Renzo Gracie East Side Martial Arts

Amazing BJJ academy! The instructors are excellent, the facility is spotless, and the classes are high-level. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to begin their BJJ journey.

Renzo Gracie East Side has been an incredible and welcoming space for both my daughter and me. We recently moved to NYC and were looking for a new martial arts home—this school immediately felt right. The energy is positive, the community is supportive and getting started was easy. Every coach/instructor is extremely knowledgeable, professional and kind. David C. was especially welcoming and made everything clear and fun from day one. My daughter loves training here and has already made friends. As a single mom, having a place where we both feel safe, supported, and excited to train has been such a blessing. Forever team RGES 💪🏾

Renzo Gracie Eastside is the real deal. Even before opening their doors, they had over 300 people signed up — and once you step on the mats, it’s easy to see why. The gym has an incredible balance of professionalism, community, and world-class instruction. Clean spot, great locker rooms and showers! Mike one of the founders is one of John Danaher’s very first black belts, which speaks volumes about the depth of knowledge and lineage behind the training. Every class feels structured, technical, and inspiring, whether you’re brand new to jiu-jitsu or an experienced practitioner. What sets this place apart is the community — welcoming, supportive, and driven. They’ve also made it clear they care about more than just training; their outreach to veterans and focus on transforming lives through martial arts says it all. If you’re looking for a place where the culture is as strong as the jiu-jitsu, Renzo Gracie Eastside is it. World-class lineage, thoughtful instruction, and a true family feel on the mats.

The Upper East Side hit a jackpot with this academy. The best professors (coaches) in the field, with a proven track record of developing both professional athletes but also hobbyist, specifically executive and businessmen looking to destress and add spice to their arsenal on the board room and on the Nat’s. If you are in the area, this is a MUST drop in. If you ever considered joining a BJJ gym, the hardest part is stepping in the door.

RGES is awesome. Did an intro session with David that was super welcoming, informative, and fun. Everyone at the gym is super friendly and welcoming - even those who are more experienced are happy to roll with you and give you pointers. Robust class schedule that makes it easy to get in your training time depending on the schedule. Coaches are all excellent!