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Ronin Athletics MMA NYC - Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense
4.9 ★★★★★ 291 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.
Simple studio with padded mats & walls, offering martial arts sessions & a free intro class.
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 roninathletics.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 212-564-4153
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–3:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“You go through a beginner program which prepares you for defending against untrained opponents.”
“My daughter Sophie and I attended your Women Empowerment self-defense class, and I just wanted to thank you for such a powerful and inspiring session.”
“As a woman, I was immediately greeted by other women and ended up training with them for the entire class, which felt intentional toward helping me to feel comfortable.”
“This class is a wonderful example of how teens with autism can benefit from learning self-defense thru Jujitsu and feeling strong in their bodies and minds.”
“If you’ve ever thought about trying a self-defense class, this Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Women Empowered program is absolutely the best choice in all of New York City!”
“In contrast to the "show and roll" style common in many jiu-jitsu gyms, the beginners program at Ronin Athletics emphasizes technical application and collaborative practice.”
Other martial arts here
“A friend and I both had an amazingly positive experience at Ronin Athletic MMA NYC taking a trial session for the Women's Empowerment Program.”
What members say
“Christian Montes and Lara are really great instructors.”
“The adult classes cater to a range of skill levels, from beginners to advanced BJJ practitioners, ensuring a well-rounded and challenging experience.”
“I recommend anyone to try it out as the environment was very welcoming and the techniques were appropriate for beginners and intermediates alike.”
“Since I started my time in this program they have been very informative and they really take the time to coach and guide us through all of the techniques in great detail.”
“If you’ve ever thought about trying a self-defense class, this Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Women Empowered program is absolutely the best choice in all of New York City!”
From the reviews
I am currently a student at Ronin athletics in Midtown. I joined the school to participate in the all women’s self defense program created by the Gracie Family, "Women Empowered.
As someone in my mid-40s balancing family and a career, I’ve always wanted to learn Jiu-Jitsu. I’d heard so many great things about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)—from self-defense and fitness to stress relief and confidence.
I started my BJJ journey when I attended a Women Empowered seminar and never looked back. The team at Ronin Athletics is professional, kind, and creates a safe learning environment. The facilities are absolutely beautiful, very clean and well-lit.
As a father and husband who's not getting any younger—let's just say the creaks in my joints are now my morning playlist—finding a supportive and enriching environment for physical and mental growth is like discovering a rare gem.
New to BJJ? Start at Ronin Athletics MMA NYC - Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense
Ronin Athletics MMA NYC - Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense 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 Ronin Athletics MMA NYC - Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense
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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