Mixed Grappling Arts – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Mixed Grappling Arts (MGA) is located in the heart of Elk Grove. MGA is down the street from old town Elk Grove, Elk Grove High and Joseph Kerr Middle School. There is plenty of parking in front of the academy with two huge overflow parking areas at each side of the building.
The interior of MGA is relatively new and well kept. There is a unisex bathroom and two changing rooms. A water cooler is available if you don’t bring your own drinks or you can walk to the convenience store located in the same shopping center. The mat area consist of a single continuous vinyl tarp as opposed to multiple squares ensuring all dirt and hair gets picked up when cleaned. With multi part mats, dirt, hair and sweat can get pushed into the cracks to fester. Walls near the mat area are padded to provide added protection when rolling.
Submission grappling (nogi) and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is taught on alternate days with BJJ on Mondays and Wednesdays and NoGi is on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The week’s curriculum is posted at the beginning of every week, so you can get an idea of the week’s theme and the topics for each day. A class specifically tailored for wrestling and BJJ takedowns is available after the adult class.
For the kids, a fundamentals and advanced class exist. My 8 year old son is currently enrolled in the fundamentals class, and loves it, while I attend the adult classes in the evening.
Head instructor Mike Uhlinger is an excellent instructor with an attention to detail. Not only will he demonstrate a technique, but he gives detailed explanations on why a technique works or doesn’t. Lessons of the day cover positions or techniques that relate to each other. Mike’s teaching style emphasizes drilling a system of positions /​techniques and the transitions between these positions. It has really helped me understand the body mechanics needed to become smooth and flow better.
It’s obvious a lot of forethought is put into the curriculum and class structure. The class structure is planned to the minute. Warmups, instructions, repping with and without resistance are on a strict schedule. We are constantly moving and being pushed through the entire class.
The school has a very encouraging environment. Students (adult class) come from a variety of different backgrounds: from High School and College students to working professionals. Everyone is enthusiastic about learning and working hard in a safe environment. Everyone is always willing to help and provide positive feedback.
If you’re in the Elk Grove area and you’re interested in trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or submission wrestling, I highly recommend giving MGA a try. The instruction is top notch and the vibe is like family.

I joined Mike’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) & Submission Grappling (No GI) classes over my holiday vacation. I wish I could attend classes at this gym all the time. To bad I live in LA.
You would be hard pressed to find a better BJJ gym. Great instruction, friendly students (event to guests) and super clean!
Hope to see you guys again soon.