11861 Canon Blvd F, Newport News, VA 23606
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Breakaway Jiu Jitsu & Self-Defense (martial arts). Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
Trained here during a business trip. The owner and coaches are very welcoming and knowledgeable. The instruction is well thought out and links positions and movements to key concepts and principles. The school is clean and the students are friendly. I felt right at home immediately. If you are in the Hampton, Newport News, Joint Base Langley Eustis area I highly recommend you check out Breakaway and train here! I appreciate you guys letting me come in and train!
Breakaway is a fantastic gym with highly skilled, kind and knowledgeable instructors. It’s welcoming to beginners and challenging to those who’ve been doing jiu-jitsu for a while. Whether you are looking for a new hobby, interested in self defense or want to compete in grappling, there is something great for you here. Lastly the team has a family feeling to it. I once saw people playing a board game in the lounge area after class.
Was in town for two weeks of training and decided to do a couple of drop in classes. Great experience and time. Very nice gym, if Im ever back for training Id totally stop by again.
Was in town for two weeks of training and decided to do a couple of drop in classes. Great experience and time. Very nice gym, if Im ever back for training Id totally stop by again.
Dropped into the 6:15 class on 12/16/24. Awesome crowd and clean facility. Definitely will will be back the next time I’m in the area
Was able to drop in for open mat. The facility is clean and organized. Very welcoming group of gym members. I was able to roll with partners of all sizes, shapes, and experience levels. 10 out of 10. Would recommend to anyone looking for a gym in the area.
Amazing gym, community and instructors. Great place to start and grow
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a part of my life for 5 years now, and I am near earning my purple belt. During this time, I have traveled around to various gyms, learning from many blackbelts and training with many different people. With that, I can say that Breakaway Jiu-Jitsu is one of my favorite locations to train at. I trained here for about 12 hours during my 2 weeks visit to the Newport News area, and I have much to say about this awesome gym. If you're searching for a jiu-jitsu gym that combines top-notch instruction, a welcoming community, and a commitment to personal growth, Breakaway Jiu-Jitsu is the gym for you. The instructors here are nothing short of exceptional. Their expertise is evident, but what truly sets them apart is their ability to teach complex techniques in a clear, accessible way. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned practitioner, you’ll find their guidance both insightful and encouraging. They’re always willing to take the time to address individual questions and provide personalized feedback. The atmosphere at Breakaway Jiu-Jitsu is incredibly supportive. It’s clear that everyone from the seasoned black belts to the new white belts shares a common goal of mutual respect and improvement. The camaraderie is evident, and the positive energy makes every class enjoyable, no matter how challenging. Additionally, the facilities are exceptional. The mats are clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to accommodate all levels of training. At one point, there looked to be about 16 students rolling on the mats. The gym also offers a variety of classes, including GI and no-GI options, which keeps the training fresh and exciting. Personally, I am intrigued with two classes: “Pathway to Purple Belt” and "4 oz Fridays." As I understand, both classes are necessary to earn a purple belt. I do not see these two classes as a hurdle to purple belt, but as an exciting challenge and an opportunity to improve my skills as a martial artist. Overall, Breakaway Jiu-Jitsu stands out as a gem in the jiu-jitsu community. It’s not just a place to learn martial arts; it’s a place to build confidence, make friends, and push yourself beyond what you thought possible. I highly recommend this location, and I will be training at this gym every time I return to the Newport News area.
6/27 took a class today and I have to say the level of professionalism and hospitality is unmatched. I am from nyc and even at the local places I train at I haven’t been met with the same decorum. I love the place, cleanliness to the 9s!!! Thank you breakaway you took my breath away!! Highlight of my class was partnering with Travis, a true staple to the school Thank you guys can’t wait to come back in July
Trained here two nights in a row while staying in the area for a conference. Friendly atmosphere, technical instruction, clean facility, and some really great (and hard) rolls. Will definitely visit again. Update on 6/19/24: Visited Breakaway again for an evening advanced gi class after two years away. The people were welcoming, the instruction was top notch, and the overall atmosphere made me wish I spent more time in the area. As a new(er) black belt, I can’t say enough about how solid this gym is- I definitely learned a lot and look forward to coming back in the future.
Dropped in for a training session while I was on a work trip in March 2024. Very welcoming atmosphere, excellent instruction and training partners of all skill levels. I highly recommend you check this place out if you are in the area. You will get what you are looking for here.
Great environment to train in! Great instructors and staff. I’ve trained in many places and by far Breakaway is above the rest!
My son is enrolled in the 7-13 class and he loves it. The coaches are patient, passionate, and friendly. The owner just changed, and there are exciting new challenges on the horizon.
I’ve been training for close to 8 years in BJJ and have traveled and dropped in on a large amount of gyms. The black belts here were all super welcoming and solid Rolls. Professor Brandon is a class act and keeps the class balanced with some fun and solid training. I would recommend this gym to anyone starting there jiu jitsu journey or maybe looking for a new home. Also Military friendly that’s always a plus oss 🤙
I was visiting the area and dropped in on an Open Mat session. Very welcoming from the moment I walked in. Great atmosphere, everyone was friendly. Highly recommend it!
Great place to drop in or make your home. The place has a plethora of black belts and a larger women’s women’s community. If you do drop in bring a sticker/patch for the wall!
My home for Jujitsu. Knowledge combined w the best environment for learning.
The only people who wouldn’t like this gym are D-Bags. Super friendly. Clean. No matter if you are a world champ or just starting out, you will get some great rounds in.
Been training here for a year now and love it. Great Professors, coaches, and friends. Relaxed atmosphere, financially doable, and a real feeling of accomplishment. Thoroughly enjoy each and every class.
You will not find a better place to learn and practice BJJ. The instructors are all great, and the classes are well thought out and executed with passion and technical expertise. If you’ve been looking for a place to train, look no further. This place is simply the best.
Awesome environment! My son takes part in the kids classes and also joins me in the adult classes. Every instructor is patient and willing to take the time to teach and improve me and my son on our Jiu Jitsu journey. 🥋
Fantastic group of individuals and the most welcoming environment in the area! Everyone is very respectful and truly set their eyes on teaching. I will be returning whenever I am in the area.
I’ve been at this for a little bit and I’ve dropped into a lot of BJJ locations. Gotta say, I LOVED the vibe here. Really wish I was TDY a little longer to get more training in. The place just has a great overall feel. Folks are welcoming and the facility is CLEAN (excellent foot scrub station!). The instruction is professional, but friendly…technical, but not rigid. There’s a lot to be said about professors who are still learning new things and advancing their own jiu jitsu - it really comes through in the instruction. Anyway - if you’re in this area full-time, def give them a look.
Sensei Mike is really cool and very understanding great place
Both my daughters train here. This gym is family oriented and filled with phenomenal people. We love coming here. <3
Just moved to the area and this was recommended by a friend. Coming from a bigger academy, things were different. But that was to be expected. The energy on the mat was great. Everyone was very friendly and polite. I felt like I was at home. I paid $35 for a weekly trial.
We joined as a family, we alll love it, everyone is willing to teach and help out
While I don't take classes, my wife does. She hasnt felt like she has any friends since she moved to this area 4.5 years ago. This place is the first time she has had that feeling. It is very much a family vibe . They treat new people like old friends and family members. Highly suggest it.
Joining Breakaway has been a great experience. The gym has no ego and are welcoming to new members. I chose Breakaway because they have a variety of class times throughout the week and have an introduction course to Jiu Jitsu which I recently completed. I look forward to continuing my membership and encourage others to come and try Breakaway Jiu Jitsu.
This place is amazing. I love being there. You always feel welcome by the owners and everyone else on the mats. Great place to lean how to defend your self. If your looking to lose weight it’s way better then going to the gym. Jujitsu’s become a way of life for me since I started coming to Break Away. Go and check it out and see for your self.
I was completely new to jiu jitsu, or any martial arts when I decided to try Breakaway out. I did their free class, and on the first day there could immediately tell that this was a place I wanted to be. It is a welcoming and friendly environment where anyone of any level of experience can go and learn. Every coach is patient and helpful. They'll answer any questions that you have, and explain everything thoroughly. You never have to feel embarrassed about not knowing something, or not completely understanding a technique being shown. This is the kind of atmosphere and environment where you can go and feel comfortable, safe, and relaxed. To me, it definitely has a family vibe, and everyone there keeps that same vibe alive for others. If you're interested in jiu jitsu, this is the perfect place to check out. You won't regret it.
This gym is everything you want in Jiu Jitsu at any level. Rob has amazing knowledge and he really loves to share it. As a white belt, everyone goes out of their way to teach and push new students in a supportive and encouraging way. There is a wide range of talent to push students at every level. There are other coaches (Brendan, Dave, and Kassy) who are also outstanding and bring their own personality and approach. I have had a fabulous experience every time I have walked in the gym and couldn’t recommend it higher. Come and check it out!
I’m new to Jiu Jitsu and this is a whole new exciting world that I had no idea existed. I feel so fortunate to have found such a great place to learn Jiu Jitsu. The coaches are amazing. They’re engaging, patient and extremely knowledgeable. Rob and Kassy are amazing people! Not only are Rob and Kassy spreading the good word about Jiu Jitsu but they’re doing extremely good things in the community. For example, without even ever meeting me or my family, Rob and Kassy heard that my son has a terminal illness and reached out to my wife and I to see if it would be ok with us to host a fundraising event for us at Breakaway. These are amazing human beings. I recommend Breakaway to anybody. Like I said at the beginning, I am very new to all of this but I can’t help but feel like I’m a part of a huge family.
Breakaway is a second family and home to me. The culture and atmosphere is nothing like I have experienced before. It is easy to be vulnerable and hard to be prideful. You will be welcomed with opened arms and treated like a family member. If you’re considering Jiu Jitsu, Breakaway is the place to trust.
Great place to train!! I am a purple belt and I have been training for about 6 years. I moved to the area not to long ago and the first time I went to check out the place I instantly knew this was the place I wanted to train at, it felt like home. Rob and Kassy have done an awesome job with the place and created a great environment.
My two sons and I have been training at Breakaway Jiu Jitsu for a little over a year now and I have nothing but overwhelmingly positive things to say about our experience. The owners (Rob and Kassy) are humble, hard working, and truly take enormous pride in their craft. The coaches are absolutely amazing. Our teammates are basically family. The training sessions are both technical and challenging. Egos do not exist here. This is exactly what I was looking for in a gym and I am so grateful for what Breakaway represents. Do yourself a favor and stop by for a session or two...you won’t be disappointed.
Cannot say enough nice things about Breakaway, Professor Rob, Kassy, and all the coaches there. If you are on the fence about taking jiu-jitsu...just do it! It will change your life. The environment there is friendly and welcoming. Some people may be intimidated/unsure about starting jiu-jitsu, especially if (like me) they have never done anything like this before. But everybody there was so great I now regard it as one of the best choices I ever made. Different people will have different goals --- to become a serious competitor, to get in better shape, just have fun, relieve some stress, or meet new friends--- whatever the case, Breakaway is the place to be.
My five year old has been training here for over a year. His confidence and discipline have soared. Rob, Kassy, and all the coaches are wonderful. They’ve created a positive family-like environment.
Great and safe way to learn a new skill that can save your life. This location is amazing. The atmosphere is laid back and has a huge sense of community creating a family dynamic. The owners and coaches are amazing, knowledgeable, and patient I would highly recommend Breakaway when considering jiu jitsu.
Amazing people, facility, and atmosphere. I travel a lot for work and they welcomed me in as if I was one of their own. They train hard but most importantly they train SAFE. If you are traveling through or lucky enough to live nearby COME CHECK THEM OUT. They have something for all levels. GREAT PLACE TO TRAIN.
Always great energy and instruction. Breakaway has made getting into jiu jitsu super accessible and exciting! Would highly recommend to everyone!
Having been to several different martial arts schools in the past 14 years, I can say without a doubt, Breakaway has the perfect blend of knowledgeable coaching and family atmosphere. The school is welcoming to jiu-jitsu practitioners of all levels from children to adults. The classes are a blend of basic and advanced technique for those wishing to learn self defense, as well those looking to make a splash on the competition scene.
This is a such a Great academy! Safe, clean and family friendly. The attention to detail in the technique being taught is top notch. You can tell how passionate Rob is about jiu Jitsu and serving the community.
Great facility, great location. Rob, the instructor is as humble as he is knowledgeable. I highly recommend trying it out, i think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
This is a great place to train Jiu-Jitsu for sport or self defense. The staff and students are very friendly and welcoming. Rob is a very knowledgeable Black Belt as well as a top notch instructor. Highly recommended!
Excellent Place. Great environment and instruction !!!!
I really enjoyed my first time at Breakaway, Rob and Kassy are great and the class was very informative. The gym is in a great location and very nice inside, I will definitely be back.
Can't say enough great things about this school. They don't just focus of the physical training...they also work on character development . It’s truly a great place to train that produces champions on & off the mat.
Great atmosphere and fantastic training. Being new to Jiu Jitsu, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Rob takes his time teaching all levels to make sure you learn in a safe and proper manner.
Rob and the crew at Breakaway are phenomenal. The gym is conveniently located. What more could you ask for? The fact that you're reading this already says you're interested. So stop putting it off and join. The only regret you'll have will be that you didn't do it sooner.
Rob is an awesome black belt instructor who is very knowledgeable and personable. If you are looking for a jiu-jitsu gym on the peninsula check out Breakaway.
I started jiu jitsu with Rob in the beginning of December. I had no experience with martial arts or wrestling, but I’ve felt completely comfortable learning. Everyone is very friendly and there’s absolutely no stress!
Been going for a couple months, The atmosphere is friendly and family oriented with classes for adults and children. They focus the jujitsu to teach self defense but also have classes for the competitors as well. I have lost weight, felt better, increased my skill and ability but also improved my mental well being. Jujitsu is a controlled and mentored form of combat, the stress and aggression release is amazing but it’s done in an environment of safely controlled education. there’s no malice, animosity, embarrassment, or shaming every session is a lesson win or tap and respect is shown to and from all levels of experience.
So much can be said about this place but it all starts with the owners. Rob and Kass are 2 amazing people. You know right away once you meet them you are in the right place. Rob is a world class athlete with the passion to make you a strive to be great! Check them out! You will not regret it.
Easy to find , safe area and clean establishment that is top notch. The owners Rob and Kass and staff are super friendly and enthusiastic about teaching this great confidence building and fat burning activity! Whether you're a beginner or experienced in Jiu Jitsu, Breakaway is where you want to go. Kid friendly and even old dudes like me friendly!
Rob and Kassy have put together something special here. They have created an awesome atmosphere free from judgement and designed to incorporate the whole family. Rob is an incredibly humble and knowledgeable professor. I stepped through his doors with no experience what so ever with just a desire to learn and I was welcomed beyond my belief. He is patient and respectful and brings many years of experience to the mat. I was hooked (and exhausted) after my first class. Did I mention that BJJ is a workout? The facility is also top notch. They have created an awesome family atmosphere with a coffee bar and lounge. Two flat screens keep you tuned into the news (or the latest frozen movie) and the live feed of what’s happening on the mats. Parents can rest easy on the comfortable furniture all while watching their kids build a knowledge base that will stay with them forever. Parking and access is a cinch. After class you’re almost walking distance to city center. There are not enough stars available on google to give this place. Stop by, you won’t be disappointed.
Great Instructors, that's what I needed to keep me motivated... Rob is a terrific person!!!
Top notch facility ran by a top notch instructor! Great place for kids and adults to learn basic self defense and the overall culture of BJJ.
Rob is arguably one of the biggest hearted guys you will ever meet. His knowledge of the sport and overall training is amazing, and his ability to share that knowledge is impeccable.
Never tried Jiu Jitsu before. After meeting with Rob (one of the owners) He told me he would work with me so I could get the hang of it. Which he has done thus far. The place is clean and well organized. If I can do it at 49 I'm sure other people can to.!!! I'll see you at my next class!!
You could not ask for better coach/mentor in Rob. He has a clean facility as well as a kid friendly atmosphere. I highly recommend Breakaway Jiu Jitsu for self defense as well as becoming a high level competitor.
Rob (the owner and lead instructor) is a world class athlete and one of the nicest guys you'd ever meet. Humble and approachable with a heart of gold. His approach to teaching, running his gym, and passion for the sport is nothing short of inspiring. He's got an in depth knowledge of training everyone from entry level kids and adults, to top notch competitors. Great set up inside with a separate lounge area and tv's. You'd be doing yourself a favor by checking out his facility.
Love training here with Rob and Cassie. Professor Rob really takes the time to help you learn at your pace. My 5 year old also loves to come train and looks forward to it every time. Best place I’ve ever trained at! Come check it out, you won’t regret it! Everyone from brand new to experienced Bjj practitioners you will have a great time and a great workout.
This place is great! Rob is a really nice and knowledgeable guy. He is extremely passionate about the art and teaching it to others - and it shows !
I met the owners today, and they are incredibly nice. Studio is clean and comfortable. Can't wait to learn here.
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