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Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC

4.9 ★★★★★ 140 Google reviews · BJJ gym in New York, New York

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team

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
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule marcelogarciajj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (212) 414-0044

Hours

Monday 7 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–9 PM
Thursday 7 AM–9 PM
Friday 7 AM–9 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM–1 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 Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

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🏆 Competition Team

“I have followed Marcelo since his early ADCC days and have studied his “MG In Action” for years.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“My favourite was the open mat on Saturday of course.”

All gyms that run open mat →

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“Classes were very technical and the techniques taught were accessible to all levels, everyone was very welcoming, the mat space is huge and really great energy in every class.”

All gyms that run beginners →

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 140 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“- World class instructors.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 7 mentions

“Classes were very technical and the techniques taught were accessible to all levels, everyone was very welcoming, the mat space is huge and really great energy in every class.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 13 mentions

“Classes were very technical and the techniques taught were accessible to all levels, everyone was very welcoming, the mat space is huge and really great energy in every class.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 7 mentions

“Classes were very technical and the techniques taught were accessible to all levels, everyone was very welcoming, the mat space is huge and really great energy in every class.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 10 mentions

“Very clean facility, good atmosphere, lots of mat space and the coaches and staff were all friendly.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 3 mentions

“His teaching style focuses on creative instruction of fundamental concepts (managing space, connecting hands, controlling weight).”

From the reviews

Marcelo has carefully crafted an incredible gym culture over many years for both hobbyists and world class athletes. All of the staff are incredibly friendly and supportive. The gym is the most professional I've seen in terms of cleanliness, starting on time, and structure.

★★★★★ — Mario, Feb 2021

Marcelo is by far the best bjj'er ever. His academy is amazing and full of friendly people. Renrique and Paul are top notch instructors. If you ever thought about doing bjj, come here. They have a free trial offer. Feel free to stop by.

★★★★★ — Kage, Jun 2018

I've been training here for 2 months. Fantastic school. My favorite parts: - 8 classes a day on weekdays. Can easily fit any schedule. - World class instructors. Seriously, some people move to NYC JUST to train at this school. - Clean facilities.

★★★★★ — Chase, Jun 2017

It was a great experience for me. The class was good and had great details, the professors show how to do the pass.

★★★★★ — Jose, May 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 140 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC

Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC

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 Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC

250 W 26th St, New York, NY10001

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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.