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Total Defense Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Staunton, 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
- 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 6–16) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule totaldefensema.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 540-968-0045
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–8:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:15–8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9–11 am |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“This martial arts school offers outstanding instruction in both American Style Boxing and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu for children and adults alike.”
“I have been training in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program and I can definitely say that it has helped me in more ways than just self defense.”
“Whether a beginner or experienced, this would be a great place to train BJJ.”
Other martial arts here
“This martial arts school offers outstanding instruction in both American Style Boxing and Brazillian Jiu Jitsu for children and adults alike.”
“The facility is scrubbed and cleaned daily, not weekly like most karate and taekwondo schools.”
What members say
“Brian is a great coach and the quality of his instruction is up there with the best of them (also just an all around good guy).”
“Everyone is super welcoming, from the instructors on down to the lowest white belts.”
“I'm in the Filipino martial arts class and the instructor is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of his class.”
“They teach good clean technique and everyone I've rolled with there was respectful and safe to roll with (no unnecessary roughness or uncontrolled movements).”
“The school was clean, organized and most importantly had an atmosphere that showed the most important aspects of jiu-jitsu; humility and respect.”
From the reviews
I have been training at Total Defense Martial Arts for 4 years and I absolutely love it. I have been training in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program and I can definitely say that it has helped me in more ways than just self defense. The gym is very family friendly and has an awesome children's program.
I’ve been training BJJ for well over 20 years. I’ve always been a little hesitant to drop in to gyms while traveling. I found this gym online and asked about dropping in. I was welcomed with open arms. I was extremely impressed with the school.
I've been in the law enforcement and security field for over 20 years the stuff our great coaches are teaching is phenomenal. From the kids classes to the adults the coaches are very vested in there students. If you want to learn BJJ or get your kids involved in it this school is the place to do it.
I'm in the Filipino martial arts class and the instructor is very friendly and extremely knowledgeable of his class. I've met all the instructors. They all focus on teaching both self defense and fitness while keeping a a safe family oriented environment.
New to BJJ? Start at Total Defense Martial Arts
Total Defense Martial Arts 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 Total Defense Martial Arts
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 when you call. 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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