Renzo Gracie Academy

Had a very positive experience dropping in for one gi class (Monday morning) while travelling for work. Very welcoming, not intimidating and the prof (Danny Scanno) was great.

This place lives up to the hype the level of training here is second to none. I room of killers. So many years knowledge on the mats and it shows. I very particular style of teaching with a step by step approach while constantly being on the cutting edge of the latest and newest techniques. Yes its stuffy its a basement. They redid the bathrooms much improved. The best gym ever, Master Renzo should he happen to be there is the most charismatic man I ever met and his stories and love for jiujitsu make him the legend he is. Highly recommend.

I don’t often give reviews but felt compelled to after reading a few negative reviews. I was a bit shocked at how clean the gym was and how friendly and helpful the people were. As soon as I walked in I was greeted with a big smiling hello by a Muay Thai instructor. I said I'm from out of town and would like to take a no gi class with John Danaher. He said the gym is officially closed for the holidays but feel free to look around. There are three floors and the jiu jitsu is downstairs. There, I was greeted by another friendly face, Rob Constance, who also said the gym was closed and that John Danaher was out of town for the holidays. However, he was there to open the gym for people who wanted to train during the break and invited me join them. I’ve been to many BJJ gyms in the US and have never met kinder or friendlier people! Later I mentioned about the negative reviews. He responded, “Sometimes you get what you give.” These guys went way above and beyond the normal courtesy service. I had an awesome experience! Two thumbs up to Rob & Renzo Gracie’s NYC!!!

What an amazing school with a great vibe! I stopped in when Master Renzo and John Danaher were doing a charity seminar for one of their students who had cancer. Students were super cool and it was an amazing experience to walk into the World Headquarters of the Renzo Gracie Academy for the first time!

Brother, this jiu-jitsu class… good, but too much drama. Coach say “relax,” but how I relax when small guy try choke me like he want inheritance? I tell him, “Brother, this only training,” but he squeeze like I owe him money.Rolling session? Everybody think they lion. Nobody want to tap. I hold one guy in mount, he breathing like tractor in Dagestan winter. I tell him, “Brother, give up, no shame,” he say “I fine,” then immediately nap.Gi class also crazy. You wear this heavy robe, look like magician, but instead of rabbit, opponent pull your arm from socket. I respect jiu-jitsu, big respect. But some guys come here like it’s TikTok dojo — filming everything, no discipline. We smash them gently.In conclusion: good technique, good cardio, but too many Instagram black belts. Need more humble, less flexible.Rating: 4.5 outta 5 bears wrestled.