What a grand facility! I'm very impressed with the owner, instructors & the facility. It's very…read moreclean, spacious, organized & stylish. All the equipment & mats are modern & in great condition. I'm looking forward 2 tomorrow's grand opening. Thank you 4 having me, Professor & Dora. Ossss!

I have been training at Da Firma for 2 years. My family and I love this place…read more Great atmosphere and positive people. I cannot speak highly enough about this place. The people here have become like a second family and are welcoming to all. You cannot go wrong here for fundamental Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Judo, Kids BJJ, Women's BJJ, Competition BJJ, or Self Defense classes. Don't be scared if you have never trained before. Everyone is here to help. Professor Ricardo and Heidi are some of the most real and down to earth people you will ever meet. Hope to see you on the mats!

Been coming for a few months and I love it! Trainer is great, other members are just as great…read more Highly recommend!!

From the owner: Heel Hooks Jiu Jitsu is Chesapeake Virginia's premiere No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Academy! We stand above the…read morerest when it comes to the quality of our instruction and caliber of our students!

A phenomenal Gracie experience! Everyone is warm and very welcoming! Facilities are modern and…read moresuper clean. Staff is quick to greet with a smile - It's a perfect place to take classes or train, regardless of your gender or skill level. Highly recommend!!

I was refered to the place by a good friend of mine , and Linxx did not disappoint. Place is clean,…read moretheir method of teaching is great, and they are very accommodating.

Tidewater Jiu Jitsu is truly something special. The professors are not only incredibly…read moreknowledgeable, but they genuinely care about every student who walks through the door. Their passion for teaching and commitment to helping each person grow--on and off the mats--really shows. One of the things that stands out most is the culture. The black belts here are amazing--skilled, humble, and always willing to help and support the lower belts. No egos, just encouragement, patience, and a real sense of team. It creates an environment where everyone feels welcome and motivated to improve. Most importantly for me as a parent, my son trains here, and the difference in him has been incredible. His confidence has grown so much, both in jiu jitsu and in everyday life. He's learning discipline, resilience, and self-belief, all while being supported by outstanding role models. We're so grateful to be part of the Tidewater Jiu Jitsu family. I can't recommend this gym highly enough.

Great gym! The culture, training, and environment are fantastic! My son and myself both train here…read moreand love it!

Coach Lei is awesome. Anyone that knows me can see the difference her workout plans have made in my…read morelife. So much more energy than before. She is very committed and won't let you down. Great job coach, keep it up.

From the owner: At Da Firma fit we believe that everyone can benefit from increasing their current level of…read morefitness. Whether you’re working toward increasing athletic performance on the field or mat, or if you just have personal goals you want to meet; we can help.

My daughter has been attending this TaeKwonDo academy for a little over a year, and the growth I've…read moreseen in her--both on and off the mat--has been incredible. What started as an activity has truly become her passion. Mr. Baker is extremely knowledgeable and intentional in the way he teaches. He creates an environment built on trust, respect, and high expectations. He is firm with his students, but that's part of what makes his instruction so impactful. Life isn't all sugar cookies and rainbows, and he understands that he's not just teaching kicks and forms--he's helping shape character, resilience, discipline, and confidence. I've watched my daughter grow in focus, accountability, perseverance, and self-belief. She walks a little taller now, carries herself with more confidence, and takes pride in her progress. I am so grateful she has found something she truly loves and a mentor who is preparing her not just for the next belt, but for the real world. Highly recommend to any family looking for more than just a sport--this academy builds strong kids from the inside out.

My daughter has been a dedicated student at Virginia Tae Kwon Do for several years. During this…read moretime, we have invested not only our time and money--$110 per month plus testing fees and gear--but also our trust in the leadership of this school. She progressed from white belt to black belt through hard work and discipline. Unfortunately, that same level of discipline and professionalism has not been modeled by the school's leadership. The head instructor, Mr. Baker, regularly brings his personal political views into the classroom environment. He has shared disturbing anecdotes about immigrants and political talking points that are completely inappropriate for a space where he holds authority over young students. This is especially harmful in a diverse class that includes Black and Brown children, some of whom may be personally affected by the issues he references. I respectfully asked Mr. Baker to keep politics out of the classroom and to be mindful of the impact his words could have on children. He agreed, and he said that he wouldn't bring it up again. However, we soon found out that he was continuing to discuss his views. We tried to address it again. Rather than engaging in a thoughtful dialogue or committing to maintaining a neutral, inclusive environment, he told me that our daughter's membership was canceled within minutes of our follow-up conversation. No regard for her years of dedication or accomplishments. Just immediate dismissal. It is deeply disappointing that a student who put in the work to reach black belt status is now forced to find another school--not because of poor behavior or lack of commitment, but because the instructor prioritized pushing his personal agenda over providing a respectful, inclusive environment for all students. I sincerely hope Virginia Tae Kwon Do reconsiders how it handles both parent concerns and the power dynamic that exists between instructors and children. Martial arts should teach integrity, respect, and self-control--not fear, division, or ideology.

Kru Dennis has been in the game for years, knows what he's doing and can get almost anybody fight…read moreready if you're willing to put in the work. You very much get out of it what you put into it, sign up, no time like today

After checking out the open houses for the different Muay Thai locations in the area, we found this…read moreone to be the most pure Muay Thai experience and closest to our home. Other places mix in Jiu Jitsu in their styles but Kru Dennis does an awesome job of keeping it pure. My kids and husband have been going for about four months already and they all love it. It's a great experience and Kru Dennis makes it really educational and fun at the same time. He's always welcoming and inclusive of any new kids and encouraging to all to keep them motivated. My husband and kids went in as beginners. Check them out for a trial class, you won't regret it.

Upon receiving communication from me regarding a deeply personal trauma I experienced at the hands…read moreof one of his instructors, to say the school owner of Violent Hippie, Mitch Aguiar, was unprofessional doesn't truly cover it. Without even bothering to ask any questions or seek clarification, he immediately took shots at me and made assumptions about my mental health. Instead of listening to my experiences and taking them seriously, I was met with a dismissive attitude, name-calling, threats, and attempts to humiliate and intimidate me. As a long-time practitioner, I have a deep respect for martial arts. I find this lack of integrity and empathy completely unacceptable. The actual messages from Mitch are much worse than I can convey here. I am willing to send them to anyone who requests them. DM @pamelavickroy. Mitch likes to use phrases like "Mindset is everything" and "Be kind or else" as part of his school's branding, but my experience with him shows that these are nothing more than empty slogans. If mindset really is everything, then Mitch's mindset seems to be one of arrogance, defensiveness, and a complete lack of empathy. And as for being kind? I saw none of that in our interaction. He disparages other forms of martial arts and considers them useless. It's one thing to use catchy slogans to attract students, but it's quite another to actually live up to those values in your actions. Unfortunately, Mitch seems more interested in using these phrases as a marketing tool than in embodying them in his own behavior. I strongly advise anyone considering this school to think twice before entrusting their well-being to someone who clearly prioritizes victim-blaming instead of accountability and respect. I suggest looking elsewhere.