I joined the London Fight Factory in January and since then have become a regular, attending stacks of classes. Living in West London, there are a number of good clubs I could have joined - Carlson Gracie Team, RGA and London Shootfighters are all within easy reach.

Instead I travel all the way across town to train at the LFF.

Here's why you should too:

First off, the club is open and friendly. You're welcomed as a beginner, not treated like a nobody. BJJ, MMA and Muay Thai can be tough enough to learn and on the mat there are times when you'll feel like a complete zero, so the last thing you need is to be in a club where you're treated like that off it.

There are a lot of very talented people at the club including some up and coming professionals but no matter what your ability, everybody treats each-other with respect. This culture is one of the real strengths of the club - you train hard with people, not against them.

But I have to emphasize that YOU TRAIN HARD. If you're lazy, have ego or are inclined to half-arse things, this is not the club for you.

You don't need to be ultra fit, ultra tough or the next big thing in the UFC to train here, but you will need to commit to working hard, learning properly and giving your honest best.

That's how the instructors approach their task, so that's the way you will need to respond. Even so, be prepared to get shouted at every now and again (by Luiz) and don't take it badly - it's just because he cares!

That said, it's a lot of fun. While there is serious care and attention on the part of the instructors to teach things properly and make sure you're constantly progressing, it's generally done with plenty of laughs along the way.

Luiz dishes out a lot of nicknames and they're pretty funny. The roll call at the start of a bjj class can be hilarious as Harry Potter, Sylvester Stallone, Cobra Kai, Shrek, Rubberman and a host of others take to the mat.

I could go on about how great this club is, but you get the idea.

In short, the instructors are all well decorated champions, great teachers and decent, approachable people who will make you the best BJJ, MMA or Muay Thai practitioner you can be. And the students are talented, friendly, motivated and generous with their knowledge.

So come along, work hard, be a good training partner and, above all, don't give up! You'll gain some serious skills and some great friends along the way.

Two Questions (white belt)

I first started training in the martial arts when I was ten years old. I trained in a traditional jiu jitsu style which I thoroughly enjoyed. By the time I was fifteen I had heard about brazilian jiu jitsu and so I watched a couple of videos on the subject. I was amazed at how realistic it was and how different and if not better it was to traditional jiu jitsu. So one Saturday in April last year I traveled down to Hanbury Street to train at London Fight Factory. I loved the training and I was instantly hooked. I liked the idea that in jiu jitsu everybody can win. Size and strength are not the keys to success but rather technique and leverage.

London Fight Factory is special in the sense that before, during and after the training everybody is not just friends, but family. There is no animosity, arrogance, or ego present in the gym. Everyone is concerned with making beginners feel welcome, improving our own game’s and techniques and forging one of the best teams in the country.

Jiu jitsu at London Fight Factory can be trained for a number of reasons; fitness, self defence, sport or just as a pastime. Nobody is forced to compete. But nevertheless, London Fight Factory has a jiu jitsu team to be reckoned with. Another good thing about the gym is that the instruction is personalised to you. We are all individuals. Some learn faster than others etc. So beginners classes are optional.

The instruction at the gym is second to none. The instructors don’t need to brag about their titles as they speak for themselves. Titles include; European, Scandinavian, British, London, as well as Rio de Janeiro state and numerous others. It is often said that being a good fighter does not necessarily mean that you are a good teacher, but this is not the case with the instructors at London Fight Factory.

London Fight Factory is, in my mind the place to train at if you want to receive top class instruction, value for money, a relaxed and informal atmosphere as well as lifelong friends.

Jack