NGMA and The Barbell Division Join Forces in Southampton
We’re excited to announce a new collaboration between New Generation Martial Arts and The Barbell Division.
NGMA will be opening a satellite martial arts school inside The Barbell Division in Bitterne, Southampton. We’ll be delivering a condensed weekly timetable of wrestling, K1 kickboxing and Muay Thai classes, all taught by members of the NGMA coaching team.
It brings together two independent Southampton gyms with a shared belief that training should be welcoming, well coached and accessible to ordinary people.
For anyone living or working around Bitterne, Northam and the surrounding areas, it also creates a new way to try martial arts without having to travel across the city.
New martial arts classes in Bitterne, Southampton
The new weekly timetable will include:
Monday at 6.30pm: Olympic Wrestling with George
Wednesday at 6.30pm: K1 Kickboxing with Harry
Friday at 6.30pm: Muay Thai with Mike
Each class lasts 60 minutes and is suitable for beginners.
You don’t need previous martial arts experience, and you don’t need to get fit before starting. The coaches will introduce the key movements and techniques at a sensible pace, while giving more experienced participants opportunities to develop their skills.
View the timetable and book through The Barbell Division’s Glofox booking page.
Please check the current timetable before travelling, as class times may occasionally change.
Why NGMA and The Barbell Division are working together
NGMA and The Barbell Division have developed strong communities in different areas of training.
The Barbell Division is known for strength sports, including strongman, powerlifting and weightlifting. NGMA offers martial arts classes in Southampton, including kickboxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.
Bringing the two gyms together gives people more variety and creates opportunities for both communities to try something different.
Someone who already lifts weights may want to improve their movement, coordination or confidence through martial arts. An existing martial artist may want to learn more about strength training. A complete beginner may simply be looking for an enjoyable way to become more active.
You don’t need to be interested in competing to take part. You can train to learn a skill, improve your fitness, challenge yourself or meet a good group of people.
What to expect from your first class
Starting martial arts can feel intimidating when you don’t know what the session will involve. These classes have been designed to give beginners a clear and supportive starting point.
You’ll be shown the basic movements and techniques before practising them with coaching and guidance. Nobody expects you to arrive knowing what to do.
Olympic Wrestling
Olympic wrestling teaches takedowns, control, balance and how to move safely with another person. It’s physical and energetic, but beginners will start by learning the fundamental positions and movements.
K1 Kickboxing
K1 kickboxing combines punches, kicks and knee strikes. Beginners will learn stance, movement and basic combinations before gradually building their confidence and fitness.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a striking art that uses punches, kicks, knees and elbows. Your first sessions will focus on the fundamentals, including how to stand, move and strike safely using pads.
You’ll be able to learn at your own pace in all three classes. There’s no pressure to spar or compete.
Try the classes at The Barbell Division open day
The Barbell Division is holding a free open day on Sunday 13 September 2026.
It’s an opportunity to visit the gym, meet the people behind the collaboration and try several different activities without paying for a session.
The NGMA open-day classes are:
11.00am: Wrestling
11.45am: Kickboxing
12.30pm: Muay Thai
The wider open day also includes strongman, weightlifting, pole dancing and aerial hoop sessions, with massage and sports therapy practitioners available throughout the day.
Coffee will be available too, so you’re welcome to stay, look around and get a feel for the community.
Two independent Southampton gyms, one shared community
We love seeing local businesses support one another.
Independent gyms bring something valuable to Southampton. They’re built around real relationships, passionate coaches and communities where people know each other.
This partnership allows NGMA to introduce martial arts to a new part of the city while supporting the work already happening at The Barbell Division. It also gives people more choice without losing the friendly atmosphere that makes both gyms special.
The satellite school won’t replace NGMA’s full timetable and facilities in Woolston. It gives people another place to begin training and experience the quality of coaching and community that we care about.
We’re excited to see where the collaboration leads.
Come and give it a try
If you’ve been curious about martial arts but haven’t known where to start, the open day is the perfect opportunity. You can also explore our Beginners Academy in Woolston for dedicated beginner-only training.
Come along on Sunday 13 September, meet the coaches and try wrestling, K1 kickboxing or Muay Thai for free.
After the open day, weekly classes can be booked through The Barbell Division’s Glofox app.
NGMA x The Barbell Division. Two gyms, one community.
