Workshop

Great instruction focused equally on fundamental and complex moves. Fun classes beginning with technique and finishing with sparring. Friendly while remaining very technical and committed to excellence. Very strong adult and children’s program.
Positive and welcoming culture with lots of long-​time students. Friendly to newcomers and women. Head Instructor Jin is incredibly knowledgeable about BJJ having practiced for over 15 years and receiving his black belt from Renzo Gracie/​John Danaher.
As well as being an expert in BJJ and educational techniques, Jin has a wealth of knowledge about judo, wrestling and physical training in general. I’ve appreciated the high quality of students and community at Workshop. Having only started BJJ after injuring my shoulder a decade ago, I’ve appreciated the attention from instructors on preventing injury while learning and rolling as well.

I joined Workshop in 2008 and that was indisputably one of the best decisions I have ever made. Aaron Milam exposed me to what would become one of my life’s greatest passions, the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I highly recommend giving it a shot, especially at Workshop where the instructors are super knowledgeable, the students are friendly, and the environment is very conducive to learning.

I started training BJJ at Workshop a few years ago. Never played any high school sports, nor did I have any prior martial arts experience, but the experience has been terrific for several reasons:
Instructors: Aaron Milam and Jin Yung are both Renzo Gracie/​John Danaher black belts. In addition to the Pedigree, they’ve both competed, won, and medaled in regional, national and international competition, so you feel good that you are learning from guys who have learned the craft from the best and applied it well too. The classes usually start with judo and wrestling elements (throws, takedowns) and then followed by groundwork (sweeps, submissions); hence the «feet to floor» philosophy. That’s about 45min, followed by 30−45min of sparring.
On a personal level, both Jin and Aaron are very approachable and are eager to teach. It goes beyond saying that they are good guys. These instructors are a huge reason I keep coming back even when my work or family schedule keeps me away for weeks at a time. They both always make you feel welcome.
Classmates: The people who train here are great. They come from all walks of life, all kinds of professions, nationalities, etc. Everyone takes the training seriously and you will too once you get hooked – which wont take long. The people here can grapple at a competitive, intense level and still have lots of care for the safety and wellbeing of their training partners. While there are plenty of athletes here, what you don’t have are the ultra-​aggressive macho types who roll carelessly and without regard. Everyone here trains hard but they also know that if they’ve got the armbar locked in, they don’t have to yank or jerk you the extra 3 inches thielat could cause you injury. They know you dont show dominance by hurting someone. They’ll slow it down to get the tap, yet still in a way that is completely controlling. Guys might be good when they slap a sub on you quickly, but the really scary (good) ones are the ones who apply it slowly and deliberately (you know it’s coming and yet the technique is so precise you feel helpless as the sub sets in despite your active resistance); there are lots of guys here of that latter variety. I can’t stress enough how important it is to have good training partners and there are lots here. In addition to the instructors, the training partners keep you coming back because you want to train with guys and girls who are intense and still eager to share their knowledge. Everyone knows everyone else’s name.
What I’d want to stress most is this: Workshop has a great combination of elite instruction and training culture. There are probably places out there that have instructors with great resumes and pedigrees too, but maybe their school lacks the community spirit Workshop has. And there are schools with lots of nice guys and girls, but maybe they sit around on the mat schmoozing without serious, high level instruction. I think Workshop combines these two elements, instruction and classmates, in a really great way. You have to give Aaron and Jin a ton of credit for creating this culture. You’ll enjoy training here and you’ll get a lot out of it.
Facilities are very nice and the location is great too (3 subway lines within 2 blocks).
ps: I’ve seen the kids bjj classes and they are phenomenal; really amazing what Aaron and Jin have done with kids who started as blank slates. The classes start for 4 or 5yr olds I think, but i’ve seen these kids do ridiculous stuff. My kids will all take BJJ here one day.

Workshop is a great place to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Great people and a positive, friendly learning environment. Highly skilled instructors and a dedicated community of students.
Jin, the head BJJ instructor, possesses a wealth of knowledge about BJJ, judo, and wrestling. He emphasizes fundamentals, while also teaching complex, sportier techniques. Jin is awesome with adults as well as children and approaches his work with sincerity and professionalism.
Dubek, who teaches daytime classes, is also highly skilled and thoughtful in his approach to BJJ. Every time I train with him, I learn new techniques and subtle modifications that improve my game.
A typical class is spent roughly half on techniques and half sparring. We spend a lot of time learning stand-​up basics and judo throws. Both gi and no-​gi classes are solid. This is a great place to train whether you are looking to learn BJJ for self-​defense, competition, or interested in a challenging work out. Five stars!

Have been training with Workshop instructors since 2006. The instructors are high quality and keep an eye on safety. They care about their students’ development (including the female students) and want to share their love and respect for martial arts. The regulars here are the best people you’ll ever meet in NYC. They’ll support and also challenge you. I can’t tell you how many nights I walked home after class, exhausted, enlightened, alive, free from work worries, with a huge smile plastered on my face. Great training and great times are had by all. ;)

Great facility, very clean, great classes and programs, flexible schedule, optional towel/​laundry service, large and very clean locker room/​bathrooms, friendly and dedicated students, excellent instructors. Sweet location. Very open and committed to teaching men, women, children, and people of all types.
I trained at workshop for two and a half years. It is the best of both worlds — committed to high quality instruction and training, but also laidback and relaxed. if you can train everyday, you will excel. If not, and it’s more of a pasttime for you, no problem, they still welcome you.
You will be what you make of it and what you put into training here. There is no pressure except that you impose on yourself. If you are willing to push yourself, the tools to mold you into whatever you want to be are here. The instructors give everything they have to each student who cares and that is not to be underestimated. They provide all the basic, intermediate, and advanced techniques necessary to succeed and they do it with a high level of expertise at each and every turn. Their combined teaching methods apply to students of all learning types. They teach beginners how to survive while mastering the fundamentals necessary to progress. More advanced students are encouraged to develop their own styles once they are ready and the instructors adapt in order to nurture each student’s unique style. You just have to bring the motivation. You can flourish here and push yourself to the limit if that is what you want.
It’s a small school and that brings priceless benefits. Anyone can try a free class, so check it out.

I joined Workshop in 2008. It was, quite possibly the single best decision that I made that year. I lost a lot of weight, made a ton of great friends, have since competed in (and won) collegiate-​style Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu tournaments and have otherwise given a lot of meaning and purpose to my life intellectually, socially and physically. In retrospect, it’s incredible that I wasted so many years lifting dumbbells in places like 24-​Hour Fitness.
I wouldn’t second guess a decision to join Workshop, not once.