience: Super friendly atmosphere very welcoming. 100% recommend and will be back soon

Fantastic experience: Very friendly staff and awesome instructors!

Fantastic experience: Great place

Fantastic experience: Been training at NGMA for just over half a year now and cant recommend it enough amazing coaches and such a great family of people

Fantastic experience: A really friendly environment with professional staff over all a great gym for both beginners and pros

Fantastic experience: Best place in Southampton! Always a friendly atmosphere in classes, all the coaches are great. Such a lovely community to be a part of

Fantastic experience: I started the BJJ beginners course this summer and have been training at NGMA for a few months now. The coaches are knowledgable and welcoming, and there are classes at good times which means you’re always able to find one which you can get to around work/family commitments. The community is warm and everyone supports each other to improve. 100% recommend.

Fantastic experience: Great gym for my brief visit to the UK. Did a single drop in session at NGMA for BJJ and had a great class. The owners and coaches were amazingly helpful and friendly and everyone at the class was super inviting to have me stay longer! They offered lots of different types of classes I just wish I could have attended an open mat session

Fantastic experience: Fantastic martial arts gym to join especially when I was new to the area. Everyone is so welcoming regardless of your capability. They have soo many different classes and access to a gym, it's well worth the money

Fantastic experience: Have really enjoyed training here since I started a couple months ago. There is a well equipped gym upstairs for members to use when not occupied for classes. Would recommend trying the MMA classes with Anton if you're just starting out for the first time.

Fantastic experience: Very good spot for training martial arts. You have alot of variety of styles to choose from and flexible session times. Professional teaching and a welcoming and friendly environment. Great spot to train if you are in Southampton , I wish I knew about this spot earlier !

Fantastic experience: Top knowledgeable instructors and all round friendly environment 10/10

Fantastic experience: The friendliest martial arts gym you can find around. Great staff and friendly people will make you feel at home real quick so all you need to focus on is getting that sweat out. Great gym couldn't recommend it more.

Fantastic experience: Friendly people, good atmosphere and an immaculate environment. Would simply reccomend to anyone!

Fantastic experience: Great place to train, everyone is so supportive, classes are fun and engaging and no pressure to spar/compete. Alice and Rachel are great!

Fantastic experience: This had become my happy place!! Love the coaches and the people who train there are friendly!!!

Fantastic experience: OOUSSSSS

Fantastic experience: Best MMA gym in Southampton wide variety of disciplines and classes friendly people and coaches and no matter what age get treated the same

Fantastic experience: Lovely environment and instructors.. Totally recommended!

Fantastic experience: I have been coming to Ngma for four years now, having never had any previous martial arts training. The teaching and the workouts are fantastic and the atmosphere is very welcoming and inclusive. It is a great place to train!

Fantastic experience: Have been going to NGMA for just under 4 years now and cannot see a reason to ever change. They've turned a lazy couch potato into a black belt; the thing I particularly found useful was the total range of classes, whether you are purely interested in fitness/strength, or want to focus on specific disciplines such as Muay Thai/ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Very friendly and welcoming, catering to all ages and abilities, not your average 'sweat and sawdust' gym. Sparring is optional, but enjoyable as you are able to work in a controlled environment, with not aggression or bravado. Also, the first class is free! So perfect if you're not sure if you want to commit!

Fantastic experience: I was looking for a place to start a martial art and found NGMA to be the most warm and welcoming. Great instructors with a real understanding, whether you want to fight or get fit I can not talk highly enough of this club and I'm proud to be a member..

Negative experience: AG Classes. I've done kick boxing for 15, and SPA for 10 and have attended a number of Martial arts classes over the years, and this has to be one of the most undisciplined ones I've been to. Warm ups poor, young people running classes with little understanding of individuals capability, and NO discipline. OK for rowdy 15 -17 year olds , BUT NOT for those who care about ethos or discipline.

Fantastic experience: Great people! I've also never sweated so much in my life! Awesome workout, and getting padded up and going toe-to-toe with people that just want to learn and have nothing to prove is incredibly satisfying. Instructors are knowledgeable and attentive, and encourage learning, sportsmanship and fun x

Fantastic experience: I started with this gym from day 1 and 5 years on, it is getting bigger and better! I started for the fitness and had horrendous technique but 3 years in I was awarded my black belt in kickboxing which I never thought I would achieve. It was a long hard road but the members encourage and support one another from technique to fighting ability and you soon become addicted to the discipline of your choosing. NGMA is run by a very experienced and knowledgable coach and the instructors offer sound advice where it is required, they want their members to improve and progress. I couldn't rate this place enough. You get what you put in! Caters to everyone's needs and I wouldn't choose or recommend any other martial arts gym to be a part of. Fair prices and plenty of classes to try out. You get a free trial when you visit and there are no pressures to sign up or spar if you don't want to. Not many martial arts gyms out there that do this. 5 stars all day everyday from me. Ossssuuuu

Fantastic experience: So it's almost been a year since I started at NGMA. From the very first day I felt included and that having no prior experience wasnt an issue - they're happy to teach from any level. One of the things that makes the gym stand out is the feeling of community, everyone gets along, willing to help each other out, we all have a laugh. There are no egos and the seasoned experienced members are an asset. Alice has created a space where exercise is made not only fun but encourages improvement, teamwroking helps us to strive for more but with no pressure. You purely get out of it what you put in. Love this place and the people ❤️ Xx

Fantastic experience: Extremely friendly and excellent teachers