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Yamasaki Academy
4.6 ★★★★★ 47 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Rockville, Maryland
Plan your first class
- Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
- Website & schedule grappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (301) 770-0969
The classes they run
“Its worth every second of the drive PLUS I get to spend more time with my daughter.”
“The instructors are attentive and helpful, the environment is friendly, and they cater to all skill levels.”
“Fernando Yamasaki is a world class instructor, competitor and human.”
“I attended a few Muay Thai classes here while I was in the area and it was great.”
Other martial arts here
“I attended a few Muay Thai classes here while I was in the area and it was great.”
“You have dozen's black belt, if you want a real Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school, it's one of the best in the area.”
What members say
“Fernando Yamasaki is a world class instructor, competitor and human.”
“The level is very high, the students range from beginner to high level, and the place is pretty big.”
“The instructors are great with kids.”
“Its worth every second of the drive PLUS I get to spend more time with my daughter.”
“From the moment I started, the environment was welcoming, respectful, and truly focused on growth.”
“The instructors are attentive and helpful, the environment is friendly, and they cater to all skill levels.”
From the reviews
Great gym with a very welcoming culture. Fernando is a top instructor in the area and one of maybe 200 or less BJJ coral belts on the planet. Training with him and the other talented students at Yamasaki Academy has helped my jiu jitsu immeasurably.
I have trained at a few schools. This is by far the best. High level instructors and great people. My 6 year old daughter just started. She loves Yamasaki. She loves the instructors and team mates. I drive 45 min to get here. Its worth every second of the drive PLUS I get to spend more time with my daughter.
I loved training here. The community atmosphere is amazing. People are very nice and supportive. Coming from no background in BJJ, I felt welcomed and encouraged. Fernando and his instructors are world class. I highly recommend.
I can’t say enough good things about my time training at Yamasaki Academy. From the moment I started, the environment was welcoming, respectful, and truly focused on growth. My husband and I first visited the academy back in November, driving about an hour from our home just to check it out.
New to kickboxing? Start at Yamasaki Academy
Yamasaki Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness 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 kickboxing class at Yamasaki Academy
Nervous about walking into a kickboxing 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 — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics 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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