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The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA

5 ★★★★★ 40 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Mt Vernon, New York

BJJ gym Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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

  • 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
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Website & schedule stevenwilliamsofficial.com — book classes and see the live schedule

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🏆 Competition Team 2 mentions

“I set a goal for myself to enter the ring and compete in MMA.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 4 mentions

“Have been in a few months but just reaching out to say if you want to get in shape and learn how to protect yourself the viking academy is the place to be.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“While I do have martial arts experience I get the sense that, unlike other gyms that claim the same, true beginners would be welcome here alongside anyone else.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai 3 mentions

“Professor Williams got back to me almost immediately and invited me in for a day of BJJ & Muay Thai.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🏟️ MMA 8 mentions

“If you are looking for a new dojo or you want to start training well The Viking academy is 150% in the business of teaching all levels of martial arts and MMA.”

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🦵 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“If you are thinking at all about MMA, jiu jitsu, kickboxing or just getting in shape, head to Viking Acadmey !”

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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 40 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 9 mentions

“Steve and Larry are amazing coaches who show passion and patience to people of all levels who enter into the gym and make learning everything a lot easier.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 10 mentions

“If you are looking for a new dojo or you want to start training well The Viking academy is 150% in the business of teaching all levels of martial arts and MMA.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“Everything passed my expectations, from the schedule to the lessons and even how friendly everyone else is.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 4 mentions

“On their social media page(s) / YouTube account you will find a plethora of videos of techniques, submissions, striking combos , etc.”

active competition team 3 mentions

“I set a goal for myself to enter the ring and compete in MMA.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

From the reviews

I've been training at the Viking academy for a month and I'm obsessed! 💯 Steven and Larry are excellent instructors with a lot of valuable knowledge! Definitely recommend to everyone, especially if you want to learn a variety of martial arts to defend yourself and gain a lot of strength.

★★★★★ — Izzy, Sep 2018

This is the best gym in the area! I've sweat off a few burgers just from one class. The instructors are knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Not only do you get to do the classes when you sign up but you also get access to the entire gym, Moutn Vernon Barbell. Can't beat that deal!

★★★★★ — Melanie, Sep 2018

Not to long ago a friend of mine who has been training with Professor Steve for the last 4 years referred me to the viking academy and set me up with a one class trial.

★★★★★ — J&B, Apr 2019

Looking for a solid, local fight gym I found Viking Academy and reached out about a trial run. Professor Williams got back to me almost immediately and invited me in for a day of BJJ & Muay Thai. While sometimes joining a new gym can be intimidating, that was not the case at Viking.

★★★★★ — Jared, May 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 40 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA

The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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 The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA

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. 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 The Viking Academy | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Muay Thai MMA

675 E Lincoln Ave, Mt Vernon, NY10552

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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.