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American Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus)

5 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Ridgewood, New York

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.

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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule 5bfh.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 877-526-7634

Hours

Monday 5–8 pm
Tuesday 6–8:30 pm
Wednesday 12–1 pm, 5–8 pm
Thursday 6–8:30 pm
Friday 5–8 pm
Saturday 12–2:30 pm
Sunday 12–1 pm

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 Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus), confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 9 mentions

“If you are looking for well-rounded training for both adults and kids in Jij Jitsu, Kick boxing, Cardio and Judo, check out this school for yourself with free introduction classes.”

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💪 Women's BJJ

“Highly recommended and they offer so much to the community like women’s classes every month for free !”

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🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“I, as a person whos never trained to fight can understand how one will feel intimidated but can honestly say its not only been the best experience but the most healthiest.”

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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 Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus) — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai 2 mentions

“From coach Luis Martinez, Elkin Ordenana (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) to Mario Ramirez and Erik Vincente (Muay Thai); All coaches are fully involved.”

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🏟️ MMA

“Not only are all the instructors knowledgeable and passionate about Jiujitsu and MMA, but they also care deeply for their students.”

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🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“If you are looking for well-rounded training for both adults and kids in Jij Jitsu, Kick boxing, Cardio and Judo, check out this school for yourself with free introduction classes.”

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🦵 Kickboxing 3 mentions

“If you are looking for well-rounded training for both adults and kids in Jij Jitsu, Kick boxing, Cardio and Judo, check out this school for yourself with free introduction classes.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤼 Judo 2 mentions

“If you are looking for well-rounded training for both adults and kids in Jij Jitsu, Kick boxing, Cardio and Judo, check out this school for yourself with free introduction classes.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 60 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Knowledgeable and great instructors who care about your progress in the martial art.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 4 mentions

“after the first class you can tell this isn’t just a gym but more of a community/family.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“As a member of this gym the last few years I must say this is not just a gym to learn martial arts, it's a family friendly environment that anyone can come in and join in.”

active competition team 9 mentions

“Luis, Eric, Freddy, Elkin have been a big part of getting me competition ready (when i was competing) and have also helped me stay in good shape for my career as a police officer.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“Everyone has different criteria when judging a gym, my personal checklist includes: Cleanliness Staff technical knowledge Staff attitude Cleanliness- 5 STARS .”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“This place is filled with respect, discipline, and an ambitious love for the sport.”

From the reviews

What was once known as American killerbees NYC and now is 5 Boro Fighthause is one of the better training facilities. I have been training there for years. With each instructor very knowledgeable and experienced in their own discipline.

★★★★★ — Walter, Jan 2019

Everyone has different criteria when judging a gym, my personal checklist includes: Cleanliness Staff technical knowledge Staff attitude Cleanliness- 5 STARS ... as most know martial Arts gyms can easily become basteria cesspools. That’s not the case at 5 boro, they disinfect and wash the gym religiously.

★★★★★ — B, Feb 2019

I’ve been training at 5boro Fighthaus for 3 years now and it’s been and continues to be a great experience. Not only are all the instructors knowledgeable and passionate about Jiujitsu and MMA, but they also care deeply for their students.

★★★★★ — Ketura, Nov 2021

Friendly staff and several highly knowledgably instructors. And most importantly feels like home this place! If you are looking for well-rounded training for both adults and kids in Jij Jitsu, Kick boxing, Cardio and Judo, check out this school for yourself with free introduction classes.

★★★★★ — Paul, Mar 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 60 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at American Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus)

American Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus) comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at American Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus)

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 Killer Bees NYC (now 5 Boro Fighthaus)

55-41 Myrtle Ave, Ridgewood, NY11385

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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.