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Pillar jiujitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 174 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Brooklyn, New York

BJJ gym Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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 pillarjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 347-938-7694

Hours

Monday 12–9:30 pm
Tuesday 3:30–9:30 pm
Wednesday 12–9:30 pm
Thursday 3:30–9 pm
Friday 11:30 am–1 pm, 3:30–7 pm
Saturday 9:45 am–3 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 Pillar jiujitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 3 mentions

“I started taking classes for beginners ( before the actual beginners) in August where you learn the basics of BJJ.”

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🧒 Kids BJJ 7 mentions

“I love that they offer classes for all ages and I enjoy watching the kids train, while the coaches push them to be their best selves.”

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Teens BJJ

“When I was a high school student, looking to continue my passion for jiujitsu at the time Professors RC and Isaiah, welcomed me with open arms.”

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🏆 Competition Team

“My kids have advanced so quickly that they competing placing gold/silver in tournaments.”

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🌱 Beginners 10 mentions

“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll find the quality of instruction and the supportive community to be unparalleled.”

All gyms that run beginners →

Other martial arts here

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

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 174 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“Amazing community and amazing coaches.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 11 mentions

“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll find the quality of instruction and the supportive community to be unparalleled.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 12 mentions

“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll find the quality of instruction and the supportive community to be unparalleled.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“The kids program is taught in a systematic manner that is challenging, yet interactive and intuitive for younger minds.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“The kids program is taught in a systematic manner that is challenging, yet interactive and intuitive for younger minds.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Pillar is a great gym with multiple instructors that are high-level and have competitive experience.”

From the reviews

Pillar Jujitsu offers a top-notch martial arts experience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll find the quality of instruction and the supportive community to be unparalleled. I highly recommend Pillar Jujitsu to anyone looking to explore or deepen their jujitsu journey.

★★★★★ — Uzair, Mar 2025

Pillar Jiu-Jitsu, is more than a gym, it’s a family. When I was a high school student, looking to continue my passion for jiujitsu at the time Professors RC and Isaiah, welcomed me with open arms.

★★★★★ — Chase, Aug 2025

I started taking classes for beginners ( before the actual beginners) in August where you learn the basics of BJJ. I have no training barely work out and just wanted to try something outrageously new.

★★★★★ — Brittany, Jan 2026

First off, wow. Pillar Jiu Jitsu is the real deal. It's also the community spot I didn't know I needed, but I'm happy I discovered. I echo other reviews in saying that I'm completely new to jiu jitsu, but the level of instruction the coaches provide (special shout to Coach RC) is second to none.

★★★★★ — Mcdaniel, Mar 2026

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 174 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Pillar jiujitsu

Pillar jiujitsu 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 Pillar jiujitsu

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 Pillar jiujitsu

1661 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY11226

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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.