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Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge
4.9 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Judo dojo in Woodbridge, Virginia
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most dojos 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 judo classes (ages 4–16) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Competition a competition team for members who want to test themselves in shiai (tournaments)
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule yamasakiwoodbridge.com — book classes and see the live schedule
Hours
| Monday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 11 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge is an ideal environment whether you wish to compete or you simply are interested in trying out martial arts for the first time.”
“The people and the culture of the gym are fantastic and it is a welcoming place for kids and new adults, as well as for more advanced fighters.”
“Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge is an ideal environment whether you wish to compete or you simply are interested in trying out martial arts for the first time.”
Other martial arts here
“The jiu-jitsu program constantly motivates him to work harder and improve, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.”
“I do muay thai and have had a great experience, but they also do other MMA practices as well.”
What members say
“The training here is great with, in my opinion, the best instructors in the area.”
“Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge is an ideal environment whether you wish to compete or you simply are interested in trying out martial arts for the first time.”
“The people and the culture of the gym are fantastic and it is a welcoming place for kids and new adults, as well as for more advanced fighters.”
“Although I don’t train in martial arts myself, I do attend the body conditioning classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — and I love them!”
“I also recommend the kids program, my daughter loves it!”
“The couching staff worked to provide a safe and clean environment for training.”
From the reviews
I highly recommend starting off with trying every class. This being my first first experience with martial arts, has to be the most exciting and challenging adventure thanks to the Yamasaki staff. I was able to learn and condition at a high level from day one.
My teenage son has been going here for a couple years now doing Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and loves it. All the coaches are experts and know how to work with each person to help identify strengths and weaknesses but also encouraging you to your full potential.
The training here is great with, in my opinion, the best instructors in the area. In addition to that, they really drew me in to continue training there with how friendly & genuine these guys really are. I feel this way, and I only switched to their gym a couple months ago.
Great place to train! Top level and very experienced instructors. The atmosphere at the gym is great, everyone is friendly and the members are all welcoming...feels like a family. I have taken all of the different classes and they are all excellent. I also recommend the kids program, my daughter loves it!
New to judo? Start at Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge
Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never stepped on a mat, 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 or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and sensei scale the intensity to you. Second, you'll start by learning to fall safely (ukemi) — reputable dojos build fundamentals (breakfalls, grips, a first throw and some groundwork) for weeks, live randori eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps everyone safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and remember to bow in and show respect (rei). Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first judo class at Yamasaki Academy Woodbridge
Nervous about walking into a judo dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good sensei expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, learning to fall safely (ukemi), then drilling a throw or two and some groundwork with a partner — not hard randori. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a judogi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner judogi for a first class, so it's worth asking. As you keep training you'll add your own judogi. Live randori eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site