I've been at GB Ashburn for about two months, and so far the experience was awesome, and kind of…read morelife-changing! Initially, I was exploring different martial arts gyms for my 3-year-old daughter. While my daughter was pretty wary and didn't want to commit, I got a really good feeling the first time we observed the class and decided to join - And my gut feeling was right! There are three things that I love most about this gym: 1. People. Everyone, from the professors/coaches to the peers, are wonderful. The professors are all super friendly, approachable, and are always great at answering questions. The peers are respectful and not overly aggressive (in a hurtful-injury kinda way), and the upper belts are always happy to give pointers when asked (or when I look desperately clueless). I'll admit that I find grappling sports extremely intimidating, but everyone at the gym is so kind that I was able to continue going despite feeling super intimidated. Also, there are so many students, but the professors always remember people's names. That's amazing! Big shout out to Professor Dana, Professor Rafael, and Professor Thiago for being awesome. 2. The environment. The physical environment is clean, but more importantly, I find the (non-physical) environment incredibly welcoming. There are areas for kids to hang out when parents are taking classes, plenty of chairs and sofa, and staff are just so, so kind and nice to the kids!! As a mom who's hoping to get her 3-yo interested in bjj, I really appreciate this set up. 3. The classes. There are morning classes, middle-of-the-day classes, evening classes, and Saturday classes. There are classes for kids, teens, adults, and FEMALES. This variety allows me to attend classes with a wonky work schedule and learn from different professors and peers. More importantly, the classes are very organized, such that when I attend classes almost randomly throughout the week, different professors are all teaching similar techniques that build off of a streamlined curriculum, and I don't feel that I must attend classes on a regular schedule (e.g., M/W at 6:30am). I also love that there are position-specific training toward the latter part of every class. It's intimidating, but I learn a lot from these practices! I guess I could go on, but I'll just say that I highly recommend this gym!

Gracie Barra Ashburn is simply an incredible place to train Brazilian jiu jitsu. It is squeaky…read moreclean. Everyone there is so nice and welcoming. The professors clearly all have a vested interest in helping their students reach their max potential. It is a family environment, but they train hard in the correct way. Could not say better things!

This place is amazing. I tried my first class here and immediately loved it…read more From the start, everyone made me feel welcomed and comfortable. The environment is friendly, supportive, and perfect for beginners, which made starting jiu-jitsu feel way less intimidating than I expected. Huge shoutout to Professor Hani, Professor Sean, Coach Alex, and Amber for being patient, kind, and genuinely helpful. It really feels like a family here and everyone takes the time to support you as you learn. They also offer classes for all ages and levels, including kids, adults, beginners, and more advanced students. And for all the ladies who are interested in an all-women's class, they also have that available at this location. If you are thinking about trying jiujitsu, this is a great place to start. Your first class is free and they make it very easy to get started, just call ahead before coming in.

My daughter has been enrolled here for almost 2 years and she and I really love the location and…read morethe people. She has no prior martial arts experience. The professors and coaches all have made meaningful connections with her and built a wonderful community of people, even sometimes having events and potlucks for that purpose, which we've enjoyed. They prioritize safety and I often hear them correcting and redirecting, explaining to the participants what their safety concern is. They model such an excellent camaraderie that it permeates the other students as well and everyone is so friendly and welcoming. My daughter has had some really amazing experiences here like special seminars, competitions, and once they even helped her attend a special women's class at another Gracie Barra location. She always enjoys her time in class, even the really hard ones, and has made some great friends. They've been accommodating of our schedule when we've needed to pause her membership and have a very easy process for that if needed. I highly recommend GB Great Falls.

I can't say enough good things about Team Passos! Been training here for 3 years and I am so…read moregrateful. The quality of instruction and curriculum are top-notch, great facility, but more than anything the culture of respect, community, and support is amazing. We have hard core competitors and hobbyists training together and having a blast. Come join us!

Team passos is truly a world class Jiu Jitsu Academy, the best in area. I have been training here…read morefor the past two years. The professors are outstanding and truly care about the students. There is strong sense of community and everyone is welcomed regardless of their gender, age or fitness level. If you're looking to improve your Jiu Jitsu, adopt a healthier lifestyle or make new friends. Give team passos a try, you will love it!

Great place to train!! Took me from a 0 to a hero in no time. Great team of people thereread more

Outstanding facility with exceptional coaches across a wide range of martial arts disciplines. I…read moreset up private training sessions while in town. Coach Leah created a custom training plan based on my goals and skill level. Excellent balance of technique, high intensity training, partner work. Even added on post-training vinyasa yoga. From the students to the other coaches to the owner Ajarn Scott Howard, all around world-class experience.

I have been going to American Tob Team Ashburn for a little over a month now, and I really can't…read moresay enough great things about this place! For context, I am 40 years old with almost no combat sports experience, so I was a bit anxious/intimidated before starting the classes. That didn't last long though as the coaches and other athletes here are all extremely friendly and welcoming. The training is top notch and the coaches are exceptional at what they do. You will not only learn the skills but also get an awesome workout. They also offer a wide range of disciplines (ju-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, muay thai) and usually have around 10 different classes daily from early morning to later in the evening to accommodate for different schedules. They have definitely created a great culture and community at this gym and I look forward to continuing my journey here.

I love this little place for my daughter! I wasn't expecting it to be so packed with kids when we…read morefirst walked in and Top Team had so many girls making it easier for my daughter to fit right in with new training. Very happy with how everyone is treated and everything is organized in sections. Definitely will be recommending this place to anyone that asks about it.

Coach Lima was one of the best parts of my experience at Kaizen…read more He's super level-headed, honest, and actually takes the time to help you improve, no matter your skill level. You can tell he genuinely cares about the people in the gym and isn't just going through the motions. I really respect people who are straightforward, patient, and helpful. and he checks all those boxes. If you're training here, you're in good hands with him.

Kaizen MMA has been apart of my life since 2020, and it has changed me for the better. It helped me…read moregain confidence for myself, during a time where I was lacking such. This place challenged me, and ultimately made me a better fighter and better person both mentally and especially physically. The MMA/Kickboxing classes are top notch, and I've made many friends during my time there. If you want good exercise and good teaching (shoutout coach Jay, Eduardo, and sensei nima!) this is the place to be at. I'll never forget kaizen and all it's done for me. Highly recommend! 10/10

I used to love this location (Fairfax) of Kaize . However, recent changes have made me decide to…read morepull my kids out and go to a different location. My kids are in the youngest age group (under 7). They used to be taught by adult Sempais, and I could see them gaining skills, self control, respect, etc. But this location recently changed to allowing older kids to serve as Sempais and run the class. These kids don't have any experience with teaching children - they're still children themselves. The focus of classes has shifted from learning skills to just "conditioning" - running, sit-ups, push-ups, etc. And these child instructors just don't have the self-control to serve as instructors. At the end of most classes, the Sensei/Sempai ends with a fun game to conclude on a fun note. But recently, the child Sempai leading a dodgeball-type game got carried away and way too competitive and was throwing the ball full force into little kids' faces. I saw a 4 yr old get slammed in the face (by the Sempai) so hard she fell down. And the Sempai appeared to like it and continued to throw full full force at other 4, 5, and 6 year olds. That was the breaking point for me. The other Kaizen locations are good, and we'll stick to those ones.

I am enrolled in the Muay Thai program here at Fairfax Karate. It is a great program and I am in…read moremuch better shape than I was before. I may even consider taking an amateur fight. Najim, the coach is great. He is very technical in his instructions but still very understanding that it takes time to learn the techniques. Plus he has a strong competitive record: Multiple Sabaki (full contact Enshin Competition) wins and multiple Muay Thai Titles. It should be noted that some of the techniques are modified compared to pure Muay Thai to more of a Dutch style of Muay Thai. The classes run one hour, with about 10 minutes of warm up and stretching, about 40 minutes of technique training, and then about 10 minutes of calisthenics at the end. The varieties of techniques vary class to class ranging from the very basics to sparring for the more experience students. Also available are: Children and Adult Karate - I don't know a ton about these but have seen Najim coaching the children's classes and the kids seem to be learning alot of good techniques and still having a ton of fun. Also Enshin Karate, being a combination of kickboxing and Judo, does teach many techniques that are very real world usable should the students need them in an actual self defense situation. Gracie Jiu Jitsu - These classes are taught by Toney Waldecker, a blackbelt under Relson Gracie, son of Helio Gracie - the inventor of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I don't know a lot about these classes either but Toney seems to be a very good trainer and Relson visits the dojo a few times a year it seems.

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.