Adding an update here: the billing team did finally get back to me and the owner of the business…read moreended up calling which was nice. Please make billing team more accessible for the future though!

Best gym in the DMV! Coaches and people are helpful and nice. Definitely recommend for any new or…read moreexperienced people.

Great club and an awesome group. I've tried a dozen or so martial arts schools over the decades…read moreand been to most of the bigger judo clubs around DC. Nothing captivated me for long. Last December, I wanted to check out jui-jitsu and was lucky to land at Capitol Combat (a Darcio Lira school). This is NOT a commercial school with huge membership fees that churns through new students, just to see them drop out after a few months. Rather, CC is a small group of committed jiu-jitsu practitioners headed up by two great teachers (Jay and Joe). Both teachers are thoroughly knowledgeable (with solid lineage in judo, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu), but easy-going. The school is welcoming to everyone from total novices to those with more experience, but I'd say the preference is probably for new folks with limited experience (blue or white belt) in order to build solid skills from the ground up. Classes are Monday and Wednesday evenings starting at 8:45 pm. CC moved from DC and currently practices at Mind Your Body Oasis yoga studio, which is a bit cramped by glass mirrors. I hope that the school will grow into a larger location soon. The cost is one of the lowest (if not the lowest) around town. CC has another location in Fredericksburg, VA. The dojo there is awesome, and we work out with them from time to time; some of them come up on Wednesdays, and we occasionally go down there on weekends. That location is bigger and has several students that regularly compete (and win) tournaments. I hope to see you on the mat!

Great local Jiu Jitsu club! The head instructor is super knowledgable.read more

After my first class I had doubts about whether I should learn Krav Maga under Brian or should I…read morereturn to Nova MMA where I took three classes in the past. In Nova MMA, I got to actually hit and learn combinations right away. As for Krav Maga Federation, you won't get to this until you pass your beginner test to the yellow belt. That being said, I do not regret sticking to KMF and not learning under a different instructor. After a few classes you actually realize that learning combinations and hitting stuff might not be the best idea because your form is awful and needs some serious work. Our classes are usually small, so Brian will give you a lot of attention. Even if you are standing in the back, Brian will see you and pick on you until you get the form right. Now, speaking about Brian. He is really patient with us. He will ask us after showing a new move or re-showing us a new move, if we have any question. If we do, he will answer the question regardless of how repetitive the question is or how ridiculous it might be. I haven't done any martial arts since I was a child and I didn't think I'd do again because I hated every instructor I had when I was a kid. That's different with Brian. However, Brian is a bit strict. He will not allow people to practice if they show up after hours. Keep that in mind when you are signing up for classes. If you are not sure you can make the times then talk with Brian or figure out a way to show up on time. Most of the class usually shows up fifteen minutes early to warm up and stretch and sometimes one will go over a move with Brian. I would definitely recommend KMF for anyone who is looking to learn Krav Maga.

I have over 10 years of martial arts experience in Hapkido, Judo and Taekwando, and must say, Krav…read moreMaga is the most practical thing I've tried. As the other reviews and Wikipedia state (check them for a more in depth description of the art), most martial arts teach based on some rules of fighting -- no groin shots, biting, etc. Krav Maga is all about training you to survive a dangerous situation, and consequently relishes these taboo techniques. It is all about developing your muscle memory and instincts so that, when it really counts, you avoid the deer-in-headlights effect. Ditto for speed/aggression: other martial arts focus on control and fundamentals for years before you get to anything practical. In my experience with Krav Maga, it starts with practicality from the get-go, and control, respect, technical excellence come as a by-product. This brings me to my first critique. I don't feel like people have developed the proper amount of control for the level of techniques we do. On our tests we are supposed to go a full speed and stop right before striking your partner. Yet I can't say that I'm totally confident that I won't get hurt as I train with some of the others. In contrast, I'd trust my Hapkido partners with a full speed spin heel kick to the head. This is probably a difference in philosophy between the Korean martial arts and Krav Maga, and shouldn't be seen as a critique of Krav Maga Federation DC. Likewise with technical excellence. If you want a pretty kick, a beautiful throw, a quiet roll, look elsewhere. If you want a spiritual, cultural, or historic connection to your martial art, Krav Maga probably isn't the best art for you. But if you want to learn how to defend yourself in a practical situation, period, Krav Maga is a go. On that note, Brian, the instructor, is really a great guy, a good teacher, and a skilled practitioner. He's a bit rough around the edges and intimidating at first (don't think about showing up late), but just stick it out and it will pay in spades after a few weeks of training. He's one of the most friendly and dedicated instructors I've had, once I got to know him. Krav Maga Federation DC is also associated closely with Krav Maga Federation, which is based in lower Manhattan and is a powerhouse organisation. I've gone there twice now, had wonderful workouts, played with world experts, and been welcomed as a member of the family (except that one time that Rhon laid into me). All in all I really like this club. If you are not a dainty flower or a meathead you will too. Actually, if you are a dainty flower come anyway. In short time you will not be.

Evolve All is awesome and I am pleased to leave a review of them…read more I recently checked out Evolve All since I was in town but wanted to train (muay thai/striking) in a friendly learning environment. I was in town for such a short time that it'd be better for me to drop-in classes rather than buying a monthly membership. Evolve All was just the place for that. The owner, Emerson, made me feel welcome when he responded to my inquiry saying that he'll find me someone who'll work with me. That special attention to individuals is definitely what separates a warm/welcoming gym from the rest of the pack. When I went to train, I saw how beautiful the space is. Green and white mats lined practically everywhere. Coach Elijah worked with me and another student and I can honestly say that if I were still in Arlington, VA (I returned to Philly), I would be a member of Evolve All because of my interactions with the staff/coaches, the facility, and the training + community there. Overall, Evolve All is a great family-oriented gym. I can't recommend it enough for anyone who is searching for their next spot to train and looking to level up while still feeling like part of a friendly/welcoming community.

This review is from the perspective of someone new to DC and new to martial arts. I tried two other…read moregyms before settling on EvolveAll. There was hardly a contest, in terms of the welcome my roomie and received, as well as the kindness of the staff and owner. I chose a BJJ membership where I have the opportunity to join about three classes per week (as a beginner, more as you grow), access to a weight-lifting space, and free reign to practice rolling when there is a free mat. I CANNOT speak enough about the amazing crew that runs EvolveAll. The owner and general manager take the time to truly make you feel welcomed and excited to be in their space. The instructors are of the highest level and ensure that you understand new moves and drills on an individual level. They make sure to invite experienced members to the beginner classes so that way new members can train with someone who's comfortable with the movements. I HIGHLY recommend EvolveAll for individuals of all ages, skill levels, and fitness. Every class starts with some conditioning, goes into a couple of moves, and ends with optional free rolling.

Started training there when I was 16 and always felt welcome, encouraged, supported, and safe…read more Continue to train as an adult even though I am much further away because it is rigorous, the instructors are amazing, and it's fun. My injuries have always been accommodated, my questions have always been answered, and the instructors have always been incredibly kind to me. Especially as a woman, I've been to other martial arts gyms where it was not welcoming or safe for women, instructors were inappropriate, etc. however at Krav Maga NOVA, instructors are respectful, ask for consent to touch you to demo something, and create a safe place to train.

Incredible staff and instructors, good vibe, serious but fun. Learned a lot and had a great time…read more Be ready to work your butt off!

5/5 starts. I love the knowledge and philosophy of the head trainer. I would recommend.read more

Stopped by Testudo while in National Harbor for a conference so my hubby and I could get some Jiu…read moreJitsu in. I was only able to drop by once for the women's class and adult class after but my husband was able to go several times and had a great time. Great people. Professor Ervin was great and made us feel welcome. Seemed like he had a nice organized way of instruction and used class time efficiently. We walked in as the kids class was wrapping up and it looks like he is great with the kids. If we lived here we would definitely make it our dojo.

This is a hidden gem of martial arts studios that genuinely cares about tradition. I took a long…read moretime to sign on to a studio and was happy to find Sensei Hunter. (I definitely wanted to avoid taking my kids to a studio that use splashy stock photos or advertises kid's birthday parties or parents night off events.) I loved the smaller class sizes of Samurai Training Academy which allowed for Sensei Hunter to break down complex moves into their fundamental components. I loved that the studio had adult classes and was not just a dojo daycare. I loved that they did not pass all students for their belt testing. All good signs of a studio with integrity, which sadly, is more difficult to find these days. Sensei Hunter won over the kids with his irreverent sense of humor, his kindness, and his deep love for sharing his practice with his students. My son looks forward to every single class (even going embarrassingly early to classes just so that he could absorb as much as he could from his instructor).

From the owner: Karate, Jujutsu, Sword, Kendo, Kids Karate, Women's Self Defense, Police Self Defense and control…read moretactics

My background is in karate, so when I began training with Ben, his particular style of Wing Chun…read morethat incorporates pressure blew me away! I have really enjoyed taking a completely different perspective on my martial arts training, learning to deal with an attacker who is large and close simply by leveraging my own body structure. Ben and his senior students are extremely encouraging and supportive, so the classes have a real community atmosphere. I wholeheartedly recommend you take a class, whether you are a lifelong martial artist or absolute beginner.

I've trained in a number of different martial arts, including boxing, muay thai, and other forms of…read morewing chun, but Ben's blended approach and focus on structure has been a whole new level of practice for me. I've never really understood or believed in the application of internal power for practical use but, after one session of chi sao with Ben (and being thrown into a wall a few times), I had to concede that there was something real there. One thing I've always appreciated is that Ben is very clear where Wing Chun does and doesn't work. He teaches boxing, wrestling, and some MMA, but always in the context of where Wing Chun fits in. Full disclosure, this is not for everyone; it's not a quick fix, it's not a cardio workout, and it's not showy. This is a long process of understanding internal structure, physics, and how to exert your body in a different way than you're used to. If you're interested in gaining a new understanding of your own body and how to weaponise your posture (yes, posture can be a weapon), give it a try. Or, if you think this isn't real and doesn't work, come and try it anyway. The only way to know is try it out and we're always ready to welcome people with an open or curious appetite.