Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has a rich history that traces its roots back to the traditional Japanese martial arts of Jujutsu and Judo. In the early 20th century, Mitsuyo Maeda, a master of Judo, immigrated to Brazil and began teaching his techniques.
The Gracie family, particularly Helio Gracie, revolutionized the art by focusing on leverage, timing, and submission holds, allowing smaller and weaker individuals to defend themselves against larger opponents. This philosophy proved to be incredibly effective in real-world self-defense situations and in competitive matches, leading to the rapid growth and popularity of BJJ.
BJJ’s effectiveness was showcased globally in the early 1990s when Royce Gracie, a member of the Gracie family, competed in and won several Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournaments.
His success in these no-holds-barred matches demonstrated the superiority of BJJ techniques and solidified the art’s reputation as a leading martial art for self-defense and mixed martial arts (MMA) competition.
Today, BJJ is practiced worldwide, with countless schools and practitioners dedicated to mastering its techniques. It is recognized not only for its effectiveness in combat sports but also for its benefits in physical fitness, mental discipline, and personal development. The art continues to evolve, with practitioners constantly innovating and refining techniques to stay at the forefront of martial arts training.
Learn practical techniques to defend yourself using leverage and technique.
Improve cardiovascular health, flexibility, strength, and endurance with full-body workouts.
Develop focus, discipline, and the ability to handle stress through rigorous training.
Burn calories and build lean muscle, leading to a fitter, healthier body.
BJJ is “human chess,” requiring strategic thinking and quick adaptation.
BJJ is “human chess,” requiring strategic thinking and quick adaptation.
BJJ provides an excellent outlet for stress, allowing you to release tension and clear your mind through physical activity.
BJJ training enhances your coordination and balance, which can benefit daily activities and other sports.
The various movements and techniques in BJJ naturally improve flexibility, which can reduce the risk of injury.
My 6-year-old son has been training BJJ and boxing at Hicks MMA for a year now. We have seen an astronomical increase in his self-confidence that began within a month of training. He is much more respectful of others, and his overall attitude has drastically improved. Coach Gavin and Coach Hicks are simply amazing with the kids! Their instruction is much more than just martial arts; they make our kids better human beings, and we have been treated like family since day one. If you’re looking for a gym for yourself or your child to train in martial arts, look no further than Hicks MMA. The culture, cleanliness, inclusiveness, and knowledge of the sport is absolutely top-tier.
I have been training in boxing at Hicks for 11 months and just love this school! Coach and his staff work to help you advance in your skills and truly care about each student. The training also challenges you to improve your cardio and strength training. I definitely recommend starting your training here if you are wanting some boxing skills or just an amazing workout.
We couldn’t have chosen a BETTER place for our 6-year-old. Everyone in there welcomes you in as a family! You are greeted every day by everyone; the environment is absolutely amazing! Our son looks forward to going to class every day without missing and wants to be there extra early! Within a month, we saw a change in our son, more disciplined, focused, and very respectful. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I have been attending this gym for a little over a month now and cannot be more happy with the progress I’ve made. As an adult with zero MMA experience and a not very active lifestyle prior, I was intimidated to begin a new skill and put myself out there. However, the staff and all coaches are very welcoming, helpful and always try to be fair. I’ve enjoyed both the boxing and jiu-jitsu classes I’ve taken here and am honestly surprised with how accommodating everyone is, even your own classmates! The environment is open, and I have not felt out of place since I started. I highly recommend this gym to anyone who wants to build a new skill or even learn self-defense. You will probably surprise yourself. I know I did!
We love Hicks, our son just turned 5 and has been taking classes for a year now. Coach Gavin has an incredible amount of patience and has given our son great leadership advice that has transpired in his everyday life. Being around like-minded parents that want nothing more than to see their children succeed is a definite plus. Coach Hicks has provided a great space for any child to thrive and build not only technical skills but a strong foundation. Couldn’t recommend Hicks MMA more, truly!
Empowering minds and bodies through martial arts. Join us for skill, confidence, and community at Hicks MMA.
1500 W Hebron Pkwy Ste 104, Carrollton, TX 75010, United States
