Featured affiliated academy: Atlantic Jiu-Jitsu, Iceland
Where is the gym located?
Akureyri, North Iceland. A small town with a population of 18,000 people.
How many people train there?
About 50 people, both adults and teenagers. We have adult classes and special kids classes for 10-15 years old.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Growing steadily, about 5 people each month.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
White belt to black belt.
When did the Atlantic Jiu-Jitsu, Iceland open?
Prime COVID time! 20th May 2020.
Some facts about you:
Name: Thomas Palsson
Age: 35
Belt: Black belt
Profession: Certified personal trainer – level 4 from European Personal Training Institute (EPTI), working as a full-time personal trainer and BJJ instructor
Years in BJJ: 7 years
Other martial arts: No
Currently living in: Akureyri, Iceland
Originally from: Born in Akureyri but raised in Switzerland from 3 -16 years old
Atlantic Jiu-Jitsu, Iceland
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
Well, my original gym closed, and because of that there was no BJJ academy in Akureyri. I decided to take the step and open my own gym so all of us could keep training. Me and my girlfriend, who also trains BJJ, rented a space inside a fitness gym, ordered some Fuji mats and it was game on! Atlantic Jiu Jitsu became a reality and since then I have been in a full-time job as a personal trainer and BJJ instructor.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
There is an amazing group of people that train in our gym – all kinds of people, gender and age, with BJJ experience and beginners. It’s a great atmosphere in the gym thanks to all of them! It’s a big BJJ family vibe and we welcome everybody! Feel free to visit us any time.
Why do they train in Atlantic Jiu-Jitsu, Iceland?
I think most of us train BJJ because there are so many positive benefits in the sport. It has physical, mental, and social effects for every human being! Gives you strength, confidence, and really good friends!
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
I think generally there are always some challenges to run a business. You have a special product and you need to sell it to people. For a BJJ gym, and in my case the main challenge, is probably to introduce BJJ to as many people as you can and have them show up in your gym. As soon as they have courage to try out BJJ, many of them stay and start to train regularly.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
I think the future is bright regarding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu here in Akureyri. Our academy is still “new” and it’s the only BJJ academy in the area. The majority of the people in our town are still getting to know us, so we have a lot of potential to grow a large BJJ community in Akureyri.
What’s the best thing about Atlantic Jiu-Jitsu, Iceland?
The people!!! Without them we wouldn’t be able to train.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
There are so many beautiful places to see when you visit the north of Iceland. I would definitely recommend to book a spa day in a beer spa (Bjórböðin) 15 minutes from Akureyri. There you can bathe yourself in a hot-tub full of warm beer while drinking a cold one! I also would recommend to see Lake Mývatn and go to their nature baths – it’s amazing. If you travel here in the winter time, it’s also fun to book a snowmobile tour in the mountains and go skiing.
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