Pioneer Grappling Academy

I’ve trained here on and off for about 6 years and it’s the best and only gym where you will get legit Brazilian jiu jitsu training in the valley. once you start you will never want to stop because of how fun the sport is and the people you meet and the community it creates in your life. I love BJJ and I love this gym!

My first exposure to muay thai was at pioneer grappling academy with coach Shameus a couple years ago when I lived in the valley. Coach Shameus along with coach Isaac and many others there made me love the sport and develop self confidence ive been lacking majority of my life. The environment has always been so fun from the beginning of class working on basics to to setting the tone with sparring to be playful, enjoyable and light. Coach always welcomes me whenever im in town and as im leaving my recent visit, the children's bang muay thai class was about to begin with promotions. I was not aware that there was now a kids class yet there were so many children filing in to attend. It was wonderful to see what the coaches have done thus far since I first visited. I highly recommend checking out a class.

My children started training last year at Pioneer Grappling with Team Caique Jiu-Jitsu Alaska, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. As beginners learning for the first time, they have quickly gained discipline and confidence through the expert guidance of Coach Harlee and staff. The instructors are incredibly polite, professional, and exceptional at teaching kids of all ages, creating a welcoming and encouraging environment. The staff, kids, and parents all support one another, fostering a true family-like atmosphere that makes every session enjoyable and motivating. My wife and I highly recommend Pioneer Grappling and Team Caique Jiu-Jitsu Alaska for anyone looking to introduce their children to martial arts in a positive and nurturing setting.

My two children ages 6 and 8 have been doing BJJ at Pioneer Grappling for 6 months now. Coach Harlee and the entire team of coaches are attentive, helpful and patient in teaching BJJ to young kids. Their coaching technique has allowing my kids to quickly pick up many skills in a short amount of time. I highly recommend their program to anyone interested in BJJ for themselves or for their children!

Our son has been training at Pioneer Grappling Academy for years, and the growth we’ve seen in him has been incredible—not just in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but in life. He has become more confident, focused, and resilient. He doesn’t give up easily, pushes through challenges, and has truly learned the value of perseverance. The instructors are outstanding. Coach Harlee Sturgeon, who leads the kids’ program, does an amazing job. She is very technical, explains techniques clearly in a way kids can understand, and pays attention to each student individually during class. She is also warm, approachable, and genuinely cares about the kids’ progress. Along with the rest of the coaches, she creates an environment where students feel supported and encouraged. This school is more than just a place to train—it feels like family. The instructors treat students with fairness and integrity, and the environment is supportive, positive, and motivating. Our son has also made great friends here, and he has a lot of fun every time he comes to class, which makes the experience even more rewarding for him. Another thing we really appreciate is how homeschool-friendly Pioneer Grappling Academy is. They welcome homeschool families warmly, and there’s a large number of homeschool kids in class, which makes it easy for our son to connect and build lasting friendships. We are very happy with our experience at Pioneer Grappling Academy and highly recommend it to any parent looking for a martial arts school that not only builds skill, but also character, friendships, and community.