HomeNew YorkMassapequa Park › American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing

American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing

4.8 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Massapequa Park, New York

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule americanblackbelt.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 516-795-8531

Hours

Monday 1–8 pm
Tuesday 9:30–11 am, 12–8 pm
Wednesday 1–8 pm
Thursday 9:30–11 am, 12–8 pm
Friday 9:30–11 am, 1–6:30 pm
Saturday 8 am–12:30 pm
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 24 mentions

“They also have an amazing after school program for kids that provides transportation and gives them the opportunity to do their school work in-between lessons.”

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Teens BJJ

“Kids, teens, and adults all find a place here to challenge themselves, build confidence, and enjoy the journey.”

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👤 Private Lessons 3 mentions

“I have also taken one on one classes and I truly feel coach chris has a very good style of teaching which helps.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“Whether you're looking to learn self-defense, improve fitness, gain discipline, or simply try something new, American Black Belt Academy is the premier place to train.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“You can feel their dedication from the moment you walk in—they invest in every individual, whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist looking to grow.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 6 mentions

“A true professional MMA instructor who teaches both for sport and real life (street fighting self defense).”

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🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“I’m 36 & I started going to American Black Belt Academy’s Lights Out Boxing Classes earlier this year.”

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🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“My son is currently a brown belt in Kenpo Karate, and he is learning the fine art kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu taught by an excellent role model Mr.”

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🎽 Karate 6 mentions

“My son is currently a brown belt in Kenpo Karate, and he is learning the fine art kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu taught by an excellent role model Mr.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 41 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Coach chris is a great instructor I am part of the BJJ class and it is amazing to have such a dedicated instructor.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“We’re incredibly grateful to be part of American Black Belt Academy and highly recommend it to anyone looking for excellent martial arts instruction in a welcoming environment.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 18 mentions

“We’re incredibly grateful to be part of American Black Belt Academy and highly recommend it to anyone looking for excellent martial arts instruction in a welcoming environment.”

great workout & conditioning 4 mentions

“Since joining I have lost 25 pounds (along with dieting) and I look forward to the early morning workouts to start my day/week right!”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 16 mentions

“This place has truly changed both my son’s and my life, helping us build confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of community.”

From the reviews

I grew up in the 80s and 90s I watched alot of Jean Claude Van Damme & Steven Seagal movies! So naturally I thought I knew MMA! I decided to take my talents to one of the premier MMA schools in the country American Black Belt Academy in Massapequa Park , NY.

★★★★★ — Mikey, Sep 2022

My son Gregory has been training with Tom, Chris and staff at American Black Belt Academy for the past five years, and I couldn’t be more impressed. Every program offered is exceptional—not only do the classes build physical strength, agility, and self-defense skills, but they also nurture invaluable character traits…

★★★★★ — Emmy, Sep 2025

My son started karate training at American Black Belt Academy three years ago, and after his very first intro lesson with Mr. Chris, it was obvious this was the right place. The energy, instruction, and encouragement stood out immediately. Watching my son enjoy training so much gave me the push to start myself.

★★★★★ — Eric, Jan 2026

Ok so... I have been training w Chris Lovarco in BJJ (brazilian jiu jitsu) and striking (I am a long time boxer prior to this), and Chris is hands down one of the best, if not the best, instructors in any discipline anywhere. He is a warrior and a philosopher... supremely dedicated to his craft and students.

★★★★★ — Dav, Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 41 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing

American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find American Black Belt Academy - American Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Kickboxing

4875 Merrick Rd, Massapequa Park, NY11762

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.