About
We are proud to offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts training, and practical grappling (wrestling) to the Alton riverbend area. We have separate classes for kids and adults. Our kids programs are focused on learning self-defense, mobility, flexibility, balance, and other pertinent skills. Our adult programs are a great workout and will teach you self-defense and practical grappling/striking, while helping you de-stress from your day. Our instructors have decades of combined experience in various martial arts. We are also affiliated with larger schools in nearby St. Louis, MO. This local affiliation is Watson Martial Arts in St. Louis. We are also part of a national affiliation known as TacTeam BJJ. For more information, please visit our website at Strategicbjj.com or @StrategicBJJ on Facebook. We look forward to meeting you!
All of our instructors enjoy seeing others improve. Each person has their own goals for training in a martial art and we want to see you achieve those goals.
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Isaac B.
Joy E.
Deanne S.
Tonya b.
Jay S.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When a new student comes in, we offer them a free trial class. During the class, we we go through a normal warm-up. Then we proceed to discuss the technique of the day and practice it. For kids, the end of class will include a game that touches on the concepts learned in class. For adults, the end of each class will contain positional sparring or other methods to reinforce the concepts learned earlier.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have over a decade of grappling experience that comes from both Folkstyle Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our other instuctors have backgrounds in MMA, BJJ, TKD, and still other arts. In addition to martial arts training, our instructors have coached kids sports put on training seminars for groups. Combined, we have many years of experience training others in a varieity of subjects and understand that everyone learns in a different way.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Individual memberships are $80/month for one program or $120/month for all of our martial arts programs. We have special rates for couples and families from the same household.
How did you get started teaching?
I was asked to teach at a martial arts school in Alton, IL. After teaching there for over a year, an opportunity arose to start my own academy. With the support of my instructor I moved forward to bring excellent martial arts instruction to the greater Alton area.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with kids as young as four and adults as old as 60. I also have a great deal of familiarity in working with students who have a variety of disabilities.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
We are a part of a larger affiliation of martial arts schools in the STL area. We often have team trainings where all affiliate schools will join together for training and promotions. These are some of my favorite events to take my students to, as they show the family that has grown out of men and women who train together, selflessly helping one another achieve their goals.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Always try classes at a martial arts academy before signing up. You want to make sure that the classes are structured well and that the culture of the team is comfortable for you or your kids. It is beneficial to check the credentials of the instructor and find out who they learned from.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
What are your personal goals physically, mentally, personally, and professionally? Is there anything you are dissatisfied with in these areas? Martial arts training can provide great benefits in many aspects of a person's life and can help them achieve their current goals and help them gain perspective on how to better attain them.