Finney’s HIT Squad voted Best MMA Gym in St. Louis by The Riverfront Times

We would like to say thank you to The Riverfront Times for choosing Finney’s HIT Squad as Best MMA Gym in their Best of St. Louis 2011 feature. We are honored to earn such a title and plan to continue growing into one of the top gyms in the world!

One of the most significant ways Finney’s HIT Squad has grown over the past few months involves our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) program.

Finney’s HIT Squad has added several BJJ specialists to our already high-level roster of ground experts. We are proud to say that we now have six black belts on the team, with more on the way.

Pictured above, left to right: Finney’s HIT Squad BJJ black belts Luiz “Buscape” Firmino, Luas Lopes, Ismael Hadade,
Ricardo Oliveira, Ezra Lenon, Junior Barata (not pictured)

Oftentimes, a school is fortunate enough to have one BJJ black belt to head their grappling program. Having 6 on the team means that our members and fighters can expect exception ground training every time they walk onto the mat at Finney’s HIT Squad.

We are excited about what the rest of 2011 brings and are pumped to enter 2012, constantly pushing to be the very best we can be!

Welcome to Finney’s HIT Squad

Finney’s HIT Squad prides itself not only on building top-level MMA fighters, but providing a place for all walks of life, male and female, to enjoy the martial arts they love.

We see ourselves as a family here at Finney’s HIT Squad, and we welcome all ages and skill levels to try out 7 days free at our gym and make us your home for MMA, kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, judo, wrestling, and fitness.


Our foot fitness center includes 4,000 square foot of cardio. and weight lifting equipment. It’s the perfect place to get in amazing shape. When you want to move beyond the fitness center, we have dozens of classes to help you get in fantastic shape, learn self-defense, and have a blast while you’re at it!


Our instructors are professionals whose full-time job is to instruct. Not only that, our instructors also actively compete at the highest level in the sports they teach, so our members can be sure they’re getting quality instruction from professionals with a proven level of experience.


At Finney’s HIT Squad, our members don’t have to wonder if our instructors know what they’re talking about. They prove it regularly in competition.

Call us today at 618-452-8561 or contact us via our webform for more information about our facility and programs or to speak with a trainer personally.

Three and Six Month Training Camps Available at Finney’s HIT Squad

Three month and six month training camps are available at Finney’s HIT Squad to anyone aiming to improve their skills in the discipline of MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, wrestling, Judo, boxing, kickboxing, strength and conditioning, and more. We have athletes from all over the world travel to Granite City, Il. to live at our on-site housing and train daily at our state-of-the-art facility.

Finney’s HIT Squad is a 20,000 square foot facility featuring 3,000 square feet of Hammer Strength weight lifting and fitness equipment, a 1,000 square foot cardio. area with top-of-the-line equipment, 5,000 square feet of matted wrestling and grappling area surrounded by octagon fencing, a 24 x 24 feet competition cage, and a full-sized boxing ring.

Finney’s HIT Squad on-site living is 100 yards from our training facility, and our students walk to practice daily. Amenities included at our on-site housing are internet service, kitchen, and a furnished room. All necessities, such as gas, electricity, and trash service are included at no extra charge.


Students participating in our camps will recieve structured training, tailored to their individual needs, from our world-class coaches. Our coaches will formulate a strength and conditiong, dietary, and training regimine to meet the goals of each individual athlete.

Our coaching staff is composed of 5 Brazilan jiu-jitsu black belts, a world-renonwned strength and conditioning coach, an All-American wrestling coach, and nationally ranked kickboxers and boxers. We choose our coaches based on coaching ability, passion, and knowledge of their respective disciplines.


The athletes participating in our training camps train in the morning, afternoon, and night, guided all the while by our coaching staff. The on-site housing makes it easy to have access to our facility at any time, as students are only a few minutes walk away from the gym. Sports bar and convenience store are within walking distance of the housing, and individual transportation is not required.

3 Month Training Camp and On-Site Housing Rates: $1499 (Under $17 a day)

This includes all gym fees, rent, and amenities for 3 months. Amenities included with this charge are internet service, gas, electricity, trash service, and a furnished room.

6 month Training Camp and On-Site Housing: $2499 (Under $14 a day)

This includes all gym fees, rent, and amenities for 6 months. Amenities included with this charge are internet service, gas, electricity, trash service, and a furnished room.

To sign-up and learn more about our training camps, call us at 618-452-8561 or contact us here.

*Payment plans available upon request

Legendary MMA Trainer André Benkei Joins Finney’s HIT Squad Coaching Staff

St. Louis, MO. – May 18, 2011 – Representatives from Finney’s HIT Squad announced today that world renowned mixed martial arts conditioning coach, André Vinicius Aurnheimer Ferreira, has officially joined Finney’s coaching staff. Ferreira, known throughout the world as ‘Benkei’, is considered to be one of the top trainers in the sport. He has already begun the process of relocating to St. Louis and will join Finney’s team effective immediately. Benkei has trained many of the industries elite and will work with professional and amateur fighters at Finney’s HIT Squad and Finney’s MMA.

Jesse Finney had this to say, “We are very excited to have Benkei as part of the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program and knows how to put together a game plan better than anyone in the industry. He has what it takes to make our fight team one of the best, if not the best, fight team in the world.”

Andre Benkie, touted by Gong Magazine as “The Champions Maker”, was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and is the former strength & conditioning coach for American Top Team. He has coached some of the top mixed martial artists in the world including Thiago ‘Pitbull’ Alves, Denis Kang , Thiago Silva, Marcus Aurelio , Danillo ‘Indio’ Villefort , Hermes Franca, Mike Brown, Antonio ‘Pezao’ Silva, Jorge Santiago, Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal, Antonio ‘Big Foot’ Silva and many, many more. Benkei’s elite strength and conditioning programs are widely regarded in the U.S., Japan and throughout the world.

Andrei Benkei had this to say about joining the team, “I have received many invitations from fight teams across the country, yet so many of them don’t have the structure needed to ensure success. The fight program must have structure. Finney has the structure for the future of MMA. Everything a fighter needs is right there for them – a place to train, a place to live, the best instruction, management. Everything is taken care of. They can just focus on training.”

Benkei went on to say, “For my future I want to build a team full of energy that I love. The energy is what makes a team. I can do this at the HIT Squad and am happy to be here. It is a mix of different schools offering the best of everything to fighters. The heart of a wrestler, the speed of a striker, the technique of a submission specialist, all of this together makes a great team.”

Finney’s MMA and Finney’s HIT Squad collectively offer one of the most comprehensive, well-rounded, training programs in the industry. Both facilities offer on-site and off -site housing to members of the fight team, a highly sought after amenity that most MMA gyms do not offer. Fighters travel from as far as Ireland, England, and even Japan to participate in the program. On-campus housing is a mere 20 yards away from the gym. Pro fighters on the team pay as little as $199 per month to live on campus and train at the facilities (this includes utilities and internet access.)

Both professional and amateur athletes on Finney’s fight team have access to everything they need to advance their careers, from top-of-the-line equipment to unparalleled training and housing. Fighters associated with the gyms also receive top-level representation through Elite MMA Management. Finney is actively pursuing high level professional fighters right now. To find out more about the fighter program or to submit your fight resume for consideration, please email Jesse Finney directly at jesse@finneysmma.com.

About H.I.T Squad (Now Finney’s HIT Squad):

Finney’s HIT Squad, based out of Granite City, IL, is a world-class training center designed to enhance the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of its members. The State-of-the-art training facility features a boxing ring, 3,000 square feet of Hammer Strength weight lifting and fitness equipment, 5,000 square feet of matted wrestling/grappling area surrounded by octagon fencing, and a 1,000 square foot cardio area with top-of-the-line equipment. The HIT Squad facility also features men’s and women’s locker rooms and a member’s lounge. Classes are offered in boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, wrestling and sports conditioning. In addition to daily classes, members can participate in bi-monthly seminars and camps offered at the facility. For more information, visit www.thehitsquad.com or call 618-452-8561.

About Finney’s MMA:

Finney’s MMA, based out of St. Louis, Missouri, is the Midwest’s premier sports training center. The dynamic 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility features everything from free weights and top of the line cardiovascular equipment, to group fitness classes, personal training, and mixed martial arts instruction. Finney’s also boasts an in-house sports rehab facility complete with massage, ultrasound, and chiropractic services. Members also have access to separate men’s and women’s locker rooms, a fully stocked pro shop, and free daycare. Finney’s employs a world renowned team of instructors all experts in their individual disciplines. Classes are offered in boxing, kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, and mixed martial arts, and sports conditioning. Classes are set up to accommodate all ages and skill levels, from the individual fighter to every member of the family. For more information please visit www.Finneyskickboxing.com or call 314-821-1144.

Finney’s HIT Squad and Finney’s MMA Memberships Universal

We are thrilled to announce that memberships are now universal between our Finney’s HIT Squad location in Granite City, Il. and our Finney’s MMA location in Crestwood, Mo. at no additional charge.

Members now have access to both state-of-the-art, 20,000 square foot fitness and training facilities for the price of one. This is our way of saying thank you to our members for choosing us as your preferred gym.

Finney’s MMA is a 20,000 square foot health club and training facility featuring a full-sized cage and boxing ring, over 3000 square foot of mat space, a cross-fit room, a group-fitness room, and top-of-the-line weight-training and cardiovascular equipment. Finney’s MMA also features an in-house sports rehab facility complete with massage, ultrasound, and chiropractic services.


With over 60 hours of classes per week, Finney’s MMA offers everything from group fitness classes like Yoga, Zumba, and TRX to Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mixed martial arts, boxing, Muay Thai, and wrestling. Personal trainers and nutritionists are available as well. Members also have access to complimentary day-care and locker rooms with saunas and showers.

Finney’s MMA is the training facility of choice for the Crestwood, Mo. community and has produced many professional MMA fighters, boxers, and kickboxers. It’s coaching staff includes Strikeforce veteran and 6-1 professional MMA fighter Jesse Finney, top-ranked professional boxer and kickboxer Kevin Engel, All-American wrestler Ryan Sutton, and an astounding four Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt instructors, including the only female black belt in Missouri, Carina Damm.


Classes are avialable for all ages and family members, as well as amateur and professional fighters. Off-site living, 4 miles from the gym, is available for fighters training at the facility.

Once again, Finney’s HIT Squad would like to say thank you to our membes for your continued support, and we look forward to offering our members the convinence of even more fitness and MMA training facilities in St. Louis very soon!

For more information about Finney’s MMA, check out http://finneyskickboxing.com.