Coaches with huge egos. Do you want to learn jiu jitsu or join a cult ? They like to yell at their students and make cringe jokes. Honestly any other gym has been a better experience than this one. The coaches have favorites and won't progress you if he doesn't like you. read more

Nothing fancy, pretty basic, some equipment, and a decent amount of room for their different MMA classes (including two large matted areas for you to flip on, be pushed on, and fight/dance it up!) If you're unsure about it all, breathe in, breathe out, and woosaa - 1st timers get 2 free weeks of whichever class they want to pop into. Try them all if you want. They even have classes for kids. I once knew nothing about the many different forms of martial arts and I honestly have nothing to compare Fairfax Jiu Jitsu to, but I strongly believe it is the people who can make or break any kind of establishment. Needless to say, it is everyone here, from Dave (one of the managers) to the students in the [I'm not telling you what I took!] class, that make this place amazing. Classes will challenge you, you will learn, and you'll enjoy it all. I think I found my 2nd family. Try it out, let them know you saw my review, and that you're ready for some ass kickery! read more

See all

I love seeing my daughter drag herself to Muay Thai even when she's had a long day and would rather veg on the sofa and watch Netflix. She pushes herself to be better than she was yesterday and learns so many incredible life skills along the way! Fairfax Jiu Jitsu's Muay Thai program is an investment in my child and what she gets out of it is truly priceless. Love this place, the leave-your-ego-at-the-door mentality, the sense that you are part of a caring community of people, and their focus on developing the whole student. It's not just a gym, it's a place you belong. Awesome facility, great people, excellent instruction... they have exceeded every expectation. By far the best academy I have encountered. read more

This is a great place to train! Two reputable black belts teach the classes, which is a rarity at most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academies (that often fly in a black belt every once in a while). BJJ classes are offered 6 times a week, MMA classes 3 times a week, and capoeira classes are coming soon. The academy produces a lot of competitors in both BJJ and MMA. The BJJ classes are generally 1.5 hours long, consisting of conditioning, technique, and sparring. I find the classes very challenging and rewarding. The community of people is great, with very little ego or attitude. As a beginner student, I have been treated with a lot of respect and patience by both fellow (beginner and advanced) students and instructors. The academy is associated with the Yamasaki Academy, which has a strong presence and reputation within the DC metro area. I've looked at some of the other academies in the local area, and easily choose Fairfax Jiu Jitsu. Other BJJ academies may look a lot fancier, but when it comes down to the quality and availability of instruction as well as the sense of community, I feel that Fairfax JJ beats them hands down. Also, they offer a two week free trial that is definitely worth trying out. read more

I've checked out a couple different gyms before enrolling as a student at Fairfax BJJ and I can say it's been an awesome experience. I feel pretty lucky to see the transition from where Fairfax BJJ was and where they are going including the upgrades in facilities. Coach Mark and Coach Sam are incredibly knowledgeable, personable and fun. They have cultivated an environment of no-egos and a family community of helping one another grow. I highly recommend Fairfax BJJ to anyone looking for discipline/self defense, getting into shape, and a great learning environment. read more

This is the best place to train jiu jitsu in Northern Virginia. The school is affiliated with the Yamasaki Academy and run by Dave Jacobs, Mark Jones, and Sam Kim. There are always world class jiu jitsu talent training and teaching. The instructors are always patience and fun in their lessons. There are multiple levels to the jiu jitsu classes, so beginners don't have to worry about training with more advanced students. There are also kids programs. They also have very successful MMA and Caporeira programs. The gym is huge. There are 2 big mats, a fitness area, a boxing ring, and plenty of extra space to stretch. They instructors are constantly looking for more and more ways to increase the value of membership by adding new training equipment and amenities. All that and being that they are Yamasaki Academy affiliate gives you access to a very large network of schools and training partners all over the world. + Great Instructors + World Class Jiu Jitsu + MMA and Caporeira programs + Competitive Membership Pricing + Try out a class for free read more

It's 3 years later and I can say with confidence that this is still the best kid's program in Northern Virginia. My kid joined the BJJ gyms in Sterling, Springfield and Herndon (completely sucks) and Fairfax Jiu Jitsu was def the best training he received along with the best instructors to deal with. Other places may have one or the other, but, this place has both. My kid left to join friends at another gym and I wish I never let him. If you are looking for a Jiu Jitsu school for your kid, don't waste your time looking. I've already done the research, come to Fairfax Jiu Jitsu. read more

I popped in once for a class while I was in the area for work. The place is HUGE! Even the matted area covered a ton of ground, which worked out really well for the large size of the class. The variety of warm-ups really did its intended job (and the large mat space keeps you from bumping into someone every 30 seconds). I got the watch the second half of a kids class while talking with two of the adult instructors. It was a great environment, good interaction, and very child friendly class! The instructor and other students are all really friendly - no attitudes here. There were a surprising amount of blue, purple, and brown belts in class, too. Rolling with the high belts was insightful. If you train (or want to train) Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and are in the area, hit them up! read more

Literally one of the best decisions I could have ever made. I was looking to learn bjj and I walked into FJJ as my first stop on academy hunting. I didn't need to visit any other academies. The culture in what FJJ teaches is very team an individual oriented. Literally some of the best instructors you could ask for. Even if it's a little out of your way, like it is for me, FJJ is so worth it. Honestly in the time I've been here this place has become a home for me, and I hope to learn from Sam and Mark for many years. They've helped me not just fall in love with bjj, but helped me become obsessed with it haha. read more

I called this place home for several years! (And still do, but have moved out of the area). From the cleanliness of the facility and training areas, to the quality of instruction, to the culture - FJJ is top notch. Expect to be made feel welcome and comfortable on your first class. Whether you're there for self-defense, to get in shape, or to compete, the training will be catered to your goals. If you show up consistently you can expect regular one-on-one instruction and feedback from 3 black belt instructors and numerous upper belts. The muay thai program is awesome as well. Go try it! read more

For the longest time I couldn't ever convince my son to join a martial art class. We let him join a Tae Kwon Do class and there was never any sort of interest for him. It felt like a chore from beginning to end. When we came here I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. From his first free trial day he absolutely loved it. He seems to retain the moves and has been slowly improving each week. Sensei Mark and assistants are great at instructing the kids and reinforcing moves of the week. They practice one hourly sessions 4x a week. All kids are respectful with the sensei Mark, all coaches and each other. The environment is very kids friendly and open. I would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn martial arts and grappling read more

Did the trial version a while back but really didnt fit my cup of tea. Ripoff prices and contracts as well. Avoid at all costs

Almost 3 years after randomly spotting it in a Sherdog thread, I'm still a happy camper in FJJ's MMA program, and it's hard to find fault with it. The stuff you'd expect from a quality school - a coaching staff as passionate about their sport as they are knowledgeable and able to convey said knowledge, ample and well-kept training areas, and always respectful but competitive training partners - is in no shortage here. To find yourself sparring against individuals with years of experience (including pro and amateur fighters) can be daunting at the outset, and the degree of effort the practices call for will take getting used to, but a welcoming environment in all of the aforementioned respects will always encourage you to move past whatever hurdles you might encounter. Also, it doesn't hurt that this facility has its own equipment shop on site (NHB Gear) - good selection of gloves, mouth guards, clothes, gis, etc. Would recommend. read more

We wanted a practical martial art for our kids and found Fairfax JJ. They are very welcoming and hands on with the kids program that meets four times a week. If you can't reach them by phone come early M, W, Thurs 5:30 or Sat 10:30 and check it out. read more

Fairfax Jiu Jitsu - Martial Arts Near Me - Chantilly, Virginia

I have been an athlete all of my life playing just about every sport involving some sort of ball, but in terms of martial arts, I am a newbie. This gym was my second (and probably final) attempt at getting into Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I had previously taken a handful of introductory lessons at another gym in the area, but my experience was not great. When you are an absolute beginner, the social anxiety of drilling with strangers who are also much more experienced than you can be daunting. While I felt like an outsider at my first gym, Fairfax Jiu Jitsu has always been a friendly and welcoming environment. Coaches Mark Jones and Sam Kim are both extremely friendly, charismatic, and knowledgeable. They really make the experience fun, while emphasizing growth and determination. Jiu-jitsu can be stressful, but it's easier to push through frustration and difficulty when you feel part of a team. The colored belts are also very friendly and helpful. There are students of just about every age, gender, and ethnicity. If you're a competitive person, students from FJJ perform very well in tournaments and the Coaches take a very structured approach to preparing students for them. In terms of the facility, it is much larger than other gyms I have visited. This allows for a large number of students to train at the same time. There is always someone to drill/spar with, allowing you to really dive deeply into jiu-jitsu if that is your desire. They have a weight room, multiple large mats, and striking areas as well. Everything is well maintained and hygienic. In addition to jiu-jitsu they also offer Muay Thai, and Capoeira classes. Additionally, I believe they are moving to an even larger/improved facility in the near future. I highly recommend jiu-jitsu to anyone. The benefits are far greater than simply learning how to defense yourself. While that is reason enough for many people to start, the personal growth opportunities, both physical and mental cannot be understated. There are social benefits as well. As a 30 year old who works full time in an office setting, it becomes increasingly difficult to make new friends. Jiu-jitsu is the perfect way to expand your social circle, while improving yourself in every way. If you struggle with depression, there is no better cure than jiu-jitsu. Intense cardio leading to increased dopamine production, novelty through learning new techniques on a continuous basis, and a sense of community. If you're a friendly person, I highly recommend Fairfax Jiu-jitsu as a great place to start. read more

I have been training at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu for about 2.5 years, and I can say that I have found my training family. Not only is the instruction top notch (multiple medal winners at local/regional/national level tournaments), but the culture is excellent. The owners, Mark and Sam, have developed a system where new students are recognized as integral parts of our BJJ community, and are encouraged along their journey. Truly awesome! Since starting at FJJ, I have moved farther away from the academy, yet continue to make the drive. FJJ is home for me, and I can't see myself training anywhere else. read more

Sam Kim and Mark Jones are great!! The are completely dedicated to their art form and their students. The command demand and earn respect from their students. Very fun environment for kids and adults. They have jujitsu for adults and kids. They have kick boxing and the have Capoeria for kids and adults from professor Yara who has over 30years in the game!!! Another important piece of information is that gyms like these normally are full of germs and bacteria because most gyms don't bother to clean or clean the wrong way. The have professional company that they pay to clean the gym correctly and that speaks volumes!!! read more

I've been training at FJJ in the Muay Thai program (Only) for almost 1 year now. I did a good deal of research on the internet before electing FJJ as one of the places to check out. Location did play a big part in where I wanted to train as I live in Centreville and work in Herndon. Although location was at the top of my list in requirements I didn't want to sacrifice quality of instruction or work out in a rundown gym. After doing some reading on the website, watching some Youtube video footage of classes and sparring sessions I decided that FJJ was a place for me to visit. Previously, had gone to other commercial boxing/kickboxing gyms for trial classes and while they do have many locations and class schedules to be able to choose from, I found the majority of people attending these gyms were "fitness freaks" and only interested in the workout and calorie burn that the training offers. The classes also were centered mainly on bag work, in order to get someone to hold pads for you it had to be a personal training session which got to be very expensive. So I went to FJJ, took the free trial class, everyone was very friendly and welcoming. They offered an amazing rate for a trial month to attend unlimited classes all programs (Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu, MMA and Capoeira). My only regret is I only attended the MT program during my trial month; if I had to do it over I would have taken advantage of the Jiu Jitsu, MMA and Capoeira during that month. So during my time spent with FJJ my goal was to learn MT and have an amateur fight, which was accomplished! The coaching staff at FJJ did a great job with authentic MT instruction and models the class how they train in Thailand. The head instructor Matt goes to Thailand several times a year for weeks at a time to continue his training and instruction. FJJ also host a group training session about once a month with former affiliated gyms in the DMV area, this is great because it gives a fighter the opportunity to mix it up with other fighters and really test your skills. For fighters serious about fighting this is a solid gym to train at, the steps to prepare for a fight are laid out for you by the coaching staff. All you have to do is listen to the instruction, show up and give 100%. read more

I've been training BJJ, Muay Thai, and MMA at Fairfax for about a year and a half. The thing that I've noticed the most is that my skills have improved greatly ever since I started . I attribute this to the excellent instructors. Their curriculum and class structure is well thought out, and their approach is geared towards training smart in order to get the most out of every session. They also have a great facility and a wealth of solid training partners of all skill levels. I recently had my first MMA fight and I was surprised at how prepared I felt, both physically and mentally. I would definitely recommend Fairfax Jiu Jitsu to anyone looking to start or continue their martial arts journey. read more

This is the first academy I stepped in to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I trained here for over a year before moving away and plan to come back one day. This place had me feeling 10 years younger -- but with a lot less ego and it really provided some therapy in my life. I currently train at a very well respected academy with very respected famous BJJ/MMA instructors and I still feel that FJJ is unrivaled with how quickly and safely you can progress in grappling . I never took the Muay Thai but also, incredibly high level stuff. Still look forward to training here when I come back. read more

My son Kaiden joined 1yr and 4 months ago he was not as athletic as most other kids his age, he cried at his first second and third class, but the coaches helped him through his tough times and this weekend he won gold at Copa Virginia winning all his fights without losing a single point, in one year he went from a kid who would struggle to do 5 push ups to a gold medal winner, the love and respect all the coaches show to all the kids is amazing, and they sure have helped shape Kaidens future in a positive way, finally technique is everything in BJJ and having travelled with my son to different tournaments FJJ teach the best techniques they teach the 'correct' way with no shortcuts identifying any bad habits early on. Truly a wonderful place to develop your kids my advice would be stick with it, it is tough to begin but after a while they won't want to come off the mat!! read more

Both of my boys (7 yo and 8 yo) train BJJ here. I am so glad I found this honest gem near my house. I did do extensive research before committing here. I did not want a place where you have to pay for belt testing. No up sale here either. You really have to earn your belt. You advance to next level only when they think you ready. I suggest you to stay far away from martial art gyms where belt testing fee is required. That is completely BS. Unfortunately there are a lot in this area so be aware. Membership fee is also extremely reasonable. All the coaches here (head instructor Mark and Sam, Sarah, Thomas, Ben, etc.) are friendly and knowledgeable. I am seriously thinking about doing BJJ myself in the very near future. Currently I train a little bit of Thai kickboxing myself. Eventually I want my sons to do Muay Thai here as well because I want them to be well rounded. Unfortunately the minimum age to do MT here is 13 so my sons can't do that yet. I let them tried capoeira but it wasn't for them. In my opinion, at the very least everyone should know how to defend themselves through grabbling and submission because 80% of the time it will end up on the ground unless you have impeccable striking skill. read more

Being 41 years old with no Martial art background made me reluctant to even think about starting Martial arts, tell you the truth I have been thinking about it for years!!!! Finally I did and in the best place, FFJ!! By all means Fair Fax Jiu-jitsu is the best place to start and grow your martial art skills .Kim and Mark are friendly, they take their time to help and teach you. Staff are friendly, and you will love your new friends there.....I can see myself coming to this place for years..... read more

The best academy for Brazilian Jiujitsu and Muay Thai in Northern Virginia. The coaches here are some of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the DC metro area in their respective arts. State of the art facility. Classes taught 7 days a week. read more

This is a really, really excellent school and the only place in the area where you can train with so many legit black belts (dave jacobs, ambar barbosa, etc.). The only thing that i'm not a fan of is the location. Fairfax Jiu Jitsu should... i dunno... actually be in Fairfax City, or at least near Fair Oaks Mall. I'd be there every day if that were the case (one can dream though I suppose)... Great facilities, intense warmups and classes, amazing instruction... def one of the best BJJ schools in the NoVa area! read more

My son joined the Kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program at FJJ in 2010. He has spent more time at FJJ than any other place besides home and school, so his coaches have played an important role in his development, not just as an athlete, but as a person. FJJ has become such an integral part of Nick's life, that even after moving farther away, we never had a second thought about where he should continue to train and grow. The facility is big and clean with a lot of air circulating which I appreciate as a spectator not participating in the training. The parents are friendly and well behaved; you won't see parents yelling from the sideline at their children or other children. If they come in yelling in the beginning, they quickly learn that FJJ doesn't promote or tolerate that type of environment. But what impresses me the most is how the instructors manage the balance of discipline, challenge, and fun in the classes. You won't see kids running around screaming and out of control, except for after class when they have some free time to play, but in class they are focused and working hard, even the little ones. They promote mentorship which helps the older kids feel responsible for helping the younger kids and the younger kids look up to the older kids. It creates an environment where the children learn that it is not just about themselves, but about helping each other grow. Since the first day Nick joined FJJ, BJJ has been his passion. It has taught him to win and lose gracefully, be respectful, stay humble, work hard, and set priorities. The skills he has learned on the mat has transferred to life outside of FJJ. He is competitive on the mat and just as competitive in his class to get good grades, he is respectful to his parents and his teachers, and he stands up for kids who can't stand up for themselves without getting in a physical altercation. Over the past five years, he has grown physically and mentally strong. He cares about his team mates and FJJ has become more like a family than a place to train. The dedication and commitment from the Instructors grow stronger every year as does the program. We are very satisfied parents and are extremely glad to have accidentally walked into FJJ five years ago. read more

Dave "Rock" Jacobs met us in the parking lot to welcome 4 out of town guys from a gym not in his affiliation into his gym. He spent the better part of 3 hours rolling, helping, and coaching us as we worked with him and his students. There are some very tough guys and girls here. The facilities are HUGE. I'd gladly stop back in and train! There's also an NHB Gear storefront if you want to purchase a gi/shirt/belt/whatever. read more