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!

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.

Gregor Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the best place to learn legit BJJ in Brooklyn. The instructors are…read moreAMAZING, extremely knowledgeable of their craft. The Academy is extremely clean, honestly the nicest Academy I've ever trained at. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming of new comers, veterans or if you're looking to get back onto the mats after a long break like myself. I cannot recommend this place enough, you won't regret it I promise.

My two sons have just completed 13 months at Gregor Gracie! Their Jui-Jitsu and Muay Thai program…read moreare excellent!. I highly recommend this place to every parent! Come for the BJJ and stay for the Muay Thai!

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.

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.

What an experience, to train with an elite and accomplished athlete and coach in Ajarn Phil Nurse…read more I'm one of those weekend warriors who has experience in martial arts but don't intend to fight pro, so I signed up for a private class to improve my fight game and to sharpen some skills with the best. And wow did I learn more than I thought I would in a private lesson. Ajarn Phil Nurse is simply top notch in instruction. He'll challenge you, he might go a few rounds with you, and he'll coach you up like he did his legendary fighters. Thank you Ajarn Phil Nurse for your time and sharing your expertise with me. I highly recommend the Wat and training with Ajarn Phil Nurse if you ever get the chance.

*Virtual Class Review…read more Today I had the pleasure of taking a free 45 minute beginner Muay Thai class taught over Instagram Live with Master Kru Phil Nurse. Nurse broke down several basic moves from Muay Thai in a way that anyone could follow. The Yelp description stated "Kru PHILosophies are unique because they strive to stimulate your body and your mind". I can genuinely say my mind felt clearer after the class and I got a full body workout! Just this one class had me looking into The Wat and their virtual classes. If you get a chance, I absolutely recommend trying out a class! Happy moving Yelpers!

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.

My nephew used to go to this location. They were always extremely nice and accommodating. They…read moretrained him very well! Their expertise and training they provided truly impacted my nephew. Kudos to all of them!

Elan is a great trainer who recently moved from the LA locations. Comfortable venue with a nice…read moreview of the WTC mall. Good technique instruction and workout, great value. Way better than the Equinox boxing class. Definite recommend.