Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the Financial District

None at all. Most of our members started with zero martial arts experience. Our All-Levels classes are designed for mixed-experience training — you'll pick up fundamentals naturally as you drill, and our sponsor system pairs new students with experienced partners during sparring (we never match beginner-versus-beginner). No prior training needed.

No. All first-time visits — trial classes and visitor passes — must be booked in advance. Reserving lets us plan mat space, prepare your locker, and brief your instructor. It also protects the safety and training environment our members count on: jiu-jitsu is a close-contact practice, and knowing everyone on our mats is part of how we take care of the community.

Wear comfortable athletic clothing — shorts or leggings and a t-shirt. We have loaner gis (the traditional uniform) available for your trial class. Remove all jewelry before training. Bring water and a towel.

Absolutely. Our youth program emphasizes technique, coordination, and discipline in a controlled, supervised environment. Classes are grouped by age (3-5, 6-8, 9+) so every child trains with peers at a similar developmental stage. There is no striking in jiu-jitsu. We are lower Manhattan's largest youth jiu-jitsu program, with families from Battery Park City, Tribeca, and FiDi.

Three age groups, each with its own class structure. Ages 3–5 train for 30 minutes — coordination, balance, agility, learning to fall and roll — with most of the practice one-on-one with our instructors. Ages 6–8 add peer interaction, breakfalls, and the foundations of guard play in 45-minute classes. Ages 9 and up follow a more adult-style curriculum — takedowns, full ground game, an emphasis on submissions — spending roughly half the time on standing technique. We run 21 youth classes a week across all three age groups, seven days a week, and recommend 2 to 3 sessions per week — enough to build skill without burning a child out.

Adult monthly memberships start around $300, with youth and family pricing available. Your first trial class is free — the best way to see if Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Wall Street is the right fit before you commit. Come train, then we'll talk pricing in person.

Unlimited classes at our Wall Street academy, plus training privileges at all four Renzo Gracie locations in New York: Wall Street, Upper West Side, the 30th Street Academy (Headquarters), and Brooklyn. New adult members also receive a Renzo Gracie kimono (gi), t-shirt, and gear bag at signup, and free access to Renzo Gracie Online Academy — our video library for reviewing techniques between classes.

We recommend starting with 2-3 classes per week. This gives your body time to recover while building technique and muscle memory consistently. Many of our members train more frequently as they progress.

For adults with consistent training, you'll generally understand where you are in each position after about three months. By six months most students are joining live rolling. After roughly a year (2–3 classes per week), you'll reach an intermediate level of proficiency. Black belt for adults typically takes more than six years — but you don't need to reach black belt to gain real efficiency and confidence on the mat.

The adult belt system is white, blue, purple, brown, then black, each with four stripes. Promotion depends on technical knowledge and consistent attendance — there are no fixed timelines. With 2x or more sessions per week, typical ranges are: white belt 1–1.5 years, blue belt 2.5–4 years, purple belt 2.5–3 years, and brown belt around 2 years.

In gi classes, you wear a traditional jiu-jitsu uniform (gi) which allows for grip-based techniques. No-gi classes use athletic clothing (rash guard and shorts) and focus on techniques without grips on clothing. Both are valuable and we offer classes in each format.

We're located at 22 New Street in the Financial District, on the west side of the New York Stock Exchange. Note that NYSE security blocks the Wall Street entrance to New Street — please approach via Exchange Place. Walking distance from Battery Park City and Tribeca. Steps from Wall Street (2/3), Broad Street (J/Z), Bowling Green (4/5), and the Fulton Street transit hub (A/C/J/Z/2/3/4/5).

Not currently at Wall Street — all of our classes are co-ed. Many of our women members appreciate training alongside partners of all sizes and experience levels in a respectful, safety-first environment. If you're specifically looking for a women-only program, our Upper West Side academy offers a dedicated Women's Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense class.

Yes. Visiting practitioners purchase a training pass — day, week, two-week, or month options. Free trial classes are reserved for local residents considering membership. Reserve your mat space on our visitor passes page.