About Us
Formerly Impact Jiu Jitsu Albuquerque. A proud Impact Jiu Jitsu affiliate.
Good People.Good Jiu Jitsu.
At HIFI Jiu Jitsu, we believe in good people and good jiu jitsu, and that the strength of our community is built through the work we do together.
Rooted in Albuquerque and grounded in over two decades of experience on the mats, our mission is to preserve the integrity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while creating a welcoming, challenging, and supportive environment where people of all ages and abilities can grow.
High Fidelity means staying true to the source. We honor the traditions, people, and lessons that came before us while recognizing that growth requires humility, discipline, and a willingness to keep learning. We believe in showing up for one another, doing hard things together, and carrying those lessons beyond the mats.
Our home at 4821 Menaul, a building with roots in Albuquerque's history dating back to the 1930s, reflects that same philosophy: honoring what came before while building something meaningful for the future.
Formerly Impact Jiu Jitsu Albuquerque, Hi Fi represents the next chapter of a community we've been building since 2018. Our name has changed, but our purpose remains the same.
Good People. Good Jiu Jitsu.
Our Goal
To provide positive and challenging environments promoting health, fitness, well-being, and community.
Origins ofImpact Jiu Jitsu
Impact Jiu Jitsu's beginnings stem from Japan where, in 1991, founder Michael Chapman studied “Shooto,” or Shoot Fighting. When Michael returned to Oregon in 1993, he brought with him a passion for ground fighting. At the time, little was known locally about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, so Michael pulled together training partners and they learned what they could through books, videos, and seminars with Brazilian black belts such as Rickson Gracie and Rigan Machado.
In 1997, Michael joined the Machado family when black belt Chris Haueter presented him with a purple belt, his first colored belt. In 1998, Impact Jiu Jitsu opened in Beaverton (known as Beaverton Straight Blast Gym until 2006), and Chris Haueter awarded Michael his black belt in 2004. Dewey Nielsen and Matt Leech, both black belts, joined the Impact Jiu Jitsu family in 2003 when they opened Impact Jiu Jitsu in Newberg.
Today, Impact Jiu Jitsu is the proud home of 46 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts, led by Michael Chapman (4th degree), Armand Debruge (3rd degree), and Cameron Apple and Keisuke Andrew (2nd degree). Many of these athletes, along with a great number of Impact's students, hold local and world champion Jiu Jitsu titles. Hi Fi Jiu Jitsu remains a proud Impact Jiu Jitsu affiliate.
- 1Rigan MachadoMachado family black belt
- 2Chris HaueterOriginal “Dirty Dozen” member
- 3Michael ChapmanImpact Jiu Jitsu founder, 4th degree
- 4Benjamin HenningOwner + head coach, black belt 2020
Meet the OwnersBen & Kaethe Henning
Ben and Kaethe Henning are the owners of HIFI Jiu Jitsu, united by a shared belief in the power of community and the transformative impact of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, Ben is a University of New Mexico graduate and former environmental scientist at Sandia National Laboratories. He began his jiu jitsu journey over 20 years ago under Michael Chapman at Impact Jiu Jitsu.
Kaethe is a speech-language pathologist with Albuquerque Public Schools, passionate about accessibility, inclusion, and creating opportunities for children of all abilities. She is equally committed to making HIFI a safe, welcoming, and supportive space for practitioners of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Together, they believe deeply in Albuquerque and are dedicated to building more than a gym: a community rooted in connection and respect.
Meet OurCoaching Team
Find Us
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Got Questions?We've Got Answers
Everything you need to know before your first class.
Not at all. Most of our members started with zero experience. Our Jiu Jitsu 101 class is designed specifically for complete beginners. We'll teach you the fundamentals, vocabulary, and basic positions so you feel comfortable and confident before joining our regular classes.
You'll meet one of our coaches, get a tour of the facility, and talk about your goals. We'll recommend the right program and class for your experience level. There's no pressure and no commitment. It's all about making sure this is the right fit for you.
For your first visit, wear comfortable athletic clothing. Shorts or joggers and a t-shirt work great. We train in the gi (traditional uniform) for most classes, but you don't need one right away. Just bring water, a towel, and a willingness to learn. We'll let you know when it's time to get a gi.
Absolutely. Jiu jitsu is a full-body workout that builds strength, flexibility, endurance, and mental toughness, all while learning a practical skill. Many of our members say they got into the best shape of their lives without it ever feeling like traditional exercise.
Nope! Most of our members start just like you. We assess each new member's fitness level, and jiu jitsu can be universally scaled, so it might look different for every practitioner based on their level. As you level up, you can take on more challenging variations and levels of intensity.
If you're a beginner just starting out, 2 to 4 times per week is enough to see results and allow you to adjust. You'll be sore some days, so give yourself recovery days between training sessions at first. Over the following months, work up toward 5 days per week if you want to get the most out of it.
We offer several membership options depending on the program and schedule that's right for you. Click the "Pricing" button at the top of the page or give us a call at (505) 672-7559 to learn about our current rates and any specials we're running.
We're located at 4821 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110. Parking is available on-site. We're easy to find and serve members from across Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and Los Ranchos.
Yes. Hi Fi Jiu Jitsu was formerly Impact Jiu Jitsu Albuquerque. Same coaches, same community, and the same Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs for kids and adults, now under a new name. We remain a proud Impact Jiu Jitsu affiliate, and our training, curriculum, and lineage carry on unchanged.
Our youngest program, Minis, starts at age 3. We have age-specific classes for every stage: Minis (3–4), Little Rollers (5–8), Jr Grapplers (8–12), and Teens (12–17). Each class is tailored to the developmental needs and attention span of that age group, so your child gets instruction that's appropriate and engaging.