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The Upstate Grappling Club
4.7 ★★★★★ 46 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Clifton Park, New York
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
- No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
- 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 upstategrapplingclub.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 518-917-9969
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
The classes they run
“My son loves doing Jiu-Jitsu and, in less than a month, he has already developed a lot of discipline.”
“Andrew is an incredible instructor who not only has deep knowledge of the art but also a passion for teaching it in a way that makes it accessible to all levels.”
Other martial arts here
“The caliber of wrestling and grit in there bjj is unmatched.”
What members say
“Andrew is an incredible instructor who not only has deep knowledge of the art but also a passion for teaching it in a way that makes it accessible to all levels.”
“Andrew is an incredible instructor who not only has deep knowledge of the art but also a passion for teaching it in a way that makes it accessible to all levels.”
“The instructors have all been extremely knowledgeable and push the students to work hard while offering a friendly environment to train in.”
“He is very observant of his students and will help you develop any technique he sees you need help with, even if it wasn't in the lesson for that day.”
“My son loves doing Jiu-Jitsu and, in less than a month, he has already developed a lot of discipline.”
““I would like to thank Upstate Granppling Club for the spacious and pleasant space and for the professionals who take care of each student.”
From the reviews
The Upstate Grappling Club is hands down one of the best places to train Jiu-Jitsu. Andrew is an incredible instructor who not only has deep knowledge of the art but also a passion for teaching it in a way that makes it accessible to all levels. The atmosphere here is welcoming, supportive, and challenging.
Mikey is very knowledgeable and cultivates a great atmosphere for learning jiu-jitsu. He is very observant of his students and will help you develop any technique he sees you need help with, even if it wasn't in the lesson for that day.
I been to multiple gyms over the past 6-7 years . The 10% discount for first responders and welcoming atmosphere is amazing . I see some of the reviews complaining about the new system but I’m sure the owners had to adjust to their students and schedules .
I’ve been attending upstate grappling club since it just about opened. The instructors have all been extremely knowledgeable and push the students to work hard while offering a friendly environment to train in.
New to BJJ? Start at The Upstate Grappling Club
The Upstate Grappling Club 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 The Upstate Grappling Club
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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