Graciefighter Caribou

08/26/2026

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08/25/2026

NEW CLASS FOR KIDS

Not sure if your child is ready to jump into a regular Jiu Jitsu class?

This September we will be offering a 4 week Kids Beginner Jiu Jitsu course, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm.
First day is September 15th 2026.
The price is $125.

This course will give kids ages 6-12 a chance to learn basics with other kids who are brand new. More experienced kids may be there to help out but the class will be geared toward building up new kids.

We'll work on learning the basic movements, introduce them to working with a partner, teach them positions and skills they need while gradually building up their confidence and comfort on the mats.

This is especially great for kids who are shy, nervous, brand new to sports in general, or a little intimidated by jumping into a class and being the only beginner.

Often times, a 1 class trial is not enough for kids to feel comfortable enough to participate in a regular class. This class will work at your child's pace and give the kids who may need Jiu Jitsu the most a chance and time to work through their nerves, anxiety and hesitations.

We regularly see so many kids who were too scared to even step on the mats the first few days, start to enjoy training as they gain confidence and eventually turn into absolute monsters when given some time and more than just one class to grow.
This class is a no pressure way to work them up to live training as they become comfortable.

At the end of 4 weeks, kids who want to continue will be prepared to transition into our regular kids Jiu Jitsu classes. There is no obligation to continue after the 4 weeks.

For more info on our kids classes and to sign up, check out the kids section on our website

Find out more information about our kids Jiu Jitsu program.

08/25/2026

As summer ends and we get busier for fall and winter, we’re adding back some classes to the schedule.

For the month of September, we’re bringing back our fitness and conditioning classes, this time with some morning options in addition to the evening classes. We’ll keep these classes going throughout fall and winter, though we may end up changing some of the class times based on what works best for everyone.

These classes are beginner friendly, and you don’t have to have any experience or be in shape to get started. You also don’t have to be a Jiu Jitsu member, anyone can come.

The morning classes will mostly be bodyweight based cardio and are a great option to get a quick sweat session before work.

The evening classes will be a mix of strength endurance and conditioning and most sessions will include weights. We mostly use kettlebells or dumbbells, though we mix in other unconventional tools as well, and most days are a full body workout. No prior gym experience needed.

The Monday 4pm class will run at the same time as kids class, so an option for parents who wait at the gym while the kids train Jiu Jitsu.

Most classes are about 30-45 minutes

To get started, just show up to any of the classes on the schedule. If you have any questions before you come in, feel free to message us.
Classes are free to jiu jitsu members, $15 to drop in for everyone else, with the option to purchase a 10 class punch card for $120. You can pay in person or online on our website:

Beginner fitness and kettlebell conditioning classes in Caribou.

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

Unfortunately, injuries are part of training. Anyone who has spent a considerable amount of time training has probably dealt with injuries, most of them minor. But whenever someone gets hurt training Jiu Jitsu or another combat sport, the naysayers immediately come out with the “I told you so” and “see, that’s why I don’t train” comments.

Honestly, the naysayers are something that I’ve laughed at me my whole life. I’ve never understood the mindset of people who seem eager to point out the risks or criticize something simply because someone got hurt doing it. People get injured lifting weights, running, hiking, playing basketball or football, riding ATVs and snowmobiles, working around the house, and doing countless other everyday activities. Yet whenever someone gets injured training martial arts, suddenly it becomes evidence that the activity itself is too dangerous.

Injuries suck. They’re one of the mentally hardest parts of training, especially when an injury keeps you away from something you love. And yes, combat sports carry a real risk of injury. That’s something every person who trains has to accept and manage.

You can train intelligently, choose good training partners, tap early, control your intensity, use proper technique, and take time to recover, and still occasionally get hurt. (However, Doing all Of those things will greatly mitigate your risk of injury). You can also train with a very low risk of injury if you choose to train a certain way. You may not be as competitive, and you may have to sacrifice some intensity, but you can significantly mitigate your risk of getting hurt.

Personally, I like to roll hard often, and I like pushing myself. I also understand that comes with a greater risk of injury, and I accept that trade-off. For me, training hard is fun and worth the risk.

You get to choose how much risk you’re willing to accept. Train very conservatively and minimize the risk, or push harder and accept that injuries may be part of the price. Neither approach is wrong, it’s about understanding the trade-off and making that choice for yourself.

That’s simply part of participating in physical activities. Personally, I’d rather accept a reasonable amount of risk doing things I enjoy than avoid everything I’m passionate about because I might get hurt. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging the risks of martial arts. But if you claim you don’t train because you’re afraid of getting injured, while regularly participating in other activities where people are injured all the time, your argument doesn’t really hold much weight. And if you genuinely avoid anything that carries a risk of injury, I honestly feel sorry for you. That sounds like a pretty boring way to live. Life is full of risks, and constantly living in fear of getting hurt means missing out on a lot of the things that make life enjoyable and meaningful.

We personally choose to accept that injuries are sometimes part of doing the things we love rather than spend our lives sitting on the sidelines, afraid of what might happen. Injuries are one of the curveballs life and martial arts throws at you.

You get hurt, you adapt, you recover, you find a way forward, and you keep showing up. Sometimes you have to change how you train, take a step back, or completely rethink your approach, but you stay the course.

That’s the life of a martial artist. It’s not about never getting knocked down or never getting hurt. It’s about learning how to deal with adversity, beating the setbacks, adapting when things don’t go according to plan, and having the discipline to keep moving forward. The injuries and obstacles are part of the journey, and overcoming them is part of what makes the journey worthwhile.

08/22/2026

After years of talking with young men at the gym, I’ve realized that a lot of basic life skills simply aren’t being taught anymore.

So, starting next month, once a month after training, we’re going to spend a little time teaching a different basic life skill every young man should know, taught by different men from the team.

For example,Things like:

How to change a tire

How to safely jump-start a vehicle

How to check your oil and handle basic vehicle maintenance

Firearm and knife safety (no live ammunition)

How to conduct yourself during a traffic stop

How to apply for a job, and how to interview.

How to show up on time, dress appropriately, communicate, and take pride in your work

Basic etiquette, introductions, handshakes,being a good guest, ect.

Social norms like returning a vehicle with a full tank if someone lets you borrow it

How to handle conflict, take responsibility when you’re wrong, communicate, take criticism, but also how to stand up for yourself and not be a push over.

How to always stand up for what’s right, even when’s it’s inconvenient or hard

And, of course, how to gaslight your wife or girlfriend during an argument when you're obviously wrong. 😂

But underneath all of those practical skills is something even more important: character.
I want these young men to understand the importance of honor, integrity, keeping your word, taking responsibility for your actions, and having a moral code that doesn't change depending on who is watching.

Your word should mean something. If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you make a mistake, own it. If you give someone your word, keep it. Treat people with respect when they deserve it, especially when you have nothing to gain from doing so. Stand up for what is right, even when it's inconvenient.

Being a man isn't simply about being strong, knowing how to fight, or knowing how to fix something. It's about having the character and discipline to use your strength responsibly.

These classes will be open to the community, so if you have a son, grandson, nephew, or young man in your life who could benefit, feel free to bring him.

The goal is simple: build strong, capable young men who know how to take care of themselves, look out for others, work hard, conduct themselves with respect, and live by principles greater than themselves.

08/19/2026

“Leglocks don’t work in MMA” - people that suck at leg locks.

Leg-locks work fine in MMA, if you’re good at them and know when/how to use them. I don’t even know how that’s still an argument given how many fighters consistently use leglocks successfully in MMA (many times their opponent leaves on a stretcher).

For years, we’ve heard people say that modern leg locks don’t work in MMA.

Valter Walker is proving otherwise.

He just earned his fifth consecutive first round leg lock submission in the UFC, this time transitioning from a heel hook to a calf slicer against a heavyweight opponent. (MMA Fighting)

What I think many people are missing is that this isn’t about whether heel hooks or calf slicers work.

It’s about adaptation.

The techniques don’t magically stop working because punches are involved. The challenge is learning when and how to apply them under MMA rules.

That’s what separates successful fighters from successful grapplers.

Valter wasn’t one of the biggest names in competitive grappling before joining the UFC, but he’s adapted modern nogi jiu-jitsu to MMA in a way that’s making it incredibly effective.

And he’s doing it in the heavyweight division.

He’s finishing fights quickly, avoiding unnecessary damage, and building a reputation as one of the most dangerous submission artists in the UFC today.

To me, this reinforces something I’ve said many times.

The rules don’t determine whether a technique works.

The athlete’s ability to adapt it does.

What do you think? Is Valter Walker changing the way people look at leg locks in MMA?

08/16/2026

Training with the Enemy makes you Worse than the Enemy