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Haven Grappling Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 146 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Fairfax, Virginia
Authentic Thai — reviews and the gym's own info point to coaching rooted in Thailand's muay thai tradition. If lineage matters to you, ask where the coaches trained and about their kru.
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 muay thai classes (ages 6–14) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule havengrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 571-620-6022
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 5–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 5–8 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–7 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | 10–11 am |
The classes they run
“The class structure is focused on games and application of techniques and concepts which I felt was great for all levels of grapplers to jump in and learn something new.”
“They are also great with kids, which I can attest to as the parent of two that are currently under their tutelage.”
Other martial arts here
“If you're looking for a good, clean place to go train and focus on jiujitsu, Haven Grappling Academy looks to be a great place to do so.”
What members say
“The coaches are knowledgeable, patient and genuinely care about each child’s growth and progress.”
“The class structure is focused on games and application of techniques and concepts which I felt was great for all levels of grapplers to jump in and learn something new.”
“If you're looking for a place where you can grow as a grappler and be part of a supportive community, Haven Grappling Academy is the place to be.”
“The class structure is focused on games and application of techniques and concepts which I felt was great for all levels of grapplers to jump in and learn something new.”
“The space is clean and super aesthetically pleasing with private changing rooms, a nice bathroom, and cubbies for all of your things.”
“As a smaller female with no previous jiu jitsu experience, I could not have picked a better gym to be introduced to the sport.”
From the reviews
Troy and the crew at Haven Grappling are amazing. I’ve trained with Troy for years and he is not only knowledgeable about grappling but more importantly knowledgeable about teaching as well.
Traveling to the area for a couple weeks and checked out a couple different gyms. My experience at Haven grappling was unmatched. Here’s why: Culture- probably my biggest determining factor. The members here are extremely welcoming and helpful, and seemed to really enjoy being there.
Can’t recommend Haven Grappling enough. Troy is super easy to talk to, the community is very easy to get into, and the members are very friendly. Haven teaches jiujitsu in a very simplified method of learning through games, which is helpful by applying what you learn and practicing the skills needed.
I regularly train at another gym in the area, but I was looking for somewhere to get a midday session in because I happened to be off of work. Troy was extremely welcoming and ran an amazing class. The atmosphere of the gym made it clear that the owners keep the mats clean and the gym organized.
New to muay thai? Start at Haven Grappling Academy
Haven Grappling Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, 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 to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. 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. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first muay thai class at Haven Grappling Academy
Nervous about walking into a muay thai 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 the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, 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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