Get to grips with fitness through Brazilian jiu jitsu

Rather, it's one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, and some of the best exponents in the country are based right on Canary Wharf's doorstep.

Diesel Gym, in Limehouse, is one of the premier venues for the sport and manager Noel Walsh explained how Brazilian jiu jitsu differs from the Japanese original.

He said: "Jiu jitsu started as unarmed combat for Samurai and it spawned karate and many of the other martial arts we know, like Judo.

"There's a large Japanese population in Brazil and in the early 20th century one of the top fighters from Japan went there to popularise judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu developed from that.

"The main thing about it is there's no hitting involved, unlike judo. It's entirely based on technique, which means a smaller person can take on a bigger one and win. It's all about holds, locks and submissions, which makes it ideal for anyone who wants to take up a martial art but might be worried about getting hurt."

Diesel operate a gym at the Tiller Leisure Centre on the Isle of Dogs, where both instructors - Monstro and Eduardo - are black belts, as well as being native Brazilians.

"If anyone from Canary Wharf wants to try it, then this is the place to go," said Noel.

"These guys are the real deal. You don't get a black belt just by being around for a long time, unlike some other martial arts. In Brazilian jiu jitsu its a genuine recognition of ability."

Diesel also offers other fight options, including mixed martial arts and thai boxing. The gym is named after legendary Thai boxer Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn, and Noel - a Thai boxer himself - said the sport is ideal for Wharfers bored with their current gym regimes.

He said: "Running on a treadmill every day can get really boring. Thai boxing is a great way to improve fitness and have some fun as well. It's becoming very popular now and a lot of our gym members now fight in tournaments.

"We also have regular training camps in Bangkok, just to ensure we keep what we do as authentic as possible."

To find out more visit londonmuaythai.co.uk.