Short answer: training at 6 AM works because nothing else is competing for that hour. No late meetings, no traffic, no kids' activities. At One Way Martial Arts in Alexandria, VA, we run a 6:00 AM grappling class every weekday, and the people who take it are some of the most consistent students in the building.
What is on the morning schedule?
Monday to Friday there is a class at 6:00 AM and another at 7:00 AM:
- 6:00 AM: BJJ on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and No-Gi on Wednesday. Fundamentals and All Levels classes alternate through the week, so beginners are welcome.
- 7:00 AM: striking. Boxing on Monday and Wednesday, Muay Thai on Tuesday and Thursday, and School of Combat and sparring for students on Friday.
Always check the live class schedule before you come, since holiday hours can change.
Why mornings are easier to keep
Most people who quit martial arts do not quit because they stopped liking it. They quit because evening plans kept winning. Work runs late, dinner needs cooking, someone needs a ride. By 7 PM your willpower has already been spent on everything else.
At 6 AM the decision is simple. The only thing between you and the mat is the alarm. Once training becomes the first thing you do, the rest of the day cannot cancel it.
There is also the way you feel afterwards. Francesco L., who trains in the mornings because of his work schedule, wrote in a Google review: "I attend the 6 AM classes due to my work schedule, and I can confidently say I always leave with a smile on my face after training."
Who shows up at 6 AM?
Federal employees, managers, business owners, parents who want to be home for dinner, and commuters who would rather sit on a mat than in traffic. The group is small enough that everyone knows each other, and coaches have more time for individual corrections.
Michael L. described the room this way in his review: "I've only been able to take the 6am BJJ classes, but everyone in those classes are great athletes but even better people. Not an ego in sight, everyone works to help each other get better."
How to make early training stick
- Pack the night before. Gi or rash guard, belt, water, work clothes, towel. If the bag is by the door, half the battle is done.
- Protect your bedtime. A 6 AM class needs a 9:30 or 10 PM lights-out. Treat sleep as part of training.
- Eat light or not at all. A banana or a small snack is enough for most people. Have your real breakfast afterwards.
- Shower here. We have showers on site, so you can go straight to the office.
- Start with two mornings a week. Pick fixed days and hold them for a month before adding more.
- Tell a training partner you are coming. It is much harder to skip when someone is expecting you.
Getting here before work
We are at 5416 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria, VA 22304, with free on-site parking, and the Van Dorn Street Metro station on the Blue Line is right by the academy. Students come in from Arlington, Springfield and Annandale, train, shower and continue on to work.
Is 6 AM a good time for beginners?
Yes. Morning classes follow the same curriculum as the evening ones, and the smaller group can make a first class less intimidating. If you have never trained before, read our beginner's guide to starting BJJ, then get your free first class and tell us you want to try a morning class.
Frequently asked questions
What time are the morning BJJ classes at One Way Martial Arts?
Grappling classes start at 6:00 AM Monday to Friday, with BJJ on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and No-Gi on Wednesday. Striking classes start at 7:00 AM.
Can beginners take the 6 AM class?
Yes. Fundamentals and All Levels classes run in the morning, no experience is needed, and you can start with a free first class.
Are there showers at the gym?
Yes. One Way Martial Arts at 5416 Eisenhower Ave in Alexandria, VA has showers, so you can train at 6 AM and go straight to work.