BJJ Gyms in New York: Where to Train Across NYC and Beyond

New York City has one of the deepest BJJ scenes in the world. The legendary blue basement of Renzo Gracie Academy produced John Danaher and the original Danaher Death Squad. Marcelo Garcia has been teaching in Manhattan for over a decade. Plus 10th Planet, Unity, the Fabio Clemente academies and a long list of smaller schools. This is the working guide to where to train.

Quick summary

• Best traditional gi BJJ: Renzo Gracie Academy, Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy
• Best for no-gi specialists: 10th Planet Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NYC, Unity Jiu Jitsu
• Best for absolute beginners: Clockwork Jiu Jitsu, Vitor Shaolin's BJJ Midtown
• Best for the competition track: Marcelo Garcia, Unity, Renzo Gracie
• Best in the boroughs / Long Island: Serra BJJ Academy (Levittown), Igor Gracie (New Rochelle)

Why NYC matters for BJJ

NYC has been at the centre of US BJJ since the early 1990s. Renzo Gracie opened his Manhattan academy in the mid-90s, and it has been the seedbed of the East Coast scene ever since. The blue basement of Renzo Gracie became famous as the original training room of the Danaher Death Squad and the start of the leg-lock revolution that reshaped no-gi grappling.

Today NYC has academies in nearly every Manhattan neighbourhood, plus active scenes in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Westchester. The competitive culture is strong, the schools are taught by genuine high-level practitioners, and the talent pool runs deep.

The 14 NYC-area BJJ academies worth knowing

1. Renzo Gracie Academy

• Location: Manhattan
• What to expect: BJJ, Muay Thai, and MMA. The original Renzo Gracie flagship and one of the most famous BJJ academies in the world.

The blue basement of this academy is where John Danaher built the Danaher Death Squad and where Gordon Ryan came up through the lower belts. The academy continues to produce elite competitors. If you train at any Renzo Gracie affiliate elsewhere in the world, this is the original. For more on the Danaher lineage, see our John Danaher profile and the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu page.

2. Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy

• Address: 250 W 26th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
• Phone: 212-414-0044, info@marcelogarciajj.com
• What to expect: Gi and no-gi classes. World-class coaching from one of the most accomplished BJJ competitors in history.

Marcelo Garcia is a 5x IBJJF World Champion and 5x ADCC World Champion. His Manhattan academy is one of the most respected in the country, with a deep roster of competitive grapplers. Classes are intense and the training partners are top-tier.

3. Unity Jiu Jitsu

• Address: 144 W 14th St, Stair Door A, New York, NY 10011
• Phone: 917-409-5550
• What to expect: Competition-focused. Hard training, deep brackets, elite-level coaching.

Run by Murilo Santana, Unity is one of the most competitive academies on the East Coast. The roster has included multiple IBJJF and ADCC competitors. Not the right starting point for absolute beginners, but excellent for anyone serious about the competition track.

4. 10th Planet Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NYC

• Location: Manhattan
• What to expect: No-gi only. The 10th Planet system (rubber guard, lockdown, twister) in its East Coast affiliate.

If you specifically want to train Eddie Bravo's 10th Planet system in NYC, this is the academy.

5. Clockwork Jiu Jitsu

• Location: Manhattan
• Phone: 212-675-0300
• What to expect: Beginner-friendly classes, positive training atmosphere, free trial class.

One of the most welcoming options for newcomers in Manhattan. Strong instructor team and a culture that suits people who want a less intense entry point.

6. Ronin Athletics

• Location: Heart of Manhattan
• What to expect: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and Kickboxing. Operating since 2001.

A long-running multi-discipline academy. Good crossover option if you want BJJ alongside striking.

7. Vitor Shaolin's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Midtown

• Location: Times Square, Manhattan
• What to expect: BJJ with a focus on self-improvement and lifelong learning. Accessible Midtown location.

Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro is a respected BJJ black belt and former MMA fighter. The academy is one of the more accessible Midtown options.

8. Fabio Clemente StudioX BJJ

• Location: Manhattan
• What to expect: BJJ classes with strong instructor team.

Highly rated on Google with consistent feedback about coaching quality.

9. Team Fabio Clemente

• Address: 123 E 12th Street, New York, NY 10003
• Phone: 212-529-7675
• What to expect: Classes for all skill levels. Historic gym, one of the first BJJ schools in NYC.

A long-running East Village academy with a welcoming culture for new starters.

10. Serra BJJ Academy

• Location: Levittown, NY (Long Island)
• Phone: 516-520-2052
• What to expect: Premier Long Island BJJ and MMA. Range of training options for all levels.

Run by the Serra family (UFC veterans Matt and Nick Serra), this academy is the standout option on Long Island.

11. Igor Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy

• Address: 175 Main St, New Rochelle, NY 10801
• Phone: 914-235-2605
• What to expect: Classic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu system. World-class academy in Westchester County.

A strong option for anyone living in Westchester or just north of NYC.

12. East Coast United Queens Academy

• Location: Queens, NY
• What to expect: All skill levels welcome. Strong support and training environment.

The standout Queens BJJ option. Useful if you live east of the East River and want to avoid the Manhattan commute.

13. A Force Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

• Location: Great Neck, NY
• What to expect: Owned by Andre "Tim" Monteiro. Self-defence, sport, and health-focused training.

Strong option on the Long Island North Shore.

14. Park Slope Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Location: Park Slope, Brooklyn
• What to expect: Supportive instructors, character-building environment.

The Brooklyn option for anyone in the Park Slope or surrounding neighbourhoods.

What to look for in a NYC BJJ gym

The NYC scene is large enough that you can be selective. A few questions to ask before joining:

• Commute time. Manhattan academies are expensive partly because they are central. If you live in Brooklyn, Queens or Westchester, the local academy in your borough is often a better long-term fit than commuting daily into Manhattan.
• Schedule. Confirm class times that fit your work schedule. NYC academies typically run morning, lunch and evening sessions, but the specific schedule varies.
• Lineage. Renzo Gracie, Marcelo Garcia, Fabio Clemente, Igor Gracie, Serra, 10th Planet are all established lineages worth following.
• Trial class. Most NYC academies welcome a free or low-cost trial. Use it before committing to membership.
• Membership cost. NYC BJJ is among the most expensive in the country. Expect $200 to $300+ per month at premium Manhattan academies. Brooklyn, Queens and suburban options are often cheaper.

For the broader gym-evaluation checklist, see our BJJ gyms in London guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much does BJJ cost in New York? Manhattan academies typically charge $200 to $300+ per month for unlimited classes, with premium options going higher. Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island and Westchester options usually run $150 to $250 per month. Drop-in fees in Manhattan are commonly $35 to $50 per session.

Where is Renzo Gracie Academy? The flagship Renzo Gracie Academy is in Manhattan. Specific address can be confirmed through their website.

Where is Marcelo Garcia's BJJ academy in NYC? Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy is at 250 W 26th St, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001.

Is John Danaher still teaching at Renzo Gracie in NYC? No. Danaher relocated to Austin, Texas in 2021 after the Danaher Death Squad split. He now coaches New Wave Jiu-Jitsu.

Are there BJJ academies in Brooklyn? Yes. Park Slope Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and several other academies serve the Brooklyn scene. The Brooklyn options are generally cheaper than Manhattan alternatives.

What is the most competitive BJJ academy in NYC? Unity Jiu Jitsu and Marcelo Garcia Academy are widely considered the most competitive in the city, with deep rosters of IBJJF and ADCC-level grapplers.

Where can I train no-gi specifically in NYC? 10th Planet Brazilian Jiu Jitsu NYC focuses exclusively on no-gi. Most other academies (Renzo Gracie, Marcelo Garcia, Unity) also have strong no-gi programmes.

Is NYC a good city to start BJJ? Yes. The depth and quality of academies in and around the city make it one of the best BJJ scenes in the world for new starters.

Where can I drop in for BJJ if I'm visiting NYC? Most major academies welcome drop-ins for $35 to $50. Email or call ahead to confirm class times and policy.

The bottom line

The NYC BJJ scene is one of the deepest in the world. Pick an academy close enough to commute easily, with instructors and a culture you can train under for years. Try two or three before committing. The good news is that NYC has enough options that you can find the right fit.

For more global gym guides, see our BJJ gyms in Los Angeles, BJJ gyms in London, BJJ gyms in Limassol and BJJ gyms in Paphos lists. For more on the NYC BJJ lineage and the figures who shaped it, see our profiles of John Danaher, Gordon Ryan and the top BJJ athletes.