We've had an absolutely wonderful experience with Life Champ Martial Arts of Reston. What truly…read morestands out is that this is so much more than just a martial arts school.. it's a place focused on character development, confidence, discipline, and leadership. Master Ben, Tyler, and Vivian are exceptional people who are always ready to assist, help, and support with any questions or concerns. We have been with them for three years and plan to continue for many more. I didn't leave a review immediately because trust takes time to build, and over the years they have absolutely earned ours. Thank you for everything you do. The instructors are exceptional: patient, professional, caring, and incredibly skilled at working with children of all ages. You can genuinely see how much they care about each student's growth, both inside and outside the classroom. The environment is positive, structured, and motivating. The programs are also extremely convenient for busy families, especially the after-school program and summer camps. Everything is very organized, and communication with parents has always been excellent. One of the things we appreciate most is how much confidence and focus children gain here. The emphasis on respect, self-discipline, and perseverance truly makes a difference. It's easy to understand why so many families stay with the program for years and continue all the way through black belt training. Highly recommend to any parent looking for a supportive, structured, and inspiring martial arts community in Reston.

This place is amazing!!! Highly recommended! The team treats everyone like a family! My kids…read moreenrolled and have had an incredible experience. I even joined them and have started my journey as well!

I enjoy learning from the excellent staff . I feel challenged but encouraged . My balance has…read moreimproved 75 percent . Bonnie Bowers

This is an outstanding school and I am extremely happy I found it…read more My health is really what drove me to try this place out. As I got older, I started developing back problems. I did a ton of research on ways to strengthen my core, and Kung Fu repeatedly came up as a recommendation. Reviews like the ones here helped guide me to the Jow Ga Shaolin Institute. I was hesitant to take on Kung Fu as a middle aged adult. I had always considered martial arts as a younger person's sport and didn't want to be the older new guy in a sea of 12-15 year olds. My experiences at JGSI have totally eliminated that misconception. The classes are diverse in age and experience levels. The instructors are patient and adjust their teachings to the individual they're working with. The other students are warm, welcoming and extremely supportive. The classes themselves are challenging, but rewarding. They focus on concentration, stability, meditation, and strength with styles rooted in both traditional Northern and Southern forms. The school is well rounded and teaches multiple styles and solid technique, as well as real life applications of the forms. They also stay true to the culture of Kung Fu and support the history and tradition that has made this art form so great. It doesn't matter if you are looking for self-defense or exercise, discipline or focus, you can find each of those and more at the Jow Ga Shaolin Institute.

My husband has been going here for over a year and loves it. He says there's professional trainers,…read morestructured (and open/sparring too) training and is an overall a high quality academy. Recommend for anyone - not sure of the age limits but it looks like they have all types of weight classes. Go in and ask for "Frank" the owner and he will get you set up!

From the owner: Phantom Jiu Jitsu Academy is dedicated to bringing high level instruction to the Herndon, Virginia…read morearea. Headed by BJJ black belt, Frank Rosenthal, Phantom Jiu Jitsu Academy provides a fun and safe learning environment for individuals to adopt the ideals of Jiu Jitsu and incorporate them into their everyday life. From day one white belts to experienced competitors, Phantom Jiu Jitsu is here to provide you with the Jiu Jitsu experience you need.

Coaches with huge egos. Do you want to learn jiu jitsu or join a cult ? They like to yell at their…read morestudents 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.

Nothing fancy, pretty basic, some equipment, and a decent amount of room for their different MMA…read moreclasses (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!

I am really impressed with the coaches and management at this location. I began learning boxing…read morefundamentals with a personal trainer and when I outgrew him, started to look for a place that would help me advance. I'm so glad I tried UFC! The manager, Weber, is really engaged with the members. He knows everyone's name and ensures that they are getting the experience they want. The coaches I've worked with so far are very experienced, fun, and help each member individually. Lorenzo is fantastic. It is clear he cares about each of his students and knows how to help them whatever level they are at. If you are looking for a boxing/kickboxing/Jujitsu gym with a great community, try UFC!

I've been a member for long time. very good equipment, nice staff. only wish they were open more…read morehours.

Aikido has been on my bucket list since I took an introductory course on it as a college freshman…read more This year I opted to finally get started with it, after I spotted H&E here on yelp being close to home. Having studied Zen Buddhism and Bushido while younger, the core philosophy of Aikido very much catered to what I was seeking in a martial art. In my 2 months of practice I have found Sensei Ericksen to be an experienced and patient teacher with a unique style (no two classes will ever be the same outside of ritual), but he is also an admirable human being on a personal level which I find very important in a coach of any kind. One of the coolest aspects of practicing Aikido at H&E is the variety of students. I have practiced with young children as well as senior citizens. The dojo is filled with a wide variety of friendly students and instructors, and is open to learners of any age, gender, or athletic level. Some of Sensei's key teaching philosophies is that students should constantly practice outside of their comfort zones, and you will also find yourself teaching others while learning. This real world grounding towards training and communal learning format is time tested across generations and simply a more positive experience. For those out there seeking a novel way to get in more exercise I can certainly attest that classes will be a workout. Sensei will never ask you to do what you are physically unable to, and is a keen observer for any health concerns or nagging injuries. That being said, he has no qualms pushing you to your limits, wherever they lay that day. 2 months in, I have yet to not be sore after a class, and I am usually breaking a healthy sweat before warm ups have finished. For anyone on the fence on taking martial arts, or not convinced of the practicality of learning a self defense technique centered on not harming one's aggressors, I would invite you to try some classes and see how you feel afterward. There are a number of elements to physical fitness, and in my 2 months of classes at H&E I have found all of them challenged so far.

From the owner: AIKIDO. Heaven and Earth Aikido is affiliated with The…read moreUnited States Aikido Federation and The Aikikai World Headquarters in Japan. Our purpose is to provide instruction in the martial art of Aikido according to the principles of the founder, Morihei Ueshiba. Aikido is a path of self development that leads to physical, mental and spiritual improvement. Every other Wednesday night we have meditation and we host a Medieval German Weapons practice group on Sunday mornings.

It's rare when you get an opportunity to learn Jiu Jitsu under this level of a lineage. I…read morepersonally know multiple people (both instructors and students) from One Spirit, and I'm nothing short of impressed. The environment is professional, clean, and best of all, very welcoming! Pedro Sauer is a legend, and he has created an amazing legacy of grapplers around the world. It's an honor to know and have a connection with One Spirit! If you are in the area, and you are looking for more than just "a place to train," then I highly recommend you check them out! Amazing BJJ School!

Incredibly welcoming gym! I attended a great seminar and had the opportunity to meet several…read morestudents and the management team. Large, open facility, clean and easy to park. Apparently this place is stacked with black belts that are absolutely willing to work with lower belts. They have a great philosophy on working with new students, so for those in the area that are interested, I would highly suggest giving them a try. Thanks for having me!

We have used Grandmaster H.K. Lee Academy of TaeKownDo for summer camp, holiday camp, snow days,…read moreand general membership for both children (ages 4-8) and adults (late 30s/early 40s). This dojan is amazing. Quality: The core masters have taken international standards and slightly modified them based on Grandmaster Lee's experiences and knowledge of both children and adult physiology to ensure they are learning something that fits and appropriately stretches their body's abilities, meets or exceeds international standards for TKD, and is practical use. Masters bring a variety of skills from different countries, ensuring that a variety of skills are being appropriately considered and taught. Many of them also have multiple martial arts backgrounds, bringing that knowledge with their practical lessons. Value: With your monthly membership you can attend as many classes as you are able to. No questions asked. No minimum, no maximum. If you can only attend one a month it's going to feel very expensive, but if you can attend 3-5 times per week the value is incredible. You can attend as many classes as you want in a day, so if you want to cram 3-5 hours into a Saturday, do it. If you want to use one of the dojan for private study, just ask. Tests are not expensive, equipment is priced fair. They have THREE studios which classes or private study can be run out of. Professionalism: the masters treat children with care and comfort. They give adults the respect of their age. They combine discipline with fun. They are flexible in ensuring your needs can be met. There are men's and women's locker rooms available for pre/post-class changing. Bring your bottle and fill your water. Camps: my daughter LOVES her time at camps. She's always exhausted at the end of the day - physically and emotionally. They have academics, play time, electronics if allowed, plenty to read, activities to engage the mind, and of course TKD lessons for everyone. If you want to mix in music lessons from the music and theater school upstairs, they will help ensure your children get to their lessons and back SAFELY and without your intervention. COVID: When COVID hit they moved 100% virtual on Zoom. They have been able to negotiate the Zoom security issues, setup a calendar assignment system allowing you to sign up for classes and attend knowing you and your children will not be harrassed by "zoom-bombing" and have solid lessons with your masters. As the state has allowed they began limited-attendance in-person training OUTDOORS on professional mats and considering social distancing for saftey! They have continued to expand to include indoor classes, no contact sparring techniques, private study in the lower dojan, and more! Injured? They'll pause your membership commitment. Birthday? They'll help you throw a party for your (children's) friends! Interested in STEM? They have a STEM class that runs seasonally. Interested in musical theater? dance? piano? violin? singing? The music school is family run and AMAZING, with top tier teachers.

Yes, Yes, Yes! I hugely recommend HKLee!!! We were in the AfterCare and Camp programs at HKLee…read morefor 3 years before a move took us out of the area. Well, I soon learned that I did not know what I had in HKLee!! Truthfully, I lost a co-parent when I lost HKLee. That's exactly how it's felt and it's been a very noticeable loss. My daughter needs HKLee as a part of her daily life, I need it to feel best about what I'm doing for Her, and We Both Need It For The Familial Environment!!!! It's unbelievable the way the staff learns and handles your child to their unique needs. And the way they partner with parents for the best growth and development for your children. And your children learn focus and discipline and social skills. They learn caring and respect for themselves, their family, and the people and environment around them. They get focused activity, free play time, and learning. Their camp program does more than any other with field trips, STEM projects, TKD class, swim day, park day, and more. And best of all... they study TKD with amazing Masters and staff. They work hard, develop their skills, and move through the belt ranks via a great exam program. And as parents, you get to watch your children grown and learn, practice and master, and best of all - you get to see the most amazing look of Pride and Accomplishment in their face when they achieve a new belt. And there's nothing better than that! Sending my daughter to the HKLee Academy was the single best decision I made for her. Trust me, You will feel the same!!!

Awesome program available for kids 4 days weekly, amazing instructors, very friendly, helpful,…read morerespectful and dedicated! Proper training and protective equipment is also available. Thank you for everything you do!

I visited Kore Krav Maga last year for a week of instructor training, and I was totally impressed…read moreby the way that the McCrackens run their school. First thing I noticed is that everything is clean, which is really important when you're training in close contact with people, and especially if you ever do any training on the ground. Next, I noticed how friendly all of the students and instructors were. The culture of the place is very welcoming. I can be a bit shy at first, so having people go out of their way to say hello and show me around was pretty great. Lastly, I want to mention the huge amount of knowledge the instructors bring to their students. For instance, the lead instructor, Tammy McCracken, is the Director of the US Women's Division for Krav Maga Global, and she's constantly going to seminars and conferences and the like to learn more about how people can defend themselves. They have created an environment where all people, regardless of size/age/ability, can train together and not feel awkward or like they don't belong. The benefits of making this your regular gym can't be understated - fitness, self defense, friendship, empowerment... the list just keeps going. Love this place!

With so many martial arts schools available in the Northern Virginia area that cover a wide…read morespectrum of styles and disciplines, Master Folta's Traditional Uechi-Ryu Karate stands out among them. Seriously, this is the real deal - this school is probably the closest opportunity outside Okinawa you'll get to learning authentic traditional karate from a master practitioner as it was originally conceived by Kanbun Uechi back at the beginning of the 20th century. This style of karate is practical for both self defense and physical fitness, and promotes self-discipline and a healthy life style. Progressing through the various ranks is well structured and meaningful, and you absolutely get a sense of accomplishment as you do so. The staff at Okinawa Karate and Cultural Center make learning karate easy and fun, for all ages and abilities, with hands on classes at the Okinawa Karate and Cultural Center and at various Parktakes rec centers throughout Fairfax County. My whole family signed up for karate classes during the pandemic on a whim, but it only took just a few short classes to realize what a gem of an opportunity we have right here in northern Virginia. I cannot recommend it highly enough! Give it a try and join a great karate community!

I've been a long time student of Master Folta since 2005. I started at Oak Marr Recenter, before…read moremoving up the ranks, and eventually teaching for his dojo. I'm very pleased to see that he finally was able to open his own independent dojo to celebrate traditional Okinawan Uechi Ryu Karate, as well as the rich cultures that Okinawa brings. The Cultural Center has many artifacts in a museum style in a side room. There's also many people from the community like the DC Okinawan Kai who utilizes the space. It is a safe and welcoming space for not just Okinawan people, but those interested in learning more about the culture and tradition. This spacious dojo has two kicking/punching bags ready for training, many talented instructors, and classes for children and adult alike! I am excited for what's to come for this OKCC! I hope new students can find their new karate home like it's been for me throughout the years!