Six days a week. Four instructors. Gi and NoGi. Training at Anytime Fitness Croxley Park since 2010.
Icon BJJ has been training in Watford since 2010. The academy is part of the global Icon BJJ network founded by Zé Marcello, a 6th degree black belt whose lineage runs directly through the Gracie family via Carlson Gracie.
The Watford programme is led by Adriano Silva, a 3rd degree black belt under Zé Marcello, supported by a coaching team of four — including Rich Harris (1st degree black belt), Marcus Lopes de Souza (black belt), and Leo Lopes de Souza (brown belt). The depth of instruction on the mat is a genuine asset: members regularly train with multiple black belts in a single session.
Classes run six days a week across Gi and NoGi formats. Membership includes access to Anytime Fitness Croxley Park, and your Icon membership is recognised at academies worldwide.
About Zé MarcelloFour instructors on the mat. Multiple black belts in every session.
3rd Degree Black Belt
Head Instructor, Watford
Adriano Silva is a 3rd degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Zé Marcello and the head instructor at Icon BJJ Watford. He has been part of the Icon team since the academy opened in Watford in 2010, building one of Hertfordshire's most established BJJ programmes over that time.
Adriano also runs the Icon BJJ Watford youth programme. His coaching covers all levels from complete beginners through to competitive black belts.
1st Degree Black Belt
Instructor, Watford
Black Belt
Instructor, Watford
Brown Belt
Instructor, Watford
Membership covers all classes and includes full gym access at Anytime Fitness Croxley Park. Contact us directly for current pricing.
As part of the Icon BJJ global network, your membership is recognised at Icon academies worldwide — across the UK, Europe, Brazil, and beyond. When you travel, bring a Gi and train.
Gis are available to borrow for your first session. ICON Team Gis can be ordered through your instructor. For NoGi sessions, shorts and a t-shirt are all you need.
The best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Watford. Very knowledgeable instructor, great training partners and people coming from other Icon dojos every week makes this the ideal place to improve your skills very quickly. Plus it's fun as people are friendly.
I was made to feel really welcome and given a free trial period before deciding whether to join — which I did. Great place to train. Amazing instructors and a friendly team. Mixed levels of ability and the experienced people are always there for help and guidance.
Very welcoming to me, great instructors — there were four black belts on the mats. Would definitely recommend.
Best club in Watford. Always look forward to training here and there is such a great mixture of levels to roll with. Also by being a member of Icon you get to attend another great Icon club in Watford at the Crossface gym.
What to expect before your first class in Watford.
None at all. Beginners are always welcome at Icon BJJ Watford. Your first class is free. The coaching team will introduce you to the class and make sure you train safely from your first session.
You can borrow a Gi for your first session. If you continue training, you will need your own Gi for the regular classes — your instructor can advise on ordering an Icon Team Gi. For NoGi sessions (Thursday evenings and Sunday), shorts and a t-shirt are all you need.
Any of the weekday evening Gi classes is a good starting point. Come down, watch a class, ask questions, and join in when you feel comfortable. The coaching team will guide you from there.
BJJ relies on technique, leverage, and timing rather than strength, which makes it well-suited to all levels. Sparring is controlled: holds are applied carefully and released immediately when a partner taps. With four instructors on the mat, the environment is well-supervised and the culture is respectful.
Anytime Fitness Croxley Park, Hatters Lane, Watford, WD18 8YR.
Membership covers all classes and includes Anytime Fitness gym membership at Croxley Park. Contact us directly for current pricing.
Yes. Your Icon membership is recognised across the global network, including the UK academies, and locations across Europe, Brazil, and beyond.
Gi training uses the traditional BJJ kimono, which adds grip and control options to the game. NoGi uses shorts and a rash guard and is closer to submission grappling. Training both builds a more complete game. Watford offers Gi five days a week and NoGi on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.
Yes. Icon BJJ has been operating in Watford since 2010 and is part of a global network under founder Zé Marcello, with academies across the UK, Europe, Brazil, and beyond.
Also serving:
Bushey, Rickmansworth, Kings Langley, Chorleywood, Croxley Green, Abbots Langley, Northwood
Icon BJJ