Anyone who rated this above a two was paid to. The instructors egg on cheating and are biased towards some children and totally neglect others. read more

I've never exp such an unwelcoming club. I flew In and thought I could make a class. I was willing to pay and respect all the rules but I was told to leave because I had my luggage. The front desk person would not be the welcoming committee at my club. This is out of frustration but may no other bjj players get treated the way I did. OSS read more

Great instructors and really friendly staff. If you're looking for a place to train Renzo Gracie Academy is the place to come. read more

Best place to train and learn jiu jitsu. Amazing professors, great comradery amongst students. Can't recommend this place and picking up a martial art enough to someone. Been such a positive in my life. read more

I biked 25 minutes to the gym, then 25 minutes back. And just because I was sniffling after all the biking, the guy told me I have flu. I repeatedly told him I don't. He first made me change and take off my shoes, sign the waiver and everything. In fact, within 2 minutes the sniffling was gone. And yet, he suddenly changed his mind again, told me straight up that he doesn't trust me and I should come back another time, not before another week. While I talked to him, he just kept talking to his buddy or looking at his computer. Basically just kept treating me like I was talking to a wall. Unacceptable behavior. That's how much they distrust people. Either keep a thermometer and all kinds of lab tests around or just trust people. I am not sure a good relationship can be had with people like these. Joining this gym could've been such a big mistake and a waste of money. They wasted my entire evening but thankfully I found out in advance. And then he misused my contact info to call me an hour later to abuse. This is what you're going to get at this place. read more

I called to request information on their pricing. They have a policy in place preventing them from answering questions on pricing until after you complete a free trial class. This is just an asinine policy. They obviously want people to come in so you can sell them on the spot rather than simply be price discriminated over the phone. Sorry, have reliable upfront and open pricing. Not playing your silly sales games. read more

The people were nice enough, but there "enrollment system" is a complete scam. I tried one month for a good reason, to give it a shot. Being that this was something new, I didn't want to commit to it for a full year or even half a year. 5 classes in, I realized that it was not for me so I decided to cancel my enrollment. I was charged $180 for my initial enrollment, and another $140 for my monthly plan. 3 days before I knew I would be charged again I called the business and drove down to file an enrollment cancellation form. They said that, unfortunately, my card would be subject to another charge of $140 because I didn't notify them 30 days in advance...... Excuse me? Isn't that the entire point of "trying it out"? How am I supposed to know I want to cancel my plan 30 days in advance without trying it at least once? Absolutely ridiculous. I don't recommend anyone go to ANY Renzo Gracie facility. Completely unprofessional and just after your hard earned money. They are con artists and crooks. read more

I am writing a review that should have been posted back in September 2016. I was on a regular visit in NYC and wanted anxiously to experience a true Gracie gym as I attend a Gracie gym in my home state. What better than THE Renzo Gracie Academy? Right? Welp. It didn't go as planned. I took a whole day out to pay a mat fee (some $40 or so at the time) to take Muay Thai and BJJ. I was told, over the phone, it'd be fine. The nice lady at the desk told me I had to ask Joe St. Pierre, the instructor of the class, before I could jump in -- and I went up to him before class, asked him, provided my credentials as a student of Muay Thai at a fellow Gracie Academy (A few of my professors received their black belts from a Gracie directly). He told me "Sorry, the curriculum is different.." I was PISSED. I replied back "what? It's a Gracie gym, with some of the best talent in the country." JSP:"Sorry, no." Really? You didn't even do an assessment. I even watched the morning class, and it was not a big deal of a class. I went back to the lady to demand she terminate the waiver I had signed, and she told me,"well, we have jiu jitsu as well!" Lady, I'm not paying to roll with white belts in New York City. I'll try this place one more time before I give a final review. Hopefully the culture will be a bit different next time. read more

This academy and all the people I've met here are very near and dear to my heart. If you're in NYC, this is definitely the place to check out. I've trained at many other Gracie Academies, both in the United States and Brazil, and Renzo's has always been my favorite. You get it all, BJJ, MMA, Kickboxing, NoGi Grappling, and Kids classes. You also gain access to the widest variety of high level training partners imaginable. On any given day you'll run into UFC Fighters, world BJJ Champions, ADCC Champions, and movie stars. It's pretty cool. I know people are always complaining about the price and how expensive it is. Yes, it's not cheap to train at Renzo's, but like they always say, "you get what you pay for". And that's exactly it, you pay more money sure but what you get in return is absolutely worth the expense. I could go on and on about what makes Renzo's academy unique but at the end of the day to truly appreciate what they offer, you just have to experience it first hand. Give this place a look. I doubt you'll be disappointed. read more

Where to start...? Long story short, I did not like the place at all. (I joined for Muay Thai in Mid-January-2019 and cancelled my membership on 19-Feb-2019 - I did not try BJJ) So, first things first, the place. I am French, and lived several years in Paris, so I though I had seen it all when it comes to unwelcoming places, but apparently not. The "academy" (please... academy of what? it's a low-cost gym...) has the smell of the Parisian metro on a week day at 5pm and the hospitality of ... well the Parisian metro, on a week day, at 5pm. The front desk is not at the entrance of the place but in the basement, which, when you get there for the first place is a bit unsettling - needless to say no one will help and there are no signs or posts or anything. You are all by yourself - keep that in mind, those 5 words could be the motto of the "academy" In terms of look, it's the bare minimum, which is ok tbh; it goes well with the sport and the city. But, in this minimalist setting, I highly question the "altar" to this Renzo Gracie's past glory. I guess from the orgy of B&W pictures of him covering the walls (I mean literally: they used his pics as tapestry), he must have been someone vaguely famous in BJJ in a distant past but honestly I could not care less; it just looks ridiculous. Since we are in RG's ego-trip chapter here is the thing I found the most outrageous: as a member you "have to" wear a Renzo Gracie T Shirt. So, yeah not only I have to stare at his face while training, but I also have to wear his name on myself while doing it! Those are obviously sold "cash-only" by the priests of God-Renzo for only 25$. 25$, we are talking of a basic flocked cotton T-Shirt they got for maybe 50c! And there is no alternative: you have to buy it and wear it. So, if you are not dirty, if you plan to attend 2-to-3 times a week and given that you will sweat quite a lot (not from the training though, they just put the heater too high to make you feel like you are doing something - more on that later) you will need at least two or three TShirts, i.e. $50 to $75! But I guess having a piece on God's shroud on yourself is priceless... Now that we went through the entre, let's talk about the plat de resistance, I mean the training Here the main problem is that a Youtube video will honestly do a better job! First the one hour class begins with a 20mn warmup. I did boxing before and that sounds about right although the class was 1:30+ So be aware that you are in fact paying for 40min of Muay Thai only. But that's ok I guess. The warmup is very basic, nothing special here. When I did boxing at least it incorporated some ... boxing into it ( I know, I ask a lot...). Here it's more or less always the same: you run in circle (very slowly) then you do some sprints (given the length of the room, it felt like running in my kitchen) and a couple of squats / push ups / abs. So as said at the beginning for the first 20 min, you would not feel at all that you are in a Muay Thai class. And honestly, you'll feel the exact same in the next 40 min! For the class you are paired with other students, I mean other Renzo's worshipers. Be very careful here: the person you pick will de facto be your trainer. Oh yeah, I guess the TShirt money must be used to purchase more Renzo wallpaper but it is certainly not used to get to a decent trainer-to-student ratio. ONE trainer, that's it, for a class of 15+. And not really into that: he shows the movements once or twice if he feels like it and let you do it. Meaning that it is the responsibility of your sparing partner to correct you, assuming you were lucky enough to pick an advanced one. Otherwise (and that was my case this morning, which motivated my decision to leave), both of you will spend the 40mn looking at the others or trying to redo / remember what you are supposed to do... Worth every penny! I mean, I would even have been ready to accept the sparing/teacher thing, but at least have the trainer pair you and make sure beginners are paired with someone of higher level! I think that will conclude my too long review of this place. Believe me I am not a whiner at all. This is the very first (and last I hope) Yelp review I have ever written, because I really think this place is a hoax and I wish I could have save a month of membership fee (Oh yes, needless to say, I have refused to purchase the hideous TShirts...) read more

Supper friendly people here. Went in to buy a shirt. Take the elevator to the bottom floor. Sorry about the shoes.

I just completed a few trial classes. When you sign up for this school you get the best quality training possible. Classes are unlimited, The teachers are excellent, & the opportunity is there. The hardest part is simply showing up to class. read more

I came here for a free class (cardio/ kickboxing) and I was confused on where the entrance was. I had to go through a corporate building to get inside. When I walked in it was super hot. It was quite intimating to walk in because no one was at the front. The front desk was actually located in the basement. The space is fairly big, but there was no AC at all. It was stinky pit smell everywhere. They also had an upstairs which was where the free class was begin held and it was hot. Since it was so hot, I was actually sweating just from the heat instead of the intense work out. I never took a class with them, but I think it is some pretty serious training here because everyone was so focus as I was walking around the facility. Not sure how much it cost though. I think they could have a cleaner bathroom. The toilet seat was missing the cover. read more

Renzo Gracie is incredible. I did the "tour" of 6-7 NYC Jiu-Jitsu gyms for a month or two (going to all of the free classes they offered) and Renzo's place was far and away my favorite. Not only are the instructors top-notch, but the people that go to this gym are great as well, which is a HUGE factor to wanting to go (I like it so much I go 4-6 days a week 1-2 times a day). It's expensive, sure, but it's 100% worth the money, and is a downright bargain compared to the other gyms in the city. Whether you're a white belt or a black belt, you will learn and improve every single day. Their attention to detail and the methods of instruction they use are incredible. I seriously didn't think this kind of improvement was possible without montages, but Renzo proved me wrong. read more

Very high level of jiu jitsu instruction. I have been training at Renzo's every time I visit the city. The professors are top notch and classes are available for all levels. The facilities are great. For all the reviews below criticizing the smell- it's a martial arts gym! Every single jiu jitsu and Muay Thai academy smells like hard work-sweat. The mats and training areas are cleaned meticulously. If you don't like the smell of sweat then perhaps try Pilates. In response to the complaints about contract issues- discuss with the program director about payment plans and trial periods, they can work with you and answer your questions. Master Renzo Gracie is a legend, this is his headquarters, where champions train... read more

Anything less than five stars is simply unacceptable. Background: I am a mid/low level blue belt that has trained on and off (mostly off due to injuries) for seven years. I started training at Renzo's this past summer and was immediately blown away at the level of instruction here. Classes are taught by some of the best BJJ/MMA fighters in the world: Gregor Gracie, Igor Gracie, Rafael "Sapo" Natal, John Danaher, and Renzo Gracie himself. Similarly, the skill level of all of the students are high caliber - there is no such thing as an easy roll here (though, like anywhere, you need to watch out for the crazy white belt that rolls like it's Mundials). Renzo Gracie Academy offers BJJ, MMA, wrestling and Muay Thai classes throughout the day that can fit anyone's schedule. A typical BJJ class (1.5 hours) will consist of warming up (jogging, rolls, hip escapes, stretches), then jumping right into takedown and/or guard passing or other situational live drilling. Then the instructor will show a series of moves which the students will practice, before we get into live rolling, concluding with a cool down and bowing out. The environment, being surrounded by so much talent (there can be classes with over 4-5 black belts), class size, and heat can be a little intimidating at first, but the community that encompasses the sport of BJJ certainly shines through at the Academy as well. You may have to put a little extra effort in compared to a smaller school to ingratiate yourself into the school community, but It is still very easy to make friends with training partners, or to ask questions to instructors or higher level belts, who are always happy to help. My advice is to not be afraid to ask questions or introduce yourself to other students. At the end of the day, you will get world class training from multiple world class black belts, top quality training partners, in a welcoming, friendly environment. You can't go wrong here, and if you decide to come by, please say hello! See you on the mats! Oss! read more

I train BJJ in Rio and came to NY for vacation and decided to train some of the days, what an experience, perfect!!! Renzo is a legend, and having the opportunity to learn and train with him by itself is already a privilege, awesome!!! Highly recommended!!! The academy is great, very well organized and everyone is really attentive to you. The BJJ classes are divided into belt levels, so the techniques and students are somewhat balanced. The classes are also gi and nogi. There are plenty of classes in different time slots in multiple dojos. The mats are huge. There are also other martial arts (muay thai, etc), but I didn't try them. read more

while in NY, we HAD to stop by Renzo's for a class. we did two classes, a morning and noon class, with the one and only John Danaher. so, apparently everyone at the gym is well aware that Danaher is always late. so, if you are going to Renzo's, i'd plan accordingly. the classes were both top notch. stuff i have been practicing and hitting. the open mat was good, not great. there were some of the best BJJ practitioners in the whole world at the open mat (good). i'm sure Renzo's gets visitors daily, so they're used to it, but very few people were inviting or offered to roll (bad). i get it, i'm an unknown dude who might have something to prove or might be a jerk or might be a white belt. so i didn't get to roll as much as i wanted and had to roll with some less-than-talented people. but it was still a good experience. if we visit NY again, i will, of course, visit again. read more

Had to be in NY for business. I'm an older single stripe white belt from Gracie Barra and was highly advised to check this out. I loved the experience. Great instructors, humble students, and terrific purple and brown coaches. I only wish I had more time. Favorite part of my trip. Very welcoming to an old, rusty, visiting newbie. lol read more

Went for a trial BJJ class today. As a background I have a little bit of BJJ experience (~15 classes) but have over 12 years of martial arts experience including teaching and helping administrate a school and have visited over 20 schools over the years so I have a decent perspective from which to draw first impressions. The class: -20 or 25 white belt students (apparently it's usually closer to 15) with one instructor and one brown belt assistant 10min of standard BJJ warm ups- running, a few calisthenics, rolls, hip escapes -5 minutes of "practicing take-downs" for which no instruction was given -25 minutes of demonstrating a basic side control escape and talking at length about unrelated matters and random class questions -5 minutes of practicing said escape -10 minutes of attempting escapes from guard and submission with active resistance (essentially sparring) -5 minute cool down I enjoyed class and the people I worked with were good natured but hard-working. I did not however care for the flow of the class. I hope that other instructors structure class differently and provide more instruction. As well 25-to-1 is not an acceptable student to teacher ratio for me (almost no direct guidance/monitoring) . I hope this is an aberration. Facility: -2 large mat areas (basement) -2 separate floors for Muay Thai (this faces the street), ring, cage -spacious locker room with 4 showers, -2 water fountains -Decent weight training area that has a squat rack, bench, olympic lifting platform, olympic barbell and plates, a few kettlebells and dumbbells (available for use w instructor permission except during kid's class) -Reciprocal membership with Williamsburg location Price (all unlimited BJJ) -1 year up front $2172 -12 month commitment: $347 down (reg fee + first month) and $179/month x11 months -12 month commitment: $279 down (reg fee + first month) and $199/month x11 months -No commitment: $295 down (reg fee + first month) and $220/month -Optional laundry service: $50/month for 2-day turn around on gis -Towel rental $1.50 -Renzos gis encouraged but not 100% necessary ($100 for white, $110 for blue) -Early termination is a two month due penalty (you have to pay for 2 months worth of dues if you cancel before your year is up) -You can freeze your account with 35 days notice for up to 6 months. Beyond that it's a $40/month maintenance fee -Muay Thai is about $75 extra per month depending on plan. I did not get pricing for just Muay Thai Pros: -Great facility -15 black belt instructors -Nice weight training resources -Option to train at Williamsburg location -Tons of class times for easier scheduling (although closed on Sunday) -Easy location Cons: -Size of school and classes suggests some anonymity -Poor student-teacher ratio (possibly an aberration) -Classes recorded on a card and number of instructors leads me to suspect rank promotion based on attendance/dedication to school more than ability/progress -Standard high NYC prices but restrictive cost if you want to add Muay Thai -A little bit of a corporate, over-branded feel (not totally out of line with BJJ in general) As for myself I plan to check out a couple more schools first but very well may begin studying here soon. I have concerns but an overall favorable impression based on what I need and my previous experience. I would encourage anyone to try a few schools before settling and a brand new person to consider a smaller school where they'll receive more attention (Alliance, Clockwork and Marcelo Garcia are all great options). At the end of the day it's not about "the best school" as some people will try to convince you. It's about the school that's the best fit for you. read more

Had a strong interest in learning jiu-jitsu so I called and scheduled an introductory class at 6pm which I arrived early for at 5:45. Place is located in the basement of an office building but is definitely a large facility as far as martial arts gyms goes. After waiting around for a bit with noone at the counter even addressing me I went into a glass office to inquire about my lesson. They seemed unsure who would be instructing me that day but told me to change out and wait on the chairs. I did so until around 6:20. During this time I could see that there was a white belt and blue belt class being conducted in two different rooms and they seemed at max capacity. In a back room there was a muay thai class being held. Locker rooms were spacious almost like you'd expect at a Bally's. Finally a young Brazilian guy came out and took one other guy and myself onto the mats. He proceeded to discuss and demonstrate some basic concepts of jiu-jitsu to us in the best English he could. After a whopping total of 15 minutes max he escorted us both to a membership office where 2 guys at desks told us it would be $220 a month to join. Maybe I caught this gym on an understaffed day but the whole experience seemed very unprofessional and very impersonal. Didn't inspire me to join, just kinda felt like another quota to be met for the month's membership numbers :/ read more

i give this place 2 stars because of the price and the people. If you are looking to learn BJJ and not get your head ripped off then this place is not for you. The class sizes are way to big at one time i was on the mat with 35 guys I don't think the instructor once came by to see if we were doing the move right. I trained here for a year got my blue belt and felt I had enough. They kept billing even after I canceled my contract. I had to cancel my credit card. This school felt like the mc donalds of BJJ. If they cut their school size in half it might have been a good place. There are many better places to train try Fabio Clemente at Alliance or vitor shaolin. Hope this help some of you. read more

Only reason they have good reviews is because they keep paying Yelp to take down bad reviews. I cancelled my membership and they are still charging me. On a call again with Chase to resolve this issue. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE! Hope they at least fixed all their broken equipment. read more

This was actually my first jiu jitsu school. I trained there years back, left the area- but its a branch that I usually try to go to wherever I am. Because the level and fluency of the institute set up and way things are ran is outstanding So when I cant acess an actual gracie school I train where I can. Ive been to various gyms internationally with " ex gracie students" that remix the moves & or do them sometimes incorrectly. Personally training at the academy & learning with some one from the academy is NOT the same thing. You cant guarantee thier level of proffesional, work ethic, nor effective teaching ability that you would get in a proffesional structured academy enviroment. If you want to be good, you should just directly go there! THATS IT. My job requires alot of unsceduled travel, so I sort of end up training where I can. If im not already consumed by work obligations ( that cuts into my whole bjj time) When Id initially began- there wasnt a contract obligation. And now IN NYC there is. There isnt at many other gracie schools ive been to, but I live in nyc. Thats really less appealing/convienant for me. Thats my only personal downside I must say for me. Because the rest of everything else I have to say about them is perfect. Definitely the top Excellent Knowledgable staff- great facility/wonderful experience. Highly recomended for any level/gender person looking to train read more

First day I went before I signed up and until this day I get treated like a friend from the professors and everyone else. I was never pushed to buy membership and always feel welcomed. No egos no "tough guys". everyone is there to learn and get better. One of the MOST respectful people I have ever met from any Martial Arts that I have come across. Even when no classes are going on theres always someone to help if you have questions about BJJ. My fitness and cardio have improved so much even as someone like myself who has a military and boxing background. The location is perfect, the professors are ALL skillful, knowledgable, and they are winning competitions all the time! I am grateful and thankful for the people and members of Renzo Gracie Academy! read more

Awesome academy; can't give RGA enough props. I'm brand new to BJJ/MMA/martial arts and the instructors are top notch in every way. The culture / family atmosphere alone is worth paying for. The positive vibe gets instilled in everyone right away so all your fellow classmates / sparing partners are super cool as well. Highly highly recommended. read more

World class! I've been training in bjj for about 4 years (including teams in different states) and have been at RGA for almost a year. Overall, this has been a fantastic experience. However, a mixed martial arts academy is not for everyone (if you want cardio kickboxing, look elsewhere) and I will address some of the positives and negatives: 1) large classes: this isn't the case with Friday and Saturday classes, but for the most part expect to be one of many at training. This can be both a good and bad thing. On one hand, if you are relatively new, shy and only attend classes once or twice a week, you may not have the best experience. Most classmates and instructors won't know your name and you may feel like a minnow in the ocean. However, if you are planning on training more than twice a week, you'll quickly become part of the family. With numerous training partners and multiple black belt pro fighters teaching classes, you will be constantly challenged and exposed to new techniques. Unlike in smaller teams where it's hard to be chalenged after achieving "dojo champion" status, there are always people to push you at Renzo's which is especially important if interested in competing. 2) great facility: very large and well maintained facility (especially on manhattan standards). The fulltime cleaning staff keeps the area hygenic for the most part. No ringworm or MRSA outbreaks (which is a major concern at other gyms and yoga studios) 3) price: this has been a point of concern for many reviewers. Though $200+ a month seems expensive, remember this is new york. The other top level teams in the city (Alliance, Marcelo Garcia, Vitor Shaolin) are in the same price bracket. Would I be happier if I could pay less? Of course, but you will definitely be getting your money's worth if you train at least twice a week 4) instructors and teammates: this is what sets RGA above other gyms. Most of the instructors are not only world class competitors, but are also passionate about coaching. In addition to Renzo, some of the instructors include (George St. Pierre's jiujitsu coach) John Danaher, UFC fighter "Sapo Natal," Strikeforce vet Igor Gracie, and up and comers Gregor Gracie and Max McGarr. Even in the crowded Monday evening classes, they are always happy to answer questions and even stay after class. Fellow teammates follow a diverse range of people including top tier pro fighters, amateur competitors, senior citizens, students, young professionals, outstanding athletes, and people looking to get in shape. We've had students come from Japan, Brazil, the Middle East, and Europe just to train here. Even for the beginners, it's a welcoming atmosphere and easy to meet friends. Overall my experience has been outstanding. If you are even slightly curious about jiujitsu or mma, please try it out. I've brought several friends to the gym (neither of which had experience) and both signed up right away. I haven't had any billing issues and wasn't bombarded with a "hard sell" or stupid marketing gimmicks. One last thing to remember is that this is not a yoga studio or gym/spa experience. If you are expecting eucalyptus towels and lulu lemon, go to equinox. If you are looking for a high energy work out, meet people, and have fun, check out RGA! read more

I gave it 4 stars before because of the poor ventilation, but since then, they've upgraded the ventilation and it doesn't stink anymore. So 5-stars! Good job. read more

I started BJJ in Fall 1998. I started at the Renzo Gracie Academy in 1999 and received my Blue belt there. The school has the most students in age, women, belt levels, and weight classes. The advantage of this is the variety of practitioners one trains and spars with. You won't be stuck training with the same partner all the time. The academy also has many black belt instructors and students. Again, your instruction and practice is on a higher level. There are also all women's classes and a children's program. The pace you set depends on you mostly, because there are at least five classes a day for beginners, intermediate and advanced. There is also a strong Muy Thai program. Last but not least several of the instructors, many students are champion competitors. They do very well in grappling tournaments and MMA. read more

Best place to train. Ive been here for about 8 years and still learn something new everyday. Top instructors and top training partners. You could be on the mats with 5 to 10 ufc and other pro fighters at any given time or day. If you want to learn Bjj/Sub grappling and Muay thai RGBJJ is where its at. read more

This is by far the Mecca/Vatican/Holy Land of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on the entire eastern seaboard!!! If you don't know about this place----you better ask someone. read more

Awesome to be in the gym with these guys. I got great instruction and a great workout from some of the best.

This is the best BJJ school in the world!!! Top UFC fighters train here regularly. The instructors are world class and the facility is exceptional!!! If you want the best you go to RENZO GRACIE ACADEMY read more

The best place for Brazilian jiu jitsu in NYC period!!! You get trained by not only great black belts but also UFC champions of the world. All levels welcome from beginners to pros. I was treated same way as st Pierre. I highly recommend this academy to up your game and advance yourself read more

Amazing place for Muay Thai. I have been training here and in the Brooklyn academy for about 4 years now. The instructors are so amazing. Really invested in the students progress. If you train at RGA you will learn from the best. Also training here is very safe, I have never had any injury. Instructors make safety their priority. Also the facilities are very nice. read more

White belts here do not know what they are missing. I did not get the sense that the instructors were paying attention to students. The experience here was more akin to taking a large lecture course with minimal individual attention. Or a large factory. Some teachers appeared to be very bored with what they were doing. There are much better options available in NY. read more

Renzo Gracie Academy (RGA) is, to put it plainly, a New York Jiu Jitsu institution. That is to say it is one of the oldest schools in the East Coast and has done a lot to contribute to the growth of the sport in the area. I believe it has been around for nearly 15 years; that is dog years in BJJ. One of the biggest advantages is that the talent pool is very deep. No other school in the area has the same amount of black belts (and higher belts) that train on a daily basis. Without exaggeration, I've been to classes with over 15 black belts in attendance and countless browns and purples. If you believe that you learn just as much from your peers as you do through formal instruction this is a big plus. Further, many of these black belts have either other schools, or affiliations, in the area which give you a ready network of other places to train. I find that in a place like RGA there are many internal camps; many of the more serious practitioners end up forming either friendships or auxiliary schools within or outside the school to focus their training. They have affiliates throughout the area - helpful if you work out of Manhattan. The school attracts a lot of professional talent that trains there on a regular or semi-regular basis. To drop a few names: George St-Pierre, Frankie Edgar, Romulo, Braga Neto, Roger Gracie, etc. Many people say that if you are an experienced player this school is a great fit. Renzo himself is one of the most affable and charismatic people you'll ever meet, this goes a long way in setting the vibe of the school. He is, of course, also a great teacher. I train under John Danaher - he has been my primary instructor. Many consider him to be "genius" when it comes to Jiu Jitsu as well as one the best instructors. He is certainly very articulate and of a rigorous, intellectual mind, and has left an imprint on the sport in the many people he's trained. You can google him for more color. It's rare to meet one who has such a deep knowledge of the intricacies of the sport coupled with the ability to articulate its concepts. John Danaher's true instructional genius is best understood over time, years, once you've had the time to appreciate his curriculum. Another good thing about the school is that it also has a very serious Muay Thai program. They of course train, and put out, many professional/amateur MMA fighters. It also has a small but very functional weights area. The facilities have grown to include 5 mat areas, a ring, bags and a cage. There is a full schedule of classes - which is always good if you have a busy schedule, or if you simply want to make RGA your second home. Finally, perhaps the most important reason I've stayed in the sport is because of the camaraderie I've experienced at RGA. read more

What a wonderful place for children to train! They stress discipline, respect and humility. Before my son stated training there, he was easily upset by common schoolyard teasing. Now his confidence level is so high that it rarely happens and when it does, he can dismiss it without a second thought. And on the one occasion, that a bully actually physically threatened him, my son 's calm demeanor and words caused the bully to walk away. Also, training is great for physics fitness. read more

One of the best places in the WORLD to train, hands down. I've been there over two years and could not have had a better experience. It was definatly intimidating at first, but there were many brand new guys, and I had done all my research before I went to the intro class. After the intro, I spoke to a very polite young woman who ran me through all the details. When I signed my form and looked at her name it was(Kyra Gracie) Not too many places have a 3x World Champion showing you around. Also while I was sitting with her, Renzo himself came in and was so AWESOME to everyone. I was in! They lent me a Gi and I took two classes that night. I have some D1 wrestling experience, but at 42 was a little unsure about getting back on the mat. In the 10 months I spent in the white belt class I have never seen anyones arm get broken, or choked unconsious. There is no standing up to prevent injuries, and its a great workout. They do not push you to compete, but the competition there is top notch. This morning I was in a no gi class with over 10 black belts, almost all of which compete or have thier own schools. It is tough, one of the toughest things I have ever done, but I love it. I know I was getting good training, but was very unsure about competing. My instructors thought I was ready, and I entered a tournament and went to the Finals! If you want to learn from the best, this place is it. Hope to see you on the Mats!! Also in regards to Adams experience...I had to take 2 months off, went in, filled out a form and one week later when I would usually get charged, I was not. Everything went fine. I found out they now use a different company. While I can understand his frustration, it was nothing that the acadamy intentionally did and its a shame he took it upon himself to post all these negatives reviews all over the place. The acadamy is better off without people like him anyway... read more

I had a hard time finding a good place for bootcamp fitness and yoga classes, but now I can Strongly recommend it!!