Renzo Gracie East Side Martial Arts

“This is gym is the best! It really fosters a close knit supportive community. There aren't too many students so all of the instructors really get to know you. There are a mix of competitors and hobbyists which makes it a very inclusive place where anyone from any level or background can thrive. There is safety oversight for beginners and a lot of transparency initiated by the instructors to prevent unnecessary injuries. Most importantly, the instruction here is top notch. I can't emphasize enough how all of the professors (Mike, Cynthia, Bridget, Eugene, Athan, Andrew O., Andrew J., and David) have decades of knowledge under their belt and how they LOVE to teach which really makes for a wonderful and fun learning environment. Even the kids classes are taught by extremely qualified black belts who love to teach. Finally, this gym is kept really clean which is something that I have really learned to prioritize in this sport.”

“Great place to train. Eclectic mix of beginners through seasoned black belts. Emphasis on safety and camaraderie while drilling techniques in organized modules. Like many BJJ gyms in Manhattan, you wish the place were a tiny bit bigger, but that's also a testament to the rapid growth of membership. Also friendly to drop-ins if in town for work.”

“A friendly environment with a multitude of high level instructors that are present during class and care about your progression. There is a mix of beginner and higher belts, hobbyists and competitors. It is a clean gym with a variety of gi, no gi and Muay Thai classes. If you attend regularly, you will feel part of the growing community here. There is a sense that classes are designed with care and experience. For example, one thing I like is that there are no generic warms ups (jumping jacks, shrimping across the mat, etc.) and instead classes dive straight into real technique with an emphasis on small details and precision. There is a lot of specific training and themes: classes will work on e.g. specifically back escapes for one week, passing guard the next, every Saturday is leg locks, etc. rather than just a random move of the day. Overall, I am very happy to train here.”

“Beautiful gym - have taken a trial class here, as well as being a semi-regular at their Sunday open mats. It’s a great place to train for serious hobbyists who are looking for a congenial training environment that marries top-notch instruction with an equal emphasis on safety and effective technique, as well as direct affiliation with arguably the ubiquitous name in Brazilian Jiujitsu (Renzo Gracie).”

“"Often times the best thing you can be in BJJ is a great training partner" - one of the first things I heard here and everyone here exemplifies this. Awesome group of instructors and great environment for someone who has never grappled before. 1 month in and I cant wait to get to training more!”