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 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.

I am an IT professional that travels extensively for work, I found the academy to be very clean,…read moreconcise instruction, the students were welcoming and more concerned with acquiring skills rather than just grinding through a session. I will definitely stop back in.

We started my daughter's Jiu Jitsu journey here when she was 6. I can't say enough about how great…read moreChad and Paul are. Very humble and down to earth people, who just so happen to also be beasts on the mat. The coaches here are amazing, including Coach Kevin, Mo and Red, to name a few. They are all amazing with kids and do a fantastic job building strength and confidence in the kids. If you're considering signing up your kid, or yourself, don't hesitate, this is a great gym/community, with great instructors and members.

This studio is truly exceptional…read more I know a lot of parents in the region tend to look to taekwondo first as a place to put their kids- mostly because of the after school programs and summer camps. Some of these schools are great (specifically the Jhoon Rhee ones), but most are WTF belt factories. What makes this place special is that it is only a martial arts studio and workout gym. You come there to work and learn and be part of a community. The instructors are focused and passionate and they have my 10 year old reaching for aspects of himself taekwondo never did. This studio is a hidden gem and I fully recommend this place.

This place has a really supportive and welcoming community. Both coaches and students are very…read moreaccepting and focused on everyone succeeding at their own pace.

Amazing instruction, the staff is very supportive and knowledgeable, the camaraderie is…read moreexceptional! Fantastic place to train!

Excellent Jiu Jitsu school - all of the coaches are great, personable, patient, and encouraging…read more The gym is clean and well maintained, facilities are new and fresh, and the people there are all welcoming. The kids classes are fun and engaging, and the community they've built is top tier.

While his accomplishments speak for themselves, it's good to know Zack is the kind of instructor…read morethat everyone should strive to be - patient, incredible at jiu jitsu, with a good energy, and always respectful. You're going to get good at BJJ quickly at fourth Dimension and have fun doing it.

We brought our kids to Capital MMA for a free trial and absolutely loved it! This was actually the…read moresecond gym we tried--our first experience elsewhere felt rushed and not very kid-friendly. But Capital MMA was the complete opposite. From the moment we walked in, we felt welcomed and comfortable. The instructors are fantastic with kids: respectful, engaging, and age-appropriate. They strike the perfect balance between fun and structure--allowing room for mistakes and typical kid behaviors while still keeping everyone focused. Pricing is very reasonable, and they offer a free one-month trial before any commitment. Plus, they honor a military discount, which we really appreciate. Our kids are excited for every class, and we feel great about the investment of time and money. Highly recommend for any parents looking for a positive, disciplined, and inclusive martial arts environment!

Moved all around the country for the military. This is Best gym and crossfit I've ever been to.read more

We visited Leo Dalla based on the recommendation of friends and were super impressed. Our son had…read moretried another place much closer to us where the coach yelled at him and demeaned him for not knowing what to do... during his first time in a trial class. It's taken us three years to get back in the saddle, but still my now 8-year-old was trembling with nervousness and fear that it'd be a repeat experience. Master Simone put him at ease instantly. She spoke clearly and kindly to him and at all steps in the class, made sure he was following along and was getting coaching. He ran up to me 15 minutes in and declared, "I want to keep doing this!" We don't live super close, so it will be tricky for make it work for our schedule regularly, but we'll certainly think about. If you are lucky enough to live in Woodbridge, I highly recommend your kiddos try this out! They also offer classes for teens, adults, self-defense, etc. It's a warm, welcome, family-run gym. Thank you so much, Master Simone!

This place is hands down the best Jiujitsu School in Northern Virginia. The devotion to the…read morestudents, both kids and adults, is amazing. Leo Dalla is a world class practitioner and instructor. It doesn't matter if you train for self defense, competition, or general fitness, this is the place for you.

Well I came all the way from California to try this class out. I absolutely loved it. Every single…read moreminute that I was there the instructor was on point. Very detailed on his training, as you can see it on the faces from his students. If you're interested in jujitsu training and you live in the area please stop by to try this class. This is one spot on the map you definitely do not want to miss! Thank you Professor for your time and knowledge. I'll be coming back tomorrow for round two. Thank you and God bless

I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to provide their child structure, discipline, and…read morean enjoyable time. My four year old is always upset when he realizes there is no class at night, he looks forward to it every day. Mike and Jamie are excellent instructors and are extremely patient, entertaining and kind to children in the 4-7 age range. The instructors ensure all participants are practicing good hygiene and space in-between exercises and activities. Hand sanitizer and in depth cleaning is done to the mats and equipment prior to each class.

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!