HomeNew YorkManlius › Vien Jiu Jitsu

Vien Jiu Jitsu

5 ★★★★★ 98 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Manlius, New York

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens 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
  • Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule vienjiujitsu.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 315-378-9669

Hours

Monday 5–8:30 pm
Tuesday 5–8:30 pm
Wednesday 5–8:30 pm
Thursday 5–8:30 pm
Friday 5–8:30 pm
Saturday 9 am–12 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 Vien Jiu Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 5 mentions

“I'm seriously always in awe that I have the honor to learn from them and train at their gym, and thankful for the influence that their training has my life and my children!”

All gyms that run kids bjj →

💪 Women's BJJ 3 mentions

“They’re growing their women’s programming ( I LOVE the women’s classes) and they’ve brought in great Judo and wrestling instructors.”

All gyms that run women's bjj →

🏆 Competition Team 7 mentions

“Gee and April are not only top-level instructors, competitors, and practitioners but also amazing people who bring so much light and energy to the community.”

All gyms that run competition team →

🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“When my fiance suggested I should learn jiu jitsu for self defense, I was skeptical whether it was something that I could do or should even attempt.”

All gyms that run self-defense →

🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“Trying Jiu Jitsu for the first time was way outside my comfort zone and I was very nervous, but I had an amazing experience with Vien Jiu Jitsu.”

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 Vien Jiu Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🤼 Judo 2 mentions

“They’re growing their women’s programming ( I LOVE the women’s classes) and they’ve brought in great Judo and wrestling instructors.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

“They’re growing their women’s programming ( I LOVE the women’s classes) and they’ve brought in great Judo and wrestling instructors.”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 98 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 2 mentions

“Gee and April are an incredible coaching team who teach as well as they perform.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“Many students here compete so the skill level is very high, but beginners are always treated with respect and learn very quickly.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 17 mentions

“Self defense was our main goal but they have gained so much more from confidence to a community of supportive and all around great people.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 2 mentions

“If you’re seasoned or looking for a place to grab the basics and start your journey, this is where you want to be.”

active competition team 8 mentions

“Gee and April are not only top-level instructors, competitors, and practitioners but also amazing people who bring so much light and energy to the community.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Vien Jiu Jiu is a great facility for both casual everyday people looking to learn Jiu Jitsu and to the professional grapplers looking to win world titles.”

From the reviews

In my opinion probably the Best Brazilian Jiujitsu School in the area! High level instruction taught by world 🌎 champions who truly care about the art and their students!

★★★★★ — Dan, Jul 2022

Best jiu jitsu location in the North. Highest level training partners. Humble respectful atmosphere from everyone and all the head coaches. Great gym to get high level training and a good workout. I encourage anyone who enjoys great training to check out Vien Jiu Jitsu. - E Cruz

★★★★★ — Eric, Mar 2025

When my fiance suggested I should learn jiu jitsu for self defense, I was skeptical whether it was something that I could do or should even attempt. When he searched gyms near me and said I could train with a champion female coach in right in Manlius, I decided I should at least give it a try.

★★★★★ — Julia, Aug 2025

My Husband and I have been training here for almost a year. I’m a 33 year old women and mother. I can’t speak for other gyms having only trained here, but my experience has been life-changing. At Vien Jiu Jitsu I feel: inspired, empowered, respected, safe, and humbled😅.

★★★★★ — Deep, Jan 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 98 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Vien Jiu Jitsu

Vien Jiu Jitsu 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 Vien Jiu Jitsu

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 Vien Jiu Jitsu

1 Thermold Dr, Manlius, NY13104

Get directions

More BJJ gyms near Manlius

Impact Martial Arts & Fitness

4.9 ★★★★★ 33 reviews

8240 Cazenovia Rd Unit 90, Manlius, NY

BJJ gym Kids & teens no-ego, friendly academystrong technique & fundamentalsstrong kids program

1.3 miles away

SAS Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 40 reviews

3507 James St, Syracuse, NY

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

7.8 miles away

Inner Circle Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai

5 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

527 Charles Ave, Syracuse, NY

🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Competition team Affiliated expert, high-level coachingwelcoming to beginnersno-ego, friendly academy

11.6 miles away

All BJJ gyms in Manlius, NY →

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.