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City Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 112 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Long Island City, New York
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule cityjiujitsuacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 347-201-1258
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“All the instructors are incredibly supportive, patient, and encouraging, never harsh, but always motivating kids to step outside their comfort zones.”
“Very detailed in their instruction and I had the pleasure of doing some great competition training and prep there.”
“Whether you're looking to learn self-defense, get fit, or compete, City Jiu Jitsu is the perfect place.”
“I have trained with both Royce and Danny since I was a complete beginner; their patience, friendliness and ability to articulate were all crucial to my development in Jiu Jitsu.”
What members say
“Huge shoutout to the professor with the mullet , easily the funniest person I’ve ever met, and he brings such a great energy to every class while still being an amazing instructor.”
“I have trained with both Royce and Danny since I was a complete beginner; their patience, friendliness and ability to articulate were all crucial to my development in Jiu Jitsu.”
“All the instructors are incredibly supportive, patient, and encouraging, never harsh, but always motivating kids to step outside their comfort zones.”
“They have a remarkable ability to break down even the most complex jiu-jitsu techniques into easy-to-understand concepts, making learning accessible for everyone.”
“He got my son to do BJJ, and thanks to his support, our son now enjoys Jiu-Jitsu and feels more confident in his ability to do BJJ.”
“Very detailed in their instruction and I had the pleasure of doing some great competition training and prep there.”
From the reviews
🌟 Absolutely Love This Gym!🌟 From the moment we walked in, the staff has been nothing but **friendly and welcoming** 😊. The instructors are top-notch—**safety is always their #1 priority!** 🛡️ The kids' program (6-8 years old) is AMAZING!
My family and I have had the most incredible experience at City Jiu Jitsu, thanks to owners Royce and Danny! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and professionalism, making us feel right at home. Royce and Danny's dedication to their school is truly commendable.
If you have any interest at all in jiu jitsu you absolutely must visit this brand new Long Island City gem. My son and I joined 2 weeks ago when the academy first opened its doors. We both joined with no experience.
City Jiu Jitsu, owned by Professor Royce and Daniel, is an outstanding martial arts academy. From the warm, welcoming atmosphere to the exceptional instruction, this place truly excels.
New to BJJ? Start at City Jiu Jitsu Academy
City Jiu Jitsu Academy 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.
Your first BJJ class at City Jiu Jitsu Academy
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.
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