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East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt

5 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · BJJ gym in New York, New York

Part of Renzo Gracie Academy

BJJ gym 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

  • 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 (ages 12–18) — 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
  • 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
  • Website & schedule eastsidebrazilianjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 888-912-5199

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“Having trained with some of the worlds top mma fighters & grapplers puts him in the elite class of bjj instructors and competitors.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners

“I’ve had no experience in BJJ and Sensei Chris Reymann has been excellent in teaching his art.”

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 East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 2 mentions

“Having trained with some of the worlds top mma fighters & grapplers puts him in the elite class of bjj instructors and competitors.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

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 25 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Chris is one of the best black belts in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and very knowledgeable in combat sports as a whole.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 9 mentions

“Conveniently located in downtown Manhattan (short walk from Wall Street subway station), Grapple Box focuses a lot on techniques that form the core of BJJ.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“Trust me, I joined in October, not only have i lost weight I also feel and know that I have been bettering my Jiu Jitsu game.”

active competition team 4 mentions

“Having trained and competed with some of the best in the world , I would say Chris would give some of highest level athletes a run for their money.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“Conveniently located in downtown Manhattan (short walk from Wall Street subway station), Grapple Box focuses a lot on techniques that form the core of BJJ.”

From the reviews

Chris is one of the best black belts in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu and very knowledgeable in combat sports as a whole. Having trained and competed with some of the best in the world , I would say Chris would give some of highest level athletes a run for their money.

★★★★★ — Yg, Nov 2019

Grapple Box/East side BJJ is unique and so is Chris who takes great pride in teaching. Conveniently located in downtown Manhattan (short walk from Wall Street subway station), Grapple Box focuses a lot on techniques that form the core of BJJ.

★★★★★ — Vishesh, Jan 2024

I have nothing but great things to say about this place. It is an amazing place to start your BJJ journey or continue to progress as a martial artist. Chris the main instructor is very technical and takes his time breaking down every technique and detail. Classes are offered morning and evenings including Saturdays!

★★★★★ — Jaime, Jan 2020

Chris is a solid teacher, for those who ever haven't trained Jiu jiu before and for those that already train the smooth art will have a great time with him. I'm a Brazilian black belt and have been training in several different gym, I can assure you will have a great BJJ class. Oss

★★★★★ — Felippe, Nov 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 25 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt

East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt 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 East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt

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 East Side Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Grapple Box /Renzo Gracie black belt

66 Frankfort St, New York, NY10038

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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.