I've been training at Atlas Jiu Jitsu for about three years now, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made. This academy offers way more than just Jiu Jitsu, it's a place where you can grow physically, mentally, and personally. Whether you're a hobbyist just looking to learn and stay in shape or a serious competitor, there's something here for you. The instructors are elite, knowledgeable, and truly invested in your development, and the team atmosphere is welcoming and supportive from day one. It's also a great place to meet good people, build real friendships, and develop confidence on and off the mats. Couldn't recommend it more. read more

Professor Ed Anthony and the other black belts have cultivated an incredible culture at Atlas. I've trained elsewhere and this is by far the friendliest, most inclusive, and low ego gym I've been to. Whether you're a competitor or a brand new hobbyist who just wants to make friends and learn some self defense, this is a great place to be. read more

I'm from out of town and dropped in for a Friday BJJ Gi class. Edward was very welcoming and kind to me. The class was a review of techniques from the week, so it was great for me to see a bunch of moves in one class. Learned a lot. The students were all very respectful, friendly, and helpful. Edward circulated throughout the gym checking on everyone practicing the moves he demonstrated and offered tips as needed. The rolls were fun as well. As for the facility itself, it is immaculate! Beautiful! Smells normal! Haha, I've been to other places that smell like hot @$$ & feet. This is NOT that at all! Atlas sanitizes the mats afterwards as well so that's great to know. Love that there's a clean and cozy locker room & bathrooms, even some flip flops available to borrow to step into the bathroom if you don't want your bare feet in there. The gym floorspace itself is bigger than anything I've trained in. I love how spacious it is. 10/10 would come here again if I'm in Albany. Maybe I'll just have to move to Albany instead hahaha. read more

Atlas Jiu Jitsu - Edward & I after class was over - Martial Arts Near Me - Albany, New York

I highly recommend Atlas Jiu Jitsu to anyone who currently trains, wants to learn material arts, or desires to get in shape. Atlas has amazing instructors and great facilities. When you start you immediately feel a part of the team. I'm so happy to be a member & student at Atlas. read more

My daughter has been training there for over 2 years and I have seen huge growth in her jujitsu game. I highly recommend Atlas. It's not just the professor, but everyone else that is part of the team that teaches. I highly recommend Atlas. read more

Atlas is a great place to train Brazilian jiu jitsu in the capital region. They have three locations: Albany, Hudson, and Glenfalls. Being a member in in gym allows you to train in the other gyms. Also, Atlas is a BJJ Revolution affiliate, so member can train at BJJ Revolution for free. The students that train here have very little ego, and are always friendly to each other and any newcomer that comes by. The techniques taught here are old school jiu jitsu focusing on developing on basics to build a good a foundation when progressing through the ranks. The instructor Edward Anthony is very knowledgeable both in jiu jitsu and fitness. In terms of pricing, you get what you pay for. The pricing is similar to pricing in California and Las Vegas area. In Jiu Jitsu, lineage is very important, some paying hundreds to thousands to train in the right lineage. Ed, is a black belt under Julio "Foca" Fernandez which got his from Carlson Gracie sr. read more

I only attended Atlas in Albany for a few days, but I attended one of their gyms in Johnstown for nearly a year. My experience was fairly positive both times. The Albany location has two rooms full of mats: one a little more private or secluded than the main area. The instruction was very hands-on, and everyone there was exceptionally friendly and inclusive, so that was a definite plus. Classes generally ran for an hour, with a 15 minute warm-up, followed by 30 minutes of instruction, and then another 15 minutes of rolling. Sometimes students would stay later and roll for a little longer in Albany; this was not allowed in Johnstown. Be aware that that sort of class schedule can feel pretty short. Atlas is a little more expensive than other bjj gyms, offering monthly programs for about $125, for 3 or so classes per week. They also had a purely fitness program and other opportunities, but those were separate classes with a separate cost. My one big complaint with Atlas is their pricing system was not transparent. Discounts are offered for several groups, but they're offered to so many people, and for so many different reasons, I don't know how to gauge their cost for a new member. For example: my Johnstown class offered a "new students" discount the entire year that it was open, but only if you asked for it. Some students would pay the full amount, others would get a cheaper price. A "firefighter and active service" discount was also offered, but it was the EXACT SAME discount as for "new students"... which means that in reality, there really wasn't a discount for firefighters or active service... we got the same rate as everyone else who walked in the door with the standard promo price. As a firefighter, I don't EXPECT to get discounts and special treatment... but offering me something as a "thank you" for putting my life on the line for strangers, only to find out that you've given everyone else the same treatment for just walking in the door, completely undermines the "thank you". It would be like your friend offering a discount to his business because you've known each other for years, only to find out he offers that discount to everyone. I'd rather do away with the discount altogether and have everyone (including me) pay a standard price. So beyond the confusing pricing system (and higher than average price in general), I had a good experience at the gym, and would generally recommend them to others. My best recommendation for anyone interested in starting bjj is to shop around for gyms. Every gym worth attending will give you at least 1 free class with no commitment, and compatibility with a gym is SO important, you should try several options before you settle on just one. Check out my list of bjj gyms in the area if you're looking for others to compare. read more

This is a great place to train. Ed Anthony is a top notch instructor and an even better human being. The facility is clean and nice. Highly recommend if you are in the Albany area then come check out this gym for some top notch BJJ instruction. read more

I have only recently joined the Atlas family but already I have learned and grown so much. Our coach is a one of a kind type of guy and give so much to all his students. The big thing I have noticed about Atlas is the sense of family and belonging that I have got that nowhere else Iv trained seemed to have. Everyone cares so much for your success and only wants to see you get better. Atlas is an amazing family and you will not find a better place to not only grow your technique but grow as a person. I wake up every morning grateful that I can call myself a member of TEAM ATLAS read more

Atlas has been an amazing help for our son. We went there over a year ago seeking discipline and fitness for our 5 years old son - he was having issues listening and staying focused in school and we thought this may help. This year at our first grade teacher conference - the teacher praised us for bringing him to Atlas, she saw a great improvement in his attention span and listening skills. He has won several medals in NAGA competitions and his confidence is continuing to rise. The coaches and the owner at Atlas clearly take great pride in what they do - they have a great stake in each member and want each and every one to succeed at their objectives. We are very thankful for Atlas and have recommend it to many. read more

Ed is a Great Guy I want to thank him for helping me out like he said he would maybe a little on a expensive side but there is always way to help you at Atlas Just wanna Thank Ed for all the help and speaking with me truthfully one place you can trust read more

After training at Atlas Jiu Jistu's Albany location for almost one year, I could not more highly recommend the studio and its teaching staff. The facility itself is a great space with lots of room. I had not trained regularly in almost ten years, but Ed, his colleague instructors, and my classmates were all very patient and supportive. The instructors are never too busy to stop and walk you through a technique. My classmates consisted of a range of martial arts learners - beginners, intermediate and returning students, and more advanced practitioners. The common denominator among them is that everyone is respectful and friendly. It is a great environment overall. read more

I have been training at Atlas for over a year now and it has changed my life. My days are busy and its difficult for me to make time to train. The flexible schedule at Atlas allows me to attend classes either in the morning or evening. The instructors are experienced and teach technique in a manner that is easy to follow and perform. The school is a team and family oriented environment. I can honestly say that Edward Anthony's school has helped me learn how to live better all around. The strength and conditioning classes and nutrition recommendations have helped me improve my strength and stamina. I feel healthier than ive felt my entire life. read more

Myself and my 3 daughters have been family at Atlas Jiu Jitsu for over a year now. My three daughters train 3-4 times a week at Atlas in Albany and LOVE attending. When I brought my girls to Atlas in Hudson, where we began, I was afraid to sign up my oldest daughter because she had only a love of dance and nothing else! I was afraid to sign her up, afraid that she'd lose interest. Now she's addicted and I have troubles pulling her away to go home after class is over. It's not just her, it's been such an amazing experience for my other two daughters as well. It has actually boosted their confidences more than I could dream!. My oldest daughter even competed at NAGA within her first year (which I never imagined she'd ever want to do) and won gold twice! Atlas supports that all kids/adults learn at their own pace, and I can just see my other two competing when they feel they are ready, as well as myself, once I gain more confidence which is happening more & more with each class & watching the courage in my own girls. I even learn from the 4 year old students at Atlas & the tiniest little buggers that can't be more than 3 or 4 yrs old competing at NAGA, as crazy as that seems, there's just so much inspiration in JJ at ALL levels. All of the instructors, at each location, are incredibly amazing, and each bring their own beneficial & unique style of teaching to their students. Because of my change in availability, my kids and I attend the Albany academy, but are still welcome to go to any of them at any time. We even have a kid who travels an hour and a half, usually three days a week because of his love of the academy and the friends he's made already, even though there are academies closer to his hometown. We have kids & adults who even travel to both Hudson & Albany for the extra training. You'll even catch a kids instructor jumping in on their evening off to help the kids, just out of pure love of the sport & for the kids. I joined Atlas fitness classes at 37 years of age and started JJ at 39 & never imagined how much of a wonderful experience I'd have, considering I have a very short attention span & a difficulty grasping new forms of physical fitness other than just weight training and running. Their HHH (strength and conditioning) class is also absolutely addicting, is only 30 min long and had me drop down to a healthy weight, tone up and become the healthiest I've ever been in my adult life! There's also a women's only Jiu Jitsu class, which I LOVE, taught by Ed, our incredibly knowledgeable & influential owner of Atlas, whom also instructs physical fitness classes and personal training, as well as adult Jiu Jitsu. He trains adults of all ages and all athletic abilities. You would be amazed with the array of clients and members and find it very inspirational. ATLAS = FAMILY. That's what every single Atlas member firmly believes because it is in fact one big family, at EACH location. There are ZERO members with an ego, no matter what color belt they earn. I have never met such a down to earth owner & group of people that are happy to help out even the new members with no experience at all. I truly believe you would not regret your decision to give Atlas Jiu Jitsu a try. The free trial is an amazing opportunity and there is absolutely no pressure to join. With 3 convenient locations and the great class schedules, there's no reason not to give any of the group &/or personal training &/or JJ classes a try! Check out the Atlas website to learn about the Atlas academies, as well as learn more about the instructors. If you live near Johnstown, or don't mind traveling, check out their NEW Atlas academy, run by Joe who has one of the most incredible passions for JJ, health & fitness & teaching it all, to all ages, that I've ever seen. He has such incredible drive, as do ALL the instructors at the other academies, and (I believe) Joe even has a masters degree in the health & fitness field. I know he's also offering special, newly open free trial incentives. No matter what academy works best for you, you can be sure to be trained or have your children trained by the best team around! Like I said, my children & I have only been a part of Atlas for just over a year but already, I firmly believe their motto "ATLAS FOR LIFE!" BTW, I'm not an instructor, and in no way do I benefit from my review. I just had to share all that Atlas has meant to myself and my kids. Feel free to check out my fb page (Audrey Taylor aka Audrey Alfieri Taylor from Ballston Lake) to see for yourself that I'm just a happy Atlas member & mom to 3 Jiu Jitsu addicts. Hope to meet some new family members soon! Please check out the Atlas web page and each of the Atlas Jiu Jitsu Johnstown, Atlas Albany & Atlas Hudson fb pages! read more