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Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side

Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side

Affiliation: Renzo Gracie
4.9137 reviews
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About Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side

Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side is located in the subcellar of 246 Columbus Avenue on Manhattan's Upper West Side, steps from the 72nd Street subway station. The academy is co-owned by Renzo Gracie and black belt Luca Atalla, and carries a team of nine black belt instructors including Rafael "Sapo" Natal, a former UFC fighter with 17 professional fights. The gym holds a 4.9-star Google rating and counts more than 800 active members.

The program offerings span Adult Jiu-Jitsu at all levels — including fundamentals and no-gi classes — a Women's Jiu-Jitsu and Self-Defense program, and a Youth Jiu-Jitsu track with age-grouped classes for children starting at age three. Specialty offerings include flow classes, instructor courses, and visitor training passes, making it accessible to students passing through the city as well as long-term members. NYC residents can attend a free trial class, and loaner gis are available.

The academy is open Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 9 PM and Saturday from 9 AM to 2 PM. It operates as part of the broader Renzo Gracie lineage and reflects the academy's emphasis on welcoming beginners while also serving competitive athletes. Adult memberships begin at approximately $300 per month. Contact: (212) 787-3700 or uws@renzogracieuws.com.

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Reviews

4.9
137 reviews
Christina Burns
2025-01-01

Fabulous! Great instructors. My kids love it. I’ve tried several studios and this is the only one they actually want to return to. The owner is great and very purpose driven. Highly recommend!

William Lannon
2025-01-01

Incredible instruction, fantastic facilities, awesome teammates, multiple class times that fit your schedule...should I go on?! If you're looking for a place to learn jiu jitsu from the world's best instructors, come to RGUWS...I'm so glad I did!

Drean
2025-01-01

Exceptional facilities, great instructors with good character and recognition on the sport! And Renzo Gracie always around! I highly recommend that school for parents who want their child to take the benefits of martial arts, for adults with or without experience! Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is for everyone regardless of your age, physical condition or level of experience.

Christopher Grymes
2025-01-01

Renzo Gracie UWS changed my life. I’m a 52 year old man with a hip replacement. If you are of my vintage and/or have a similar impediment and you have ever wondered if this is for you I have an unequivocal answer for you: yes. Joining the UWS Renzo Gracie academy was the best decision I’ve made in terms of my mental and physical health. It’s a super supportive group of people from a broad variety of places, professions, and interests. My 10 year old son also attends and I am 100% pleased with his participation and development. The coaches for kids and adults are world-class and welcoming for veterans and newcomers alike. If you’re on the fence you should take the risk and come in. You likely won’t regret it. That being said, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a very intense activity and a high intensity workout. You will be is very close physical contact for the majority of the class. It’s among the most exhausting and ultimately satisfying workouts you will ever have. If you love the first cla

Andres
2025-01-01

I visited the academy a couple of months ago and had a great experience. The instructor in charge — a purple belt from Brazil, though I can't remember his name — was very welcoming. He even invited me to stay for a class, but unfortunately, I couldn’t at the time. The place was also very organized. I'm from Argentina, and it was really nice to feel so welcomed even being far from home.

Frequently Asked Questions

DO I NEED EXPERIENCE TO START TRAINING BJJ?

Not at all! Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side welcomes complete beginners. We offer introductory classes specifically designed to teach the fundamentals of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a safe, supportive environment. Everyone starts somewhere, and our coaches will guide you every step of the way.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY FIRST CLASS?

For your first visit, comfortable athletic wear such as shorts and a rash guard works perfectly. Once you train regularly, you'll want a gi (BJJ uniform). We train gi here — our coaches can point you toward the right gear.

IS THERE A FREE TRIAL CLASS?

Yes! We encourage you to try a class before committing. Contact Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Upper West Side to schedule your complimentary intro class and experience our training environment for yourself.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TRAIN AS A BEGINNER?

Most beginners see strong progress training 2-3 times per week. Consistency matters more than volume early on. As your conditioning improves, many students increase to 4-5 sessions per week.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A BLUE BELT IN BJJ?

On average, dedicated students earn their blue belt in 1-2 years of consistent training. Progression depends on mat time, active learning, and open rolling. Each stripe reflects real skill growth.