I've never exp such an unwelcoming club. I flew In and thought I could make a class. I was willing…read moreto pay and respect all the rules but I was told to leave because I had my luggage. The front desk person would not be the welcoming committee at my club. This is out of frustration but may no other bjj players get treated the way I did. OSS

Great instructors and really friendly staff. If you're…read morelooking for a place to train Renzo Gracie Academy is the place to come.

I have been training with Shaolin for 3 years. I was one of the first students when he came here,…read moreand I am very happy with things. I feel like I got much better, primarily because Shaolin and Loro and other visiting blackbelts are there so often (Shaolin teaches every class and when Loro is not training for pro mma he is there all the time as well). The prices are also very competitive for NYC. I believe they are the cheapest considering the extremely high level of quality.

Great environment. Instruction was solid, with a superb workout! What a fun class. Can hardly wait…read morefor more!

What an amazing and open and friendly place to train. I've always been a big fan Marcelo and I've…read moreheard how nice and kind he is and when I was NY for my last work trip I decided to train here. The demeanor, culture and friendly atmosphere that Marcelo creates definitely shows! When in town again I won't hesitate to come back!

I've been here now for a few months and I've been holding off on writing a review until I felt like…read moregot to know the place. There are plenty of places in NYC to learn Jiu-Jitsu-it's like Thai places near restaurant row. What really stands out about this place is the really high quality of instruction and the friendly environment. There are three main instructors, Marcelo: The MAN himself, but he mostly teaches the upper level classes. So your other options are Paul Schreiner and Bernardo Faria, both world class level competitors and teachers and Bernardo is the number 2 ranked Heavyweight in the world. You have 3 world-class black belts as instructional staff and they're all nice and quick to answer questions, offer quick tips on how to fine tune technique. You'd be hard pressed to find black belts really get down to teaching a lot of beginner classes, much more the caliber that you find here. On top of that I haven't met anyone here that wasn't just as nice as the instructors. Marcelo is known as one of the nicest guys in the game, if not the entire world and it seems like everyone follows his quiet, smiling lead. During the recent promotion ceremony-where people from all over the country came there were numerous high level belts that went around shaking everyone's hand whether you were a familiar face or a perfect stranger. THAT to me is what sets a good school apart from a GREAT one.

I treated myself to BJJ classes at Clockwork for my 40th birthday. That was almost 10 years ago…read more Since then, for work travel, I've visited academies from France to Costa Rica, and multiple US cities. Clockwork holds up as an awesome community that runs the gamut of skill levels. The glue that holds it together is the VERY skilled, articulate, and genuine group of instructors, up to and including the owner Josh.

I visited a few times while I was in town and I really really loved this gym! Josh, the gym owner,…read morewas very communicative and once I got to the gym I was to ask for Ray, he was super nice and all the students were really welcoming, reminded me of home! The women's locker room is bare bones but very neat and clean, just bring whatever you will need if you want to shower etc. I don't go out to NY often but next time I'm there I will most definitely drop in for a few classes!

Great training! Excellent instructors! Clean facility. Perfect location. A great group of training…read morepartners. Check it out!

Review for Ronin Athletics - Gracie Jiu-Jitsu School in NYC…read more I've heard so much about Jiu-Jitsu from various podcasts as one of the most effective martial arts. It piqued my curiosity, but I was specifically looking for something that focused on self-defense. That's when I discovered Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and it led me to Ronin Athletics in Manhattan. What surprised me was learning that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is a form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but prioritizes self-defense rather than the more sport-oriented styles that are widely popular. It's truly a system of self-defense--covering not just grappling but also standing striking defense, which I never realized was part of the practice. Ronin Athletics is the only school I've found in New York City offering authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu training directly associated with Rener and Ryron Gracie, sons of UFC founder Rorion Gracie. Their connection to the Gracie brothers ensures the instruction here remains true to the original self-defense philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu. What sets this gym apart is its organized and structured curriculum. Every class is thoughtfully designed, making it easy for beginners to follow while also offering depth for those who want to advance. The collaborative and supportive environment makes it feel incredibly safe to train, especially since they emphasize learning over competition. If you're looking for a self-defense system that's practical, effective, well organized, Ronin Athletics is the place to go. Highly recommend it for anyone in NYC seeking authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu!

Brandon is a good Muay Thai Coach, very technical and knows how to break down the techniques step…read moreby step.

Before writing my review - I took the time to read other reviews that are posted for inspiration…read moreand talking points (both negative and positive). I started at Evolution in the Fall of 2013 with the intentions of joining the fight team. By the Summer of 2014, I had my first fight with Evolution and won unanimous. Prior to becoming a member at Evolution I had a strong background in Karate & Boxing. However, there were a lot of holes in my game that Brandon quickly fixed. He is excellent at translating information, correcting form, providing motivation, and creating a platform for individuals to grow. Not only did I win my first fight under Brandon, but by 2016 I achieved 5 championship belts and a Gold Medal for Team USA. From originally having an awkward style to becoming proficient in Muay Thai - I would say Evolution is an outstanding place to train. Whether you are training to fight, become fit, build confidence, or learn the techniques - YOU will get all of that accomplished here. The amount of work you invest in your training will reflect. I don't have anything negative to say about this gym, but a response to the reviews that are not 5 stars: 1. If it is your FIRST TIME visiting, arrive on time. 2. The gym is usually HOT when it's crowded. As a person who occasionally travels to Thailand for extensive training - I prefer training in warm facilities to prevent injuries and sweat out sodium. 3. Brandon is comical, but just like any trainer - he knows when to be serious. Training is already tough and can be intimidating to newcomers, so it's important to remember to have fun.

Visiting NYC from CA. Dropped in for a Saturday leg lock class. Great gym. Great instruction and…read morerolls. Everyone is super nice. If I lived in NY this would be my home.

I arrived to 10th Planet NYC on a Friday night because I know Coach Cece from OC Cali. Right away…read moreeveryone on the mats was friendly and welcoming. I learned some awesome technique and then had some fun jiu jitsu matches. There is a shower at this gym and the gym itself is a very clean environment. I will be back when I'm in town!

Anderson's Martial Arts is one of the most established and respected schools not just in NYC, but…read morein the country. They've been teaching since 1996 and it shows in the quality of instruction and the culture they've built. The community is incredible. Advanced students support beginners, and everyone feels genuinely welcome. Whether you're brand new or experienced, this is a foundational place to learn real martial arts the right way. The facility has everything you need: spacious training areas, locker rooms and showers, a weight training section, and a comfortable lounge up front where you can work or relax. The atmosphere is welcoming but serious about growth. It's diverse, inclusive, and you'll see beginners training alongside professional fighters.

By far the best school I've been to. As a young woman in martial arts, this is the only school in…read moreNYC I can call home. The school ranges between people who just want to learn how to defend themselves while being active, and professional athletes competing and learning from one of the best. The school specializes in Muay Thai, Jiu jitsu and JKD/Kali so it's a very well rounded school for anyone interested in various styles. Plus it's a comfortable and clean facility.

Super clean gym with high level jiu jitsu being taught by very welcoming coaches in an even more…read morewelcoming atmosphere. they also have showers.

After visiting countless gyms in NYC and doing free trials everywhere to find the right spot, it…read morewas an absolute no brainer to settle at Studio X with Fabio, Zata, and all the other great instructors. First off, the gym is very clean and well kept. There's access to weights/lifting equipment if you want to warm up or even workout separately. The changing rooms are clean and private. I've been training here for 6+ months and should've left a review a while ago. This gym finds a great mix between pushing yourself past your limits to grow while still building friendships and community. Zata is the main No Gi instructor and has built a phenomenal curriculum. Each class is full of drills and technique that work well for all levels and have made me such a better grappler. Zata also teaches at a fast pace, which while sometimes is difficult, is extremely necessary for becoming comfortable with live training. Zata also welcomes everyone like family and in a sport where it can be frustrating, intimidating, and uncomfortable, he's exactly who you want in your corner. I would hands down recommend this place to absolutely everyone and anyone who is interested in martial arts, self defense, and exercise. Anytime I'm in NYC, you know I'll be here.

Wish I could give this place and Chris Moran more than 5 Stars…read more I've trained in many different marital arts in the past and was looking for a place to continue my training when I moved up to NYC. I joined JKD and was immediately hooked. Their approach to self-defense is always practical and Chris seems to always be thinking "does this really work", which was extremely important to me. I didn't want to join a gym that only does forms and light drills as this typically does not apply to real world scenarios. In NYC, even if you are the type of person to never pick a fight, you should be prepared for anything to happen and it is important to be capable of defending yourself. JKD NYC will teach you just that. I feel it is a welcoming place for all ages and has a strong sense of community. Chris truly believes in what he is teaching and will personally dedicate time to every individual student who is dedicated to learning and willing to put the time in. Chris as well as his Senior Instructors are extremely nice and patient, but will always push you to better yourself both in and outside of the gym. I've moved away from NYC and JKD, but will always carry a piece of it with me and appreciate everything Chris has done for me.

Chris may be skilled in martial arts, but he is very unprofessional. Some of his students come…read moreacross as egotistical and unwelcoming, creating an environment that feels closed off to anyone outside his inner circle. After taking my money, I scheduled a class and, after being notified to attend, I arrived only to be told there was no space for me. During training, I was paired with an overly aggressive partner who kept insisting that I was angry, when in reality I was simply eager to train. I ended up limping afterward, and instead of offering support, Chris embarrassed me in front of the entire class.