Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi & Grappling in Lisbon
BJJ, Submission Grappling & No-Gi — Free Trial Class
Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling in Lisbon — The Art of Making Less Do More
Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is the art of grappling and submission — No-Gi and GI — in Lisbon, at Be Water. Developed from Judo and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is based on a simple but powerful principle: technique and leverage beat brute force. A smaller person, with the right technique, can control and submit a much stronger opponent.
Our Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling classes are led by Master Alexandre Izidro — 6th degree black belt with over 25 years of experience, former professional fighter and 3rd place at the World Championship. He is one of the most respected names in BJJ and submission grappling in Portugal.
GI, No-Gi & Grappling — What's the difference?
At Be Water we practise both variants of Jiu-Jitsu — GI and No-Gi (grappling without the kimono) — so your submission and grappling game is truly complete.
Jiu-Jitsu GI (with kimono)
GI is the traditional form of Jiu-Jitsu. The kimono is part of combat — you use the grips on the fabric to control, sweep and submit your opponent. The pace is more technical and deliberate, and the leverage principles are at their purest. It's the best entry point for beginners.
No-Gi / Grappling (without kimono)
No-Gi is grappling at its most dynamic. Without the kimono, the game gets faster and more physical — you work with clinch, wrist control and neck ties. This style of submission grappling is the closest to MMA and develops a solid athletic base. Practised with shorts and rash guard.
Open Mat
On Sundays (11:00am) we have Open Mat — free training and sparring with no structured class. Ideal for consolidating technique, testing what you've learned during the week and interacting with practitioners of all levels.
Jiu-Jitsu & No-Gi Grappling Schedule in Lisbon
| Modality | Days | Time |
|---|---|---|
| GRAPPLING / NO-GI | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 11:00 AM |
| GRAPPLING / NO-GI | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | 7:30 PM |
| JIU-JITSU GI | Tuesday, Thursday | 12:30 PM |
| OPEN MAT | Sunday | 11:00 AM |
Jiu-Jitsu classes at Be Water run throughout the week, with morning and evening options to fit your schedule.
All our plans give access to Jiu-Jitsu classes. You can practise every day if your plan is Elite, or choose the days that best fit your week with the Rise and Starter plans.
See full schedule →What you'll develop in Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling classes
Contrary to what many think, Jiu-Jitsu and grappling are not just martial arts. They're a complete system of physical and mental development, with benefits that extend well beyond the mat.
Physical level
Jiu-Jitsu classes in Lisbon at Be Water work flexibility and joint mobility, full-body functional strength, cardiovascular conditioning (sparring is extremely demanding), motor coordination and body awareness.
Technical level
You'll learn fundamental positions like guard, guard passing, mount and back, submissions like chokes and joint locks, escapes and reversals, and reading your opponent — the "human chess".
Mental level
Jiu-Jitsu teaches humility, resilience and problem-solving under pressure. It's common to hear practitioners say the mat made them better people.
Your coach: Alexandre Izidro
Alexandre Izidro is a Jiu-Jitsu Master with a 6th degree black belt — one of the highest ranks that exist in the modality. Founder of Icon Jiu-Jitsu Lisbon, he has over 25 years of experience in teaching and competition.
As a competitor, he placed 3rd at the World Championship and was Cage Warriors Champion — one of the most prestigious MMA organisations in Europe. As a teacher, he is known for a patient, rigorous pedagogy accessible to all levels.
Training with Alexandre is not just learning Jiu-Jitsu. It's having access to decades of knowledge distilled into a methodology that works for everyone — from beginner to competitor.
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Who are Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling classes at Be Water for?
For everyone — literally. You don't need prior martial arts experience, to be athletic, or to have any special physical condition.
Alexandre and the team adapt training to your level. In the first months, the focus is learning fundamental positions safely, without pressure for intense sparring. Progress is gradual and consistent.
At Be Water, Jiu-Jitsu is practised by people who had never done any combat sport, athletes from other modalities looking to complement their preparation, and experienced practitioners who want to elevate their level with a reference master.
What our athletes say
See our reviews on Google →“Bewater is simply TOP! Incredible professionals, a welcoming, family atmosphere. Jiu-Jitsu and conditioning training of the highest quality. I learn a lot from this excellent team dedicated to teaching. 100% recommended! 💪”
“best jiu jitsu classes in Lisbon!”
“Such a great studio to train at!! I came here for a trial class and became a fan now. Fantastic challenging workouts, great coaches who pay attention to every single person attending the class and help you adapt the exercise if needed. Ambiance is super friendly too with everyone being nice and supportive!!”
“BE WATER (by Dicas do Salgueiro) is incredible. The space is top, super clean and modern, and the atmosphere puts anyone in a good, motivated mood. The boxing classes are brutal, very dynamic, and the coaches are impeccable. […] Price-wise, it's totally worth it for the quality and for having unlimited access to everything. Highly recommend!”
“Without a doubt the best workout I've ever had, with an exceptional coach, always watching each participant's performance, correcting every movement and adapting to each person's physical abilities. […] The atmosphere is perfectly welcoming and everything is well balanced - even the music, which is usually the most annoying part of most gyms. Top marks for the whole BeWater team! 👏👏👏”
“BE Water is the only gym I’ve ever truly enjoyed going to in my life! The staff are amazing and always friendly, the place is spotless, and it has everything we need. […] Since I don’t speak Portuguese, I used to feel hesitant about joining group activities or classes. But instead of excluding me, everyone welcomed me with open arms and treated me like family.”
“I tried the Muay Thai class with Diogo Calado and really enjoyed it, everything well prepared and organised, adapting the training to the abilities of the students there. On top of that, the whole space is very well thought out and the conditions are great! Cheers”
“BeWater is the gym I was looking for. If you want functional training that combines mobility, endurance, cardio performance, flexibility and strength, away from the standard models of the "mainstream" gym chains, this is the right place. […] Here the coaches can focus on the group, with demanding dynamics adapted to each person. I was very happy to find this oasis!”
“I am super impressed buy the quality of the coachs, sessions are always super interresting and mix a variety of topics, cardio, strengh. The level differences within a group is managed perfectly as the coachs are experienced. […] I think to this date it's probably my preferred training in Lisboa and Europe in general for the mix of 90's spirit and amazing coachs skills :)”
“Challenging and motivating functional and strength workouts, always adapted to each person's level. An excellent, very experienced coaching team, led by Salgueiro👌”
“The best training centre. The instructors are pros, the training is very varied and motivating, the facilities are impeccable, the atmosphere is great. Even for those who think they won't “handle” the workout, they always find a doable adaptation. On top of that, they have great taste in music! What's not to like?”
“Great amenities, amazing staff! The best thing about it is that I can freely choose what I want to try out, from bodywork training, martial arts. Location helps a lot, with great access from public transportation.”
“Best gym in Lisbon on every level. Brutal workouts for all kinds of people and every coach knows what they're doing. They're very good and help with everything you need. 100% recommended”
“An amazing place to train! Several disciplines (functional training, boxing, among others), the option of open training and lots of class times. A very dedicated and experienced coaching team. Great atmosphere in a welcoming space. The space and the changing rooms always clean.”
“Best place to train in Lisbon! Functional training, open gym, Boxing, Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu!”
“Excellent programming and coaching. The gym is very well equipped, always clean and very well located. All the coaches are impeccable.”
“Be Water is the perfect gym for anyone who likes to train and have a good time! With coaches who are super committed to helping, adapting when needed and meeting our needs. Highly recommend!”
“Excellent atmosphere and an impeccable team. A gym that is different in a good way! 💪💪💪”
“A super welcoming space with original decor. New, quality equipment and very helpful, attentive staff. Great facilities. Definitely worth a visit.”
Try Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling at Be Water
Fill out the form and we'll get in touch to schedule your free Jiu-Jitsu trial class!
See Prices →Frequently Asked Questions about Jiu-Jitsu & Grappling in Lisbon
Do I need a kimono to start?
You don't need to buy a kimono immediately. For the first trial class and the first few weeks, comfortable sports pants and a t-shirt are enough. For No-Gi classes, you always wear sports clothes. When you decide to continue, our staff will help you choose the right kimono.
Is it dangerous for beginners?
Jiu-Jitsu has one of the best safety reputations among martial arts. At Be Water, sparring with beginners is always controlled and supervised. You learn to "tap" (yield when in a submission position) before doing any sparring. Athlete safety is our priority.
Can I compete in the future?
Yes. If you're interested in competition, Alexandre has extensive experience preparing competitors. It's not mandatory — many practitioners never compete and progress greatly — but the option is available.
What's the difference between GI and No-Gi (Grappling) for a beginner?
For beginners, we recommend starting with GI. The kimono slightly slows the pace and allows for a more technical learning of fundamental grappling principles. After a few weeks of GI, No-Gi (submission grappling) becomes much more natural.
How long does it take to get a blue belt?
Progression in Jiu-Jitsu is individual. With consistent training (2-3 times a week), most practitioners reach blue belt within 1 to 2 years. More important than the belt is genuine development — and that happens from day one.
I'm visiting Lisbon. Can I train for just one class or one week?
Yes. There is a drop-in for €15 (one class, credited toward your first membership if you decide to join) and a week pass for €50 (7 days of unlimited access to every modality and open gym), with no monthly membership. See the passes on the pricing page or read our guide to training while visiting Lisbon.
Are classes taught in English?
Yes. Classes are taught in Portuguese and switch to English whenever there are non-Portuguese speakers in the class. Our coaches speak English and are used to training visitors and expats.