I wanted to thank Deandre and Gavin for first inviting me to train at this gym when I first met…read morethem in Tatte off Rockville pike. I was Training at Yamasaki at the time and went to the free sessions and open mat at standard. I was struggling with mental health issues at the time and Greg and Noah and the rest of the crew were as patient as anyone could be. This gym is an Extremely skillful gym. I've spoken to Greg multiple times about jitsu in general and I have not spoken to anyone nor listened to any YouTube video with that level of intellect about the sport. Thanks for being patient with me, and the time invested in me as I never paid Greg a dollar between the 7 free sessions they offer and open mat, but I learned priceless knowledge. Hearing Greg tell the story about how a prince of Saudi along with the Gracies started the ADCC was awesome. Thank you all, and sorry for any misunderstandings while I struggled with mental health issues at the time! God bless. OSS.

There's no better BJJ gym in the DMV and arguably in the US. The only other schools that produce…read morethis level of fighter are B Team and New Wave. If you want an atmosphere full of dedicated, focused people- this is the place. I switched from another local gym and my game has improved significantly in a fraction of the time. Greg is a wizard and an amazing coach/ person.

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!

Great gym felt like home very welcoming and friendly. Techniques were top notch and next level…read more 10/10 would recommend Tod was awesome great group of guys for real

I trained here years ago in high school. The workouts are intense and the lessons truly prepared me…read morefor real life situations. I only stopped going because I moved away for college. But their Krav Maga lessons prepared me to defend myself on campus when I really needed it.

These guys have wheat trainers in several disciplines including krav, jujitsu, muai tai, boxing,…read morekali and others. One thing that makes the collective Jim unique-is that you will frequently see instructors from one discipline taking classes in other disciplines. Likewise with students. This allows people to better respond to self-defense situation by knowing "what else is out there" as well-it allows you to train with different instructors and different teaching styles. Not to mention the weight lifting area is expansive --with nearly 2500 ft.² of weights.

I met Mario many years ago and he first invited me to train, though back then I had injuries which…read moreI never thought I would train jitsu...I first came in 3 years ago to start training but between injuries and my mental health battle we parted ways .I just wanted to thank everyone at the Yamasaki gym but especially Fernando, Oscar, Elaine, Jessica, and Enzo (also Mario in spirit) for being so patient with me as I tried to use their gym as a positive coping mechanism for my mental health. God bless you all. I do not train there anymore but think it's a great gym for anyone to train, as they were all great people. Thanks for investing the time in me when I was not myself mentally. OSS.

Best BJJ academy. They preserve the roots of the culture and the traditions of the martial arts.read more

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.

Should start off with admitting that I'm a Jiu-Jitsu addict. Further, I'm a small framed…read more30-something male. So visiting other academies can be intimidating. When traveling to Gaithersburg for work, I saw there was an academy reasonably close to where I was staying. Professor Noel was incredibly hospitable and encouraging for me to attend the classes. The academy itself is very clean throughout. The drilling or fundamentals classes were great in that they're both a good working and emphasizing drilling technique to perfection (drillers make killers as the saying goes). The advanced class that I attended immediately applied to something I've struggled with. With the requisite rolling, I found the students calm and technical with their sparring habits. Finally, the students themselves - across the belts - were friendly and inviting. I would definitely visit again as well as recommend Foundry Jiu-Jitsu as a place to train if you live in the area.

One of the very few places I miss in Montgomery County, MD. I have practiced judo and Brazilian jiu…read morejitsu in my teens before coming to the US, but since my skills were getting rusty, I tried several schools and The Foundry was the best fit for my skill level. I was not trying on to getting back to competing again, but to feel that empowerment and camaraderie among who practice this martial art. Perfect for every skill level. Great and knowledgeable instructors. Wonderful introduction for children to teach them discipline, respect, and being gentle with self and others. I highly recommend this for everyone who wants to be in tournaments, self-defense and fitness.

I started Judo at the Compound about a year ago. The gym is great, the instructor is top-notch,…read moreand the whole experience is low-pressure and fun. Everyone is nice-- there's a range of ages and skill levels and we're all having fun learning together.

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

Bethesda Strongman is a strength training and fitness gym located inside the Ascend Institute of…read moreMartial Arts (which is another great spot if you'd like to try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai). BS is owned and operated by local strongman and former CrossFit gym owner Steve Michael - an incredibly knowledgeable, experienced, and generally strong dude. Steve's approach combines the best of old-school, no-nonsense training methods with a friendly, laid-back sense of humor. His training style is encouraging and fun without being intimidating at all, and his classes are a diverse mix of all ages/genders/body types/fitness levels with a common desire to get stronger and get in better shape. In summary, I HIGHLY recommend this as an alternative to your typical group strength training classes (like CrossFit) where you don't get a lot of individual attention, and the focus is just on cranking out a bajillion reps until oblivion and without proper form. Direct website for BS is: https://www.facebook.com/bethesdastrongman/

Steve is an awesome coach! I was doing CrossFit for half a year under his guidance. I was totally…read morenew to crossfit, and coach Steve was helping a lot with my technique, but without being too intrusive as some coaches are. Steve also always ready to help you with diet questions. Pricing is very affordable compared to other gyms I think. It's always fun to work out with these people, even if you are such a weakling as me :) I did actually a lot of progress during that half year, got some muscles, but dropped out due to work schedule...

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.

Great place with amazing instructors who offer discipline and passion for what they do. Both of my…read morechildren are enrolled and have learned patience, respect and determination.

This place is great. The instructors have the perfect balance between discipline & fun. The kids…read moreget noticeably better with each class.