Capital MMA & Elite Fitness | Alexandria, VA

Fantastic experience: While traveling, options were limited for a Friday night class. Dropped in, and was welcomed by Darrell for their self-defense class. Small class, but all of them, great guys. They told me to come back the next morning for the BJJ class. Found an Uber, made my way back, and (wish I could remember his name) taught an excellent class. Meticulous with small details. Drilled and rolled with a bunch of the students, and the instructor. Each and everyone was welcoming, respectful, and a challenging roll. I know I left that class with more knowledge, and hopefully I provided each of my partners with tips and quality rolls as well. It’s extremely easy to see why this gym is stacked with high-praise 5 star reviews. I’m sure downtown DC has a host of gyms/academies. If you’re traveling, do yourself a favor and make the trip to Alexandria. They are a welcoming family.

Fantastic experience: awesome gym

Fantastic experience: Great gym for training all sorts of martial arts. Convenient time for all schedules and is super family friendly.

Fantastic experience: Came for the gym, stayed for the community. Incredible coaching and atmosphere. Easy to jump in for any fitness level. Super welcoming staff. Highly recommend coming in for a workout!

Fantastic experience: The best Crossfit gym I have ever been to! Incredible staff, very polite front desk (especially Kevin sometimes Jem).

Fantastic experience: This is the best gym ever!!

Fantastic experience: Excellent gym great staff everyone make you feel welcoming and treats you like family. Tim w

Fantastic experience: Been here for a couple of months and absolutely love it! The workouts are great and everyone is very welcoming from day 1. They do a lot of different events so that’s easier to meet people and make new friends!

Fantastic experience: I’ve had a great experience at Capital. All of the programs and coaches are great.

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA & Elite Fitness is amazing. The coaches make you feel extremely welcome. They are all very knowledgeable. 10/10 will be back!

Negative experience: Maybe the more you go, the more comfortable it becomes, but this is the 2nd gym that I've done Maui Thai at (and yes, i can't help comparing the two). Just something about the class is unwelcoming. I walked in and was confused. The instructor had rbf the whole time which was off putting from the jump, luckily a parent pointed him out to me becuase the instructor showed up after I didn't but then pointed out class starts at 1045 instead of introducing himself and the way the class is run. I had to ask all the questions to piece together what was what. That said the saving grace was the person that I paired with, without her I would have walked out of the class. I have two years of experience in Maui thai but the combos were lengthy and given two at a time, which left me lost in the sauce. Those that were true beginners were stuck on the bags while everyone else spared.I felt bad for them, especially if they paid for the class.

Fantastic experience: Being apart of Capitial MMA has really been a foundation on my life since 2021. Before I was apart of this gym I was in a dark place mental & just felt hollow.. it took time but this gym became one if not few places I can call this home/family. People are here to support you with open Communication whatever your going through, even more as will too help you I can’t ever thank CapitialMMA general manger (Don) what he’s allowed me to be apart of. Finally to say I’ve gained self defensive capabilities, mentality healthy, encourage & focused, connect with others, ability to laugh in joy is because of this gym brand it has helped me prepared/motivated on the next chapter of my life of becoming a mature adult.

Fantastic experience: I live close to this MMA gym; it is one of the best decisions I made this year! There are good coaches and great sparring partners; it feels like a community. You should 100% check them out! I believe it will help you!

Fantastic experience: I recently had the pleasure of experiencing Capital MMA & Elite Fitness with my 3 boys, and I am thrilled to share our little story. I have signed up for a family membership at a very reasonable $229 for all 4 of us, eager to get my kids to learn Jiu Jitsu and maybe other styles of MMA later. From the moment we walked in, we were impressed by the top-notch facilities, welcoming atmosphere, and the professionalism of the trainer. Our first three visits were nothing short of fantastic. The trainers were knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely cared about providing a great experience for my kids. My children were excited about the classes, and they learned a lot in a short time. However, we soon realized that we need to move to another city because our land lord decided to sell the house we rented. So, reluctantly, I decided to cancel our membership. I stopped driving kids to classes and wanted to cancel membership but postponed for 2 weeks until got charged for the next month. That was painful … and I called the office the same day. To my relief and surprise, the owner or director of the place, sorry, not sure, person named Don Ngo, was incredibly understanding and accommodating. Despite all the inconveniences Don went above and beyond to assist me. He processed my cancellation request promptly and refunded us more than the $229 we had paid. That was a relief :) This level of customer service exceeded my expectations and demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction that is rare to find. I highly recommend Capital MMA to anyone interested in MMA, fitness, Jiu Jitsu, whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner. The dedication of the staff, the quality of the training, and the outstanding customer service make it a standout facility. We may have had to cancel our membership due to our circumstances, but our brief experience there was just great! Thank you, Don, for your understanding and exceptional service. We hope to return someday when our circumstances change (maybe to another branch of yours that will be closer to our new home). In the meantime, we will definitely be spreading the word about your fantastic place! Blessings to you and all yours!

Fantastic experience: I want to enter these classes but my English is not good

Fantastic experience: Emailed ahead of time to ask about the drop-in policy/rate, and received a quick response inviting me in to take their 7am No-Gi class. Nice clean facility, friendly staff and students, and not pretentious at all. Perfect speed for an enthusiast like myself. The coaches were great, very knowledgeable and welcoming, and I had a lot of fun. Highly recommend for anyone looking to train Jiu Jitsu at any level - this is a gym that understands the community aspect of the sport and made me feel like one of their own as soon as I walked in the door. Will be back again when I visit next time!

Fantastic experience: Great staff and awesome instructors. Would highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA is the best!

Fantastic experience: I’ve been coming here for over three years. They offer great classes if you’re looking to get fit and learn some new skills.

Fantastic experience: I come here for CrossFit! It’s great! You will find a highly encouraging environment with top notch coaching. You won’t be disappointed.

Fantastic experience: This place is absolutely incredible! Get ready to experience a world of excitement where you can dive into a variety of sports that seamlessly complement each other (I do CrossFit and BJJ, but willing to try some others), helping you achieve your peak performance. The staff here is beyond amazing - super friendly and always eager to assist. The coaches are incredibly attentive, guiding you every step of the way towards improvement. And let's talk about the community - it's like finding a second home from day one! Trust me, you'll feel welcomed and supported from the moment you walk through the door. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to be a part of something truly special!

Fantastic experience: I've been going to Capital MMA Alexandria for 2 years now. They offer variety of classes like Crossfit, Muay Thai, boxing, MMA and BJJ. I've attended them all. The coaches are friendly and knowledgeable and the community is great. This is the best gym in the DMV area in my opinion.

Fantastic experience: Absolute best gym for busy and active families! Parents can do crossfit classes while the kids do BJJ! Inclusive community that gives back to many charities.

Fantastic experience: Great place, whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or have been going at it for years! Very knowledgeable coaches who go the extra mile to make all feel welcomed . Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been going to Capital MMA for a few months now. I like how there are a variety of classes. Everyone is so welcoming and the coaches are amazing!

Fantastic experience: I've been going to Capital MMA for over a year. I love this Gym! It is family-friendly, a great community, and gives back to the community in many ways. My son attends the boy's jiu-jitsu, and I attend CrossFit classes. Both classes have amazing coaches. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Great gym. Kru is awesome, everyone is there to learn and teach. Fantastic environment for Muay Thai ♥️

Fantastic experience: My favorite place! I'm here as often as possible. The kids classes are great and affordable. The ability to train at different locations is great. The training partners are great. The only downside is that are so many classes to try that it's impossible to do them all.

Fantastic experience: I joined Capital MMA & Elite Fitness in December 2013 and have nothing but positive things to say about this training facility. I commute 40 minutes to receive top notch instruction in CrossFit, MMA, Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and even boxing. My skills and fitness levels have improved more in the past 6 months, than in my previous training of 3 years. But what sets Capital apart from other gyms is the supportive community. This will literally become your second family. They also offer a variety of kids' programs, which adds to the welcoming atmosphere. Whether you join for fitness, hobby and/or skill development, Capital MMA will help you reach your goals! Love this place and proud to be apart of the family!

Fantastic experience: For the past 4 and a half years, Capital has been more than just a place to go, more than a mere "hobby", and more than a place to maintain good physical fitness. Capital MMA has been a second family. I've truly partaken in every single class that Capital has to offer (except for obviously the kids only or women only ones!). Every single instructor is top-notch; not only talented, and knowledgeable, but friendly, approachable, and genuinely concerned with the well-being of their students. Perfect for kids of all ages, there are a myriad of classes. There is CrossFit, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Yoga, and so much more. When I walk past the kids classes, be it CrossFit or Jiu-Jitsu, they seem to be having so much fun, and learning respect and fitness at the same time. Every day I spend on the mats, or with the weights is pure bliss (tiresome hard work, sweating and exhausted though, of course). Nothing beats my Capital family at both the Alexandria and Loudoun locations!

Fantastic experience: I started training at Capital last September and I'll tell you that I have never been to a school that has a welcoming environment. The different programs and instruction that is available to everyone is amazing. You are not just treated as a member of the gym but as part of a family. There are so many great people that you can and will develop friendships with along your training journey. I am a part of a great family environment and I recommend anyone that is looking for a great gym or school to train jiujitsu, Muay Thai, crossfit or full on MMA this is a school/gym for you. So come on and join a family that will welcome you and help you reach your goals!!

Fantastic experience: I have been training at Capital MMA since September of 2009, and I love it. I was hooked since the first day I walked on to the mats. Capital has an excellent array of personable and accessible instructors, great facilities that the owner is committed to constantly improving, a highly active competition team of top tier athletes, and an even more active and committed community. The people at Capital are not just members of a gym training together; they are a family, and watch out for each other on and off the mats. Try a class and and see what the community is all about!

Fantastic experience: The staff and instructors at Capital love what they're doing and it shows. Their expertise and passion for jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai are reflected in everything they do. Students are treated with respect and everyone there, students and staff alike, treat you like family. Whether you're just getting started or have a great deal of experience, Capital MMA is a great place to train.

Fantastic experience: I began training here in March 2012 and have been in love ever since. I started off exclusively doing Muay Thai my first 6 months because I came from a boxing background. Then I tried Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and was hooked. I started to incorporate other arts such as wrestling, Judo, and boxing into my arsenal to become a well rounded mixed martial artist. When I first moved to the DC metro area, the first things I looked for were a job and a gym to join. I went to trial classes at other gyms to test the waters but Capital just "felt" right. I'm an introvert so I'm really big on energy. All the coaches made me feel welcome, the facility is AMAZING, and it is an extremely welcoming and family environment. Capital MMA & Elite Fitness is my home away from home, my sanctuary, and my place of peace. And the people I train with daily have become my family. There are multiple programs available for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Please come out for a free trial class in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, CrossFit, boxing, or one of our women's only self defense seminars. You will not regret it!

Fantastic experience: I trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at another school and unfortunately due to multiple injuries stopped training consistently and eventually stopped going to class all together. Fast forward a year and a half, I see a deal on Groupon, I get a job 2 miles away from Capital MMA-Alexandria and I end up working with Capital MMA purple belt who encouraged me to use the Groupon and get back on the mat. What I like most about Capital MMA is that it is a non intimidating and encouraging environment to train at. Capital MMA also has both morning and evening BJJ classes which makes it very easy for students to develop a training schedule that works for them. I am a morning person and have been attending the 7am BJJ classes on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s with coaches Sean, Jeff, Jarrod and the morning crew. Everyone in class is down to earth, chill and always willing to help you improve your technique. Even though I am fairly new to Capital MMA and early in my Jiu Jitsu journey I feel that I am progressing, lasting longer when I roll with my partners and enjoying class more as I improve. I am having a great time learning the gentle art at Capital MMA and would recommend the school to anyone wanting to get on the mat.

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA & Elite Fitness offers a very challenging yet unintimidating training environment for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, or Cross Fit. The school counts professional MMA fighters as well as casual trainees amongst its students. All in all, joining this school was one of the best decisions I've made since coming to the National Capital Region.

Fantastic experience: I found Capital MMA in Alexandria after my kids and I trained Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at another school for several months. Capital was everything that was missing from the previous school: friendly students without huge egos or attitude and extremely technical instructors who sincerely care about your goals and progress. At Capital everyone is made to feel like an important member of the team, not just the elite athletes. Capital offers top instruction and strong competitors in Crossfit, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jistu, and MMA while being very inclusive of the hobbyist. My kids and I loved training here until we, unfortunately, moved from the area.

Fantastic experience: The flagship of an incredible group of schools. Something here for everyone at every time. So many quality offerings. An incredible place to learn, compete, and grow. Been training here for over 10 years and have made more friends than I can count. Looking forward to many more rolls on the mat, reps in the gym, and new friends and learning! Highly recommended!

Negative experience: Used Capital MMA for personal training. Owner was very nice, gym setups are good. But the trainer I worked with was unprofessional. Made a lot of random inappropriate comments, put downs, lot of last minute cancellations, would train a 2nd class while trying to train together, bring his 3 young children during training which is dangerous when they run around unsupervised.

Fantastic experience: Wow, where do you begin? AMAZING instructors!! Beautiful, clean facility. This place is outstanding! I highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Capital is full of people who are tougher than woodpecker lips but there are ZERO "tough guys." Jeremy and team have built and maintained a culture of supportive, effective, caring, and positive approaches to training. This culture transcends individual programs such as Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Crossfit, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling and THAT is no small feat. You will find yourself training right next to professional world champions and hobbiests alike and, if it weren't for their names, you would never be the wiser. Capital is your place for community, self improvement, exercise, and FUN. A truly unique and special organization. 10/5 starts from me!

Fantastic experience: Joining Capital MMA last summer has shown itself time and time again to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in the last year. It has fostered such structure and motivation in my life to continue my pursuit of learning through Muay Thai and BJJ, while my coaches also teach drive and dedication through not only their words but their actions. I have made friends that push me to be the best version of myself every single time I step on the mats. My coach has provided me with advice and strength training on his own time, with the pure intent to see me get stronger and perform better. I’m continually shocked and grateful that so many in this community are so giving with their time and knowledge (especially its leaders, coaches, and owners) and treat this not as a business relationship but one of true mentorship in every sense of the word. I’m thankful and lucky to have joined this gym and have only had exceedingly positive experiences on the mats.

Fantastic experience: My kids and I have trained at Alex and Lorton locations for almost 10 years. Great training, family environment, even my mom loves being there to watch her grandkids roll. If you're an adult that wants good training, come here. If you want your kids to learn to defend themselves, come here.

Fantastic experience: I personally love this place, I feel like everybody is friendly, and can help you reach your goal or help you with whatever journey you are on.

Fantastic experience: Been coming to Capital for BJJ for over 10 years when it rented upstairs space in Jungle's Gym (now Onelife Fitness near USPTO) and it has now grown to 7 locations in the DMV area. And it's pay at one location play at all; while centered around BJJ, that is not all they offer. Come to the Alexandria location for CrossFit, BJJ or Muay Thai, and you can go to Lorton for its Steel Mace or Ruck Fit class. Work in the city? You can go to DC H St for lunch and get in some BJJ. Takoma has boxing, judo and a women's only BJJ class. Loudon also has a women's only BJJ class and a KidsFit program. MMA is also offered at most locations for those aspiring world beaters. This is not an exhaustive list of all the locations or all the programs they offer. Capital is truly Elite Fitness! I take advantage of the unlimited class plan since I started taking my kids to the kid's BJJ program. And the schedule works out so I can take CrossFit at the same time. I also do the occasional yoga and Muay Thai class to round out my fitness routine. Even if the class schedule doesn't work for you, it is open most hours of the waking day, 6 days a week, for open mat/gym time. Just know scheduled classes get priority to mats and equipment. Very cost-effective if you can make it work. If you ever need to adjust your membership, due to sickness, extended out of town travel, etc., management is very responsive and will work with you. I haven't always taken so many classes during my time at Capital, because you know, life. All the programs are very welcoming and the instructors make you feel part of the Capital family. Its BJJ lineage is under the legendary Royce Gracie who dominated the early UFC tournaments and the Gracie family made BJJ and MMA what it is today. The founder and head instructor of Capital is the first practitioner in Virginia to get his black belt from Royce with all the others also a part of Capital. That said, Gracie BJJ wants to teach you how to defend yourself in real life situations, so self defense is a fundamental part of the curriculum. Muay Thai coaches are fighters themselves and while the techniques are workouts in and of itself, their goal is to show how it works in real situations. Joined CrossFit recently (even though they have offered this for years and during that time I thought CrossFit workouts were crazy and I could never do that! Even my sister is a certified CrossFit instructor! But she lives in another state.) and am mad I didn't take it earlier since it makes me better at BJJ. The certified coaches are very responsive as they will help you scale to your fitness level and cheer you along for motivation, even the other members will help and cheer, too. Coaches there can also help with nutrition and lifestyle goals. While each program does their own thing, there is no issue in jumping from one to another or dabble in them all like I do. There is also the Capital Cares program which gives back to the community with scholarships and donations to worthy causes. So it's not just a gym that takes your money and teaches you classes, they use some of that to give back to help empower the community all while inspiring the community to give back themselves. All in all I am glad I am part of Capital so you should give it a try if you have any type of fitness goals. They have membership plans for the occasional user to the "I'm cranky if I haven't worked out today" gym rat. Either way, Capital will help you build a better version of yourself. Oh! And there are locker rooms with showers to boot!

Fantastic experience: Awesome community. Everyone is always friendly and help motivate each other. Look forward to each day I get to better myself with the capital family

Fantastic experience: Love the place, I focus on Crossfit and the community and support from the coaches and management is awesome!

Fantastic experience: Great atmosphere and great coaches. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Been a member for many years. An MMA gym is not so scary as one may think. At least at the gym, everyone is trying to help others out. the environment is very friendly and family like. Self defense is also taught, and some fun events are held from time to time.

Fantastic experience: Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Value I love coming here. My kids do mma and I use the CrossFit gym. We come 5 days a week. The coaches are so good with the kids. Highly recommend. And for the price you absolutely cannot beat it.

Positive experience: Great gym

Negative experience: Lack of integrity for what’s most important.

Fantastic experience: An amazing experience at Capital! Since day 1 the CrossFit and BJJ coaches are welcoming as well as all the members! I’ve been a member at many different places over many years and this has been the best time!

Fantastic experience: Such a great place to train and the gym is run by even greater people. Capital has an awesome family atmosphere. Been training jiu-jitsu for over a year and the classes are an amazing combination of both mental and physical exercise. The coaches are great with all levels and are very welcoming. Just started the crossfit classes a few months ago and those are awesome too!

Fantastic experience: Great coaches, excellent facility, and a team-centered environment for all levels from beginner to amateur and pro. This is the only MMA/Muay Thai/Jiu Jitsu gym I would have membership with in the DMV area.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been so impressed and happy with my classes at Capital MMA Alexandria. The Muay Thai and BJJ classes are a great workout and very technical, leaving you feeling like you’re in better shape and you learned something tangible. I’ve especially enjoyed Muay Thai classes with Amine Ballafrikh (who is an amazing fighter, Lion Fight champion). Overall, an excellent choice for anyone

Fantastic experience: Outstanding gym that does an amazing job of taking care of its members day in and day out. The location space does favor MMA, but the crossfit area is well decked out with equipment and it has plenty of open gym time to allow members to get extra work in if they wish. Hands down one of the best values in terms of cost for Crossfit in the Alexandria area.

Fantastic experience: I was looking for a new type of gym and workout option because what I was doing at my old gym was nothing. I wanted to join a gym that is more interactive, challenging and has a great sense of community. I was very impressed with the knowledgeable staff and trainers, and even more with the other members. I was super intimidated at first, but everyone is so helpful and encouraging! Also, during this pandemic with COVID-19, they have been super supportive on social media with at home workouts and practices to keep you on track! I highly recommend Capital if you’re looking to try something new and/or if you’re looking for great trainers for kickboxing, Muay That, CrossFit and so much more!

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA has been like family for nearly 10 years for me. It's more than a gym...it's a positive and supportive community. Doesn't matter if you're brand new or a seasoned vet, everyone is welcomed with open arms and boosted. Being at other gyms before Capital, I know that's special

Fantastic experience: The gym, the instructors, and the members are very welcoming, and accommodating for all fitness levels. Capital Crossfit members are from a wide range of skills and ages. The instructors are superb at providing coaching to all levels. It's like having your own personal trainer and fan club. Love this gym! Recommend it to all levels. When I want to get more competitive in a particular skill, or train for something outside of crossfit, the trainers are knowledgeable and eager to help design personal programs that help to meet those goals. Love this gym - perfect!

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA & Elite Fitness has continued to exceed my expectations. I've been doing Crossfit at this location since September of 2017. The coaches are helpful, non-condescending, and there with you at every step of the way. I felt extremely intimidated at the beginning, but found some really good, quality people I can call friends. 10-10-10s across the board.

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA enables

Fantastic experience: A great staff and environment. The family atmosphere is priceless. During this whole situation they have completely adapted and still do their best to provide excellent service and go above and beyond

Fantastic experience: Staff and Coaches are very friendly and know what they are talking about. Great atmosphere to work hard. Environment allows you to accomplish whatever your goals are. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Capital is our little neighborhood gem. Just like your favorite local bar or restaurant, you may not even know it's there... until you do. And then you can't believe you didn't know sooner. It's a great community with fantastic coaches, all supporting you to get where you are going. SUPPORT LOCAL!

Fantastic experience: One of the most tight knit CrossFit groups I've ever been with. Everybody here has common goals in terms of fitness and trying to get better. It's a stress reliever knowing I am coming to class and working out with my friends. Thank you Capital.

Fantastic experience: The gym, the instructors, and the members are very welcoming, and accommodating for all fitness levels. Capital Crossfit members are from a wide range of skills and ages. The instructors are superb at providing coaching to all levels. It's like having your own personal trainer and fan club. Love this gym! Recommend it to all levels. When I want to get more competitive in a particular skill, or train for something outside of crossfit, the trainers are knowledgeable and eager to help design personal programs that help to meet those goals. Love this gym - perfect!

Fantastic experience: I was doing Muay Thai for many years until an injury took me out of competition for a while. Capital is an amazing place to train and learn from some very experienced and competent fighters. They give their all and they expect the same in return. While training at Capital for over a year I became a much more confident and accomplished fighter and was in the best shape of my life. I highly recommend checking them out whether you are an experienced fighter looking for a great gym or just thinking about getting in to Muay Thai.

Fantastic experience: I've been coming to this gym for a few months now and I can't say but but great things about it. They have great fundamentals to introduce new people to the different diciplines they offer and the staff is always helpful with questions about the programs. I'd recommend it for anyone who is interested in starting up or coming back to martial arts in general.

Fantastic experience: Joined this gym about 2 years ago. Initially came to do Jiu Jistsu and Muay Thai Kickboxing but got immediately addicted to the kickboxing. The coaches are approachable and clearly have extensive knowledge and experience. Several different coaches who all offer different style and and a variety of techniques. Great for fitness and all level of experience. I plan to continue here for the foreseeable future.

Fantastic experience: best place for beginners and all

Fantastic experience: Great spot, great leadership and Jiu-Jitsu lineage. I suggest anyone in the area to check it out!

Fantastic experience: Multiple black belts, Warrior's spirit on mats, Jiu-jtsu for life. -haiku-

Fantastic experience: Walked in lastnight and I have to say staff was great the gym is great and most of all the culture that they have built is amazing members are friendly definately recomend swinging thru when in town and check them out. Thanks guys

Fantastic experience: Loving my new BJJ home. Super friendly, great instructors, lots of ladies (and guys) to train with!

Negative experience: I could say a lot. The black belts are cool. But some of the coaches aren't really teachers. They go over the lesson for the day and throw you to the wolves. Students learn things like arm bars, triangle chokes, rear naked chokes. But then when you roll, you haven't learned anything about setting up a submission. Defending the mount. Defending knee on belly. transitioning from one move to the next. You will spend the first 6-9 months LOST. The most you might learn to do is survive but thats it. I asked an instructor about why we do a technique a certain way and not the other way and he said in a smug way "Master Royce tells us to do it this way and thats the way you do it." If Gracie jiu jitsu is supposed to be a constantly evolving art then certainly the answer to a question about a certain technique shouldn't be "Just do it." And lets not talk about promotions. Certain instructors have said out of their mouths that they don't make it a point to give out stripes. They say you are not allowed to spar after the first 15 classes. Well that is a bold face lie because I was being choked out and arm barred by a high level belt during my 3rd class. But if you want to know what the bar is to measure your progress you better watch a LOT of Youtube videos. No one will teach you things like for example, what a spider guard is. The color belts will catch you in it in sparring. And you just have to figure it out. Schools are for places of learning. But I have learned more watching YouTube. I'm currently looking for another school. While it might be good for some or most it isn't good for me. Nice people. But a lot of the teachers are self absorbed and disconnected from the process of passing on knowledge to their students. And for the schools to be ran by school teachers, the saying "There are no bad students just bad teachers" seems to only apply to academics. But hey.....you got your brown belt so who cares what your white belts know or dont know right?

Fantastic experience: This place isn’t my gym - it’s my home. I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at a low point in my life, and it’s the people behind the gym that really gave me the confidence boost and strength to take in life. The coaches are true professionals with extensive experience. The best part is they and the other members become your friends, because we all support each other. They even encouraged me to pick up Muay Thai. It’s this gym that convinced me to move from Arlington to Alexandria, so I could be closer and continue learning! If you’ve never tried martial arts because you’ve felt intimidated, please come out and try Capital. Everyone starts somewhere, and the team is happy to meet you!

Fantastic experience: My three children attend BJJ and Striking classes here. It is fun and engaging! The coaches are very knowledgeable and are great at teachers by kids! My kids love it! They are always ready to come to class! Very pleased! Definitely recommend getting the family involved! So worth it!

Fantastic experience: Weighing in at over 311 lbs and faced with numerous health issues such as degenerative arthritis, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and obesity, l decided to change my life and enroll in Gracie Jiu Jitsu at Capital MMA in April 2015. I am an ordinary person who let myself get extremely overweight and unhealthy over the course of several years. I was quite ashamed that I let myself get to the point of needing to lose so much weight. Finding Capital MMA changed my life. The benefits in Gracie Jiu Jitsu outweigh any other single form of exercise, which helped achieve my goal of losing 90lbs and maintaining a high level of fitness. I continue to enjoy a healthy lifestyle of clean food, family time and an abundance of positive energy. Capital MMA is more than a gym; it’s a family, my family. I love this place.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym! I have to say, I was pretty intimidated when I first looked around, but as soon as you decide to take a class, everyone was so helpful and they keep on helping you according to your fitness needs. Members here don’t just worry or look out for themselves but really enthusiastic about people helping others. Look... at the end of the day, you find yourself with a new hobby, a few months down the line, you see your body changing looking more fit and toned and you find yourself surrounded by people with good morals and genuine intentions always helping the new. I am proud to be part of Capital MMA and you should be too... just take a chance and take one class... that’s all you need to do. ✌ PEACE!!

Fantastic experience: Started here a few months ago, and really enjoy this place! Great offerings of classes & times make it easy for working/family schedules. All of the coaches are engaging and extremely knowledgeable; laid back but professional teaching styles. Best of all they have multiple locations in the Capitol area. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for an MMA gym! (BJJ, Muy Thai, MMA,) I can't get over how welcoming the staff has been since I started. Keep up the great work, guys!

Fantastic experience: I have been going to Capital for 9 months now and I love it. I have made amazing friends and the coaches are all great. They were all very welcoming and always help me modify or adjust workouts as needed !! I highly suggest this gym.

Fantastic experience: So I live in DE but come back for doctors appointments once a month. I like to visit different gyms and as I’ve moved 495 and 270 have become a bit more stressful for me as my tolerance for the ahhhhh silly drivers has gone down. I called capital mma and talked to one of the dons there. Really nice guys. I had asked if I could pop for a some Jujitsu and the said sure. I was a bit late but still they very kind and accommodating. This is one of those gyms that you get the sense that you are welcomed like a home. I walked onto the mat and I believe his name was rahz greeted and welcomed me in as a partner. He was very nice very welcoming. I enjoy my visit so much and the instructors there so nice and knowledgeable. I learned a new choke for no Gi which I don’t practice to much. That atmosphere was wonderful and the mats were very clean. If your in the Alexandria area I would definitely recommend it. Thank you all and good luck to you team. Hope to see you all again sometime.

Fantastic experience: I was nervous in starting a new gym yet alone a cross fit gym. Staff, coaches, instructors and other members are the best. Everyone is willing to help and teach. The best thing to do for the new year is learn something new and lose weight. You can do both at Capital MMA, learn BJJ and/or May Thai and lose weight with Cross Fit!! Great family and experience. Come in on Saturdays and check it out, don't be nervous.

Fantastic experience: Capital MMA is my little vacation away from the world. When I step through their doors all the clutter in my head goes away. The stresses of work, worries, anxiety, and thoughts all go for a brief bit of my day. I walk onto the mat and start training and improving both my body and mind. Capital is a very friendly gym. Everyone I meet at Capital makes me feel like family which is great for transplants to the DC area like my Wife and I. They are helping me reach my goals and I am very thankful. You will not be disappointed.

Fantastic experience: I have been practicing Muay Thai at this location for over a year now and could not recommend the coaches or training environment more highly.

Fantastic experience: Best Coaches in the DMV, Fun and Friendly staff!!!

Fantastic experience: Started crossfit here and love the community in the gym. Everyone is encouraging and moral is top notch. Def recommend giving it a shot!

Fantastic experience: Amazing facility! knowledgeable coaches, and very humble training mates. Every coach goes out of there way to always assist students with new material!

Fantastic experience: Community minded establishment with both top tier fighter training and excellent youth programs. Easy 5 stars.

Fantastic experience: Everything you need in a MMA/ CrossFit gym. Great instructors and a fun, competitive environment.

Fantastic experience: Absolutely flawless facility with fantastic faculty. Excels in every category couldn’t stress my recommendation for buying a membership enough

Fantastic experience: I do BJJ and CrossFit here. All the instructors and coaches are amazing. Everyone is supportive. Great place to train, great community.

Fantastic experience: Great place to train. Open all day, everyday, not like most other JJ gyms who are only open a couple of hours a day. Everything you need under one roof. Great fam atmosphere.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic Jiu-Jitsu school. Jeremy Lafreniere is a world-class teacher who has created a unique environment full of instructors and students that enjoy learning, teaching and practicing the art.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been a proud member here for three years and I cannot say enough good things. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, but they constantly keep you on task and challenge you. The other members are fellow professionals from the area who are respectful and embody the idea that one’s opponents are truly one’s teachers. I have tons of pride in this family! Come in and start your journey ! OSSSSU!

Fantastic experience: Tons of high level martial artists to train with, lots of beginners too. Great coaches and two trainers from Thailand run the Muay Thai program. I moved from PA to join this gym.

Fantastic experience: Awesome gym! I have to say, I was pretty intimidated when I first looked around, but as soon as you decide to take a class, everyone was so helpful and they keep on helping you according to your fitness needs. Members here don’t just worry or look out for themselves but really enthusiastic about people helping others. Look... at the end of the day, you find yourself with a new hobby, a few months down the line, you see your body changing looking more fit and toned and you find yourself surrounded by people with good morals and genuine intentions always helping the new. I am proud to be part of Capital MMA and you should be too... just take a chance and take one class... that’s all you need to do. ✌ PEACE!!

Fantastic experience: I have been doing crossfit here for two years and it is the best experience ever! The coaches make the workouts fun and everyone knows everyone. For the first couple weeks of starting, you'll be sore but afterwards you'll love it! If you are all about routine workouts, this is not for you.

Fantastic experience: As far as MMA gyms in the Northern Virginia area go, this is one of the best. A lot of MMA gyms tend to have a very misogynistic culture, which can be a real turn-off for any woman trying to get into the sport, but this is NOT THE CASE at Capital MMA. I always feel like I'm treated just like everyone else by the coaches and staff here, and I'm taken as seriously as I want to be. I've been to a lot of gyms around DC and across the country, and sadly, it's really rare to find this kind of immediate, unconditional gender equality. As a woman, I know how important this issue is in finding an MMA gym that suits you, so I want to make sure and emphasize this point for any woman who is considering starting a martial art. As far as instruction goes, very well organized and orchestrated. The Muay Thai program has "themes" of each week (e.g. one week, it could be working on head covers, the next it could be effective feints), but it doesn't necessarily mean that all you do is work on that one single thing. I find this method of teaching really effective, because it allows you to develop depth in a certain skill, build some muscle memory, and retain all the different combos and strategies you learn regarding that theme - kind of like a Memory Palace. The instructors are really helpful during class, and walk around between groups to ensure everyone is going and the right pace and utilizing proper technique.