Unity Jiu Jitsu School — Local services in New York

There is nothing better, after a long day, then walking through an unassuming glass door, down a few stairs, and into Unity Jiu Jitsu.

Murilo Santana is probably one of the top jiu jitsu instructors in the world. I've been training at Unity for a few years now, and there's often a small detail taught that completely changes how I do a move.

Not only that but Murilo cares for every student - not just their jiu jitsu progress but their life, and has created a warm, welcoming community where everyone helps each other improve. In addition to Murilo, the other instructors are also world class, and make themselves available to help everyone all the time.

Having trained at a few gyms before, I would say Unity is the best gym for women in NYC. Other gyms have women's locker rooms 1/3 of the space of the men's, at Unity its the same size. There is a huge group of women that train in general, and always a large group of women on the mats. Everyone respects each other equally, and the men are great training partners and are equally responsible for such a welcoming environment for women.

They say that everyone needs a "3rd place" to spend time, outside of work and home (especially in NYC where our homes are tiny), and Unity is this and so much more. It's a place to socialize and be a part of a wonderful community; it's another place...

Just joined Unity recently but it has been an awesome experience from the first day I walked in. The front desk staff were more than welcoming and helpful with understanding how unity's schedule works and their different memberships despite the many questions I had. The other members at unity are really open and cool people and I really feel the family atmosphere since everyone is so kind.

The instructors have also been top notch. As someone new to BJJ, I was a bit nervous going in because of my inexperience. But the instructors in the foundations and white belt classes have a very thought out and structured curriculum. In the more general classes with other belts, white belts are helped out by instructors and also more experienced members to correct technique. Lisander and Anthony especially have been really helpful with providing me with extra instruction and focus when I needed it on some of my techniques. Other reviews have also said it, but Murilo's ability to remember your name and give you his focus even as a new belt is very admirable given his stature and accomplishments in BJJ.

Whatever your reasons are for starting BJJ, unity is hands down the place to come if...

I've trained at a few places in NYC and I liked them all but Unity has been my favorite so far. Want to be a pro grappler? They have world class instructors, resident athletes, and students who are going to go on to be big names in grappling you can train with on a regular basis. There is also a large core of students who compete regularly.

Are you a busy person and just doing jiu jitsu for fun? They are open every day so it's easy to fit some bjj into your week and unlike at some schools, Murilo (the head instructor) focuses on particular themes and techniques over a long time with a lot of attention to detail, so you won't be clueless if you miss a day here or there.

Also, the level of attention and coaching you'll get is extremely high even if you are just a casual bjj'er. Don't think that all of the instructors' attention is on the higher level guys and competitors: the balance and atmosphere here works for everyone...