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May 2024 by Christian Polit
Capital MMA Lorton is an absolutely incredible school and (in my humble opinion) the best Capital MMA location in the DMV. After having tried multiple gyms including other Capital MMA locations I settled on Lorton to practice BJJ for multiple reasons and have been going here for 2 years. One, the gym is beautiful- It's part of an old prison complex which is striking (pun intended) and lets in an amazing amount of light. The mats are always clean and ready to go. Another reason for this being the best BJJ gym is the quality of people that go here. Yes, it can be busy but the other practitioners are absolute killers. Not only are these high levels players and wrestlers but they are extremely knowledgeable and always willing to work with you and humble you. I am biased but the Noon class has always had excellent instruction, quality people, and never disappointed. On that point, the instruction from the BJJ black belts Chad and Paul is amazing. Chad is patient, confident in his practice, and able to communicate well - all qualities you want to see in an instructor. Chad is also a competitive black belt and in incredible shape which means he isn't just talk, he will put you in a pretzel but explain how he did it and show you on him. Paul is also an incredible instructor who has an amazing repertoire of BJJ moves which he is able to replicate for beginners to experts. Both are incredible communicators and are dedicated to improving everyone's BJJ at this gym. I will say the instruction and the motivation for fitness and BJJ from BJ Ketchum is equally as important. BJ was there for me during a difficult time in my life both on and off the mats. I could write another paragraph on him alone but suffice to say that his ability to motivate and connect with others, support them, and his willingness to make the world a better place speaks volumes of him. Chad, Paul, and BJ have and continue to build upon a strong and enduring program that is able to instruct everyone from kids to adults.I am sad to leave but fortunate to have gotten my blue belt and made so many friends at this gym. The only negative I have to say for Capital MMA Lorton is that they set the bar incredibly high and, so far, no other gym up and down the East Coast has been able to meet.
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December 2023 by Rahel T.
I have been using Elite for the past 6 months I see a big change on my two children they show good behavior overall also they are always excited about there class. I recommend them for boys and girls.
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July 2023 by Riley Michel
Capital MMA & Elite Fitness has not only made me feel welcomed as a novice female but has also made me feel safe and respected. Coach Paul’s fundamental classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights are a great way to get started in jiu jitsu. The mat space is beautiful and clean, and the coaches and students will start to feel like a family if you give it time.
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December 2022 by Nestor Feliciano
Perfect MMA school if you are going solo or bringing the family. Chad and Paul have done a fantastic job keeping the gym culture humble and welcoming all skill levels while still keeping to the attributes of intensity, technical skill, and patiently promoting students. My kids had a great experience with their instructors especially with positive character development and pushing towards realistic expectations.I whole heartedly recommend this school for anyone who is ready to train, meet good people, and evolve!
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October 2022 by Joe Brooks
Incredible location. Clean, friendly, and challenging.Highly athletic and challenging classes that always push you to learn more.The instructors and senior students always find a way to keep the newer students learning and growing even in the most difficult classes.Highly recommend. Also, non related - beautiful sunsets and location.
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April 2022 by Austin L.
Coming from San Franciso and having begun my BJJ journey at the Ralph Gracie academy there (shout out Kurt Osiander), I was unsure what training in Virginia would be like. Like most folks, I did a little research and checked out Capital. I was super impressed with staff, students and facilities. First thing I'll mention is the Lorton location is located in an old prison, which is actually super fucking cool and makes the whole experience somewhat "authentic" (I'm sure im not the first person to get choked out in what was previously a prison chow hall). Now, its not all bars and concrete, the whole place was gutted and the renovation is completely modern and clean, but still has a rugged feel. In terms of the staff, Chad seems to be the head instructor there and brings years of MMA experience and training to sessions. Chad is also super funny, completely approachable and absolutely pays attention to each and every student. Because im an early riser, I did a lot of my training with Paul, who is also an incredible instructor and definitely pushed me to get better while still remaining patient enough to show me where I fucked up. Finally, The students are great too! As a 33 year old man, getting submitted out by a 17 year old was a humbling experience, but these kids are so nice and committed, you can't have fun. I know they do other fitness stuff, which I never got to experience, but if you're looking for a great roll, or just getting started, Capital is the place to go.
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April 2022 by John Chapman
Capital MMA Lorton easily gets my 5 stars. Ive been with Capital since 2012 for a reason. Capital has top notch instructors with a deep passion for their craft. Capital MMA Lorton in particular is very spacious and surprisingly clean for a combat gym!We have plans, and the resources to push you mentally, physically, and to help you reach your goals- Whether it be to lose weight, stay in shape, become an amateur or pro fighter...We got you!! Even if you just want to come out and have fun or try something new, you'll find what you need here.
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April 2022 by Ava Wright
Chad is an awesome trainer. He's dedication and commitment to his craft is amazing. He's creative, focused and knowledgeable and always excited about our workouts, sometimes more than me. He challenges me to push beyond my limits which is proving to be very rewarding. Great trainer!!
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April 2022 by Michael Vu
This is a great place to train BJJ. The group welcomes everyone. Chad is an awesome instructor; he is very humble and down to earth. He'll definitely help you level up. The new, beautiful location is out of this world. Great location, plenty of parking.
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April 2022 by Manny Laryea
Great coaches and great atmosphere. Really love the classes, the people, and the coaching. The coaches have always taken time to answer my questions and help me get better with my techniques. Would suggest attending this gym to anyone looking to get into martial arts
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April 2022 by Lloyd Smith
Great team, coaches, and facilities. Quickly becomes family.When I started I had no prior experience with martial arts and was anxious about starting. My anxiety was unfounded as the training environment has proved to be safe, friendly, and fun. I even enrolled my three kids and they love it.
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April 2022 by BJ Ketchem
Great coaches and great family atmosphere. I can’t recommend Capital MMA Lorton enough.
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January 2022 by A Mil
The coaching staff are good when working with the kids. Unfortunately, they are unresponsive to military families who need to disenroll due to PCS'ing. Even after emailing numerous times over three months requesting to be disenrolled, we continue to be charged. Given this company and gyms decision to charge families who are no longer using their gym, I would highly recommend interested parties look elsewhere.Update - 4 months after sending the notification to cancel, we are still being charged.
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December 2021 by Joseph Hunter
I was more than satisfied with every aspect of Capital, from it training staff to its handling of military and emergency issues. As a member of the military, finding gyms that work with us to make sure we are not locked into a contract is hard to come by. But one of the owners being a former military member, has allowed them to come up with a system that benefits soldiers who train there. The amount of accumulated experience at this gym is outstanding and really provides multiple levels or training styles to help aid any type of student.Many gyms have a bad cliquy style atmosphere when they have a competitive team, but not Capital. They welcome and encourage everyone to participate in and train with the competitive team to really give you the best value for your training. I highly recommend Capital for anyone looking for a place to start training with Jiu Jitsu .
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December 2021 by Matthew Holland
Wide variety of programs (Muay Thai, BJJ, Strength and Fitness, Ruck, etc.) built and run to provide both physical and mental challenges for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Capital coaches and owners foster growth and a real sense of community.
