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.

I can't say enough great things about Emilio and this gym. I did personal training with him, and he…read morewas genuinely invested in helping me reach my goals; even offering to let me train with his prize fighters. This gym offers much more than Muay Thai, with programs for both adults and kids. More importantly, it's a family, not just a gym. Emilio is humble, relatable, and has a huge heart for fitness and for kids. I've seen firsthand how he goes above and beyond, hosting Parents' Night Out events and ensuring every child can participate, regardless of a family's financial situation. The only reason I no longer attend is because our schedules no longer aligned. If you're looking for a gym that truly cares about its members and community, this is it.

This gym was such a cool vibe. I'm from out of town and called a couple of gyms in the area to try…read moreto get in a quick workout. The owner was super nice on the phone and said I could stop by. When I got there, he was very welcoming and invited me to join the others upstairs that were training. Since I wanted to get a solo workout, he let me work out on the 1st floor (variety of bags & mat space). he put some music on and let me get my workout in. There were variety of folks here from fighters that were training for upcoming fights to people of all ages, men & women getting their training in. Everyone was super nice & welcoming. Next time I'm in town I'm definitely stopping by for a workout! Also, since I didn't bring any gear from home, they had everything available for purchase, gloves & wraps at very good prices and great quality. This gym is truly a gem. I travel across the country & have visited many gyms. This gym is definitely a special vibe. Thank you to all the coaches & athletes for welcoming me!

I have a black belt from Potomac Kempo, and I have witnessed a rapid deterioration at this school…read moreover the past few years, with very troubling developments at this dojo. Here are some highlights of what has gone wrong. 1. Martial arts skills no longer seem to matter. The most shining example is the new instructor hired at this dojo last year. She is really, really bad at martial arts. At another karate school, she might be a yellow belt at best (the instructor of one such school said as much), but at Potomac Kempo, she was promoted to black belt and then full-time instructor. It's a slap in the face to every student who takes martial arts seriously. 2. Along with numerous other students, I have witnessed this woman crying monthly, weekly, and even daily over the years--about everything from her personal problems to her poor kempo skills. Deceptively, all the crying masks a whole lot of spite, and all the tears are a vehicle to bring forth endless lies and dumb drama. She once made a brazen attempt to ban a student in good standing from another Potomac Kempo dojo, and went about her scheme by doing what she does best: crying and lying. Said student had triggered her venom by unfriending her on Facebook (!!!!!). Instead of reprimanding her, Potomac Kempo offered her a job as a full-time instructor at this dojo shortly thereafter. Not surprisingly, the falsehoods and vitriol have continued to ensnare students and infest the school. 3. Potomac Kempo's shortcomings go beyond just a bad hire. One problem is the volunteer instructor program that runs across all dojos. At this school, you have to pay to become a volunteer instructor. Yes, YOU PAY Potomac Kempo to WORK FOR Potomac Kempo. It's a deal many fine martial artists simply won't accept. In turn, it has attracted more than a few "instructors" whose skills are mediocre at best. Every student can get better, and some who volunteer bring respect and humility, and make vast improvements through the experience. But for certain others, they puff themselves up with false pride and a sense of entitlement. The new hire at this dojo personifies the worst of both: As a volunteer instructor, she made a habit of disrespecting dojo rules and etiquette and other students, believing that she had the "status" to do so. It is quite a bad look for students to behave this way but it's much, much, more outrageous when so-called instructors do so. Sadly, this has occurred with regularity in the past few years. Instead of insisting that all behave professionally, Potomac Kempo coddles the offenders. Hiring the worst offender as a full-time instructor has sent the unmistakable message that this dojo, and the school in general, will elevate bad martial arts, and even worse character. 4. Martial arts is ultimately about becoming a better person. If all you want is fitness, you could get yourself a beefy trainer at a gym. At a dojo, time-honored values like honor, courage, and loyalty should matter. Potomac Kempo does not impart or emphasize these values. A while ago, I stuck my neck out to defend the school's reputation. I would've preferred never to have been involved, but the situation was serious and action was required. Though the chief instructor at another dojo has offered his appreciation for my intervention, the management for this dojo has enabled and empowered those who, lacking any common sense or business judgment, have sought retaliation. 5. I used to enjoy training at this dojo. I have attended class here many times, trained with its students and instructors, and participated in school-wide belt tests, seminars, and other events with many of them. A former instructor here was Sensei Dan, and I regularly came here and sought him out when I had trouble mastering new material. He was simply fantastic. How times have changed. 6. For a long time, my friends and I at this school paid our dues, went to class, stayed committed to our training, made sure to be welcoming to new students and helpful to lower ranks, and cared about our dojos. We didn't agree with everything the school did, but overall, we enjoyed being students here. Looking back on the past 2-3 years, it feels as if we blinked and the school went downhill and became barely recognizable.

I have been studying Shaolin Kempo at Potomac Kempo - Fairlington for about seven months now. I…read morelove it. I studied MMA at another gym but never felt like I mattered. People did not speak. No one knew my name. My questions often fell on deaf ears. At Potomac Kempo - Fairlington it is the exact opposite. Sensei Cassie is the best. She greets everyone by name. My dojo mates always greet each other and we make sure you know you were missed if you miss a few classes and have returned. If i have a question, anyone who knows the answer will help. Our black belts set the tone of helping, answering questions, helping one another learn, and just being good people. I have about 18 years of experience working with kids. I have seen some horrible teachers. But Sensei Cassie? Her patience is phenomenal. She is great at teaching them to control their bodies, listen to and follow directions, and at the end of classes, often discusses the finer points of character. Just the thing a parent needs to ADD to the parenting already being done. If I had any little kids in the family in the area, they would be at Potomac Kempo studying. This is more than a place to come work out. It is a place to come relieve stress, gain a sense of accomplishment as you earn higher belts and do exercises you have never done before, meet good people, and just have fun.

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.

Sensei Roberto is a great sensei, funny, and really care about his students. Love going to this…read moredojo, all the teachers and students are very friendly and always happy help lower rank students.

BEST dojo in the State of Virginia (one of the best in the world, I am sure). If you want to learn…read morefrom a great Sensei (Roberto) and other blackbelt instructors, then Virginia Dojo is the only choice. I am so happy to be a part of this dojo! Sensei Roberto is quite simply AMAZING. He truly cares about his students and teaching karate. The atmosphere at the dojo is welcoming and friendly--from beginner to advanced! Everyone participates to help others learn. The women's class with Denise is fantastic as well! Denise is an inspring third degree blackbelt instructor who is passionate about women's karate and karate in general. As a student, you can take her classes and or the mixed group classes with Sensei Roberto. Check out this dojo for yourself. I signed up a little over a year ago with my kids and we love it and highly recommend.

This is a great school with awesome students. Very supportive and non-threatening environment. I've…read morebeen training a long time (16 years Bjj) and at Kogaion for four years and never had a bad interaction with an instructor or student. Exceptional technique instruction and knowledge from the lead instructor Victor. Support this school and do yourself a favor and drop in for a free class to see for yourself.

This not a place anyone should train here. The head trainer is an absolute joke, and culture is…read moreterrible. I trained her for years, and I recently decided to leave.

My two kids have been training at Caio Terra Academy for several months, and Coach Vu Tran has been…read moreexceptional. He's great with the kids. He is extremely knowledgeable and explains the moves clearly. What really stands out about Coach Vu is his inclusivity. He goes out of his way to make sure every kid participates. My son has physical and mobility challenges, and even with a full class, Coach Vu takes time to work with him. He breaks down techniques so my son can keep up, learn, and participate with the other students. This studio also has coaches, who are the advanced students, walk around and watch the less experienced, younger kids to make sure no one gets hurt -- a level of attention we haven't seen at other jiujitsu studios. All the coaches are so supportive and patient when teaching the younger kids. Towards the end of each class, the kids participate in super fights, which get them comfortable sparring different partners. Coach Vu teaches them the tournament point system so they understand how to win matches. I highly recommend this academy to any family looking for a supportive, well-run jiujitsu program.

I went to this gym because of a seminar and I had a great experience! The gym is a little small but…read morehas good mat space. I learned a lot from the seminar and the owners are very nice and personable.