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Modern Martial Arts - Upper East Side
4.8 ★★★★★ 51 Google reviews · BJJ gym in New York, 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
- Membership memberships run around $200/mo — many academies also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
- 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
- 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 mmanewyorkcity.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 212-772-3700
Hours
| Monday | 12–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 12–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 12–8 pm |
| Thursday | 12–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:45 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | 9:45 am–2 pm |
The classes they run
“The workout is excellent for the children, and the foundation philosophy is discussed each class, underlying the importance of discipline, integrity, self control.”
“If not for these two coaches and the competition class, we likely would have moved him to the same gym I train at.”
“The receptionists are always so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, I strongly recommend if you are looking to have an excellent time while learning self-defense.”
“They do a really great job here of letting you find (or perhaps discover for the first time) your strength.”
Other martial arts here
“My daughter and I have been training at MMA NYC for years, and it has truly been an incredible experience for both of us.”
“In addition to the kickboxing, jiu-jitsu and defense skills he has learned in class, he has benefited a great deal other life skills, e.”
“I love this karate studio the teachers and the kids are all nice 👍 I would definitely suggest this karate studio”
What members say
“Every coach is knowledgeable and attentive, the classes are structured and each participant is closely attended to and coached in the correct poses and moves.”
“They do a really great job here of letting you find (or perhaps discover for the first time) your strength.”
“She earned her Black Belt last year, which was an enormous source of pride for our family.”
“Both my son and I love Modern for their challanging classes and gifted teachers.”
“If not for these two coaches and the competition class, we likely would have moved him to the same gym I train at.”
“The workout is excellent for the children, and the foundation philosophy is discussed each class, underlying the importance of discipline, integrity, self control.”
From the reviews
I am 12 years old, and I go to Modern Martial Arts, I've been taking classes since I was 3 1/2 years old, The coaches are amazing at teaching and what they do. The receptionists are always so enthusiastic and knowledgeable, I strongly recommend if you are looking to have an excellent time while learning self-defense.
My son is autistic; your instructors put both him and us- his parents at ease. They are great coaches- professional and caring. Keith is fantastic. His drills, beyond instilling a sense of confidence, is the best occupational therapy for those who need it. And Sandy- at the desk, is very helpful and kind.
My daughter and I have been training at MMA NYC for years, and it has truly been an incredible experience for both of us. My daughter has been taking classes for nine years, and I joined the adult kickboxing program three years ago.
MMA is possibly my favorite place on earth. My son started when he was 4.5 and has been going for about 6 months. He is a more quiet, introspective kid, but is his most confident self in this class. He volunteers, is loud, loves to be called - basically his best self.
New to BJJ? Start at Modern Martial Arts - Upper East Side
Modern Martial Arts - Upper East Side 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 Modern Martial Arts - Upper East Side
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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