about us
sixteen years, one community
How a shared love of martial arts turned into Plymouth's home of coaching and community.
Our Story
Darren has been teaching martial arts since the age of 14, but his coaching career has always gone far beyond the mats. At 16, he began a fitness apprenticeship, starting a career in the fitness industry that now spans more than three decades. Over the years, he has coached countless personal training clients alongside running martial arts schools across Plymouth.
Both Darren and Carly hold multiple black belts across various martial arts styles and have extensive experience in self-defence and personal safety. Carly has also been coaching for more than 16 years and, as a qualified personal trainer, brings together a background in martial arts, strength training and a passion for natural bodybuilding.
A chance meeting at the Devonshire Health & Racquets Club brought Darren and Carly together, and before long they were teaching, coaching and building something together.
Hybrid Martial Arts was launched in 2006.
A trip to Las Vegas and the gyms they experienced there gave them a much bigger vision of what Hybrid could become: a place where martial arts, strength, fitness and personal coaching could all exist under one roof.
Back home, they were running sessions in health clubs and school halls, sometimes with 50 people training in a room, and it soon became clear they had outgrown them.
In 2010, they opened the doors to Hybrid’s own premises — the first gym of its kind in Plymouth.
Sixteen years on, Hybrid has grown into a 9,000 sq ft facility spanning three floors. Today, the gym brings together a nationally recognised fight team, a striking dojo equipped with bags, a boxing ring & an MMA cage, a grappling dojo, a dedicated fitness studio, a bespoke Small Group Personal Training room and a full commercial fitness suite.
That mix is exactly what Hybrid was built to be: somewhere people can learn martial arts, get stronger, improve their fitness, train with purpose and be coached properly, whatever their starting point.
Despite how much Hybrid has grown, it is still very much a family-run gym. Many of the coaches who have joined us along the way have become part of that family too, helping to shape the community Hybrid is today.
Darren and Carly remain at the heart of it, and now their son, Xander, is following in their footsteps — developing as both a martial artist and a coach through his apprenticeship at Hybrid.
What We Stand For
No egos. You'll never be made to feel behind, watched or judged. Experienced members look after beginners here. That's the culture, and we protect it.
You're not a number. We notice when people stop coming. Your coach knows your name, your goals and what you're working on.
Proper facilities. Three floors, a striking dojo, a grappling dojo, an MMA cage, a boxing ring, a fully equipped gym, an Olympic lifting area, a dedicated Small Group PT room, and free on-site parking.
Coaching that sets Hybrid apart. Hybrid is home to some of the best coaches in the South West, bringing together a wealth of knowledge, experience and specialist expertise across martial arts and fitness.
Whatever your level or discipline, you’ll be learning from coaches who genuinely care about helping you improve.
The People
Head BJJ Coach
Andy Harris
BJJ black belt, two-time British Open champion and 18-time gold medallist, with a degree in Sports Science. Andy combines high-level technical knowledge with a welcoming coaching style that works for complete beginners through to experienced competitors.
Head MMA Coach
Jordan Walters
Active professional MMA fighter with a 2–0 record and a BJJ purple belt. Jordan brings current fight experience, technical knowledge and a practical coaching style to every session.
Head Boxing Coach
Daniel Watkins
Experienced boxing coach and fighter with a BSc (Hons) in Strength and Conditioning. Daniel combines technical boxing knowledge with a strong understanding of athletic development and performance. He also brings extensive experience across other martial arts disciplines, allowing him to support MMA athletes and other fighters looking to sharpen their striking.
Head Muay Thai Coach
Dave Wilkins
Training in Muay Thai since 1991, with national titles, international representation for England and decades of coaching experience. Dave has developed fighters through to European ISKA championship level. Dave is well respected nationwide on the Muay Thai scene.
You don’t need to be ready, you just need to start
Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll help you take the first step. No pressure, no expectations.
Hybrid Combat Gym, 22 Clare Place, Coxside, Plymouth, UK
01752 265785