East Auckland's Longest-Running
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy
START YOUR JOURNEY
Enter your name, email and phone number below and we'll get in touch to discuss how this training can work for you.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Everyone
Stepping onto the mats shouldn't feel intimidating. For over 20 years, GroundControl has built a culture around a safe, technical, and curriculum-driven approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You’ll train in a supportive environment alongside teammates who encourage your progress—not egos looking to win a practice round
Regardless of age, background or culture, whether you are a strong athletic build, want to increase functional strength, are male or female, young or old; here at GroundControl, we are a diverse, all-inclusive school and our aim is to turn each and every student that trains with us into a successful martial artist.
Benefit from:
- Quality instruction that is second-to-none in our industry
- A strong effective curriculum so you know exactly what you need to focus on
- Training tailored to different learning styles, abilities and ages
- Every technique broken down until you are 100% confident with it
- Dedicated, familiar coaches who know your name, track your personal progress, and guide you every step of the way.
Adults Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Increase Your Strength, Fitness, Stamina, Agility AND Learn Some Incredible Skills REGARDLESS Of Your Starting Point
If you are looking for a martial arts style that is different to your usual kicking and boxing classes and want to learn practical self-defence techniques, then Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will meet all your goals. You don’t need to have any former martial arts experience or even a base fitness level to start. Our classes are suitable for everyone who is willing to jump in and give it a go.
With Adults BJJ you will get:
- Essentials classes for absolute beginners with assuming no prior experience
- Direct coaching from Black Belt instructors and experienced mentors
- Functional techniques designed for practical application & safety
- Flexible training across Gi, No-Gi and open practice sessions
- An inclusive family environment where you can meet new like minded people
- Opportunities to compete in in-house and external tournaments when you're ready
From the very first lesson, you will leave feeling confident that you’ve made the right decision in joining us here at GroundControl. Not only will you learn something new, you will come away with a feeling of accomplishment and before you realise it, you’ll be grading up and showcasing your new skills.
Our Essentials class is specifically designed for beginners like you, to accelerate your understanding of the core techniques and principles. The values, foundations and traditions of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can be effortlessly translated into your everyday life and if you don’t come away a new person, we’ll give you your money back…guaranteed!
Kids BJJ
The Perfect Non-Aggressive, Athletic & Focused Martial Art Discipline for Kids
If you’re looking for a martial arts class that is less aggressive but just as physical, disciplined and fun, then Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes at GroundControl is the perfect style for you.
The junior program is suitable for kids aged 7 to 16 years and focuses on grappling and the use of leverage and technique. This makes it the perfect style for children of different ages, weight and strength. Bully Proof your child with techniques that allow them to control aggression without having to punch someone in the face!
Here the weak can become the mighty and you cannot put a price on the confidence it provides.
With each class, your child will walk away with:
- An understanding of respect and how to channel their energy in a productive way
- Self defence techniques that are appropriate, will keep them safe and without the need of excessive force
- Increased gross and fine motor skills
- Improved sense of concentration, discipline and focus
- Higher self-esteem and confidence as they discover successes in their training
- Coordination and agility skills that are effortlessly transferred into other sports
- A sense of how to work with their peers to help each other develop
Junior classes at GroundControl are held four times a week from Monday to Thursday and children go through a dynamic and tailor made curriculum specific to their age. Our grading system rewards children for the level of technical improvement they make as an individual, as well as a positive attitude and engagement in class.
In no time at all, your child will be doing better at school, be more confident and empowered, become fitter and stronger and will learn the true meaning of camaraderie.
So don’t wait for the time to be right, or your fitness to peak or your kids to ask. If you want to see real results, learn new skills and change your life…now is the time to start.
MMA FITNESS
GET FIGHTER FITNESS - WITHOUT GETTING HIT
Looking for a high-energy workout that beats the treadmill? Our weekly MMA Fitness class combines pad work, clinch drills, and takedown movements into a dynamic, full-body workout.
Designed purely for fitness, conditioning, and stress relief, there is zero sparring and no hard contact. You’ll build functional strength, burn serious calories, and learn practical striking skills in a safe, supportive group environment—regardless of your starting fitness level
With GroundControl MMA Fitness you will get:
- Dynamic pad work, clinching and striking drills
- High-energy sessions suitable for beginners to fitness enthusiasts
- Techniques broken down step-by-step for safe, proper form
- Functional strength, cardio and full-body conditioning
- A friendly, supportive atmosphere where you can sweat and de-stress
Head Coach Mike Fooks has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2001 and holds 3rd-Degree Black Belts in both BJJ and Aikido. Bringing a degree in Psychology and a professional coaching background, Mike leads a team of top-tier instructors dedicated to safe, technical, and structured progression. You're in expert hands every time you step onto the mats.
TESTIMONIALS
John Mellows
Melissa Glew
Phil Farmer
Nikki Cuff
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to have any athletic ability or fitness level before you start. But when you start, you will definitely see an increase in fitness, stamina, agility, flexibility and strength.
We have a 26 week rotating syllabus which we run three times per week so it depends how often you train. Most students if training twice a week will be ready for their first stripe in approximately three months.
Our juniors program is for kids aged 7 to 16 years.
There are no formal grades in MMA. In BJJ grades go from White to Blue to Purple to Brown to Black. BJJ grades carry a lot of weight. Whereas in some martial arts styles 2-3 years training will give you a knowledge of the fundamentals and a black belt, in BJJ 2-3 years training will give you a knowledge of the fundamentals and a blue belt. That means when you see a BJJ Black Belt you know they’ve spent over a decade working on their art. Each belt colour is a significant achievement in itself. To help gauge your progress towards that achievement each belt has stripes that are awarded as you get closer to the next colour.
Stripe testing for White belt is every month.
Yes. You can book in for our private lessons where we will work on fine-tuning your skills.