BETA Academy

I’ve been here now since September and I’m pretty happy with. Yes, it can be a little pricey but they have a large variety of options when it comes to classes and their hours are great. I usually come early in the morning or right before lunch time and it’s nice to be able to have that flexibility. I’ve done both the Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu classes here and the atmosphere here is one that’s welcoming and friendly, especially for newcomers and those not familiar with martial arts it’s one of the first things you should look at.
If you’re more experienced and tell them so you can skip the intro class and try out two classes before committing. They give you a free month at their ‘Foundations’ level class and honestly was told to do that first before signing up for their ‘Masters’ level classes.
What I enjoy the best is that their facilities are great. I’m used to having to have a gym membership in addition to BJJ/​Muay Thai tuition but their weight room is small but very well stocked, a lot of bumper plates and bars. I’ve spent hours here doing Muay thai, then jumping right into a jiu-​jitsu class and then hitting weights-​or trying to anyway.
The one weird peccadillo they have here is a ranked Muay Thai program, which is not traditional, other than that it’s a good school to come to in the area.

Wow. I have never spoken to such an a**hole on the phone. I called and asked where I can find pricing for taking their class. The guy on phone asked me for my full name and number, but i told him I just want to know where I can find it. When I refused, he hung up on me. I called back to speak to the manager and he told me to hold on, then he hung up on me. You guys are never going to have a successful business this way.

Amazing in all aspects. First class is FREE & it’s everything from jiu jitsu to Thai boxing. Private lessons are offered, but the group sessions are more fun & more fundamentals are taught. Amazing teachers, gear is provided for you once you officially sign up, kickboxing gloves, head gear, you name it. This place is spacious. Please be aware, you are not to wear shoes & in my opinion it’s more comfortable without socks.

My daughter started Muy Thai here 6 months ago and I have nothing but good things to say. The instructors are amazing. The owners (who are also instructors) are extremely patient and nurturing. My daughter (who only weighs 35 pounds) has learned so much in a short period of time (and just earned her yellow belt). If you want your kids to truly be trained in martial arts, bring them here. You won’t be disappointed.
P. S. Your kids might not want to mess with my kid on the playground. She’s a tough Tony now! Lol

Posted here before. Here’s An update!
So I managed to get my $ 179 back by filing a charge dispute with my bank. I chose to provide the bank with my email exchange with BETA, bills, my side of story etc. After several months it worked although at first I got a negative reply from the bank.
So beware and inform the gym WELL in advance (preferably via e-​mail or even written correspondence) that you’re not willing to be switched to a month-​2-​month basis after your contract expires. In case you’re still charged — file a dispute.
PS: And write down the names of the gym employees who briefed you on the company contractual policy at the time of contract signing :). It will sure be helpful, in case you’ll need to dispute a charge.

This is the worst gym I have ever been to they kept taking my money out of my account when I cancelled my membership I do not support this school or anyone in it!

I have only been to 3 classes and so far I have been very impressed. I enjoy the instructors and the class environment. I also love that this gym has a nice array of weight lifting equipment that can be used in class, between or before and after. This allows me to work out when I want even if I don’t want to take that particular class. The flexibility offered by this gym allows you to create your own personalized training method that fits your needs. I have been doing the Femme Fatale Fitness Boot Camp and I already see results from coach Laurie she’s amazing.

I’ve been inside many martial arts schools in my life and have seen the best and the worst the east coast has to offer.
I can honestly say there is no better place to train Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiujitsu in DC. If you want to learn either of these fighting systems, this is the place.
Some things that set Beta apart are:
* many entry-​level options (no experience necessary)
* diversity of classes (Braziliang JiuJitsu & Muay Thai classes are core, but there are also Wrestling, Judo, and a variety of fitness classes)
* active schedule (many training options for each day of the week)
* competition proven instructors (instructors actively compete at the national & world level)
* Kids classes

My experience at BETA Academy has been amazing and I can highly recommend it to anybody whether you’re looking just to pick up a new hobby, simply stay/​get in shape, or even for somebody looking to compete in martial arts at the highest levels.
They offer a wide variety of classes including BJJ (w/​gi and no gi), muay thai, wrestling, MMA, Judo, and strength and conditioning. Beginners need not fear — there are «fundamentals» courses to teach basics so that you can work up to the point of sparring (if you want to). Instructors for all the courses are decorated in their sport (s) and extremely nice, patient, and helpful.
If you are looking to compete, the environment at this gym is unbeatable. No ego and it’s all about team. In the advanced classes that are more geared towards competition, you will learn more advanced techniques and work endurance in intensive sparring rounds. I rarely finish a practice with any gas left in the tank (I see this as a good thing)
Speaking to some of the commentary on the business end of membership, you should do your best to gauge your expected commitment before signing up and if you have doubts, start with the more basic membership because you can always upgrade if you want later. What you want to avoid is getting locked up in a membership where you are paying for 4 classes a week, but you only have time for 2. Membership is not cheap (it won’t be at any gym that’s worth going to), so be honest with yourself about what sort of commitment you can sustain.
I can’t say enough good things about this place. Go check it out for yourself!

I went to BETA academy because they had this «special» where you get a month free trial. So, not being well versed in «scam,» I thought, oh, what a great opportunity to try this out since I want to be a bad ass and kick people.
The guy who gave me my one on one intro course was SO NICE and just good people. He was really thorough and VERY VERY VERY professional. I took a look around, and it seemed as if everyone was getting work done. I have no compunctions with the instruction.
The problem really started after the class was done, when we sat down to discuss pricing. Apparently you only get the one month free trial when you sign up for a 3 month, 6 month, or 1 year membership. If you sign up on the same day as your training, they waive the $ 285 (don’t quote me on that, but I think it was somewhere in that ballpark) signup fee. Otherwise, if you decide 2 days after your intro session that you want to do it, you have to pay it.
The classes are really expensive, and not very good for people that travel a lot, since they have a pretty set schedule. They said that if you’re out of town for a month or so, they will temporarily suspend your account so that time does not count towards your total, which is nice. The guy that gave me my intro session was also very nice and said that he would let me think it over for a few days, and if I wanted to sign up he would still waive the $ 285 signup fee.
The problem is that the best deal is a seven month membership which ends up costing you about $ 1300 altogether. For the BJJ, you also need some special body gear, which will cost you a hefty amount, too.
Overall, this is not a commitment to be taken lightly. You have to put your mind to it, and you have to be ready to make that financial commitment to it, otherwise you will be disappointed. While it was a GREAT experience for me, obviously I think that people have the right to know that the «one month free trial» is NOT a one month free trial, regardless of what they tell you on the phone (they will tell you that it’s a no strings attached, no commitment, free trial). You have to pay for a package, and they will throw in a free month.

This gym is awesome, the people are great, the staff is absolutely amazing… but if you get injured, you are out of luck.
You end up in limbo with this creepy billing service called «member solutions,» they require doctors notes to defer your membership but you keep getting charged, and no one on site at Beta Academy is actually involved in the process.
As someone else said below, they seem to be having trouble treading the line between business and school.
All that said, I still loved the people and the gym itself– really great instruction. I hope they fix these issues in the future.

3 stars is a composite score. I stretched the free month offer to about a month-​and-​a-​half a year ago, and that’s the extent of my experience at Beta, so take this review with that in mind.
5 Stars:
Good instructors, good organization, good atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the classes I took, the instructors all came across as sincere and knowledgeable, and the students were by and large very friendly.
1 Star:
Many martial arts academies struggle to walk the line between school and business, and Beta struggles more than most. You’ll get a hard-​sell to sign up immediately after your first intro class. When\if you decide to sign up, every membership plan involves a minimum time commitment, and a maximum cap on class attendance. The basic plan starts at a reasonable price, but adding more classes, or more programs can make the price skyrocket.
In short, if you’re ok with the pricing, and the contractual commitment doesn’t bother you, Beta is probably a great place to get in shape and learn some self-​defense. Otherwise, shop around first, there are other options in the DC area.

This is going to be a bit of an odd review, because I had a very positive experience with Beta Academy without having the opportunity to really train there long.
First, I had come to Beta after about a year of (intermittent) training at a muay thai gym in New York. A gym that pretty much let just about anybody take any class at any time no matter skill level. Great for getting into classes. Not great for really, really learning how to do the things you need to do in MMA.
At Beta they start you with an initial 1:1 appointment with an instructor. He gives you a basic lesson on your focus area of choice (muay thai, brazilian jiu jitsu or both). Within 15 minutes it was obvious that I would actually LEARN more here than I did in a year at my previous gym. I was instructed in the details of proper technique. How to use footwork. How to do it right. How to throw basic punches and techniques. Why. Strategy — not just doing reps for doing reps sake. I mean — in my first lesson I learned how to apply a kimura lock! That’s pretty cool.
Unfortunately, after signing on, I discovered that my schedule wouldn’t allow me to attend Beta’s classes as planned. Beta places you in a «section» for classes. They frown on just dropping into whatever classes you can whenever you can. You’re supposed to commit to a section/​schedule of classes and stick to it. All the better, I’m sure, for tracking real progress and growth.
Anyway, after legitimately establishing that I simply couldn’t meet the commitments of the schedule, Beta very graciously adjusted my membership. But, in the end, they responded to my emails, fielded my questions and concerns and treated me with respect. Which, I think, is all you can really want from a gym. To pay attention to you. Be fair. Treat you with respect.
Though I didn’t get to really train at Beta, I was around enough to see that the folks that train there are very, very legit in their skills and yet it’s a welcoming environment. They have clean facilities and a ton of pad space. I only wish that I could have made it work with my schedule to really get schooled by these guys. I’m confident that it would’ve given me some real skills — and a great workout, too.

Beta Academy is the truth!
I have been a student of Martial arts for over 10 years and Beta Academy is one of the most warm and inviting schools I have ever been in.
Nakaphan in an engaging and challenging instructor whose genuine god disposition and character drives you to excel. I will be going to many more classes.
GREAT JOB BETA ACADEMY!!!

One word comes to mind: horrendous
I went in for a free-​trial for Brazilian Jujitsu. I said OK, so I signed up to try it out.
Instructor tells me when the next beginners Jujitsu class starts. I go and the same instructors sees me and waves before the class starts. One problem: this was NOT the jujitsu class but the kickboxing class. For whatever reason the this guy doesn’t tell me (he may think it’s funny or whatever). All I can say is low-​class professionalism.
Am not returning.

Took a couple of classes here. Great workout and the other students are really helpful. The only reason I didn’t go back is because it is PRICEY!

The entire staff at BETA Academy makes the experience as enjoyable as possible for everyone who steps through their doors. They all express such a genuine interest in their students and are very eager to teach as much as they can to those who are willing to learn. It’s very refreshing to see a martial arts program that is so focused on the principles of teaching respect and honor as well.
Currently enrolled in their Muay Thai program and I’ve got to say Danny Chacon and Kru Napakan are the absolute best!

For being in a room with a bunch of half naked guys wrestling around I had a good time. All I knew about fighting before was hit’em when they aint looking and kick them when they down. Now I still do the same but I do it with style. One week there I learned some Spartacus skillz. I’m like Spartacus and everyone else is like people Spartacus kills. Grappling-​got it. Striking-​got it. Cardio-​been had it. I’m gonna beat your ass, rob you and I ain’t even need a gun.
So if you see me on the streets be scared. Be real scared. Not just cause I’m butt ugly, cause I’m a lethal weapon. Hide yo kids. Hide yo wife.

I just finished my free one week trial at BETA Academy and I’m looking forward to enrolling. The school offers a wide variety of programs such as Brazilian jiujitsu, Thai Boxing Mixed Martial Arts to name a few. I got to try all the programs during my week trial including a crazy Brazilian Dance martial art, Capoeira — had to spell check that! I’ve decided that Muay Thai was the martial art best suited to meet my needs so I’ll be focusing on that. That’s the great thing about the Academy, there are so many options to choose from and the programs are designed so that a complete beginner can learn martial arts in short period of time. They also have an extremely successful and challenging competition team for students who are looking to take their training to the next level.
There are very few options when it comes to martial arts in the DC area and even fewer what I would consider «professional» schools. At BETA I am lucky enough to train with the best in the business. The instruction is top notch and its rare to find a school packed with qualified instructors who are passionate about what they teach.
If you looking to get into or continue your martials arts training, I definitely recommend you check out BETA.

This place is run by Nakapan and his wife Melanie. He is a decorated jiu jitsu and Muay Thai competitor, and she is also a muay thai competitor. The school is affliliated with Team Lloyd Irvin, but since Nakapan started at Yamasaki, and received his black belt form Pedro Sauer, there is no bad mouthing other schools, or jiu jitsu politics that is too common at other schools.
They rent space in the basement of a large church (the space used to be used as a boxing gym) and hold classes six days a week. Although you don’t have heavy bags, a ring/​octogon and weight equipment like at some super gyms in the suburbs, their is plenty of mat space, the mats are new and clean, the people are friendly, and they have plenty of striking pads/​mitts and boxing gloves to go around.
Like many BJJ schools, you start with a warmup, some instruction, drills and then rolling at the end of class. There is more emphasis on conditioning than I have seen in other schools, so you will definitlely get a good workout – especially if you take Muay thai and BJJ classes back to back.
One big plus is that this isn’t one of those places that throws you to the wolves on your first day and sees if you survive. They have beginner classes and emphasize proper technique and drills, then move you into sparring if you think you are ready. If you haven’t done BJJ before, you will learn the techniques properly and if you already have some experience, the attention to detail will help you eliminate bad habits you may have and improve your game.
As for the Thai boxing, the structure is similar, with an emphasis on conditioning and proper striking techniques, then moving you into sparring as your skills improve.