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Champions Martial Arts Syracuse

5 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Syracuse, New York

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

Plan your first class

  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule ctchampionsma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 315-491-8822

Hours

Monday 1–7:30 pm
Tuesday 1–7:30 pm
Wednesday 1–7:30 pm
Thursday 1–7:30 pm
Friday 1–5:30 pm
Saturday 9–11 am
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 Champions Martial Arts Syracuse, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 33 mentions

“The instructors are patient, encouraging, and great with kids, creating a positive and structured environment that keeps them engaged while building confidence and discipline.”

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🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

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🛡️ Self-Defense 10 mentions

“They taught our group some great self defense techniques and genuinely cared about our safety and having a positive experience with the class.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Coach Carlos and his staff are extremely good at ensuring all students at all levels are engaged during class.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Champions Martial Arts Syracuse — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Boxing

“Great place for all ages to learn martial arts or adults to have a good kick boxing workout.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🦵 Kickboxing

“Great place for all ages to learn martial arts or adults to have a good kick boxing workout.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🎽 Karate 6 mentions

“Renchi Carlos Tearney was patient with him understanding that Jon loved karate but that he needed to learn at a slightly different pace as the other kids in the beginning.”

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 42 Google reviews — in their own words.

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 13 mentions

“We truly appreciate the dedication of the entire team at Champions and highly recommend them to any family looking for a supportive and high-quality martial arts program!”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“This is not just about learning techniques—it’s about building confidence, awareness, and real-life preparedness in a way that felt empowering rather than fear-driven.”

🧒 strong kids program 5 mentions

“The instructors are patient, encouraging, and great with kids, creating a positive and structured environment that keeps them engaged while building confidence and discipline.”

active competition team 2 mentions
🧠 builds confidence & discipline 20 mentions

“In a world where we often, unfortunately, witness a lack of respect for others, it was obvious Champions strives and succeeds at providing a healthy balance of fun and discipline.”

From the reviews

I recently brought my team of mental health counselors to a self-defense workshop hosted by Carlos Tearney, owner of Champions Martial Arts, which was an exceptional self-defense and personal protection training experience.

★★★★★ — Melissa, Feb 2025

My girlfriend and I attended the self-defense class at Champions Martial Arts, and we were thoroughly impressed. Carlos is an exceptional instructor with real-world knowledge and experience, making the class highly relatable and practical for everyone.

★★★★★ — Tropical, Jun 2024

We have been members of Champions Martial Arts for about 7 months now when our son joined. We joined in hopes that karate would help give our son more self confidence and some basic self defense should he need it.

★★★★★ — Regina, Jan 2018

My 13 year old son started at Champions Martial Arts 8 years ago. Back then he was an impulsive, super shy little guy with hypersensitivity to loud noise along with multiple other things.

★★★★★ — Bridgid, Jan 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Champions Martial Arts Syracuse

Champions Martial Arts Syracuse 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at Champions Martial Arts Syracuse

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 Champions Martial Arts Syracuse

228 Chapel Dr, Syracuse, NY13219

Get directions

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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.