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Fairfax Jiu Jitsu Academy
4.8 ★★★★★ 78 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chantilly, Virginia
Affiliated academy — reviews and the gym's own info point to a recognized BJJ lineage or affiliation (think Gracie Barra, 10th Planet, Renzo Gracie, Alliance, Atos or Checkmat). If lineage matters to you, ask which affiliation the academy belongs to and under whom the head instructor earned their black belt.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 6–13) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Women's classes dedicated women's BJJ classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule fairfaxjj.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Friday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Saturday | 10:30 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“If you just want to train casually and learn the fundamentals, you can do that here.”
“This is the perfect gym for adults or kids to try if you are new to martial arts, the people are fun and make you want to come in everyday.”
“The women’s program has been an incredible place to learn and be pushed by amazing higher belts who genuinely want to help you succeed.”
“If you are more serious and want to compete, then you will be pushed and given a proper fight camp.”
“The place is clean and big, lots of focus on calisthenics, drilling, then some free rolling in the anvil classes.”
“I was very hesitant at first because I had no idea what I was signing my son up for and what this can do for him besides self defense.”
“His unmatched energy, passion, and dedication create an environment where everyone — from beginners to seasoned athletes — feels supported, challenged, and motivated to grow.”
Other martial arts here
“Without a doubt, one of the best places to train Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and Capoeira in Northern Virginia.”
What members say
“Mark and Sam are great instructors, so dedicated to their craft, and they instill a love of the art into their students.”
“His unmatched energy, passion, and dedication create an environment where everyone — from beginners to seasoned athletes — feels supported, challenged, and motivated to grow.”
“The thing that makes this gym special is the family atmosphere, within a week i felt as if i was apart of the team and started hanging out with teammates outside the gym.”
“Coach Mark and Coach Sam were always supportive, helping me improve my technique and making each class enjoyable with a mix of drills and fun activities.”
“The facility is incredible with all the amenities that a student can ask for including locker room, showers, strength and conditioning area, cardio fitness area, lounge etc.”
“Hands down the best kids program.”
From the reviews
I'm coming up on 10 months of training at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu and my only regret is that I hadn't started sooner. Prior to my first class, I was anxious. It can be intimidating trying something new. But that anxiety soon left, because the culture inside Fairfax Jiu Jitsu is amazing.
I came to Fairfax Jiu Jitsu over a year ago looking for some martial arts training, unsure of exactly what form I was looking for. I had studied several forms over the years and was looking for something for the "long haul.
I joined FJJ late January 2017, here i am a year later still at the gym training 4-5 times a week. The thing that makes this gym special is the family atmosphere, within a week i felt as if i was apart of the team and started hanging out with teammates outside the gym.
We have greatly loved Fairfax Jiu Jitsu over the years! Mark and Sam are great instructors, so dedicated to their craft, and they instill a love of the art into their students.
New to BJJ? Start at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu Academy
Fairfax Jiu Jitsu Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first BJJ class at Fairfax Jiu Jitsu Academy
Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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