Ginsberg Academy BJJ
2000 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA
2000 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA
I had the chance to drop in at Ginsberg Academy while visiting my friend Ben, who trains here, and I was really impressed. The instruction was top-notch--clear, detailed, and practical. Professor Dave actively gave tips and corrections, which made our sparring sessions both challenging and insightful. It's clear he genuinely cares about helping everyone improve, no matter their skill level. The gym itself is spotless and well-maintained, creating a great environment to train. The vibe was welcoming, and the team struck a perfect balance between hard work and camaraderie. If you're in the area or looking for a place to train, I highly recommend Ginsberg Academy. I'll definitely be back next time I visit!
great gym atmosphere with awesome instruction
Super friendly and welcoming. The atmosphere is deliberately cultivated to be open to newcomers. Other members saw there was a new face and came over to offer a fist bump and find the new member waivers for me. Coach Dave cultivates a culture of respect in his gym. He’s a thorough teacher, checks in with members during practice. Safety is top of mind in the gym. Felt super comfortable as a newbie to BJJ.
I’m a white belt and have trained at the Ginsberg academy for a total of about 6 months. It’s been a great experience. In fact I’ve been choosing this place over a closer BJJ school as I really liked the team and the training process and was willing to put in the extra walk. David Ginsberg is a high-level expert at what he is teaching, and a pleasure to interact with. He is supportive, respectful and acts with a high level of integrity, which sets values and culture for the entire place. One thing to highlight is the community at this place. You have people of all levels. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Many higher-level belts could smash me if they wanted to, but rather coached me and provided relevant feedback. I highly recommend.
If every gym was like Ginsberg Academy, the world would be a better place. David Ginsberg and his incredible team have not only pioneered a style of jiu jitsu that centers around mindfulness and inclusion, but they also impart this to every person who walks through their doors, whether it's your first day or you're a pro. You can get a great workout at or any gym, but only Ginsberg will make you feel at home.
Our kids (6 and 10) love coming here. The coaches are incredibly respectful and teach them in a fun way. We're so happy we found this place!
Ginsberg academy is amazing. Great professor, lots of experienced purple/brown/black belts to learn from, and a huge emphasis on rolling safely. If you’re looking for a place to train, look no further.
I've been training at Ginsberg Academy for almost three years. From the moment I stepped through the door, I felt welcomed by a community that's as friendly as it is passionate about the sport. Whether you're a beginner like I was or a seasoned athlete, there's a place for you here. The coaches are incredibly patient and attentive. They're also fostering a culture of safety and respect that permeates every aspect of the gym. From day one, the coaches emphasized the importance of proper technique and communication on the mats. They create an environment where you can push yourself without fear of injury, which is refreshing in a sport like jiu jitsu. There's a real sense of community here, with everyone supporting and encouraging each other to be their best. And while the atmosphere is relaxed and laid-back, there are some seriously competitive athletes training here.
I've been going to Ginsberg Academy for about 5 months now. I had some experience in martial arts previously but this place has taught me so much! Its a remarkable balance between beginner friendly safety but with real BJJ and Muay Thai techniques; a rare combination. Its also the friendliest gym I've ever been to! I particularly enjoy the women's only classes!
Ginsberg Academy is amazing. Professor has a ton of experience training UFC fighters and regularly competes as a black belt. The classes put emphasis on strong BJJ fundamentals while keeping people safe while rolling. Many people regularly compete at local competitions and do extremely well. Honestly, I can’t recommend this gym enough. Without a doubt the best gym in Boston. If you don’t believe me, check Reddit.
Amazing environment, very technical, attentive coaching. If you want to bring your jiu jitsu to the next level this is the place.
Had a great time when I came for a seminar, great people, friendly environment.
This school is amazing. I’ve been training BJJ for 6 years and I love coming to Cambridge to train at Ginsberg Academy. Easy to find. Immaculately clean. Professor Ginsberg is incredibly knowledgeable, super accommodating and welcoming! The community in the gym is so friendly, which is amazing and so important! It can be intimidating training at a new gym, from the moment I first stepped in this school, it’s been a beautiful and encouraging journey! Really love the whole team and the vibe! Can’t say enough great things.
This is a martial arts school of caliber, honor, integrity. In searching for a school, you should ask if a school is a community, is the instruction self led or led by example, does the school has examples of the goals you want to achieve. I have found that Ginsberg Academy has answered these questions for me. This school provides more opportunity than most leading not only to mastery but connections to world masters in multiple disciplines. I personally got to meet Toomey, Doomsday, Kwok, just to name just a couple of well regarded athletes. The best part I learned that we all travel the same journey regardless of skill level, intention, and dedication.
Hidden gem, not only the quality of jiu jitsu but also the person that professor Dave is. As one of his black belts I regularly bring students from my academy in North Carolina to train with him (both men and women). We are treated as family from the time we arrive to the time we leave. Every single one of us is treated with nothing but respect. We always look forward to our next visit. We only wish we were closer so we could do it more often.
I've been training at Ginsberg Academy for the past six months and would strongly recommend it to anyone considering starting BJJ or changing gyms. A few notes: - The culture is very friendly, casual but serious in intention, and welcoming of newcomers. - Professor Ginsberg, a 5th degree black belt under Mario Sperry, typically teaches the BJJ and MMA classes himself, and there are specialist coaches for Judo, Wrestling, and Muay Thai. - The senior students are very good, technically sharp but also generous with their time for teaching beginners. - While most students at the gym are hobbyists, many are amateur competitors and occasionally pros will drop in for a class. These connections to the highest levels of the sport impart a kind of noticeable energy, in a good way: everyone reaps the benefits of learning what does or doesn't work against people who do BJJ for a living. That said, training at Ginsberg Academy is a choose-your-own-adventure and competition is warmly encouraged but absolutely not pressured. - Ginsberg Academy has the strongest emphasis on safety (including health and hygiene) of any gym I've visited, and it's hard to imagine training any other way now. - It can sometimes get a little crowded on the mats during weeknight open mats, which in light of everything else is a nice problem to have.
I am a blue belt, with regular experience from 5 American and 5 European BJJ schools, and plenty of occasional drop-ins elsewhere. I can responsibility say that Ginsberg Academy is top-notch, with an amazing attention to detail, but even more importantly - extremely high professionalism, unparalleled focus on safety in training, as well as the highest cleanliness standards (definitely the best I've seen, which is great not just because of comfort, but also because of health and safety, nobody wants to get the pink eye!). Coach Dave is an amazing athlete with lots of tricks up his sleeve, and troves of BJJ knowledge to share, but what I appreciate most is his demeanour: he really treats everyone equal, welcomes people of all backgrounds and paths, and is extremely generous and supportive. The people, who are training there, are also super friendly and supportive. Even if they could really smash you because of the skill differential, they foremostly focus on helping you grow and generously share their knowledge. It is a community that really helps you develop. The dojo itself is very spacious, well maintained, and equipped. The bathrooms have two shower cabins and one toilet - nothing fancy, but ok. If the location works for you, don't even think about it and drop in to check if you like it - the high chances are, you will.
This gym is a great place to train. Dave is an excellent instructor and creates a very friendly and safe environment for everyone no matter the skill level.
Great teacher, welcoming atmosphere and friendly people. I learnt a lot from rolling with Coach Dave Ginsberg.
I trained at the Ginsberg Academy for over 3 years and only stopped because I moved out the area. This academy is amazing. Let me start by saying that if, like me, you are nervous to start BJJ because of concerns it will be a meat-head mentality then trust me that Coach Dave goes out of his way to make you feel welcome and ensures that everyone is practicing in a safe and welcoming way - this mindset trickles down to all instructors and students at the academy. Truly a place for learning and practicing in the safest way possible at all times. Coach Dave is truly one of the nicest people I've ever met in my life. Instruction is top notch and Coach Dave's game is very high level but applicable to anyone - professional fighters, casual hobbyists, and those that want to compete seriously. I should also point out that Coach Dave provides hands-on instruction, teaches many classes, and will roll with everyone - very rare for someone as a high ranking as him. Definitely sign up at this academy, I can't write enough good things about it!
CONGRATS COACH DAVE! 1st PLACE IBJJF WORLDS!!! Ginsberg Academy is great because of its people. The coaches and students are friendly, considerate, knowledgeable, generous, and encouraging. Coach Dave's motto is "Play, and do no harm" - he maintains a safe learning and training environment while still producing students that can compete at the highest levels. If you have ever been intimidated by high-intensity, overly-aggresive gyms in the past, you will find a welcoming environment at Ginsberg Academy. Dave treats everyone like an adult who knows their own body, abilities, limitations, and level of comfort - you can sit out of any drill or technique if you're not entirely comfortable without feeling awkward. Dave is a humble person and won't tell you himself, but he is a world-class competitor and experienced in a variety of martial arts. He is well connected throughout the martial arts community, judges fights/competitions, and was key to writing the rules for Muay Thai competition in Massachusetts. Whether you are interested in sport, self defense, MMA, etc. the coaches at Ginsberg Academy have a wealth of competitive and real-world wisdom to share. Coach Dave's style of jiu jitsu is competitive at the highest levels while also accessible to people of any age and athletic ability. Coach Mark is still practicing into his 60s and besides being a knowledgable and encouraging teacher, can still run right through almost everyone. Lessons with John "Doomsday" Howard, a former UFC fighter (who also received some inspiring praised from Mike Tyson), are always educational but also FUN. Judo coach Ben, wrestling coach Dave, and BJJ coach Mike all have deep experience and are excellent instructors. Because of the example set by these great coaches, I have also learned just as much from our senior students (especially Amir, Reid, Arthur, Jason, Ben, and Dan) who are always happy to share their knowledge, help you troubleshoot new techniques, and generally encourage your development. If you are not entirely sure about your goals or which martial arts are best for you, Ginsberg Academy is a great place to learn multiple styles and develop your sense direction with the help of expert practitioners. If you want to learn, play, and get stronger while "doing no harm," then come train with us!
Coach Dave’s instruction is top-notch. His lessons name and explore BJJ’s elusive subtleties – those movements which too often are only learned unconsciously through trial and error. And in contrast to practitioners whose Jiu-Jitsu lectures are cold and academic, Dave is consistently down-to-earth, engaging, and hilarious. Furthermore, he always emphasizes safety; I have never felt safer training BJJ.
Wonderful place to practice jiu jitsu whether you’re a beginner or advanced. Very nice, highly skilled training partners and a great friendly environment! Instruction is always top notch and safety is a priority
SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE! I came from my first gym in Tucson and was nervous to try a new place. Ginsberg BJJ is AMAZING. Coach Dave is extremely knowledgeable, friendly and genuinely loves his students and his school. The other students were very welcoming and there is a good mix of total beginners and extremely skilled fighters. The space itself is beautiful and big and has a very authentic, no nonsense old school feel to it. Good vibes all around. Unfortunately I had to leave the gym for another move to the West Coast but I miss it already. I just came back from my first class trying out another local gym here and it was very good but it made me miss Ginsberg BJJ and realize what a special place it is. It motivated me to go write this review in appreciation. If you are local, call Coach Dave up and join, you will be happy you did!
Just recently I was in boston on vacation and had the opportunity to visit Ginsberg BJJ . After my recent experience, I can confirm that this gym does not deserve 5 Stars. In fact, IT DESERVES MORE THAN 5 STARS !! Everyone from the instructors to the students welcomed me, were very friendly, and gave me some awesome training while in town. Even let me borrow a gi, when I forgot mine ha If anyone is in the boston area and looking for a place to train, ginsberg jj is the place to be !! thank you everyone for the great time.
Ginsberg Academy is an incredibly positive learning environment. Coach Dave prioritizes a welcoming and respectful culture and it shows with all the members of the gym. Beyond this, there's a lot of super talented athletes that you can learn from and train with. Coach Dave is one of the nicest people I've ever interacted with.
Amazing place to train. World class coaches and amazing training partners. Fun atmosphere, emphasis on safety and practicality, and great camaraderie. Would recommend to anyone.
Always a great time when visiting. Professor Dave is very knowledgeable and I never leave without getting taught something new or getting help on tightening up some techniques.
Safe and friendly environment. The coach is very knowledgeable.
This Academy is a true gem; Professor Dave is incredibly skilled and knowledgeable as well as kind and deeply caring towards his students. The instruction is top-notch and the energy is positive and focused; the rolls are fun, competitive and safe. There aren't really words for how great the Ginsberg Academy is but if I could give 10/5 stars I would
Professor Dave has helped me improve my skill set each time I’ve visited his academy. He is extremely knowledgeable, checks in on your comfort and safety continuously throughout training and his gym is kept very clean.
Great experience great vibe from everyone especially Professor Dave, helped me work on my weaknesses and what to work on etc OSS!!
I recently visited Ginsberg academy for a weekend of BJJ training, and it was an amazing experience. Professor Dave and his students were all so welcoming and willing to share their knowledge. It was a true privilege to work with such an incredible group of martial artists, and I’m eagerly looking forward to another chance to visit.
Awesome coach and great clean gym! Training there is always a pleasure.
Got to visit Ginsberg's Academy this February for American Grappling Federation. I got the chance to stop in and personally be welcomed by the owner Dave. Dave has an impressive resume and represents some of the best BJJ here in Boston, be sure to check his gym out.
This is an amazing place to come and learn jiu jitsu, train and to take your game to the next level. Dave, the head coach, is a bottomless well of knowledge, and an amazing trainer. All people I met there, without exceptions, are humble, friendly, and a pleasure to train with. Safety as also very high on everyone’s agenda there. Highly recommend to train there for all levels- from novices to professional atgeletes/bjj practitioners.
Their "Peaceful Dragons" program is the best kids martial arts class I've seen ever: I checked out first class with my 7 yr old last sunday and we'll be back: super fun and managed to teach BJJ basics in a very fun way, also very active and positive. David (besides being super friendly in general and expert at BJJ etc) is fantastic with engaging young kids at their level. Class was exercise packed for the kids and very well thought out to introduce/ sneak in lots of real skills (not just random games or useless things that look good) in an almost free play context--almost a "Montessori" approach to martial arts.
I have been training at Ginsberg Academy off and on for more than 5 years. In the past two and a half years in particular it has become the place where I spend perhaps the greatest amount of my free time. While the quality of BJJ has always been top notch, I've also had the pleasure to see an increase in the number and types of classes. The academy now has BJJ classes 7 days per week and both Wrestling and Muay Thai classes. I frequently look forward to spending long nights at the academy where I get there around 6 for Muay Thai and stay late into the night rolling and chatting with teammates. However, even though the number of classes has increased the quality of instruction has not deteriorated. Unlike some gyms where purple belts teach many classes Professor Ginsberg still teaches the vast majority of BJJ classes (and the ones he doesn't teach are taught by other black or brown belts). The academy also takes safety and hygiene very seriously particularly with respect to COVID-19.
The atmosphere at Ginsberg Academy is fantastic. Excellent instruction paired with friendly and kind people has made for an awesome transition from my old gym.
I've trained at 8 academies in two cities and this one is by far the safest, thanks to Professor Ginsberg's oversight. If you want to get good at Jiu Jitsu, you don't want to get injured. Also, I've learned the most/fastest here.
I've been training here for ~3 years now. The staff (especially Dave Ginsberg) is fantastic, the environment is safe, clean, friendly, humble, and fun, and the jiu jitsu is top-notch. Honestly it's one of the best parts about living here. Great for both competitors and people looking for a workout.
I've spent the last few months training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Ginsberg Academy and my experience has been nothing short of amazing. Professor Dave is a very skilled and friendly instructor that does his best to ensure students are training in a safe but engaging way. As a newer student, I have been extremely impressed with Dave's ability to foster a great learning and growth environment, where more senior students provide mentorship to newer students and developing students are encouraged to take on mentorship roles as they grow. The academy does its best to accommodate a wide range of schedules and learning styles. I feel like students are almost always training for hours after the formal class sessions, which is crucial for people who work pretty late, and instructors are always communicating the important details for techniques they're teaching so students are clear on why you perform a move a certain way, and not just how. I unfortunately had to move recently, but my time at Ginsberg Academy has me hooked on BJJ (I trained there 3-5 times/week and for sure plan to continue) and would 100% recommend that anyone looking to train BJJ/Judo/Wrestling/Muay Thai in the Boston area to go check it out!
I have been training at Ginsberg Academy for 2 years and have loved every minute of it. Dave is a phenomenal teacher and has helped me grow as a BJJ competitor. The gym is extremely clean and I've always felt safe during training. I would strongly recommend Ginsberg academy to anyone who is interested in learning BJJ or wants to up their game.
This is by far the best gym that I could’ve stumbled upon. I was visiting Boston from LA and called around for what seemed like forever trying to find a decent gym to train at. Coach Dave answered the phone and was super friendly, he sent over a health assessment and made me aware of the procedures the academy has in place to keep everyone COVID safe. I really can’t express my gratitude for Coach Dave and his team. They were aware that I belonged to another affiliation and still welcomed me with open arms and let me work my game with no limits or restrictions. They embraced the my style, took me in as a jits sister and taught me a whole bunch during our rolls. Coach Dave is SUPER helpful when it comes to correcting technique and patching holes in your game. It was an honor to share the mats with them!
Great place to train with a strong focus on safety and building fundamental skills. Prof Dave has great attention to detail and is excellent at conveying seemingly small but important details for various techniques.
In-person classes in the past were awesome, but Coach Ginsberg has gone above and beyond during the pandemic to keep the gym running via Zoom video classes. He offers a variety of classes from multiple instructors in many different time slots, all with personally tailored feedback to correct form, along with a continued emphasis on safety. While I really miss live rolling, the Zoom classes are as close as I can get to the real thing, and I can definitely tell the emphasis on body positioning and movements is going to help my live game. Also a big shout out to Coach Ama for leading pilates, my darkhorse favorite class of the pandemic. Damn that class destroys my core, but she does it in a super mindful way that I can tell will also help my live game.
This academy is one of the best there is. Coach Dave and Mike always make me feel welcomed. Being a person with disabilities they make me feel I also can do the sport and this sport is for anyone who wishes to join. We are all a team here and learn from one another. Very great full to found a place with acceptance and respect. I always am learning more what I can do in the sport.
Came to visit this Academy while in MA for work. Dave Ginsberg is the nicest guy in Jiu-jitsu. His students are very friendly and welcoming. Training here was an awesome experience.
Best learning environment I've been in. Professor Ginsberg, the instructors and students are enthusiastic, share their knowledge and want you to become a better student. I had the great pleasure to watch my talented friend get a blue belt!
Dave is an amazing instructor - he has the knowledge and experience to provide BJJ and other martial arts coaching at all levels, and truly cares about the safety and well-being of his students. The atmosphere cultivated here is excellent too, whether it is your first or 100th class you will feel welcomed and supported by coaches and classmates alike.
Safe training, amazing community and technique from the best, what more can you ask for? I also love that Coach Dave emphasizes the self defense aspect of the sport so much.
It's rare to find a community of BJJ players with as much respect and integrity as that at the Ginsberg Academy. I was visiting town and contacted them about coming in for a class. Coach Dave wanted to speak directly with me on the phone, just to get a sense of what I was all about. He's an outstanding individual and his students are the most respectful and friendly ones I've met. Dave even contacted me after my visit, just to touch base and let me know that I am always welcome at his school, and that his instructors and students were very impressed with my technique and control. It was very personal, and very special. One of a kind gym, in my humble opinion. The rolling is incredibly careful and technical. The gym is clean and organized. The classes are careful and precise. I had a great experience and I would recommend this school to anyone who is looking for an open, warm, and highly professional jiujitsu community. Five stars, hands down.
Dedicated and passionate instruction from a high level black belt. I highly recommend training with Dave Ginsberg if you are in the Boston/Cambridge area
Coach David Ginsberg is one of the best in the business. I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with him 17 years ago and he has helped me in so many ways! While I have had move away multiple times, he has remained my coach since day one. His gym is a really positive environment for growth and empowerment. It is a super friendly atmosphere and his skill as a teacher is second to none. Out of all the places I have trained in the nation what really strikes me the most is how everyone on the team is there to help each other stay safe and get better.
Great training partners and awesome coaching.
I trained here for almost a year and really appreciated the depth of technical knowledge that Coach Dave Ginsberg has and the lovely members of the gym who kept me going there so long as I debated my membership. The gym has an old school, down to earth vibe which adds to the casual atmosphere. However, as a consequence, there was a clear lack of professionalism that made me uncomfortable as a team member and paying client. Furthermore, there were many instances where I was made uncomfortable and treated distinctly differently than a man was. For example, there were several instances with Coach Dave on and off the mat where he was inappropriate with me. Based on many interactions where my concerns were dismissed, I did not feel that bringing these more sensitive issues up would have been addressed with sincerity. This eventually made me feel emotionally and physically unsafe with Coach Dave. Unfortunately, this type of concern and others were echoed by some of my fellow teammates and further validated by others not at the gym. I would only recommend this gym for the current community within it, and would especially caution women to listen to their gut.
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