BJJ Classes Near Washington DC

Short answer: One Way Martial Arts is about a 3-minute walk from Van Dorn Street station, and the Blue Line runs there from downtown Washington with no transfer. From Foggy Bottom, Google Maps shows about 30 minutes door to door; from Metro Center, about 35. By car it is about 10 miles from the Wharf. Adults and kids train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, No-Gi, Muay Thai, Boxing and Wrestling at 5416 Eisenhower Ave in Alexandria, Virginia, under 4x IBJJF World Champion Mahamed Aly.

Getting here from DC by Metro

Board the Blue Line toward Franconia-Springfield at Foggy Bottom-GWU, Farragut West, McPherson Square, Metro Center, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW, Capitol South or Eastern Market, and ride to Van Dorn Street. The academy is about a 3-minute walk from the station.

• Foggy Bottom-GWU: about 30 minutes door to door
• Metro Center: about 35 minutes
• L'Enfant Plaza: about 32 to 39 minutes (Blue Line, or Yellow Line to King Street and then Blue)
• Eastern Market: about 44 minutes
• Navy Yard-Ballpark: about 46 to 52 minutes, Green Line to L'Enfant Plaza, then Blue

These are Google Maps times for a weekday evening, when Blue Line trains run about every 9 minutes.

Getting here from DC by car

From the Wharf or Southwest, take I-395 South into Virginia, then Duke Street and South Van Dorn Street to Eisenhower Avenue. That is about 10.4 miles: usually 16 to 26 minutes on a weekend morning and 16 to 35 minutes on a weekday late morning. From Navy Yard and Capitol Riverfront, Google's fastest route is I-295 South to I-495 across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, about 12.3 miles and usually 16 to 24 minutes off-peak.

Weekday rush hour is the exception. Leaving the Wharf at 5:15 PM, Google Maps usually shows 24 to 50 minutes, so many evening trips are faster on the Blue Line. If you drive, parking at the academy is free and on site.

Classes that fit a DC workday

• Before work: BJJ or No-Gi at 6:00 AM Monday to Friday, then Boxing or Muay Thai at 7:00 AM Monday to Thursday
• After work: BJJ Fundamentals at 6:00 PM on Monday and Wednesday, Muay Thai Fundamentals at 6:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday
• Later evening: Muay Thai Fundamentals at 7:00 PM on Monday and Wednesday; BJJ All Levels at 7:00 PM and No-Gi All Levels at 8:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday; Wrestling for ages 14+ at 8:00 PM on Monday and Wednesday
• Weekends: Muay Thai at 10:00 AM, BJJ All Levels at 11:00 AM and Boxing at 12:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, plus No-Gi All Levels at 12:00 PM on Saturday

Each sport has Fundamentals or All Levels classes, so you do not need experience to start. See every time on the class schedule.

Who coaches you

Head coach Mahamed Aly is a 4x IBJJF World Champion and a professional MMA fighter who competed on Dana White's Contender Series. Co-founder Patrick Almeida is a BJJ black belt with 15+ years on the mat and an IBJJF Masters competitor. Giovanna Amaral, IBJJF Pan American Champion, and Malachi Edmond, IBJJF European Champion and World Silver Medalist, coach adult and kids BJJ. Jansey Jones Silva leads Muay Thai, Joshua Wong coaches Boxing and Wrestling, and Marcus Bluesteen coaches Kids BJJ and Wrestling. Read more on the team page.

Kids BJJ for DC families

Kids BJJ runs in four age groups: Tumblers (2–3), Tots (4–6), Kids (7–10) and Teens (11–14), and Kids Muay Thai starts at age 7. Weekday kids classes start between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM, in the middle of the evening rush, so Saturday morning is often the easier trip from DC: Tumblers at 9:30 AM, Kids and Teens No-Gi (ages 4–14) at 10:00 AM and Kids Muay Thai at 11:00 AM. Parents are welcome to watch. See every age group on the Kids BJJ page.

Your first class

Start with a free first class. Come in athletic clothes, and we lend you the gear you need. If you want to keep going, the next step is the 4-Week Jumpstart.

Before you come, read what to wear to your first BJJ class and our beginner’s guide to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Washington DC FAQ

How far is One Way Martial Arts from Washington DC?

By car, about 10 miles from the Wharf on I-395 South and about 12 miles from Navy Yard across the Wilson Bridge. Off-peak, Google Maps usually shows 16 to 35 minutes. By Metro, the Blue Line runs from downtown DC to Van Dorn Street with no transfer: about 30 minutes door to door from Foggy Bottom and about 35 minutes from Metro Center.

Can I take Metro from DC?

Yes. Take the Blue Line toward Franconia-Springfield and get off at Van Dorn Street, about a 3-minute walk from the academy. From Navy Yard, ride the Green Line to L'Enfant Plaza and switch to the Blue Line; Google Maps shows about 46 to 52 minutes door to door.

Can I make a 6:00 PM class after work in DC?

By Metro, yes. In Google's timetable, a Blue Line train leaving Foggy Bottom at about 5:20 PM arrives before 6:00 PM, and trains run about every 9 minutes at that hour. Driving from the Wharf at 5:15 PM usually takes 24 to 50 minutes, so the train is the safer choice.

Is there parking?

Yes. Parking at 5416 Eisenhower Ave is free and on site.

I have never trained. Where do I start?

Start with a free first class. Come in athletic clothes, and we lend you the gear you need. BJJ Fundamentals is built for new students, and no experience is needed.

Also near you: BJJ near Arlington VA and BJJ near National Harbor MD.

Visit Us From Washington DC

📍 5416 Eisenhower Ave, Alexandria VA 22304
📞 (703) 951-4440
🌐 onewaymartialarts.com

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