Fabio Clemente Jiu Jitsu

This was my first time trying Jiu Jitsu and I had the BEST experience! Fabio and his daughter, Veda, were so patient and knowledgeable. My friend and I went to the beginners class on a Tuesday evening and plan on making it part of our weekly routine. Glad I went outside my comfort zone to try this– it was an incredible studio with super friendly people and we had a great time!

Do it. Go try out this gym. I came by for some training while in town on business. Family owned and run by father, son, and daughter– who are also some of the friendliest and coolest people you’ll ever meet. Top notch training and world class instruction from some of the best in the martial arts world. The gym recently celebrated its 20^th anniversary of operation in Manhattan. You can’t go wrong here. I’ll be back for sure.

My personal experience:
Instruction: 3.5 stars
Customer service: 2 stars
Cleanliness: 4 stars
This academy and the loan gi’s were clean and the instruction was okay. However, the customer service I personally experienced was poor.

I just started training here a couple of months ago with an excellent value Groupon. I’ve never done jiu jitsu before and I’m finding the whole beginner experience very new and exciting. Professor Clemente and his family have been super welcoming.
Quick note for the nervous complete beginner (like me): you don’t need to make a big investment to try it out and see if you like it. Either look for a Groupon, or just turn up to get a free beginners class — you don’t even need to bring anything with you as you can borrow or rent a uniform at the location.

The place has a very high ceiling, so there are lots of air, is nice, well light, clean and neat. The instruction is top notch and the black belt even corrected my breathing during a half guard sweep drill. It has 3 showers and kid classes from 5 years old. I highly recommend.

A good place to learn BJJ. Students are friendly and eager to learn. Great facilities. Babs is a tough, but thorough teacher. Instructors take the time to assign pairings/​groups during free rolling based on experience and size.

I was only able to train here for a few classes before life got in the way, but it’s a great spot: the instruction, organization, cleanliness, rolling partners, everything. I’d definitely recommend it, and the location is about as central as you could want.
However, a recent incident outside the gym really showed me how much of a stand-​up guy Fabio is. I was headed into Manhattan on a Saturday morning, and two men at the front of the subway car were already yelling at each other when I got on. A young man was sitting on the «disabled-​only» seat at the front of the crowded train with his bike, and an older man (who didn’t look too steady on his feet, and clearly needed the seat more than the guy sitting in it) wanted to sit there. The two started threatening each other, so I was keeping an eye on the situation.
When I looked over again, I did a double-​take. Fabio was right next to them, flanked by his two children (who also teach at the school). His imposing physical presence and a few choice words to the aggressive young man kept the situation from escalating, although I can only imagine how much of a world of hurt that young man would have been in if he had tried anything.
I know it’s a cliché, but a person’s character really is what they do when no one is watching. Fabio is not only a world-​class instructor and living legend, but someone who is willing to stand up for what is right. For that reason alone, you should sign up here.

Same great trainers as the previous location but in a bigger and better space. The new space is huge and there’s plenty of room to roll. Unlike a lot of other BJJ gyms, the owner, Fabio Clemente, teaches almost every class. If you come in on a groupon deal and have no experience, you’ll be taught by Fabio. Same deal even if you’re of a more advanced rank. The atmosphere here is friendly and chill and the training is second to none. I started a year ago with a groupon deal and signed up for a membership afterwards.