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Five Points Academy

4.8 ★★★★★ 82 Google reviews · Judo dojo in New York, New York

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Newaza Competition

Training facility offering strength & conditioning programs plus classes in various martial arts.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most dojos welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Membership memberships run around $250/mo — many dojos also offer a discounted first month and family plans, so ask about new-member rates
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth judo classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Newaza newaza (groundwork) classes — judo's mat game of pins, holds, and controls, and a natural bridge to Brazilian jiu-jitsu
  • Open mat open-mat randori sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule academyfivepoints.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (212) 226-4474

Hours

Monday 7 AM–8 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–8 PM
Wednesday 7 AM–8 PM
Thursday 7 AM–8 PM
Friday 7 AM–8 PM
Saturday 7 AM–2 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM–1 PM

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-mat times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Judo classes on the schedule at Five Points Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“It's clean, beginner friendly, has a large number of classes, and staffed by great instructors.”

All dojos that run beginners →

🏆 Competition (Shiai) 2 mentions

“The three owners have a combined 100yrs experience in fighting and training others to compete (*or fight like you could).”

All dojos that run competition (shiai) →

Other martial arts here

Judo dojos are often multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Five Points Academy — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 4 mentions

“The Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs are very strong and everyone (coaches, teammates, front desk staff and cleaning staff) is very supportive and welcoming.”

Other dojos that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, wrestling, or sambo alongside your judo, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 82 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 3 mentions

“This place has great instructors and class sizes are fairly small to allow for personalized feedback.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“The Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs are very strong and everyone (coaches, teammates, front desk staff and cleaning staff) is very supportive and welcoming.”

🤝 respectful, no-ego dojo 19 mentions

“I fell in love with the place after a week as the strength and conditioning classes are outstanding and the instructors are very knowledgable, supportive and inspiring.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Extra points for towel service, kettle bell training, helpful staff, and an awesome workout coupled with serious technique!”

🔥 great workout & conditioning 7 mentions

“I fell in love with the place after a week as the strength and conditioning classes are outstanding and the instructors are very knowledgable, supportive and inspiring.”

🏆 active competition team 2 mentions

“The three owners have a combined 100yrs experience in fighting and training others to compete (*or fight like you could).”

From the reviews

Enjoyed going to this place for a barbell session via classpass. Matt was super welcoming and helpful and if I lived in the area I’d probably seriously consider joining long term. They are also a martial arts focused facility so if you’re keen on trying that it’s worth it too.

★★★★★ — Hams, Aug 2018

One of the 1st & is the very best Muay Thai academy in NYC!!! Top tier coaching, instructing, & strength & conditioning hands down. They also have elite Kali & Judo programs as well. I've been a member since 2008 and I loved every single day I've went & I still go at least 4 times a week.

★★★★★ — Timothy, Feb 2021

Five Points Academy is the best gym / martial arts school I've ever been a part of. The dedicated staff / instructors / owners are top shelf. The facility is clean and well kept up by a great cleaning staff. They offer a variety of martial arts disciplines. Pekiti Tirsia Kali, Judo, BJJ and Muay Thai.

★★★★★ — Edward, Mar 2023

I've trained at a number of martial arts studios in my life and Five Points Academy is the best. The coaches are knowledgable and helpful, the classes are demanding and exciting, the facilities are fantastic and beautifully maintained and The students are hardworking and eager to help new folks.

★★★★★ — Noah, Sep 2012

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 82 reviews →

New to judo? Start at Five Points Academy

Five Points Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first judo class at Five Points Academy

Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Judo is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your sensei, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Five Points Academy

148 Lafayette St Front A, New York, NY10013

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.