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Unity Jiu Jitsu School

4.9 ★★★★★ 221 Google reviews · BJJ gym in New York, New York

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

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
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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 unityjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (917) 409-5550

Hours

Monday 7 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–10 PM
Thursday 7 AM–10 PM
Friday 7 AM–10 PM
Saturday 9 AM–3 PM
Sunday 10 AM–3 PM

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 Unity Jiu Jitsu School, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 3 mentions

“Great gym for younger kids with very good instructors.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“Rachel found the right instructor for a private session for me.”

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🔓 Open Mat 2 mentions

“I had the pleasure of visiting Unity Jiu-Jitsu in NYC for their open mat this past weekend, and I have to say it was an excellent experience.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“They have an amazing ability to break down techniques into precise, understandable steps, ensuring that everyone from beginners to advanced practitioners can grasp and apply them.”

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 Unity Jiu Jitsu School — 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 221 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 15 mentions

“They have an amazing ability to break down techniques into precise, understandable steps, ensuring that everyone from beginners to advanced practitioners can grasp and apply them.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 20 mentions

“The people here are incredible—fellow students are supportive, enthusiastic, and committed to helping each other grow, regardless of skill level.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“They have an amazing ability to break down techniques into precise, understandable steps, ensuring that everyone from beginners to advanced practitioners can grasp and apply them.”

💗 welcoming to women 5 mentions

“Having trained at a few gyms before, I would say Unity is the best gym for women in NYC.”

From the reviews

From the day 1 beginner to the professional athlete, Unity is one of the most inclusive and inviting atmospheres you'll ever find at an NYC gym. Owner, Murilo Santana, and all of the teaching staff have a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to share with you.

★★★★★ — H, Sep 2021

Update: still the best place in NYC, possibly even *the world,* to learn high level jiujitsu and get the best training. No matter what your goals are - to get into shape, learn new skills, or to become a world champion, the instructors here will help you achieve those goals.

★★★★★ — Medelene, Jan 2024

There is nothing better, after a long day, then walking through an unassuming glass door, down a few stairs, and into Unity Jiu Jitsu. Murilo Santana is probably one of the top jiu jitsu instructors in the world.

★★★★★ — Liz, Jun 2025

Where to begin? I am a white belt beginner from out of town, was recommended this place to train. It feels like a family, the regulars at Unity are kind and so patient with newcomers like myself. They are serious about training, inspiring and you can feel such a good energy during class.

★★★★★ — Maria, Feb 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 221 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Unity Jiu Jitsu School

Unity Jiu Jitsu School 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.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at Unity Jiu Jitsu School

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 Unity Jiu Jitsu School

Stair A Door, Basement, 144 W 14th St, New York, NY10011

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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.