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Park Slope Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
4.9 ★★★★★ 200 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Brooklyn, 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
- 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
- Website & schedule psabjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 718-788-6990
The classes they run
“Started with them around 2015 when I was 15, just a skinny kid who was afraid of being in the basketball court alone bc he didn’t know how to defend himself.”
“Very welcoming environment and is easy to make this a part of your workout or self defense routine.”
“Whether you’re brand new to BJJ or have years of experience, you’ll feel welcomed and challenged here.”
Other martial arts here
“Two years in, I’m at the school everyday for class, whether for BJJ or Muay Thai.”
“As a black belt in judo with over 10 years of training and competitive experience, I decided to take on jiu-jitsu, and I couldn’t have found a better place to start.”
What members say
“Coach Adam at is incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about helping his students improve, no matter their experience level.”
“His teaching style makes techniques easy to understand, and the atmosphere he creates is both challenging and welcoming.”
“My 13 yo son Aiden has been training with these guys for a couple years now and it’s truly been one of the best choices we as a family have ever made.”
“The coaches here are also world class, Marc and Steven both know the ins and outs of Bjj to a very high level and show very fun and crafty techniques during the classes.”
“Can’t recommend this school enough, whether you’re young or old, in great shape or in need of physical improvement, it’s a wonderful place for all!”
“With how everything was setup I felt super sharp, focused and completely honed in by the time we had rounds - which made for some great, dynamic scraps!”
From the reviews
PSABJJ has become my second home! When I turned 40, my midlife crisis took charge and I decided to face my fears and insecurities and try something new and challenging, both physically and mentally. For some reason that was BJJ. And PSABJJ could not have been a more perfect place to get started.
Absolutely love this place! Moved to Brooklyn in June 2022 with the intention to start my journey in BJJ. PSABJJ had by far the best honest reviews it seemed and after training for 5 months at this academy I can say that reviews are well deserved and yet still don’t do it justice.
My son was in the Little Grapplers class. He's on the smaller side, and as a former practitioner myself, with numerous battle scars, I was initially worried for his safety. My fears were totally unfounded, as Marc and Steven have created an amazing environment---safe, generous, encouraging, and engaging.
I've been training at Park Slope Academy for the past two years and cannot speak highly enough about it. The professors Steven and Marc come from excellent jiu jitsu lineages and are both extremely knowledgeable while also being clear, helpful teachers. The younger coaches are polite and responsible young men.
New to BJJ? Start at Park Slope Academy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Park Slope Academy of Brazilian 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 Park Slope Academy of Brazilian 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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