Are you looking to find your next favorite MMA gym in the big apple? Well, look no further.
In this article, I will list the best MMA gyms in New York. Some are more kickboxing or BJJ-focused, but they each have unique benefits whether you’re trying to go pro or need a gym where you can also take your kids.
Let’s get to the list!
Table of Contents
Ronin Athletics
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 265 Madison Ave FL 5, New York, NY 10016, United States
- Head Coach: Christian Montes
Ronin Athletics is a prominent MMA gym based on Madison Ave in New York City. The gym prides itself on its inclusive environment for learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and empowering the weak against the strong in the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu belief system.
While this is a BJJ gym at heart, there are still several other classes for learning Kickboxing and MMA skills. There’s a strong focus on self-defense at this gym to give regular people the ability to enjoy their lives without fear in what can be a dangerous city to live in.
This offering expands into women and even kids’ self-defense classes alongside the usual schedule of BJJ and MMA programming.
Suppose you are looking for an MMA gym focused on the traditions of the Gracie BJJ system while also giving opportunities to expand into striking arts for both you and your whole family. In that case, this is a great location to pick.
Evolution Muay Thai
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.9/5
- Gym Type: Muay Thai/Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: Evolution Muay Thai, 213 W 35th Street Ground Floor – Store Front C, New York, NY 10001, United States
- Head Coach: Brandon Levi
Evolution Muay Thai is a Thai boxing gym that includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Wrestling. It was started by Australian coach Brandon Levi.
Evolution helps you with choosing the right programs for you. Their well-trained, highly skilled tutors will push you to be at your best beyond what you ever imagined.
They have great coaching and a friendly environment for their members. They treat customers like family.
High-intensity workouts are a part of their learning experience and are excellent for weight loss and self-defense training.
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Radical MMA NYC
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.9/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: Radical MMA NYC, 235 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
- Head Coach: René Dreifuss
Radical MMA teaches self-defense based on MMA-oriented Jiu-Jitsu and a lot more. Their academy works hard to help you improve yourself and be the best you can be.
Everyone respects each other and holds themselves to high standards to build a better future.
For best performance, they use a scientific approach to the science of fighting. They see the most effective techniques and tactics for MMA competitions and self-defense, and they aren’t beholden to traditional methods.
All students are encouraged to compete – but no one is required. The true essence of martial arts is challenging oneself, which will help build their courage, spirit, and fortitude.
This is a great gym to learn with if you are particularly interested in the shooting and grappling style of mixed martial arts performing (which is a good idea since wrestlers and Jitsu practitioners are highly effective in MMA).
Mushin Mixed Martial Arts
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: Mushin Mixed Martial Arts, 78 5th Ave 2nd floor, New York, NY 10011, United States
Mushin MMA is a members-only gym and fitness studio that offers martial arts and group fitness lessons. They have an emphasis on the growth of talented individuals as well as maintaining our high-quality community.
Their Jiu-Jitsu program has you covered. They practice both Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts, providing students with a diverse set of fighting skills.
Functional training emphasizing bodyweight training is the basis of their fitness program, but they also use kettlebells and dumbbells.
While based in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, they also borrow Judo, Wrestling, Sambo, Muay Thai, Karate, Kickboxing, and Kali.
Ultimately anything effective in mixed martial arts can be used. Their classes are a combination of both drilling techniques and sparring.
This is a great gym to choose if you are looking for an incredibly dedicated learning environment. Even Georges St-Pierre has walked through their doors to train!
Pure MMA NYC
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: Pure MMA NYC, 104 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011, United States
- Head Coach: Matt Derosa
Pure MMA NYC is a direct training program provided by Matt Derosa. He has taught others his knowledge for many years.
He aims to help people learn these skills to protect themselves and their loved ones.
He builds up students to be the best they can be. Not just in martial arts or fighting, but also personally so they can take something to their day-to-day lives.
Matt will teach you the mindset and techniques for effectively dealing with real-life self-defense situations.
You will learn highly effective martial arts within a safe structure that will be useful for the rest of your life.
Ultimately, you will become an especially dangerous human being.
This is ideal for someone who wants to get rid of their fears and bring confidence back into their lives alongside a personalized experience to become an all-around fighter.
Valor Mixed Martial Arts
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.7/5
- Gym Type: Kickboxing
- Location: Valor Mixed Martial Arts, 2067 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, United States
- Head Coach: Master Phipps
Valor MMA is like home for Mixed Martial Arts enthusiasts. They call it home, but students should come to class ready to work hard to achieve the results they are seeking.
Valor’s classes last from 30 minutes to an hour, filled with fast-paced, energetic, and encouraging programs created for all ages, skill levels, shapes, and sizes.
They challenge every student to excel more than ever and take pride in teaching great classes and creating a community that builds lifelong friendships.
Valor MMA was created to provide and teach authentic correlative martial arts styles that can challenge students of all ages and abilities while helping them grow into stronger, more confident individuals.
Students show up for various reasons, often simply looking for a challenge or to learn how to defend themselves. But you’ll come out with so much more, including increased confidence, increased health and fitness, and a new community.
Valor MMA is committed to supporting you at every stage of your fitness journey. This is a great gym to choose if you seek a predominantly kickboxing base for yourself and your kids.
Modern Martial Arts NYC
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.9/5
- Gym Type: Kickboxing/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Locations:
- Upper East Side: 220 East 86th St New York, NY 10028
- Upper West Side: 103 W 73rd St New York, NY 10023
- Tribeca: 78 Reade St New York, NY 10007
- Midtown West: 780 8th Ave New York, NY 10036
- Astoria: 35-08 Ditmars Blvd Queens, NY 11105
Modern Martial Arts NYC has a core vision to change the lives of its students every day positively.
They use tools that focus on the benefits of martial arts in the hope of inspiring people to take small actions that can make a big difference in their daily lives.
Modern Martial Arts provides educational experiences that exceed expectations with passion and pride. The goal is to change the world with every student by fostering an environment of trust, cooperation, and mutual respect.
With many years of experience, you can benefit from their knowledge and consistency. Modern Martial Arts NYC knows how important it is to build a sense of community around their teaching and engage with every student individually to help them achieve their goal.
This is a great gym to choose if you need several location options for yourself in kickboxing and jiu-jitsu, as well as having an extensive range of classes for your kids. There is a heavy class schedule for kids of all ages here.
Five Points Academy
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.8/5
- Gym Type: Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: Five Points Academy, 148 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013, United States
- Notable Coaches: Kevin McGrath, Steve Milles
Five Points Academy has prided themselves on offering a high-quality training experience since they opened in 2002.
Their gym is equipped with not only a martial arts studio that has an expansive mat area but also a good selection of free weights.
Their martial arts on offer include Muay Thai, BJJ, Judo, and even a little-known weapon fighting art called Kali.
Their strength and conditioning classes help you improve your overall fitness and ability in the sport. They use free weights, barbells, and TRX (plus plenty more) to prepare you for a fight.
The class structure here is packed with options six days a week, so you’ll easily find a good training time no matter your situation.
If you’re looking for an eclectic mix of martial arts to learn and solid guidance to build your strength and fitness, then Five Points is worth trying out.
LifeStyle MMA Academy
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.9/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: LifeStyle MMA Academy, 30-89 38th St, Astoria, NY 11103, United States
- Notable Coaches: Fabricio Medici
LifeStyle MMA is a unique academy that brings a selection of martial arts to New York. They offer Jiu-Jitsu classes primarily to help you grow self-defense skills, generally improve your well-being and become your best version.
The gym was established in Astoria, Queens in 2013. The location is easily accessible from several nearby hot spots and transport options.
They have earned themselves a worthy reputation for offering first-class martial arts to their students and helping them to find the purpose and strength to face their life challenges outside of the school.
LifeStyle MMA was founded by Professor Fabricio Medici. He has successfully coached his students to become excellent competitors that win 1st place spots in many tournaments and World Championships.
Fabricio is often considered a famous referee for BJJ competitions, as he is a leading IBJJF referee. You can be sure he knows the rules and has the experience to demonstrate and help you to learn core Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.9/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Location: Clockwork Jiu Jitsu, 650 Broadway 2nd floor, New York, NY 10012, United States
- Notable Coaches: Josh Griffiths
Clockwork Jiu-Jitsu provides an ego-free training environment in the heart of New York City where all skill levels are welcomed in.
Most arrive there because they are curious about Jiu-Jitsu. Inevitably, that curiosity turns into a burning passion.
Their inspiration helps them to form a strong skillset. They develop the best version of themselves, not by monotonous exercise, but by doing something they love to do almost every day. This is rewarding for both the student and the teacher, which is what Clockwork BJJ focuses on.
Clockwork is easily accessible in downtown Manhattan, and they offer free introductory classes.
Clockwork believes that you deserve to be treated with respect. They make it clear that sometimes city life can make you a few minutes late to class or that you may have to leave earlier and your teachers won’t shame you for it.
This is a welcoming environment to learn BJJ and develop the next grandest version of yourself.
Renzo Gracie Academy
Rating: ★★★★★ 4.6/5
- Gym Type: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Mixed Martial Arts
- Location: 224 W 30th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
- Notable Coaches: Gregor Gracie, Robson Gracie Jr.
Renzo Gracie Academy is one of the longest-standing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gyms in America, as it opened its NYC doors in 1996 under the supervision of Renzo Gracie himself.
The Gracie family are the pioneers of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu movement, in case you didn’t know that already.
This academy is so well structured that they have an incredibly rich and diverse team of expert coaches in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but also Muay Thai as well.
In their BJJ and grappling classes, you can both with the standard Gi but also No-Gi with what they refer to as “submission grappling” classes. Kids are welcome here with KidJitsu, too.
If you care about learning Jiu-Jitsu from a long line of tradition and source of the original methods then you probably can’t go wrong than choosing Renzo’s Academy.
If you want to get involved in striking and develop your fighting capabilities, Muay Thai classes with several high-level coaches are there for you.
And if you hang around the gym for long enough, you can ask to be included in MMA classes which are invite-only. But you’ll need to prove yourself, first!
Joe Bloom is the lead author and editor of MMA Hive. Joe has been a passionate mixed martial artist in training since 2019, having studied Boxing and Muay Thai at BaliMMA and Soma Fight Club, as well as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with RitualsJJ.
