I was only here for a week, but this place has been amazing. Keep in mind that this location is one of the few places I would confidently recommend to anyone who is serious about training in Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and overall physical fitness. I'm from Chandler, Arizona, and I train at a different facility back home. Even so, I was surprised by how familiar and welcoming this location felt from the moment I walked in. The atmosphere reminded me of the kind of environment you hope to find in a high-quality gym--serious training, but with great people and positive energy. The people here are solid. Everyone I met was respectful, hardworking, and focused on improving their craft. That kind of environment makes a big difference when you're training, because the culture of a gym can push you to become better every day. The energy in the room is strong. Whether you're a beginner or someone who has been training for years, you feel motivated to work harder. There's a real sense of discipline and camaraderie that makes training enjoyable but also challenging in the best way. Another thing that stood out to me was how clean and organized the facility is. A clean training environment shows professionalism and respect for the athletes who train there. On top of that, the coaches and fighters here are high-ranking professionals. Many of them are top-level athletes and active competitors, which means you're learning from people who truly understand the sport and what it takes to read more

See all

I've been training at Beta Academy in Washington, DC for 5 years, and it's one of the best martial arts gyms I've ever been a part of. I primarily train in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and I love that both disciplines are offered with a wide range of class times and skill levels. Before moving to DC and joining Beta, I trained 5 or 6 years at District Martial Arts in Arlington, Urban Boxing in DC and Arlington, Fight Academy in Pasadena, CA, Gracie Barra in Glendale, CA, and Muay Thai USA in Hollywood, CA. Beta Academy stands out among them for its consistency, quality, and community. One of the biggest highlights for me is that they offer classes on Sundays, which is a rare and much-appreciated option. They also have classes specifically designed for those 40 and older (I am 45), which shows their commitment to accessibility and community. The coaching staff is top-notch--many of them actively compete and bring real-world experience to every class. The facility is always clean and well-maintained, which makes a big difference in the overall training experience. The men's restroom has two showers, which I use after every training session. It's a small detail, but incredibly convenient. If you're looking for a serious, supportive, and well-equipped place to train Muay Thai, BJJ, or MMA, I highly recommend Beta Academy read more

I was a visitor just for the day and the class was very welcoming. Second to that, I have prior experience and the day's drilling and technique was similar to that of my own gym. That allowed me to work some skills I was already interested in. Third, all of the people from the instructor to the classmates were kind. 10/10 would visit again the next time I'm in town. read more

Best gym in dc! I made a lot of friends and learned a lot. Very clean with new facilities/equipment.

This place was recommended to me by a local fighter whom said this was the place to train if you're in NW DC. Boy that guy is a saint. My fitness journey was fast tracked and I had so much fun shedding the weight. I see why their called the areas friendliest gym. I think that speaks volumes to have suck kind and devoured staff. No matter your experience level they know how to push and help you accomplish whatever goals set for yourself. Tell them Jose sent you read more

BETA Academy - Getting in shape with BETA - Martial Arts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Visited DC in September and my coach from Bay Area recommended me to train at this gym as he used to train with the gym owner back in the days. I like how welcoming the staff were and how clean the facility was. A+ on how nice and clean the women's locker room was! I also like the idea of free shirts for first time walk in visitors :) There were no women's classes but I signed up for the no gi class. It was Rafa who was teaching - I enjoyed the class as well as training and chatting with the other students. There was only 1 female in the class and the rest were male yet I felt comfortable and safe training with all of them - the people I was able to spar with were fun! They were all friendly. I'd recommend to friends and others visiting to try out this gym when they're in DC. :) I'd definitely train here again if I'm ever in DC. :) read more

Back when I was living in DC, I trained at Beta academy during the Covid year of 2020. I had always been a big BJJ guy, but ended up training in Muay Thai for almost seven months. Their 60 minute heavy bag training workouts always left me drenched in sweat, and I learned a lot about Muay Thai form that I didn't learn from places that taught Muay Thai but were much more BJJ focused schools. Their staff is all incredibly helpful & friendly as well. If I was still living in DC, I'd still be going to Beta academy. read more

I am a new member and have just started learning Muay Thai. When I joined, the gym was extending two free intro classes (to encourage people to try both Muay Thai and BJJ) and was running a special promotion where your first month included unlimited classes and use of open mat and the fitness room. My favorite instructors so far have been Kru Adam and Orion. I feel like I've gotten a lot of individualized instruction, even in the more crowded evening classes. Their warm-ups are well structured to allow a gradual warmup that prevents injury and they do a good mix of conditioning and skill development. The gym also has a very friendly community of women fighters, and it feels very safe and welcoming. Finally, Adam's music choices are great -- this is a subtle detail, but I really appreciate how the music is never too loud (so I can always hear his instructions) and it is well chosen for focusing on the drills. The only reason I haven't given five stars is there's always room for improvement. The weight room is awesome to have, but often it is being used for programming (even if not officially scheduled) so you have to find times that are relatively empty in the gym to lift. I would also be interested in an intermediate membership option between the 8 classes per month package I have now and the next-level membership, which is 16 classes per month with unlimited open mat/fitness. It would be great to have an option that allows for 3 classes per week, or 2 classes plus one open mat or fitness room visit per week. read more

Staff is welcoming, facility is clean and all-encompassing, staff is knowledgeable and members are friendly, skilled and hi-level competitors. BETA Academy has a great vibe. Next time I'm in DC, I will train at BETA Academy again. read more

Visiting DC from SoCal and stopped in for a few days of training in preparation for No-Gi Worlds. Staff and instructors were amazing and made us feel at home. It isn't easy being an old(er) female in a new BJJ gym but I felt safe and respected. Would highly recommend this gym to anyone in the area. read more

Great gym with great people - I think the best instruction I've received in the four different gyms I've visited in my life. It's a good balance between fun and respect/discipline. The fees are not the cheapest in the world but I think if you commit yourself to the martial arts, you're definitely getting your money's worth! read more

This is such a great Muaythai gym in DC. After a few visits, you really get a sense of community. And the instructors are amazing, especially coaches Adam and Darnell. read more

The staff is super friendly and welcoming for all levels, whether it be Muay Thai, BJJ, or personal training. Payment is flexible (variety of payment and offerings are available) and everyone trains hard and earnestly. Classes are consistent each week, with different classes for Muay Thai and BJJ offered alternatively/at the same times for each day. For me, dropping by 3 days a week after work is doable, albeit late (not their fault, I just get out late, if anything, it's convenient for me). Two mat spaces are available, as well as a general purpose workout room and locker room for women and men each. I highly recommend dropping by. The first class is free, so what have you got to lose? read more

Awesome! I joined amidst pandemic and they have been great about creating a space for safety, learning, fitness, and martial arts. Definitely have enjoyed the various instruction styles and the ways I can build on technique in each class. They also have so many training times available that work with my schedule. read more

Visiting DC for a few days and stopped by to train Muay Thai. Super friendly and welcoming staff! Great class and a great workout too. Definitely coming back when I visit! :) read more

From an instructional standpoint, this small gym merits 4 stars. It's suitable for people of all levels, including advanced. (There are people here actively training for fights.) I can testify that the Muay Thai instructors in particular are fantastic -- true martial artists in every sense of that word. However, management is awful so I gave it 3 stars. During a "light" sparring round, an opponent kicked my knee directly with full force -- about as dirty a move as it gets. You can't even do this in an MMA fight, let alone in light sparring. Naturally, I tore ligaments and needed knee surgery. I don't need pity but the front office didn't even acknowledge this was inappropriate or a violation of the rules of sparring. Instead they said "tough luck" and not a word more. I had to throw a fit for them to even let me cancel my membership -- showing that management cares more about money than members. This is bad because martial arts gyms are not supposed to be mere places of exercise. They're places where people come together to better themselves with a sense of purpose, community, and above all, respect for one another. Beta aspires for that but in the end, falls short and is just another business. If you end up here, your motto will need to be "Get in, get your sweat on, get out." read more

I've been here now since September and I'm pretty happy with. Yes, it can be a little pricey but they have a large variety of options when it comes to classes and their hours are great. I usually come early in the morning or right before lunch time and it's nice to be able to have that flexibility. I've done both the Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes here and the atmosphere here is one that's welcoming and friendly, especially for newcomers and those not familiar with martial arts it's one of the first things you should look at. If you're more experienced and tell them so you can skip the intro class and try out two classes before committing. They give you a free month at their 'Foundations' level class and honestly was told to do that first before signing up for their 'Masters' level classes. What I enjoy the best is that their facilities are great. I'm used to having to have a gym membership in addition to BJJ/Muay Thai tuition but their weight room is small but very well stocked, a lot of bumper plates and bars. I've spent hours here doing Muay thai, then jumping right into a jiu-jitsu class and then hitting weights-or trying to anyway. The one weird peccadillo they have here is a ranked Muay Thai program, which is not traditional, other than that it's a good school to come to in the area. read more

Update: Management reached out to me offering me 6 months free training, and explained to me that they are reviewing their Muay Thai course for quality control and have already begun to implement changes. read more

I haven't been to BETA Academy but I was very interested in their Muy Thai classes. I called and asked for pricing and the representative told me it is $169 a month to be a member. I asked him for more details on what that membership fee covers. He wouldn't give me any of the details. I asked him "is it a secret"? He said they prefer that I come in for a "free" class and then discuss the pricing. A complete lack of transparency. I'm not a martial artist but I'm pretty sure that trust is really important. Concealing information like prices, that's just dumb and shady and it makes me not trust BETA Academy right off the bat because I feel like they have something to hide or want to pull something over on me. The sad part is that I am totally willing to pay for something that I see as quality, even if it is expensive. But I'm not willing to pay when I feel like a business is playing games. I guess I was absent the day they taught this marketing tactic in business school. read more

This is such a great gym and instructors are patient, knowledgeable and respectful!

A top notch muay thai, bjj, and MMA gym. The staff truly make you feel like family, and the community as a whole is unmatched in comparison to other gyms I've trained at. So glad to have found BETA! read more

I went to BETA academy because they had this "special" where you get a month free trial. So, not being well versed in "scam," I thought, oh, what a great opportunity to try this out since I want to be a bad ass and kick people. The guy who gave me my one on one intro course was SO NICE and just good people. He was really thorough and VERY VERY VERY professional. I took a look around, and it seemed as if everyone was getting work done. I have no compunctions with the instruction. The problem really started after the class was done, when we sat down to discuss pricing. Apparently you only get the one month free trial when you sign up for a 3 month, 6 month, or 1 year membership. If you sign up on the same day as your training, they waive the $285 (don't quote me on that, but I think it was somewhere in that ballpark) signup fee. Otherwise, if you decide 2 days after your intro session that you want to do it, you have to pay it. The classes are really expensive, and not very good for people that travel a lot, since they have a pretty set schedule. They said that if you're out of town for a month or so, they will temporarily suspend your account so that time does not count towards your total, which is nice. The guy that gave me my intro session was also very nice and said that he would let me think it over for a few days, and if I wanted to sign up he would still waive the $285 signup fee. The problem is that the best deal is a seven month membership which ends up costing you about $1300 altogether. For the BJJ, you also need some special body gear, which will cost you a hefty amount, too. Overall, this is not a commitment to be taken lightly. You have to put your mind to it, and you have to be ready to make that financial commitment to it, otherwise you will be disappointed. While it was a GREAT experience for me, obviously I think that people have the right to know that the "one month free trial" is NOT a one month free trial, regardless of what they tell you on the phone (they will tell you that it's a no strings attached, no commitment, free trial). You have to pay for a package, and they will throw in a free month. read more

For being in a room with a bunch of half naked guys wrestling around I had a good time. All I knew about fighting before was hit'em when they aint looking and kick them when they down. Now I still do the same but I do it with style. One week there I learned some Spartacus skillz. I'm like Spartacus and everyone else is like people Spartacus kills. Grappling-got it. Striking-got it. Cardio-been had it. I'm gonna beat your ass, rob you and I ain't even need a gun. So if you see me on the streets be scared. Be real scared. Not just cause I'm butt ugly, cause I'm a lethal weapon. Hide yo kids. Hide yo wife. read more

Update: management contacted me and made it up to me by extending my membership by six months with no charge

This gym is awesome, the people are great, the staff is absolutely amazing... but if you get injured, you are out of luck. You end up in limbo with this creepy billing service called "member solutions," they require doctors notes to defer your membership but you keep getting charged, and no one on site at Beta Academy is actually involved in the process. As someone else said below, they seem to be having trouble treading the line between business and school. All that said, I still loved the people and the gym itself-- really great instruction. I hope they fix these issues in the future. read more

3 stars is a composite score. I stretched the free month offer to about a month-and-a-half a year ago, and that's the extent of my experience at Beta, so take this review with that in mind. 5 Stars: Good instructors, good organization, good atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took, the instructors all came across as sincere and knowledgeable, and the students were by and large very friendly. 1 Star: Many martial arts academies struggle to walk the line between school and business, and Beta struggles more than most. You'll get a hard-sell to sign up immediately after your first intro class. When\if you decide to sign up, every membership plan involves a minimum time commitment, and a maximum cap on class attendance. The basic plan starts at a reasonable price, but adding more classes, or more programs can make the price skyrocket. In short, if you're ok with the pricing, and the contractual commitment doesn't bother you, Beta is probably a great place to get in shape and learn some self-defense. Otherwise, shop around first, there are other options in the DC area. read more

This place is run by Nakapan and his wife Melanie. He is a decorated jiu jitsu and Muay Thai competitor, and she is also a muay thai competitor. The school is affliliated with Team Lloyd Irvin, but since Nakapan started at Yamasaki, and received his black belt form Pedro Sauer, there is no bad mouthing other schools, or jiu jitsu politics that is too common at other schools. They rent space in the basement of a large church (the space used to be used as a boxing gym) and hold classes six days a week. Although you don't have heavy bags, a ring/octogon and weight equipment like at some super gyms in the suburbs, their is plenty of mat space, the mats are new and clean, the people are friendly, and they have plenty of striking pads/mitts and boxing gloves to go around. Like many BJJ schools, you start with a warmup, some instruction, drills and then rolling at the end of class. There is more emphasis on conditioning than I have seen in other schools, so you will definitlely get a good workout--especially if you take Muay thai and BJJ classes back to back. One big plus is that this isn't one of those places that throws you to the wolves on your first day and sees if you survive. They have beginner classes and emphasize proper technique and drills, then move you into sparring if you think you are ready. If you haven't done BJJ before, you will learn the techniques properly and if you already have some experience, the attention to detail will help you eliminate bad habits you may have and improve your game. As for the Thai boxing, the structure is similar, with an emphasis on conditioning and proper striking techniques, then moving you into sparring as your skills improve. read more

I am very pleased to have found Beta Academy! The instructors in BJJ are super knowledgeable and the people that train there are friendly and competitive. I really like the facility as it is in a great location and have so many classes with flexible times that fit my schedule. Very reasonably priced and just glad I found this gem. read more

The entire staff at BETA Academy makes the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone who steps through their doors. They all express such a genuine interest in their students and are very eager to teach as much as they can to those who are willing to learn. It's very refreshing to see a martial arts program that is so focused on the principles of teaching respect and honor as well. Currently enrolled in their Muay Thai program and I've got to say Danny Chacon and Kru Napakan are the absolute best! read more

I've been training in Muay Thai here for about 4 months now. Their program is curriculum-based, which means you're not just showing up, learning some random "moves", and then trying to participate in a class where you might not know enough to keep up. You're working up from the basics and You can tell when you're getting better. The classes progressively get more complex as you work your way through the program. Are you someone that's thinking of joining, but don't like the idea of this "curriculum" because you think you already know all that stuff? Or do you want the chance to work with students who've been at it longer? There are tons of "all levels" classes that give you that opportunity, you'll still work based on the curriculum, but there's some other stuff mixed in there and the pace of the class is a bit faster than the foundations classes. In general, the availability of different classes is great, and gives you the opportunity to work through their program at a pace that's challenging enough for you. By now I think I've taken at least one class with every Muay Thai instructor and found them all to be extremely helpful and have a vested interest in my improvement. I've never felt like I can't ask them to clarify a drill or even "hey coach, am I doing this right?" Obviously the coach's attention is going to be spread around during group classes, but I still feel like I have the opportunity to ask questions. That being said, I've been taking some private lessons for about 2 and a half months and they're well worth the investment. I'd also like to add that in the all levels classes I've taken, the more advanced students have all been really patient and understanding, and I never felt like someone was getting frustrated by my noob-ness. Whether you're an experienced or aspiring martial artist looking to learn a new art or build off your current skill set, a combat sports enthusiast who wants to learn some of the things you see on TV, or someone just looking for a great way to get in better shape, I'd say BETA has something to offer for you. I'd say I somewhat fit into the first category, and the only thing I regret is not joining sooner. read more

This place is great! Makes me wish I lived in DC. I decided to train for a month while in town from NYC. The first day I walked in the people at the front desk were very welcoming and very helpful about providing all the information. Their pricing schemes and the way things break down can get a little confusing, but I was clear with them that I just wanted a month and they were happy to sign me up for that. It wasn't cheap, but it was worth it. I only trained Muay Thai since I wasn't ready to jump into Jiujutsu for only a month (although it looked like a lot of fun), so I can only comment on that. But all the instructors were really great; really good with total beginners, good at breaking things down and explaining things in a kind way. The only problem I found was some of the students. Those that know a thing or two will mop the floor with you while sparring. Either that or they will stop you after every punch/kick and give you a 5 minute lecture, complete with PowerPoint presentation, detailing everything you did wrong, so you end up not really being able to do the drill the instructor gave. Luckily, those folks are the exception and everyone is pretty much nice and easy going all the time. Highly recommended. read more

This is going to be a bit of an odd review, because I had a very positive experience with Beta Academy without having the opportunity to really train there long. First, I had come to Beta after about a year of (intermittent) training at a muay thai gym in New York. A gym that pretty much let just about anybody take any class at any time no matter skill level. Great for getting into classes. Not great for really, really learning how to do the things you need to do in MMA. At Beta they start you with an initial 1:1 appointment with an instructor. He gives you a basic lesson on your focus area of choice (muay thai, brazilian jiu jitsu or both). Within 15 minutes it was obvious that I would actually LEARN more here than I did in a year at my previous gym. I was instructed in the details of proper technique. How to use footwork. How to do it right. How to throw basic punches and techniques. Why. Strategy - not just doing reps for doing reps sake. I mean - in my first lesson I learned how to apply a kimura lock! That's pretty cool. Unfortunately, after signing on, I discovered that my schedule wouldn't allow me to attend Beta's classes as planned. Beta places you in a "section" for classes. They frown on just dropping into whatever classes you can whenever you can. You're supposed to commit to a section/schedule of classes and stick to it. All the better, I'm sure, for tracking real progress and growth. Anyway, after legitimately establishing that I simply couldn't meet the commitments of the schedule, Beta very graciously adjusted my membership. But, in the end, they responded to my emails, fielded my questions and concerns and treated me with respect. Which, I think, is all you can really want from a gym. To pay attention to you. Be fair. Treat you with respect. Though I didn't get to really train at Beta, I was around enough to see that the folks that train there are very, very legit in their skills and yet it's a welcoming environment. They have clean facilities and a ton of pad space. I only wish that I could have made it work with my schedule to really get schooled by these guys. I'm confident that it would've given me some real skills - and a great workout, too. read more

Came to DC for a week for a family vacation. Wanted to train while in town. Came to Beta and was welcomed with open arms. Both my son and I were able to train here for two days. The kids class instructors were very patient and knowledge. I also enjoyed the fast pace of the Advance BJJ class. I liked how the instructor did passing guard drills at the end of the class. I would definitely come back if/when I come back to DC. Thanks Beta for allowing me to come check out your gym. read more

My daughter started Muy Thai here 6 months ago and I have nothing but good things to say. The instructors are amazing. The owners (who are also instructors) are extremely patient and nurturing. My daughter (who only weighs 35 pounds) has learned so much in a short period of time (and just earned her yellow belt). If you want your kids to truly be trained in martial arts, bring them here. You won't be disappointed. P.S. Your kids might not want to mess with my kid on the playground. She's a tough Tony now! Lol read more

I really enjoyed training here. It strikes a good balance so it's safe and inclusive but also challenging and realistic. All the coaches are patient, friendly and good at imparting knowledge. There's a good friendly vibe among everyone training there. My only criticism echoes that of others: the membership structure can seem a bit inflexible. If you're injured you might have to work harder than you'd like to persuade staff to suspend your membership payments while you recuperate. If I remember right there's also a rule whereby you can only 'pause' your membership once in a 6 month period. I've never run a gym and don't know what financial pressures they're under. I also should make clear the staff were nothing but supportive. But if I found a gym that let members pay in advance for a certain amount of classes and attend at their own pace, I'd be pretty tempted to try it. read more

Beta Academy is the truth! I have been a student of Martial arts for over 10 years and Beta Academy is one of the most warm and inviting schools I have ever been in. Nakaphan in an engaging and challenging instructor whose genuine god disposition and character drives you to excel. I will be going to many more classes. GREAT JOB BETA ACADEMY!!!!!! read more

Ive gone to coach Darnell's class before, and I'm currently going to coach Trina's class regularly, both are awesome coaches. Extremely patient and give great instruction. I didn't feel like a stranger when i went, and i didn't know anybody. Chelsea is working the front usually when i go and she is so nice, and will go out of her way to make you feel welcome. I went for the introduction course and met her, then she remembered my name when i came in two weeks later. There's hours to meet everybody's schedule and the gym gives off a real cool vibe that you're looking for when you think of an MMA gym. There's 3 membership options to work with everyone's budgets. Awesome gym and awesome staff. read more

So I am in town for 3 months and tried to sign-up for NO-GI Jiu Jitsu. I was told that I have to take Muy Thai. The woman on the phone said I could take a free Muy Thai class but had to show commitment (?) and no cross training (?). I have been a wrestler for years and Jiu Jitsu for over 13 years, mostly with 10 Planet and have never heard of such a thing. I asked if I could pay for a day pass and was told no. Also, I have never been to gym that turned down day pass rates. Good luck, first gym I ever met that turned down money. read more

When I decided to find a Martial Arts school in DC I was a little overwhelmed. A BETA Academy I was greeted by a friendly and informative staff. All of the instuctors are profesional and were very helpful. Most importantly there was no pressure to join. It was kinda like "Hey take advantage of the trial period and see if you like it." One of the best characteristics of BETA that I liked was that there was a wide variety of people there (Young/Old. Male/Female. Experienced/Beginner). This was really refreshing because I have visited other schools in the area and I felt like Ralph Macchio when he entered the Cobra Kai Dojo for the first time and saw a bunch guys that wanted nothing more then to use him as their next punching bag. BETA offers instruction in multiple martial arts disciplines as well as a combat fitness program. BETA accomadates the average person looking to stay in shape and the individuals that want to compete someday All in all BETA has a strong family feel to it. Everyone, to include the students, are very friendly. read more

BETA Academy is a top class, professionally run martial arts training academy with programs fit for ANYONE and with world class instructors who really know what they are doing. I have been with them for 4 months now and my mind and body have improved tremendously. BETA enabled me to get in the best shape of my life while having fun! I started taking the Brazilian Jui Jitsu beginners class with instructor Isaac R. In only a few weeks I was learning and doing things I never thought possible, his training has enabled me to feel like a master at certain skills already. I have started coming to the open mats on weekends which has helped tremendously. I get to train at my own pace and focus on what I want to, and I get to grapple with the top level fighters who pass on their knowledge, I learn so much there. I am now moving on to intermediate combat and physical fitness classes at a fast pace. These instructors really know what they are doing. I would totally recommend ANYONE who wants to learn martial arts, be a top level fighter, or just get in shape while learning something new and having fun. It offers so much at a great value, unbeatable anywhere else. The BETA academy suits caters to everyone's needs from complete beginner to professional and it definitely will improve your fitness, mindstate, and overall quality of life. Its a fun place to be!! read more