Bringing affordable Martial Arts to Cheltenham

Who we are

At SAGA we believe martial arts should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford premium prices. 

That’s why we’re proud to offer affordable, community-focused martial arts training in Cheltenham, based at Southam Village Hall, and serving the surrounding areas including, Bishops Cleeve, Woodmancote, Tewkesbury and Prestbury.


Our primary focus is on developing young people, building their confidence, physical fitness and life skills through disciplined, high-quality training, all for just £25 per month. 


Our classes run every:

  • Wednesday 5:50 – 6:50pm – KIDS

  • Thursday 6pm – 7pm – KIDS

We welcome ages from 7-15 years. Whether your child is a complete beginner or has previous experience, they’ll find a welcoming, structured environment where they can grow both on and off the mat. 


Led by Coach Rob, a highly experienced and accredited martial arts instructor (accredited by the British Combat Karate Association) with deep roots in Karate, Kickboxing, Judo and Kudo, our academy is grounded in tradition but shaped for today’s world. 


Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn new skills and get fit or an experienced fighter looking to take your skillset into the next level of competition, you’ll be welcome here.

SAGA’s coach
Rob Thornton

What we teach

At SAGA we specialise in Japanese Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). A modern and effective system built on the foundation of traditional Japanese disciplines. Our training blends:

  • Combat Karate – for striking and self-defence fundamentals

  • Kickboxing – for power, movement and real-world application

  • Judo – for throws, takedowns and groundwork

  • Kudo-style elements – combining striking and grappling in a safe, controlled way

Together, these disciplines build fitness, focus and real-word capability, all while staying true to Japanese martial arts roots. 

Want to see what Japanese MMA is all about? Contact us to book on to your first free class

FAQs

Yes please contact us to book on to your first class, which is completely free!

We all start where you are starting from so rest assured we know the feeling! At SAGA we cater for all abilities from complete novices through to competition prep. We’d be delighted to see you join us on the mats.

For your first few classes, just dress for the occasion in gym clothing and we’ll take care of the rest. We try not to lend out Gis for hygiene reasons but gloves & training equipment can be provided to all students.

Like with all martial arts, sparring is an integral part of learning and testing your progression over time. Bumps or knocks are part of the fun but we make sure to build up to this only if and when you are comfortable doing so.

Our lead instructor is Rob, a seasoned martial arts expert with extensive experience in Karate, Kickboxing, Judo, and Kudo.

Rob is passionate about teaching and dedicated to helping students achieve their martial arts goals.

Yes, we offer private lessons for those who prefer one-on-one instruction or wish to focus on specific aspects of their training. Please contact us to schedule a private session with our coach Rob

Yes, we offer family discounts for multiple members from the same household and discounts for young carers, children in foster or kinship care families.

Contact us for more information about our family plans and discounts.

Yes, if you’re interested in competing, our coach Rob will work with you to find opportunities that you’d like to take part in.