I used to love this location (Fairfax) of Kaize . However, recent changes have made me decide to…read morepull my kids out and go to a different location. My kids are in the youngest age group (under 7). They used to be taught by adult Sempais, and I could see them gaining skills, self control, respect, etc. But this location recently changed to allowing older kids to serve as Sempais and run the class. These kids don't have any experience with teaching children - they're still children themselves. The focus of classes has shifted from learning skills to just "conditioning" - running, sit-ups, push-ups, etc. And these child instructors just don't have the self-control to serve as instructors. At the end of most classes, the Sensei/Sempai ends with a fun game to conclude on a fun note. But recently, the child Sempai leading a dodgeball-type game got carried away and way too competitive and was throwing the ball full force into little kids' faces. I saw a 4 yr old get slammed in the face (by the Sempai) so hard she fell down. And the Sempai appeared to like it and continued to throw full full force at other 4, 5, and 6 year olds. That was the breaking point for me. The other Kaizen locations are good, and we'll stick to those ones.

I am enrolled in the Muay Thai program here at Fairfax Karate. It is a great program and I am in…read moremuch better shape than I was before. I may even consider taking an amateur fight. Najim, the coach is great. He is very technical in his instructions but still very understanding that it takes time to learn the techniques. Plus he has a strong competitive record: Multiple Sabaki (full contact Enshin Competition) wins and multiple Muay Thai Titles. It should be noted that some of the techniques are modified compared to pure Muay Thai to more of a Dutch style of Muay Thai. The classes run one hour, with about 10 minutes of warm up and stretching, about 40 minutes of technique training, and then about 10 minutes of calisthenics at the end. The varieties of techniques vary class to class ranging from the very basics to sparring for the more experience students. Also available are: Children and Adult Karate - I don't know a ton about these but have seen Najim coaching the children's classes and the kids seem to be learning alot of good techniques and still having a ton of fun. Also Enshin Karate, being a combination of kickboxing and Judo, does teach many techniques that are very real world usable should the students need them in an actual self defense situation. Gracie Jiu Jitsu - These classes are taught by Toney Waldecker, a blackbelt under Relson Gracie, son of Helio Gracie - the inventor of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I don't know a lot about these classes either but Toney seems to be a very good trainer and Relson visits the dojo a few times a year it seems.

This studio is such a find! We tried another martial arts program in the area and found it so…read moreimpersonal and robotic. Coach Dante, Coach Antonio, and the rest of the staff go above and beyond with their students, building their confidence and encouraging them to push themselves. They also make sure the kids still have fun. This is the first sports program our son is excited to attend every week and it's been awesome to watch him participate. The studio itself was a little hard to track down with Google maps but it's worth seeking out.

My jiu-jitsu game and knowledge changed since training at Capital MMA/Martial Arts On the Go in…read moreFairfax, Virginia. Professor Dante is extremely helpful, positive, and encouraging. I plan to take my kids here one day! It's a supportive environment. The best part about training BJJ here is the family feel atmosphere. People are friendly, kind, and helpful. I've made life-long friends here. The location is in a great spot. You can do some heavy training and then walk to Chick-fil-a after! I wish I found the place sooner, or at least tried a trial class years ago!

I've been wanting to train here for years so the bar was high and it exceeded expectations from the…read moreminute I walked in the door! The environment was so friendly and welcoming. Family oriented with kids and parents all there to hang and train. Snacks and some play areas for kids and a beautiful bright matted area with amazing pictures from Ryans career fighting and cornering the most recognizable faces in the game. The instruction was absolutely incredible I cannot recommend Ryan and his academy more. Definitely check it out if you are in the area I wish I could train here more! - Nick Lamagna

High recommend this martial arts academy!…read more Our kids have been going here for about 10 months and love it. Started with BJJ, but then switched to capoeira which they enjoyed more because of the acrobatics. The coaches and staff are really supportive and patient with the kids. The gym is pretty big and they have cameras so parents can observe from the lobby. Parking can be tough if you don't get there early, but there's room on the neighboring side streets which aren't too far away. Typically there's always people leaving between classes so I have always been able to find a stall. The prices are reasonable. Upfront costs may seem high, but it includes the uniform and which they need anyway. Otherwise it's a great price. They also offer discounts for siblings, military, etc.

Solid school, no pressure, laid back, worth checking out…read more Selling points - no gimmicks or pressure to join (unlike most of the schools in NoVa) - the two instructors are skilled.... very skilled. Taekwondo and BJJ backgrounds - male / female / kid friendly - one instructor is female, both are super approachable - the age range is good. i'm in my early 30s and i'm happy to be surrounded by students of all walks of life - pricing is competitive, especially if you bundle in 2 classes - fellow students are super friendly School style - relaxed. they can push you when necessary but you don't feel like the bad guy from the Karate Kid movies is screaming at you. - belt test at your own pace - good mix of ground and standing training - punches, kicks, breaks and grappling - full sparing at appropriate rank - good, balanced self defense focus Additional bonus - they cater to what you want. If you want a calm atmosphere to train in, if you want to become a champion, if you want something to do with the family, they can surprisingly do any of that. it's a well run program and worth dropping in. First class is free!

Oriental Sports Academy is an excellent martial arts school that serves all ages, from young…read morechildren to teens to adults. The school teaches four Korean martial arts styles: Taekwondo, Judo, Hapkido, and Sword. It has a before and after school program for kids, as well as summer, winter, and spring break day camps. There are numerous social events that help the students, families, and staff connect with each other, and additional special training opportunities are available. I earned my black belt in Hapkido here, and now my son is learning Taekwondo. We both love OSA!

Kaizen has cultivated a love of MMA in my active and often unfocused son since he was 6 years old…read moreand it's been 3 years running. He's learned fighting and defensive techniques, discipline, and how to show respect and I am very grateful to the team there. Special shout out to Senpai Matt, who has been phenomenal and has a master touch in gently and positively redirecting and motivating my boy when he gets distracted (which is often)!!! Definitely recommend!!

My daughter attends their after-school care program and enjoys it quite a bit. Each day is a…read moredifferent discipline; Thursday is game day and Friday is something different so the kids do not get burned out. The staff are wonderful with the kids; they know how to communicate with all the age ranges that are there. My daughter always feels respected and challenged. I will keep her in the program as long as possible.

Coach Lima was one of the best parts of my experience at Kaizen…read more He's super level-headed, honest, and actually takes the time to help you improve, no matter your skill level. You can tell he genuinely cares about the people in the gym and isn't just going through the motions. I really respect people who are straightforward, patient, and helpful. and he checks all those boxes. If you're training here, you're in good hands with him.

Kaizen MMA has been apart of my life since 2020, and it has changed me for the better. It helped me…read moregain confidence for myself, during a time where I was lacking such. This place challenged me, and ultimately made me a better fighter and better person both mentally and especially physically. The MMA/Kickboxing classes are top notch, and I've made many friends during my time there. If you want good exercise and good teaching (shoutout coach Jay, Eduardo, and sensei nima!) this is the place to be at. I'll never forget kaizen and all it's done for me. Highly recommend! 10/10

Don't waste your time. I've quit while signing up for the trial class. The owner is paranoid about…read morecovid and shows irrational hostility towards new members. This is the only gym in the neighborhood that makes you QUARANTINE for 14 days just to start your trial class. You are not allowed to drop in, have to make 48 hour prior appointment for a class because of covid. It's 2022. Even our government doesn't have restrictions anymore. Why are they being paranoid? Their website said I can provide a negative result to take the class faster so I told them I'm willing to provide negative test result. Then the management literally replied with a threat saying "we will ban you if you show up before 14 days." Then they sent me another email saying they won't accept me as a member and etc while I was writing this review. How do you expect to teach people martial arts when you are this paranoid, rude, and irrational? I've been to few local gyms here but this is by far the worst experience just by contacting them. Glad I didn't even waste my time attending here.

I just had my first class, and I absolutely loved it. Kru Carlos and Instructor Jeff were very…read morewelcoming. I am not the most athletic person, but the atmosphere of the class and the energy of the instructors made me feel like I absolutely did not want to give up when I was tired- which happened pretty quickly . I have never felt the motivation to push myself to the degree that I felt tonight. If you are having any doubts, don't! Go ahead and sign up for a class. You won't regret it.

I've been taking Filipino martial arts here since i moved back into the area in 2021. The people…read moreare amazing, the cost of classes is the lowest I've seen. (I've been doing Kali for a long time and have had to pay triple what they charge). I love all the coaches and the community here is really great. The gym is super supportive and coming every week has been a big highlight to my weeks.

The smartest decision I ever made…read more I have been attending this gym for almost a year now. Classes are frequent and at times convenient to all schedules. The instruction is top notch and you will not only get a great workout, but you will learn life saving techniques to get yourself out of trouble. The gym is pretty basic - think no a/c or heat. Train like you fight. They offer Krav Maga, Jiu Jitsu, and Filipino Martial arts (think stick/knife fighting - which is my favorite :)). It's no nonsense, get it done type of training. This isn't training for martial arts sports, you're training to end the fight and get out of the situation. In addition to the classes (almost 7 days a week), you can participate in sparring on Saturday mornings. No invite needed, just show up and feel what it's like to fight someone fighting you rather than a willing victim that you get during the week during training. There is gear you can borrow for the day, but I highly recommend getting your own as soon as possible. There really is no other way to learn to fight than with someone that's uncooperative. This gives you a chance to try a new things that you've learned to see it in action in real-life. You'll love it!

This review is from a mom's POV for the academy's kids' program. I don't take choosing a place for…read moremy kids lightly, especially when it comes to something as physical, formative, and values-driven as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Enrolling my kids in the kid's program at ABJJA Abmar Barbosa Jiu‑Jitsu Academy has been one of the best decisions we've made as a family. From day one, what stood out immediately was the standard of care. Hygiene and cleanliness are clearly non-negotiable here. The mats, the space, the routines, everything reflects deep respect for the kids' health and safety. As a parent, that peace of mind matters more than words can say. This is, without question, the best kids BJJ program in the area. The class flow is incredibly strategic, thoughtfully structured, developmentally appropriate, and somehow still pure fun. My kids are engaged the entire time. They're learning discipline, body awareness, confidence, and resilience while having a blast. What truly sets ABJJA apart is the environment. It is warm, safe, and deeply supportive. The coach-to-student ratio is impressive, and it shows. Every child is seen. Every child is guided. The coaches go above and beyond; not just teaching technique, but encouraging effort, kindness, and growth. The support given to the kids feels personal, not transactional. The community here is something special. It's welcoming, respectful, and values-driven. You can feel that this academy cares about raising strong humans, not just good athletes. And finally, value. The class options, the access, the level of coaching, and the overall experience make this an incredible value for money. You get far more than you pay for. If you're a parent searching for a martial arts program that prioritizes safety, excellence, character, and joy, this is it. We feel incredibly grateful to have found ABJJA. It's not just an academy; it's a place where kids are genuinely nurtured and empowered.

The training is truly designed to create winners. When juggling a full-time job and a lot of…read morepersonal responsibilities, training at Abmar's feels like therapy because it is the one place where everything else fades away and the only focus is on improving on the mats. The **coaching** is patient, detail-oriented, and encouraging, and the training partners are supportive, which makes the whole environment both challenging and welcoming.

A fun way to spend 2 hours. Its definitely great for kids, but i wish there were more sports/video…read moregame related activities. The dodgeball duel was our favorite. Some of the games made no sense or by the time you figure it out the times up. It does move quickly and there's lots of options. I don't recommend going on a Saturday afternoon, but considering how packed it was we only waited a maximum of 5 minutes per room.

I hosted a team event at Level 99 + Victory Brewing Company for about 40 people that included food,…read moredrinks and games. The expereince at Level 99 was great. There are about 40 rooms of which each has different challenges and involve solving puzzles or executing a task in 1-4 minutes. Depending on how you and your team do you will be rewarded with stars or puzzle pieces for prizes. Everyone is given a wrist band that has a little badge that you use to tap when you enter a room to track your results. Many of the rooms require the participants to work as a team to achieve a goal. Some of the challenges are mental, physical, or require a high degree of coordination. This place is great for adults and I would say kids 8 and up. Teens would love it. I would not recommend this for younger kids. I have heard that this place has very long lines on the weekends. Since we went on Tuesday evening there was no wait for about 50% of the rooms we wanted to enter. And even in those cases we only had to wait no more than 2 minutes for the team inside to exit. It's a cool and fun concept and I would highly recommend it!