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Midtown Grappling Academy
5 ★★★★★ 116 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Memphis, Tennessee
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mgamemphis.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (901) 606-3308
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:30–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:30–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 5:30–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Friday | 5:30–7 AM, 12–1:30 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–12 AM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–12 PM |
The classes they run
“This place gave us a strong foundation, great experiences, and memories we will always look back on with pride.”
“MGA offers adult classes at the same time as the kids’ classes, so parents can get an incredible workout in right alongside their children.”
“I came in for a no gi class as an out of town student and was welcomed in like I regularly train here.”
“I came in for a no gi class as an out of town student and was welcomed in like I regularly train here.”
“I have trained with him seen him grow as an instructor and competitor and win world championships.”
“Whether you're a beginner or experienced, you'll learn a lot and get better fast.”
Other martial arts here
“As of now, boxing is included with the bjj membership at no extra cost.”
What members say
“Found this gym had excellent coaching and a supportive environment to train with other motivated people.”
“Very welcoming to white belts and challenging for upper belts which creates perfect opportunities to learn and grow.”
“Alex is a great communicator when it comes to explaining technique and the cultural vibe was safe, competitive and supportive all at the same time.”
“Alex is a great communicator when it comes to explaining technique and the cultural vibe was safe, competitive and supportive all at the same time.”
“MGA also runs a fantastic kids program.”
“The facility is huge, clean, and top-notch, but it’s the culture that really stands out.”
From the reviews
Finding MGA has truly been such a gift to our family. The training is intense and challenging, but what makes it even more special is the irreplaceable community that comes with it. And just when you think it couldn’t get any better… it does.
Midtown Grappling Academy has been an incredible place for me and my family. I don’t know if there are enough words to express how awesome our experience has been there. Coach Alex and all the other coaches were outstanding.
I was traveling through Tennessee and dropped into Midtown Grappling to get a roll in. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed. The atmosphere was friendly, professional, and focused. The coaching was excellent — technical, detail-oriented, and immediately helpful.
I dropped in and trained twice now. Once, a little smaller class and the full treatment on my second visit. Joe was super welcoming and gave an awesome class both times. I'm at four stripe blue currently. There was plenty of skill in the room and instruction to give me plenty to take back to my home gym.
New to BJJ? Start at Midtown Grappling Academy
Midtown Grappling Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Midtown Grappling Academy
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site