A new fitness academy is set to open just outside Monks Cross next month, welcoming people of all ages and all abilities.
Gracie Barra York will offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes and will become the third location in the Yorkshire franchise, joining existing academies in Harrogate and Apperley Bridge.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art focused on ground techniques and grappling. Owner Mike Bush hopes the new centre will continue the strong ‘family feel’ culture established at the other two locations.
“A real tight knit family”
“There’s this lovely culture in Harrogate that I want to continue here in York,” Mike told YorkMix.
He will run the new site alongside Lewis Matthews, who originally opened the Harrogate branch himself, later launching Apperley Bridge with another business partner, and now, he and Mike are the duo behind the York site.
Mike began training at the Harrogate Gracie Barra in 2018, “I had just finished university and moved back home. I was struggling a little bit and not really feeling too happy with where I was in my life. I came across Gracie Barra and thought, “I’ll give that go.”
What began as a hobby, soon became where Mike spent the majority of his free time.
“It grew to the point I was doing it more or less every day. As well as loving the sport itself and really enjoying the challenge of it, the culture of what we have at Harrogate is what kept me there. It’s a real tight knit family, I’ve made some of my best friends for life there.”
In addition to mental and social benefits, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can improve strength, cardiovascular fitness, self-defence skills, and overall wellbeing.
Behind the opening
Mike moved to York from Harrogate a few years ago with his wife and has since been commuting back for training.
“York is home for me, so when the opportunity came up for us to open somewhere, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. It’s my city, it’s my home!”
The idea of opening a York branch has been years in the making, “it’s definitely not been an overnight decision, it’s something we’ve been working towards,” Mike added.
He wanted to take the time to fully develop his skills before taking on the responsibility of running an academy. Finding the right location was also key.
“We’ve been keeping an eye out for a little while.”
Everyone is welcome
Mike explained that people are often put off by martial arts because they perceive them as aggressive, but Gracie Barra aims to change that.
“For people who want to spar and get some hard rounds in, that’s easy to do as it’s part of the sport. But for people who want to try something new, learn a skill, and not be pushed too far outside their comfort zone, that’s also who we cater for.”
Gracie Barra York is open to all ages and abilities, and will offer tailored classes for different groups, all led by expert instructors.
“There’s really young children who come and try it out, and people in their sixties too!” Mike told YorkMix.
Planning
A planning application has been put forward for external signage at the site, located in Unit 3 of Arabesque House on Monks Cross Drive.
According to the application, the signage will read: ‘GRACIE BARRA – BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU’ in red and black.
The new academy is scheduled to open on 31 August.
For more information on the opening or to register your interest, click here.
