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Westchester Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.8 ★★★★★ 39 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Hawthorne, 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.
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
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule westchesterjjacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 914-319-4217
Hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–12 pm, 4–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–8 am, 4–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30 am–12 pm, 4–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6–8 am, 4–10 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am–12 pm, 4–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“They have found a balance between making the kids work and having fun at the same time.”
“They also have Women-only classes focused on self-defense which is amazing.”
“I 100% recommend this place for everyone: kids, teens, and adults!”
“They also have Women-only classes focused on self-defense which is amazing.”
“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll find challenging yet rewarding training sessions tailored to your skill level.”
What members say
“Coach Matt welcomed me greatly and run nice classes with well explained techniques.”
“Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you'll find challenging yet rewarding training sessions tailored to your skill level.”
“The results are a true gift, there always is supportive instruction, with plenty of opportunity for repetition and opportunity to improve.”
“First met Trenton at a BJJ Globetrotters camp and was impressed by both the smoothness of his technique as well as how simply he broke down the lessons.”
“The team he is building is tough, energetic and fun (not to mention successful in competitions)!”
“I've been training at Alliance Westchester under the guidance of Professor Trenton Cooke, and I can't recommend it highly enough.”
From the reviews
Trenton is an amazing, technical, patient, and fun teacher. The facility is second to none in terms of cleanliness. The team he is building is tough, energetic and fun (not to mention successful in competitions)!
Trenton Cooke is a phenomenal instructor. I have taken many of his classes and hosted him for numerous seminars. He offers a very friendly, welcoming and fun environment. His style really offers something for every skill level.
Trenton Cooke is an excellent Jiu Jitsu instructor. Having taught students all over the world he has developed a teaching style that is effective for all people regardless of skill level or experience.
Trenton is the most technical instructor I've ever trained with. In a few lessons with Trenton I was able to successfully execute techniques that I had struggled with for years. He really understands where the leverage is in every technique and knows how to communicate that information to others.
New to BJJ? Start at Westchester Jiu Jitsu Academy
Westchester Jiu Jitsu Academy 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.
Your first BJJ class at Westchester Jiu Jitsu Academy
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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