Learn at your own Pace
The nature of the group means it’s possible to miss technical details during group presentations. During private lessons, your instructor will pace the instruction according to your skills and needs, so you will never feel confused or overwhelmed when learning a new technique.
Instant Feedback
Your instructor is your partner for every technique, and can feel what you are doing. This is how all of your movements can be evaluated to provide you with instant feedback. It’s how you’ll build your understanding of how jiu jitsu works, and how to do it better.
Discover What Works Best for You
During private lessons, your instructor will help you discover the best way for you — the approach that best suits your natural abilities, age, and structure —so that you can leverage your strengths, maximise your proficiency, and increase your effectiveness.
THE BENEFITS OF ONE-ON-ONE INSTRUCTION ARE INNUMERABLE.
Our group classes are a brilliant way to learn jiu jitsu. Even still, some people prefer to start or complement their training with private lessons.
Private sessions are the quickest way to build skills and confidence on the mats. It’s the chance for your instructor to focus exclusively on your learning. You’ll be guided through a series of techniques suited to your needs and experience level. You’ll learn how to use your skeleton, and to best create leverage to suit your strengths.
My experience visiting Higher JJ couldn’t be better!I contacted them through the website and John got back to me very quickly. I was borrowed a kimono by Luke, who was in charge of the class and by the time it was over, I was a sweaty, more knowledgeable and happy guy.The facilities were great too and I wish I had time to go back there again.All the best for you!Luis
Absolutely amazing experience and incredibly professional. John took me and my work team through a jiu Jitsu self defence workshop.Not only was this fun and great team bonding but John’s vast knowledge, experience alongside his simple way of teaching allowed us to learn new techniques and have a great time regardless of our experience. Highly recommend!
The best place I have trained at so far. I have trained at a few different places and what stood out the most was the coaches there. If you are looking to up your skills and learn the art of BJJ, I would highly recommend trying out HJJ.
As a beginner, I was a little apprehensive and didn't know what to expect from BJJ, but I couldn't have asked for a better gym than Higher Jiu Jitsu. Higher has such a positive atmosphere and I appreciate John, Matt and the other instructors as well as everyone who I trained with. Highly recommend!
Trained at Higher JuJitsu tonight while travelling. Absolutely brilliant lesson, the professor (John) was great (engaging, knowledgeable and so helpful) and the group was great to train with.Learned a lot will definitely go again
I traveled alone in Korea, and it was nice to travel around and see a lot of tourist attractions. However, the Australian Jiu-Jitsu instructors were curious about how to train, so I had the courage to visit on my own and asked if I could do Jiu-Jitsu with them. They welcomed me very warmly and gave me very detailed information, so it was fun. And after the workout, we will all go for a beer together. He invited me to go with him, so we drank, played, and talked about various things. I only have such happy memories. I love you, the people who welcomed me.I went on a trip alone in Korea, and it was nice to see many tourist attractions while walking around. But I was curious about the training methods of Australian jiu-jitsu officials, so I had the courage to visit alone and ask if I could do jiu-jitsu together, and I was glad that they welcomed me and taught me in detail. And I was going to go drink beer after the exercise, but they asked me to go with them, so I drank with them, played with them, and many other things.
Every time I travel I take a Jiu-Jitsu class in that country and it‘s the best!Everyone was so friendly and the techniques were very helpful. If you like Jiu-Jitsu, I recommend this place.
I've been training at higher jiu jitsu for half a year now. I love the culture here, the coach, the other athletes. Everyone is always willing to help, especially when your a white belt noobie like myself. Highly recommend if you've been contemplating doing some sort of martial arts training to come down and try a session at higher jiu jitsu!
I visited the higher jujitsu during my stay in Sydney. Prof. John really welcomes visitors and the gym mates were so friendly.He emphasized during the spurring to enjoy and play, avoid injuries,not to be serious. So middle aged visitors like me could enjoy the lesson.His lesson was very theoretical and fruitful for me.100% recommendations, if you are in Sydney.
Awesome club!! So friendly and very experienced instructor with an engaging class format.
John and the crew at Higher Jiu-Jitsu are amongst some of the friendliest, and most welcoming people in the martial arts community.John brings an approach to jiu-jitsu centring around mechanics and leverage, rather than strength and size, making it a system suitable for everyone to excel in.If you’re in the area, I highly recommend dropping in for a class, or even better, signing up for yourself and falling in love with jiu-jitsu the way this crew has!
I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Jiu Jitsu. Give Higher a try and you won’t regret it! It’s a fantastic space with amazing coaches, a welcoming atmosphere for all skill levels, and very beginner-friendly.
Higher Jiu Jitsu in Woolloomooloo is an outstanding academy for anyone looking to learn and grow in the art of Jiu Jitsu. Under the expert guidance of John, the head coach, you’ll find a welcoming and professional environment that fosters both skill development and camaraderie. John’s teaching style is exceptional—he’s patient, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to helping each student reach their potential. The atmosphere is friendly and inclusive, making it an ideal place for beginners and advanced practitioners alike. If you’re looking to challenge yourself and pick up a new skill, this is the place to do it. Five stars all the way!
I had an amazing experience at the Jiu-Jitsu gym I visited during my trip to Sydney.It was meaningful to be able to train in a new environment.We shared techniques each other and had fun rolling together.The instructor’s detailed guidance was impressive and left a lasting impression on me.👍Andy - From Southkorea😍
I had an exceptional experience at Higher Jiu Jitsu! I was traveling through Sydney and wanted to get a few rolls in. Sensei John responded back to my email quickly and invited me in. He was friendly, professional and a great instructor. Additionally the other students were welcoming, skilled and the facility was spotless. I’m grateful for their hospitality and hope to make it through in the future. I highly recommend this school.
This is truly one of the best Jiu Jitsu gyms in Sydney. Training under John Smallios and his incredible team is an exceptional experience. Their expertise and dedication to teaching make every session enjoyable and rewarding. The supportive and friendly atmosphere helps everyone grow both in skill and confidence. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your techniques, this gym is a fantastic place to train. Highly recommended!
Terrific team with a great culture. John and his coaches are welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable! I love training at Higher Jiu Jitsu whenever I'm in the city.
Best club that I’ve been to in Sydney so far.Arrived from Melbourne and showed up to class unannounced and was warmly greeted by John.He made an effort to include me while he was in the middle of teaching class and got me a gi as I didn’t bring mine with me. Felt great to be able to walk in and be welcomed like family.He chatted with me before the class, introduced me to everyone on the mat and was treated respectfully by everyone there.During class we went over some techniques and asked questions which he and the rest of the students helped with and truely had a no attitude approach to our learning. Questions were encouraged and learning is fostered.I got some new perspectives on how I should do certain techniques and had learning bolstered by his explanations. Again asking questions throughout was encouraged before and while doing techniques.I also noticed that newbies have a red or yellow stripe on their belts to signify that they’re new and to work easier with them instead of going full force. I haven’t seen this done at other clubs but it’s a great way to ensure that everyone goes at an appropriate pace and effort.The facility was clean, well maintained and decorated to pay homage to memories from the club and the masters of the art.Thank you for having me John and I will be back when I’m in Sydney again.
While in Sydney I trained with the crew at Higher. I found it to be more than just a jiu jitsu club. Somewhere you can go & feel welcome, at ease & part of the higher jiu jitsu family from the get go, without dealing with the hassle of inflated egos etc you might find in other gyms. John is building something special here & I hope more people get the chance to experience his teaching & friendly training environment he has created. If I ever pass through Sydney again, I will be back 100%. My only regret is that my work schedule stopped me from being able to attend more classes. Thanks for all of the help & guidance. Legends!!!
Dropped in during a first time visit to Australia from the States. I was warmly welcomed by the Professor and team. Thank you for the rolls!
Super cool club! I visited for the ‘fundamentals gi’ class while visiting from Canada on holiday.The class was very focused and technical but explained in a very simple way. The instruction was very helpful and I have a few “nuggets” to bring back home now :)I really enjoyed training here and would recommend it to anybody looking to try or train Jiu Jitsu in Sydney. Great environment for beginners and experienced alike.
Great place, great people really easy to follow along. Highly recommend to anyone living in or passing Sydney and wanting to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Having recently joined Higher Jiu Jitsu I cannot recommend the gym highly enough. John is a fantastic coach. John is extremely warm and friendly and has a fantastic teaching style that makes the core concepts of BJJ easy to pick up. Everyone has been really welcoming to me since joining and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
I joined Higher about 6 months ago having moved across from the UK. It is such a welcoming environment - John and the rest of the team clearly work really hard to make it a friendly and supportive place to train. The coaching is also excellent so can’t recommend it enough!
Higher Jiu Jitsu is a fantastic place for learning and development. The coaches are very professional and pedagogical; there are sessions for all levels every day. The practitioners are extremely friendly. This is the first time I've practiced BJJ; before, I was into MMA in France. My English level isn't exceptional, but in sports, that doesn't matter: the explanations are very clear, and people love to share their sport. I think it's the best combat sport that can exist, combining strength, flexibility, and momentum. Regarding the facility, it is very accessible and well-maintained. John, the club manager, is a very kind and attentive person, creating a real dynamic within his dojo. Every time I just wait for the next session, it's really addictive :)
Higher jiu jitsu is a great place to learn all things jiu jitsu. The best part about Higher is not only the great teachers and experts that regularly come through but for me, the community and people. I am a complete noob and they foster an open and welcoming environment thats about learning and having fun.
Trained today from out of town (I’m Canadian). First time at this gym, coach John and the other students were very welcoming and helped me get set up with a rental gi and everything I needed.Good technical instruction and lots of help from the coach and other students.Great place to train, I highly recommend for first timers or for higher belts!
The boys over at higher Jiu Jitsu were very accommodating as I was a drop in guest from a different state. They demonstrated nothing but the upmost respect and welcomed me with open arms. I attended the comp class, fundamentals and intermediate. All lessons, the instructor demonstrated structured teaching which was not only easy to understand but also effective. I couldn’t recommend the boys over at higher Jiu Jitsu more.
A place to harness your jiu-jitsu, self-defence, mental+physical potential.Friendly to beginners, with challenging classes, helpful team mates and caring coaches. Drop-ins by fantastic global coaches are a huge plus. All the things you’d want in a great jits gym.Thank you and kudos, Coach John and team @ Higher JJ
I joined Higher Jiu Jitsu in September shorty after arriving from the U.K. and have really enjoyed my time at the club. The coaching team lead by John Smallios are brilliant teachers and have done very well to create a friendly and supportive culture. There are no big egos and everyone is approachable and keen to impart their knowledge. As I joined the club with no experience of Jiu Jitsu this has been a great environment to start my journey into the world of BJJ and learn the basics. Safe to say I’m hooked and I have little doubt you will be too. Massively recommend Higher Jiu Jitsu to everyone from those interested in taking up the sport to seasoned veterans!
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