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Modern Martial Arts - Midtown

4.8 ★★★★★ 76 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 mmanewyorkcity.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (212) 957-4045

Hours

Monday 4–7 PM
Tuesday 5:15–7:30 PM
Wednesday 4–7 PM
Thursday 5:15–7:30 PM
Friday Closed
Saturday 10 AM–12:30 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 Modern Martial Arts - Midtown, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“His training is highly focused on mastering fundamentals, and he is there to teach beginners, intermediates and advanced classes with equal level of dedication and passion.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 5 mentions

“My child is enrolled in the jiu-jitsu classes, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

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💪 Women's BJJ

“As a woman starting Jiu Jitsu in my 40's and never having done anything like BJJ before was a scary thing.”

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🏆 Competition Team 4 mentions

“Since training here I’ve won one tournament and placed at another.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“Would recommend checking out the open mat on Sundays!”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“While doing Women's Self-defense and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I find myself feeling strong, brave, proud, and loved.”

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🌱 Beginners 7 mentions

“The adult classes are tailored to your needs; they train world class competition grapplers, beginners and everything in between.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🏟️ MMA

“The school is frequently visited by elite MMA fighters.”

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 76 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“Vitor is a great professor and if you are reading this, sorry I had to leave without saying goodbye!”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 15 mentions

“Professor Jeferson creates a welcoming environment encouraging to newcomer, but also for more competitive practitioners like myself.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 19 mentions

“While it was definitely intimidating to join as someone with no martial arts experience, all of the staff and students throughout the ranks have been very helpful and friendly.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 9 mentions

“His training is highly focused on mastering fundamentals, and he is there to teach beginners, intermediates and advanced classes with equal level of dedication and passion.”

great workout & conditioning 2 mentions

“I've made some new friends, lost over 30 pounds and am now in the best shape of my life and feel great.”

active competition team 6 mentions

“The adult classes are tailored to your needs; they train world class competition grapplers, beginners and everything in between.”

From the reviews

Excellent Martial Arts School Our experience with this martial arts school has been absolutely incredible. My child is enrolled in the jiu-jitsu classes, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.

★★★★★ — Mayerlin, Dec 2024

I have been training here for about 4 months and love it. While it was definitely intimidating to join as someone with no martial arts experience, all of the staff and students throughout the ranks have been very helpful and friendly.

★★★★★ — Dan, Aug 2013

Stopped in for a class when I was in the area. This place is both welcoming, clean, and talented. If you are looking for a place to start your BJJ journey, they will take you in with open arms and you will walk out with confidence you never knew you had.

★★★★★ — Bs, Jul 2023

The gym is always very welcoming. I love that I am motivated to get better and better every time I come. We learn a technique each day, and we drill the move, then we roll. The rolling is great.

★★★★★ — Alex, Jan 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 76 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Modern Martial Arts - Midtown

Modern Martial Arts - Midtown 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 Modern Martial Arts - Midtown

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 Modern Martial Arts - Midtown

780 8th Ave #302, New York, NY10036

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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.