Sport & Fitness

Striking a pose: no-one argues with a man wearing pink shorts

Bob Breen Academy
Jeet kune do (as popularised by Bruce Lee) and kick-boxing are the big hitters here. Beginners pay £125 for a month’s training, which includes classes twice a week plus bag gloves, T-shirt and hand wraps.
Bob Breen Academy, 16 Hoxton Square, N1 (020 7729 5789/ www.bobbreen.co.uk).

Budokwai
Founded in 1918 and the oldest Japanese martial arts club in Europe. Top coaches teach judo, karate, ju-jitsu and aikido to beginners and Olympians alike. Annual membership is £65-£80 plus class fees.
Budokwai, 4 Gilston Rd, SW10 (020 7370 1000/ www.budokwai.co.uk).

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London Shootfighters
This training group for mixed martial artists has evolved into regular classes producing some of the UK’s best fighters, though you can also train just for fitness. The style combines the groundwork of Brazilian ju-jitsu and submission wrestling, the takedowns of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling and the striking of Muay Thai and boxing. Membership is from £35 per month.
London Shootfighters, 57 Bard Rd, W10 (07780 683 562/ www.londonshootfighters.com).

Shaolin Temple UK
Kung fu taught by a genuine 34th generation Shaolin fighting monk is the main attraction here. Annual membership is £100 plus £85 per month training fees, or you can try a class for £8.
Shaolin Temple UK, 207a Junction Rd, N19 (020 7687 8333/ www.shaolintempleuk.org).

Tokei Martial Arts Centre
Around 15 different styles are available each week in an atmosphere free of machismo and elitism. Membership is from £35 per month.
Tokei Martial Arts Centre, Lion Court, 28 Magdalen St, SE1 (020 7403 5979/ www.tokeicentre.org).