Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu NYC

250 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001, USA

4.9 (126 reviews)

Disciplines

Gi No-Gi

Classes

Adults Classes Advanced Classes All Levels Black Belt Instruction Fundamentals Kids Classes Private Lessons

Facilities

Clean Mats Mat Space Showers

Culture

Welcoming Environment

Access

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MGJJ offers Kids, Fundamental, and Advanced Jiu-Jitsu classes weekly for all levels and all ages.

https://www.marcelogarciajj.com/nyc

(212) 414-0044

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Reviews

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Robert Turner

I'm a Purple belt, training 8 years, and visiting from The Gentle Art academy in Singapore. I always visit gyms when travelling for work to meet new friends and see new techniques and could not pass up the opportunity to train here. Joel was very welcoming (esp at 7am) and I found his drills very useful and novel putting me in positions I hadn't been before and getting me to really think differently about fundamental concepts like positional control. Added bonus that the drills were a great workout. I also had a similar experience in a takedown class - an area of my game that needs particular work. His teaching style focuses on creative instruction of fundamental concepts (managing space, connecting hands, controlling weight). My training and sparring partners were all very positive experiences with a wide variety of size, shapes, and games. There is tons of mat space at this location, and it was memorable to see what felt like 30+ upper belts hip escaping across the room. Great contribution to the sport!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Christopher Lund

I have followed Marcelo since his early ADCC days and have studied his “MG In Action” for years. Was excited to visit his Academy and wasn’t disappointed. World class Jiu-Jitsu in a welcoming environment! I highly recommend!

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Posted 1 year ago
Devon Mckenzie

Great school

Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Barney McElroy

Excellent gym and approach to bjj Joel is a fantastic teacher

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Posted 2 years ago
Juan Chavez

Great academy, everyone is really nice and helpful. the staff is wonderful and you will get some great training here. Would recommend!

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Posted 2 years ago
Jin Hyeok Shin

My heaven on earth 🙏 I love this place

Facility Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Christian Sullivan

Phenomenal training. High level, and clean academy. Friendly and approachable practitioners, from the beginners up to the instructors/world champs.

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Posted 2 years ago
Jose Renato Arenas Lopez

It was a great experience for me. The class was good and had great details, the professors show how to do the pass.

Instructors Classes
Posted 2 years ago
Marcelo Diop-Gonzalez

Best place to get work in you can find

Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Liam Does

Pleasure to train here, super high level, great coaching/task based learning style of teaching, mats are also huge. By far the best place I trained while I was in New York There was also an Australian guy there who was super helpful

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Posted 2 years ago
Marcel

Tatami parfait, propre, et superbe cours !

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Posted 2 years ago
Joey Tribbiani

aside Danis that loser its a good place

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Posted 2 years ago
Nick -

It is always a blast training here. The 1.5-hour commute is 100% worth it.

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Posted 3 years ago
Yash Khemka

Definitely one of the best gyms to train in Jiu-Jitsu. They have classes multiple times in the day and you'll get a good workout for sure with technique building

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Posted 3 years ago
Oran Chadwick

Was fortunate enough to make a session on my travels to New York. The instructor and people there were super friendly. It was a great session and would have loved to have gotten more sessions in but even one session was a great experience

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Edgar Martínez

Excelente ambiente y excelentes instructores. Luego de realizar la prueba y comparación con otras academias de renombre en Manhattan y otras localidades dentro de Nueva York, saqué la conclusión que está academia es la mejor.

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Posted 4 years ago
Ashley Mak

Took two classes here during my trip to NYC. Beautiful space with clean mats, friendly staff, amazing instruction, and awesome community. Loved training here and will for sure be back!

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Posted 4 years ago
Tyler Ross

Very welcoming and great instruction! I highly recommend anyone who is in the vicinity of this gym needs to check it out!

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Posted 4 years ago
Chris Davison

Best place to train in NYC. Marcelo and his whole team are absolutely amazing. Great atmosphere, everyone is super friendly. Highly recommend

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Posted 4 years ago
Phil Darovic

If you know, you know

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Posted 4 years ago
Ben White

Best place to train Jiu-Jitsu in the city!

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Posted 5 years ago
Stephen Clare

The best, so clean, and the best environment! Staff is nice and so helpful

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Posted 5 years ago
Tava Valenti

I have never been here or lived in NY but I can tell it’s awesome

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Posted 5 years ago
Mario Perricone

Marcelo has carefully crafted an incredible gym culture over many years for both hobbyists and world class athletes. All of the staff are incredibly friendly and supportive. The gym is the most professional I've seen in terms of cleanliness, starting on time, and structure. Would highly recommend for visitors and full-time members.

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Posted 5 years ago
Christian Buscemi

Super legit no-gi training. Mr. Garcia is a kind and intelligent leader. His instructors are professional, passionate and knowledgable. Almost makes me want to move to NYC. ALMOST

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Posted 6 years ago
Craig Gardo

No worries.

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Posted 6 years ago
Peter F

Amazing facility with instructors who genuinely care to make this the best possible experience, regardless of your level. Joined here as a beginner and felt welcome from the second you walk in the door. It starts from the top, and you couldn’t find a nicer and more helpful team of instructors. Would be hard pressed to find a better place to train.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Angelo Pompeo

Accademia di bjj e grappling tra le migliori al mondo. Ampia, illuminata e pulita la sala offre un ottimo ambiente dove allenarsi. È facile incontrare atleti tra i migliori al mondo allenarsi e girare tranquillamente con tutti. Rispetto e professionalità sono al top. Fantastica!

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Posted 6 years ago
Bogdan BJJ

Back in time this place was like my second home!great people,great family!oss🙏🏽

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Posted 6 years ago
matthew dennis

Traveling in NYC to train and I was blown away by the gym amazing facility and most importantly amazing people. We were made to feel welcome for the moment we walked in the door, classes were amazing and well taught we were blown away by how friendly everyone was and when your rolling in another gym it puts you at ease. World class champion instructors world class people world class facility. If your in NYC and you train you have to visit you will not be disappointed.

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Posted 6 years ago
Tristan Parker

An absolutely amazing place to train. Marcelo, Scott, Phil, and the rest of the team are so genuinely welcoming. If you are looking for the best instruction, the toughest rolls, and the nicest people then this is where you want to be. Im looking forward to training here when ever I am in in New York. Thank you Marcelo and team!

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Posted 6 years ago
Todd Williams

Love training at Marcelo's when visiting New York... the instruction is amazing and they treat you like your one of their own. I'll visit every chance I get to learn from the best!

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Posted 6 years ago
Daniel Bush

Dropped into the 8:45pm beginners class on 10/16/2019, during a business trip to NYC. They do not currently offer gi rentals, but do offer them for sale. Facility locker rooms are being renovated and expanded, so it was tight squeezing into the dressing room. One professor gave me a quick tour of the soon to be ready expanded locker rooms and mat space- very nice! Current mat space was large and clean. The instructors and students were very accommodating to guests. The professor provided a lot of feedback and technique correction during drills, as much as other regular students received. I will be back on my next trip to NYC and look forward to seeing the completed renovations. Thank you Marcelo Garcia Academy!

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Posted 6 years ago
Paul Turchan

This is a world class destination for training BJJ.

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Posted 6 years ago
Matt Newman

Was in NYC on holiday so had to stop in, made the choice to visit Marcelo's over Renzo's because of the friendly atmosphere I'd heard about and it didn't disappoint. Everyone I drilled/rolled with were very personable and the same can be said for the staff. Great experience all round, oh and the instruction is top notch from world level competitors.

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Posted 6 years ago
elpapote1

Marcelo fosters a culture of fun and friendly training that pushes everyone to the max. The facility is very clean, and the students and staff all friendly and accessible. Marcelo and the other professors not only teach classes regularly, but often participates in the warmups and live training sessions. The academy always has visitors which allows for training and networking with people from all around the world, all of the time.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
Adrian Diaz

The best gym in NYC. Visit all the gyms around you that are the most convenient for you. Visit all the gyms that have coaches that you might like. You will find that marcelco's coaches and students have created a great culture. It is different than most in that you are encouraged to go through fundimentals for a while before you start to get rolled into the ground. In a short time you will have what you need to roll anywhere. I came with a wrestling and martial arts background and have completely enjoyed all the coaches here. Joel, Paul big Matheus and little Matheus (who isn't little). Can't wait to make it a few more years.

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Posted 7 years ago
S N

The absolute best academy in the world. If you want to train bjj and are just starting it’s perfect. If you are advanced, it’s one of the places with highest level bjj athletes in the world. To top this, people are so friendly that you can almost call them family adter a few months of training. On of my favourite NY places!

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Posted 7 years ago
Michael Roerick

Excellent BJJ and a very welcoming atmosphere!

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Posted 7 years ago
David Naughton

Thank you for your hospitality - From Melbourne Australia. Was greeted very well by the staff and loved the training experience with the team. Great Vibe and Culture you have. Thank you :)

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Posted 7 years ago
INTER BLACK BELT

MG is a genius. The best academy in the world 10/10.

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Posted 7 years ago
Minze Jiao

Besides being one of the GOATs of Grappling, Marcelo is also the nicest person. This also shows in all members of his gym. As a foreign visitor, I was warmly welcomed by everyone. Marcelo also took the time in his busy schedule and had a casual chat with us after class. It’s 40$ for a day pass. Will come back if I get the chance.

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Posted 7 years ago
Pámela Bóveda-Aguirre

best place to train. amazing level and amazing sparring. and people is very welcoming. the place is very clean and pretty. cant wait to move there and train

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Posted 8 years ago
Matt Shapiro

World class instructors and students, very friendly atmosphere. Amazing school for visitors and all belt levels.

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Posted 8 years ago
Kage Youth

Marcelo is by far the best bjj'er ever. His academy is amazing and full of friendly people. Renrique and Paul are top notch instructors. If you ever thought about doing bjj, come here. They have a free trial offer. Feel free to stop by.

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Posted 8 years ago
Desmond Alque

Very professional, very nice people. Clean mats, locker room and showers.

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Posted 8 years ago
Todd O'Rourke

MGA is known for their instructors and it lives up to the hype. Whenever I'm in the area I stop by the academy for a class or two. The instruction is awesome and rolling with their students is always competitive. It's a little intimidating at times, but you'll be fine.

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Posted 8 years ago
Yin Y.

Great people in a great space. Very professional, clean and welcoming.

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Posted 9 years ago
PJ Coward

Starting training here a few months ago. People are very chill in conversation but not afraid to go hard in training. For me that is what I want out of a BJJ school. World class instruction that trickles down through the ranks from Marcelo himself. This isn't a school just cashing in on his name. Marcelo teaches classes himself throughout the week and was even willing to roll with a white belt like yours truly (spoiler alert: I lost). I doubt you ll find a school with an instructor with so many accolades in the BJJ world who really shows his passion for teaching like Marcelo does and like I said before, this attitude trickles down through the ranks. If you're prepared to sweat, learn and push yourself, this is the school for you.

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Posted 9 years ago
Irfan Usmani

Have trained here a couple of times when I'm town. One of the best schools I've had a chance to train at. An honor to learn directly from some of the best.

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Posted 9 years ago
Chase

I've been training here for 2 months. Fantastic school. My favorite parts: - 8 classes a day on weekdays. Can easily fit any schedule. - World class instructors. Seriously, some people move to NYC JUST to train at this school. - Clean facilities.

Instructors Facility Classes
Posted 9 years ago
Benjamin Kohn

Came for the free week of training, stayed for the Acai. But seriously, you won't find a better school to train at. Fantastic enviroment, instruction, and training. World champions everywhere at every level, great people, and also, it's Marcelo.

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Posted 9 years ago
Walter Ruilova

Great people, great vibe, and world class instructors.

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Posted 9 years ago
Simon Berest L'Arvor

Probably the best place in the world to train and understand Jiu Jitsu. From Bernardo Faria To Marcelo Himself all the teachers are incredible. Lessons are very well structured in a very friendly and serious atmosphere. Each one teach one. As a visitor i was impressed how people are nice and welcoming. Imagine a place where gianni grippo is drilling as Dillon Danis and Mateus Dinis are trying to "kill" each other etc etc...The is no such place like Marcelo Garcia The staff is awesome and the facility beautiful. I wish i could live in NY just to keep on training with these guys. Highly recommended.

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Posted 10 years ago
Dale Hartt

Amazing

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Posted 10 years ago
Omar Kadi

Team of champions

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Posted 11 years ago
Ben Wiley

Best Bjj training in Nyc. Great friendly while intense place.

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Posted 11 years ago
Matheus Lucarevschi

Don't listen to any review less than 5 stars! One of the best gyms in the world, Marcelo is not only an amazing competitor but also of the most caring friendly teachers I've had the the pleasure to learn from. The academy has amazing competitors like Bernardo Faria, Gianni Grippo, Dillon Dannis, Matheus Diniz and soo many more. Super high level training that can surely step up anyone's game. I wish i could give it 6 stars!

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Posted 11 years ago
M Bigras

Not only is he one of the best BJJ competitors on the planet, he is just as good of a coach and instructor. What is even more impressive is how grounded and humble he is. Marcelo is also one of the nicest people you will ever meet. If you have a chance to go train at this school you would be crazy not to. Prof. Dan Guillemette

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Posted 12 years ago
Daniel Gutin

Here's what I considered when looking at BJJ schools. After visiting Marcelo's, it was an easy choice. Instruction - Marcelo teaches plenty of classes, which is very exciting. It's good to know that the technique you are learning has worked at the very highest levels and in impressive fashion. His Assistant Instructors are all very high level (Paul in-particular is awesome), top quality guys with excellent communication and kind demeanor's. I don't think I've learned from a single person that doesn't carry a world medal on their resume. Overall exposure to elite level teachers is amazing. Student Personalities - Everyone is cool. Everyone is willing to help. If you want to roll hard, they will go with it. If you want to flow, they'll go with that too. There's no ego's there. You could spend 10 years training there and you still won't be the best player in the room. Everyone is humbled, happy and willing to help. Development - Due to the plentiful amount of world level players in the room, the skill level really trickles down. I'm a white belt with prior nogi and wrestling experience. I routinely roll with other white belts but also a lot of blue and purple belts. Those blue and purple belts routinely train with brown and some black belts who are mostly world medalists. So when I'm rolling with those blue/purple belts, I'm like a toy to them... more so then any other school I've been to. I expect to lose to blue and purples but it happens here in far more dominant fashion. It sharpens your game when defending against people, who regularly work with very high caliber players and so on up the ranks. There is a high bar here and it forces you to tighten up your game rapidly. It's a great feeling as long as you accept the challenges and don't mind the butt kicking. Having a room of world medalist at the top, really brings everyone else's game up. Facilities - Clean. Very clean. Very, very clean! Oh - it's also 3,000 square feet of pristine mat space. So... ya know, it does the job. There's always staff in addition to the instructor to help with membership questions etc. Schedule - There's so many classes. If you can't fit in AT LEAST a couple classes per week, you might want to loosen up your schedule. Check the site for specifics but it's a very accommodating schedule, starting from 7 AM and running to late evening. Cost - The same as every other high level school in the city and well worth it. There's no registrations fee's or belt promotion fee's like many other schools charge. Just pay the monthly dues and nothing else. Plain and simple. At some places you begin to feel a commodity to the owner of the school. Not at Marcelo's. That's not the culture. It's all about jiu jitsu here. You get two free classes, so give it a try. This is a place where jiu jitsu is truly loved. So if you love jiu jitsu, you will feel at home.

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Posted 12 years ago
Pedro Araujo

High quality bjj!

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Posted 13 years ago
Seer 2020

I have 40+ years experience in the martial arts and have trained with some of the best. Marcelo Garcia's Academy is one of the best on the planet. He's a world champion that personally teaches everyday and exhibits the kind of attitude that black belts should. Humble, practices what he preaches, he's patient with his students, has a gracious personality and a good sense of humor. A professional, laid back environment where everyone trains hard, gives100% and encourages their classmates.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 13 years ago
Greg Sirico

I've been training Jiu-Jitsu for 6 years now and Marcelo's academy is by far the elite of the elite. World class instruction from the basic class all the way up to the advance with Marcelo teaching those programs. Marcelo doesn't just instruct but be participates with the rest of the class in the warm up drills and rolls with the students. The academy is filled with tons of talent, ages, sizes, styles, and level of skill so no matter where you are in your BJJ history you will benefit from training here. The size of the new location is pretty large for NYC, and there tons of classes around the clock so regardless of what your schedule is like there is always opportunity to train. I cannot recommend this place enough, in fact I think anyone living in NY and not training here is just doing themselves a disservice. The staff is amazing, the gym is top notch, and the level of training is just off the charts. What else is there? Oh yeah, there's a 5X World champ and 4X ADCC champ who just happens to be one of the nicest guys on the planet running the show. Nothing left to say except get yourself there now!

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Posted 13 years ago
Victor Reyes

This is one of the best BJJ schools around. Got to train and roll with Marcelo who is amazing on the ground. I never felt so tired while he barely sweated!! Paul and Henrique and also good instructors who have incredible attention to detail. Alot of the students are very good and it shows they have great teachers.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 13 years ago
Daniel Boguszewicz

Most importantly Marcelo no longer teaches here actually - he moved to Hawaii. Its very hard to get any information from these guys. Especially via email. Everything is a secret like who is leading the lesson. What is the price of one on one. Ive been told at reception desk that at level one I can join gi class no matter if I have gi or not - and once i did, though the next day it was not possible. Gladly I didnt but 2 week pass. I had one lesson with Brian whom I recommend. Another lesson was in a group, I was in pair with another super novice. Teacher was trying to make good impression but he didnt give a s of what we do - possibly because there were too many people. Waste of time. If you have money go for one on one, but its in the range of 200-300 an hour. Otherwise id recommend going to 10th planet which is half the price and half the crowd. Property is clean.

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Posted 3 years ago