Ronin Athletics MMA NYC - Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense

Wow! I am still new to the program, but I had to take a moment to post a review of Ronin Athletics and the team there. I was looking for a self defense class for women in NYC and found the Women Empowered program. This far exceeded any of my expectations! I was honestly a little intimidated and nervous about the grappling involved with Jiu Jitsu — but Jasper immediately put me at ease and assured me it is all women and no experience is required. The space is fantastic, and the team — Christian and Lora — was welcoming and knowledgeable, they made it accessible and understandable for the absolute beginner (me!). And, the women only group was welcoming and all different levels and ages — I was reassured that everyone there had started where I was one my first day and felt safe and at ease. The demonstrations by Christian and Lora were methodical, repeated for clarity and then we got to practice. I was paired with a woman who had more experience and the instructors came around and to make sure we got the sequences down. It was actually a lot of fun and didn’t take long to get into a groove. Each class covers a specific skill and you can jump in at any point in the curriculum. The instructors are clearly experts, but make it accessible — I have knee issues, so we worked on ways to adapt movements. The curriculum is thoughtful and well organized — it makes the destination clear — they give you the map and step by step instructions that build confidence and increase stamina.This is not your typical fitness class. There is no fitness requirement, it’s good for any age (I am 50, but the class included women younger and older!) and it as much MENTAL as it is physical. It is about maintaining mental clarity in any situation where you feel threatened and muscle memory in the event of an actual physical attack. After a single class, I felt more confident and informed — and know that if I put the work in, I will have tools that will allow me to feel (and be) safer, AND stay calm if I ever find myself in a tough spot. I can’t even begin to tell you how it has made me more aware (in a good way!) and made me more self assured in every day social situations, not just walking from my car at night.There is even an online component to the lessons so you can review the lessons. And the live sessions are super easy to get to — a short walk from Grand Central — so no excuses about travel.

Cannot recommend this gym enough. Exceptional coaches, respectful training partners, and a welcoming environment. If you’re new to jiujitsu, you’ll start by learning basic self-defense techniques. From there, you’ll progress into more advanced techniques and start rolling live rounds. Lessons are taught as part of a structured curriculum, which really helps students see the big picture of the sport.If you’re looking to train Gracie jiujitsu in New York City, I highly recommend stopping by. I’ve made some amazing friends at this gym and feel very lucky to have started the journey here. I only stopped training at Ronin Athletics when I left New York for my job.Ronin crew, I miss you guys and can’t wait to train again the next time I visit!

Training at Ronin solidified my fundamentals and better prepared me for BJJ. Every instructor, including the owner Christian, made Ronin a welcoming environment to learn and prepare for street readiness. As a female, I found each class beneficial in building techniques and confidence. The coaches make sure every move is throughly explained with examples of when you may need to use the move and then they provide ample time to drill that technique over and over again! Lastly, the gym is always clean and the location in midtown is fun!

I’m the only parent to two young boys. My boys have been part of the Gracie Bullyproof Jiu Jitsu program for almost three years! I live in Queens and even though there are other jui jitsu programs in my neighborhood. I am willing to commute from Queens to be part of this unique anti-bullying program.I like the structure that the program has to encourage children to do their best to prevent bullying through the 3 Ts: Talk, Tell, Tackle. My sons LOVE the dodgeball aspect which provides a way for the kids to learn how to run from bullies, release energy, have fun and work collaboratively to unfreeze/untag each other. My boys have gained invaluable skills and techniques to prevent bullying and, if necessary, protect themselves physically. The instructors are incredibly supportive and patient with the students. They help them build character, focus and respect each other. It's one of the best self defense programs for children. I only wish it offered a bullyproof summer camp and was part of their after school program so that other minority children can learn the techniques too. If you are looking for the best Kids Jiu Jitsu in New York City, Gracie Bullyproof is the place to be! Highly recommend!

I started my BJJ journey when I attended a Women Empowered seminar and never looked back. The team at Ronin Athletics is professional, kind, and creates a safe learning environment. The facilities are absolutely beautiful, very clean and well-lit. They offer programs for both men and women, including Women Empowered (women-only) and Gracie Combatives (co-ed). Once I completed the women’s program I decided to continue my journey with Gracie Combatives which provides you with the fundamentals of jiu jitsu and enjoying every moment of it (thank you team for making classes so much fun/enjoyable training experience every single time). If you’re interested in learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in NYC, I highly recommend Ronin Athletics.