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.

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.

Took my 5- and 8-year-old to Six Blades Jiu Jitsu Nova for a free trial. The environment is…read moreno-nonsense and clearly built around serious training-- which as an Army veteran is something I personally respect and felt at home in, especially given the military-style banter. That said, I didn't find the tone ideal for younger kids. There was language and phrasing ("kick his ass!") that I didn't feel was appropriate for children, and I was disappointed by comments made toward boys being beaten by girls ("You'll walk home if you lose to a girl")--not exactly the message I want either of my kids internalizing. The instructors are absolutely skilled and committed, but they treat the kids like mini adults, which may work for some families, but not ours. We ended up going with another gym that's more youth-focused, closer to home, and offers more affordable memberships with military and family discounts. I think Six Blades would be great for adult students or older teens looking for high-level instruction, but it just wasn't the right fit for our young kids. Edited for further context: For further context, what the owner describes as "jovial" banter included quotes from coaches during the kids' training session: * "Kick his ass!" * "Whoop his ass!" * "You better not lose to a girl!" * "If you lose to a girl, you're walking home!" * "Pay attention, dammit!" "Banter" implies the kids could respond with witty comebacks--but what would they realistically say to grown men in a position of authority? They simply complied. That said, I truly appreciate the owner's openness to constructive feedback. It makes me feel more confident in my decision as a parent. For now, we'll stick with the more "budget" and kid-friendly option -- at least until my children are old enough to clap back at demeaning and misogynistic comments with confidence and humor that comes with maturity.

My son has been training at Six Blades three times a week for seven months. He's had the best…read moreexperience! The instructors are extremely skilled at jiu-jitsu and are natural teachers. The kids children's classes are full of super sweet kids and friendly parents. The community is very welcoming and I'm so grateful to have found it.

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.

I had the impulse today (not for the first time), to thank Frank for his patience. I decided to…read morewrite this long overdue review instead. To begin with, Phantom has a culture that is friendly, competitive, safe, and welcoming to every level of skill and experience. I started two years ago as a 36 year old woman, with no previous martial arts background. I never felt dismissed or ignored. Frank paid as much attention to me on day one as he would to any other member. I have never been afraid I was going to get injured on the mats, or that my partner would be a bully, because that is not the culture that Frank has developed. I am small, but I can train knowing my partner and I will play games based on good positions rather than just size and strength. Members greet each other and make small talk before class. There is no visible drama. Frank's instructions when demonstrating are clear and precise. His lesson plans are clearly thought out, and often build on previous units. I appreciate that he is punctual, and that he doesn't waste our time with filler stuff like conditioning or a prolonged warmup. It is all dense learning and drilling, followed by training. Additionally, I have never met a business owner who was so generous with their time. He regularly stays late after class to monitor and assist students who want to continue to drill and train. He has given me additional assistance and instruction whenever I have asked. I'm not special in this regard. I believe he is genuinely invested in his students development, and will match the time you are willing to put in with his own. Finally, this is one of the cleanest gyms I've ever been to. The mats are sanitized at least twice a day. The bathrooms are clean. The atmosphere is modern. I would recommend it to anyone who would like to give it a try.

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!

Great atmosphere. Friendly instructors and students. Really appreciate how clean the space is as…read morewell.

I'm new to the area. I scheduled a trial class, when I got to thwart location I couldn't find it…read more There was one sign and I followed it but after that there was no other sign. I called multiple times to ask where they were located but no one answered and so I left. I would have liked to try it because I want to continue practicing Muay Thai.

I've been traveling out of town and this is one of the best BJJ gyms I've visited so far. There's a…read morevery healthy culture and community at Groundworks. The instructors (Chris and the two Seans) teach a very modern approach to BJJ. Instead of just showing a position, practicing it a few times, and then sparring, they have us play games to really drill in the position and how it connects to the overall picture. I have found this style to be extremely beneficial as a beginner who is still trying to understand the fundamentals. One of my favorite things about the gym is the strong sense of community. On Thursdays we go out to a Mexican restaurant after class and travel to other gyms. Whether you are new to BJJ or have been practicing for a while you'll be sure to find an awesome community and phenomenal training here at Groundworks. OSS!

This is an excellent place to train. I dropped in for an open mat and met a lot of people across…read moreall belt levels. Everyone was super friendly, welcoming and more than willing to teach me some new tricks. The gym owners themselves were very warm-hearted people and offered to roll with me as well which was tremendously helpful. Facilities were super clean and plenty of mat space for a bit crew to roll. Would give this place an 11 out of 10 and recommend to anyone looking for a place to train while visiting DC or even begin their jiu jitsu journey.

I was worried when moving from Los Angeles to the Washington DC area that I wouldn't be able to…read morefind a good Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school for myself and my two kids. I am thankful that I found the Yamasaki Springfield location. I tried out several different schools in the area and finally settled on Yamasaki because it felt like the perfect fit between the kids and adults programs. My kids train both judo and jiu jitsu at the school and both programs are great. Coach Mo is a great judo coach and they have a dozen or so black belts able to assist the kids classes on a regular basis. My son's take downs and standup have improved dramatically since training judo there. Professor Neto does a great job teaching both the kids classes and the adults class. The kids classes are the perfect balance of discipline and fun. Neto explains the various techniques with an extremely high level of detail and thoroughness. The adult classes have a good mix of beginners and advanced students. There are several black belts that attend class and can lead the class if Neto is away. The academy is air conditioned and comfortable in the summer months and Neto is a stickler keeping the mats clean.

My son has been coming here for over a year now and without a doubt has been a great experience for…read morehim. The facility is clean and the instructors are professional and very experienced. Most importantly they make it fun for a 7-year old. Another big plus is the number of senseis available per student. The small ratio gives a more in-depth teaching per student which at times may be required. Overall a great place to train and grow! Looking forward to seeing my son advance! Enjoy.

Great experience for my son (10) to learn from such a passionate sportsman like Todd!…read morePotomac MMA is a place of discipline and dedication in a sport so close to the natural behavior of human beings yet at the evolved and elevated level that only real sports environment can provide! Good for boys and good for girls equally, as a foundation for whatever they will pursue in life: source of inner and physical strength through discipline.

Todd is the man. He was a world class competitor and is an even better teacher. Could not say…read morebetter things about his school and his willingness to teach and share!

District Martial Arts is a phenomenal gym! The gym has a great culture - the instructors are…read moreexcellent and the students are welcoming and kind. If you're looking to train in the DMV area, this is the place to go! I will definitely be back next time I am in town! Thanks for having me!

We started here a few months ago for our 8 year old, and we have been very impressed by the coaches…read moreand management here. They are very skilled and knows how to grasp the kids attention without the usual dead serious martial arts vibe. Perfectly balanced. In only few months, I'm out kid competed at a tournament and is in love of the sport. He's more focused, active, healthy, and self aware. The level of progress the coaches made with him was very high. Highly recommend this place, for adults, too!