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Midtown Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 180 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Kingston, 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 (ages 4–17) — 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 midtownjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 510-418-9583
Hours
| Monday | 12–1:30 pm, 3:15–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 3:15–8:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 3:15–8 pm |
| Thursday | 12–1:30 pm, 3:15–8:15 pm |
| Friday | 4–7:15 pm |
| Saturday | 9:05 am–12 pm |
| Sunday | 9–10 am |
The classes they run
“They focus not only on building strong fundamentals and techniques, but also on developing confidence, discipline, and mental toughness.”
“Coach Malachy and Coach Steph have created an environment that is fun, welcoming, supportive, and inspires kids to do their best.”
“:) Ps; Ladies, make sure to take the women's class on Wednesday nights - it's honestly my favorite class of the week!”
“The gym is always clean, organized, and really feels like a family environment where everyone (kids, teens, parents) is growing together.”
“Coach Malachy’s extensive experience in coaching competitors has helped me push past mental blocks, refine my skills, and even win.”
“Whether you’re here for fitness, self-defense, or competition, this gym delivers on every level.”
“We expected him to just watch the first time but Coach Malachy made him feel so comfortable that he jumped right it.”
Other martial arts here
“It’s helped me stay in shape and has been great preparation for wrestling season.”
What members say
“If you’re looking for a place with amazing coaching, a positive community, and people who genuinely want to see you succeed, Midtown Jiu Jitsu is the place to be.”
“I’m a pretty slow learner, but I’ve always felt welcome, have fun, and enjoy a community full of genuinely kind, down-to-earth people.”
“The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, and everyone trains with respect, which makes it a great place to improve consistently.”
“They focus not only on building strong fundamentals and techniques, but also on developing confidence, discipline, and mental toughness.”
“Jiujitsu has become so more more than just a sport for my son. He loves to go and is proud to tell everyone he does jiujitsu.”
“Coach Malachy’s extensive experience in coaching competitors has helped me push past mental blocks, refine my skills, and even win.”
From the reviews
My family has been at Midtown Jiu Jitsu for over a year now. My kids (now 6, 8, and 10) started first, and I joined in eventually too. It’s been one of the best decisions we’ve made.
I walked into Midtown Jiu Jitsu over a year ago with no experience and no idea what to expect and was met with so much kindness, patience, and a sport I instantly fell in love with. Coach Malachy and Coach Stephanie are incredible.
My son started at midtown jiujitsu just a few months after they opened, when he was only 4. My son can be very hesitant to try new sports so with the 2 free classes it was worth a shot. We expected him to just watch the first time but Coach Malachy made him feel so comfortable that he jumped right it.
If you're looking to try out Jiu Jitsu or continue your training, Midtown Jiu Jitsu is where it's at! I've been training for roughly 9 years and have trained at and visited many gyms. Training at Midtown JJ you quickly see that Malachy and Steph have truly built something special.
New to BJJ? Start at Midtown Jiu Jitsu
Midtown Jiu Jitsu 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.
Your first BJJ class at Midtown Jiu Jitsu
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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