# Checkmat Stark > Stockholm, Sweden ## Overview **Name:** Checkmat Stark **Description:** Stark Jiu Jitsu is Sweden's reigning best BJJ club since 2021, offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission wrestling training in Stockholm's Vasastan district. The club operates two centrally located facilities near Odenplan station: one at Frejgatan 26 and another at Norrtullsgatan 20. Founded on the values of inclusivity and respect, Stark Idrottsförening welcomes practitioners of all experience levels, abilities, ages, genders, sexualities, ethnicities, and backgrounds. The club maintains a strict non-discrimination policy and focuses solely on sport and health, keeping political and religious discussions out of the training environment. Their vision is to create a welcoming space where everyone can train on their own terms to improve their skills and become stronger for life. The gym offers comprehensive programs for all ages, from 4-year-olds in the Mini group to adult programs ranging from beginner-friendly BJJ Basic classes to advanced training. Led by Sweden's best athletes, including instructors Max Lindblad, Douglas Bernal, Astrid Schölin, Anders Svalsten, and others, the training combines technical instruction, sparring, and conditioning. Special programs include an adapted BJJ class for children with NPF/IF diagnoses and a competition training group for athletes. The facility welcomes beginners with trial classes for 150 SEK, including gi rental, and offers flexible membership options through both autogiro subscriptions and prepaid passes. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** Frejgatan 26, Stockholm, Sweden Stockholm 113 49, Sweden **Email:** info@starkjiujitsu.com **Website:** https://www.starkjiujitsu.com/ **Social Media:** - Instagram: http://instagram.com/starkjiujitsu ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM - Tuesday: 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM - Wednesday: 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM - Thursday: 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM - Friday: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM ## Pricing ## Instructors ### Max Lindblad **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Max Lindblad was born on October 10, 1990 in Stockholm – Sweden where he grew up. From an early age Max was interested in sports as well as martial arts, starting with football – as many European kids and later adding aikido to his daily activities. It was only at the age of 19 that Lindblad discovered Brazilian jiu jitsu, through two classmates who already trained BJJ at a local gym. Lindblad became hooked on jiu jitsu from the get-go, describing it as “ What was missing ” in his life in an interview with BJJ Heroes (2017), mentioning also that “f ootball or any of the other sports I practised couldn’t compare to the feeling I got from practising BJJ “. He decided to move on from this local gym to a bigger and more competition focussed academy early on, where his tuition was taken by Kent Hammarström. This new academy, named Prana BJJ was affiliated with Alliance Jiu Jitsu up until 2015. As Alliance did not have much representation in Sweden, Prana’s leader (Hammarström) chose to sync with Checkmat BJJ that year, and benefit from the experience of Alan ‘Finfou’ do Nascimento – a Checkmat member and world class athlete/instructor who taught in the same city. Fully committed to becoming the best jiu jitsu practitioner he could possibly be, and believing his talent Max quit college at the age of 21 to train full time. His hard work paid off years later, on September 7, 2017 when Max Lindblad was gifted his black belt from the hands of his long standing coach Kent Hammarström. Cover photo from 2017 IBJJF German Nationals. ### Afif Khan **Role:** Instructor ### Anders Svalsten **Role:** Instructor ### Astrid Schölin **Role:** Instructor ### Diego Gonzalez **Role:** Instructor ### Douglas Bernal **Role:** Instructor ### Elias F. Ingholt **Role:** Instructor ### Elina Moestam Lindblad **Role:** Instructor ### Erik Svensson **Role:** Instructor ### Fredrik Ekström **Role:** Instructor ### Josefine Modig **Role:** Instructor ### Linnea Blomstrand **Role:** Instructor ### Mattias Wretman **Role:** Instructor ### Olle Rang **Role:** Instructor ### Samuel Kvarzell **Role:** Instructor ### Simon Immerstrand **Role:** Instructor ## Programs ### BJJ Mini **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** For children born 2021-2019 (ages 3-5). 45-minute sessions with motor skills exercises and wrestling games. Two groups training once per week. **Classes:** ### BJJ Kids **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** For children born 2019-2015 (ages 6-9). 50-minute sessions with motor skills exercises, BJJ techniques, sparring and games. Training twice per week available. **Classes:** ### BJJ Youth **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** For youth born 2014-2010 (ages 10-14). 60-minute sport-specific sessions with motor skills, BJJ techniques and sparring. Training three times per week available. From age 15, can also try adult classes. **Classes:** ### Adapted BJJ **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Specially designed for children with NPF/IF diagnoses or other conditions that benefit from smaller training groups. 45-minute adapted sessions. **Classes:** ### Competition Training **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Age Group:** all_ages **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Extra training for competitors to develop competition strategies. Registration required. Classes canceled when conflicting with Stockholm competitions. **Classes:** ### BJJ Basic **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Beginner-friendly classes focusing on fundamental techniques with less sparring. **Classes:** ### BJJ Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Introduction to BJJ for beginners, covering core techniques and principles. **Classes:** ### BJJ Intermediate **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** For practitioners with solid fundamentals ready to advance their skills. **Classes:** ### BJJ Advanced **Skill Level:** Advanced **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** High-level training for experienced practitioners. **Classes:** ### BJJ All Levels **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Mixed level classes welcoming all skill levels. **Classes:** ### No-Gi All Levels **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Grappling without the gi, suitable for all skill levels. **Classes:** ### Open Mat **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Self-directed training time for both BJJ and no-gi practice. **Classes:** --- **Last Updated:** March 01, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/sweden/stockholm/checkmat-stark)