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Midwest Center for Movement
5 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hudson, Wisconsin
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
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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
- Website & schedule midwestaikido.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (651) 308-8673
The classes they run
“At Midwest Center for Movement you can work out on a stair climber or an elliptical machine while your children take class.”
“Kids learn important life skills including: discipline, respect, confidence, team work, and self defense all while having a fun time.”
“It’s a great place to train whether you’re brand new or have been doing Jiu-Jitsu for years.”
Other martial arts here
“Midwest Center for Movement is the best martial arts center for Aikido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and MMA training in the Hudson area.”
What members say
“The head instructor, Mike Ellefson, is very knowledgeable and a fantastic teacher and the other members are great people from many different backgrounds.”
“There is a positive family-like atmosphere where students and instructors alike train together to better themselves.”
“My son loves how welcomed we are and how the students also teach other students!”
“We were looking for something to help our kids stay active and burn off their crazy levels of energy, build healthy relationships, and gain confidence.”
From the reviews
Many places say that they are “Family Orientated”, but few actually deliver. At Midwest Center for Movement you can work out on a stair climber or an elliptical machine while your children take class. You can train side-by-side with your children at family Aikido class.
MCFM is absolutely amazing. I did a lot of research before picking a spot for my son. I am so happy that I picked MCFM. The owner took the time to meet me and talk over the options and benefits of starting my son in classes. He has been wonderful to deal with and works with families. I am so happy we picked here.
About a year ago our family started attending BJJ classes at Midwest Center for Movement. At that time we knew very little about martial arts and had four very different children between the ages of 5-13.
I have nothing but great things to say about Midwest Centers for Movement . My 8 year old son joined this past summer and we felt welcome from day one by the instructors, parents, and other kids. There is a wide variety of ages and backgrounds which is great because the kids work together and learn from each other.
New to BJJ? Start at Midwest Center for Movement
Midwest Center for Movement 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 Midwest Center for Movement
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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