18805 Forest Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24502
The top Brazilian Jiu Jitsu martial arts program in the area for children, ladies, and adults.
Reviews from Jiu-Jitsu Blog members who have trained at Checkmat Lynchburg Jiu Jitsu. Member recommendations raise an academy's Jiu-Jitsu Blog Score.
I’ve been training Jiu-Jitsu for 20 years and recently traveled to Lynchburg and had the pleasure of training with Professor Rob and his wife. Professor Rob is a great instructor and has an awesome group of students that are also very friendly and welcoming. The professors at this location are VERY knowledgeable and are active on the competition circuit as well. The youth team is stellar as well. The kids are not only technical, they are also respectful and well mannered. If you’re thinking about starting jiu-jitsu, or martial arts, this is the place.
I traveled to Lynchburg , VA for job training in September. I hate missing a week from the regular school I go to near Dallas, TX, so I reached out to Professor Rob at Checkmat Jiu Jitsu in Lynchburg. He responded right away and welcomed me to train at the school. The coaches and students made me feel at home. I saw excellent training, had great rolls, and will always remember that experience.
I was traveling in Virginia for a wedding and wanted to find a Jiujitsu school to cross-train at. I reached out to Freedom Jiujitsu and was pleasantly surprised by their prompt response, which is rare for Jiujitsu schools. Rob Hurd was incredibly welcoming, an I came in on a Sunday morning for some great training with a few of the members. The school is really nice inside and impeccably clean. Chris, the instructor that day, was super nice and made the experience even better. Highly recommend this place for anyone looking to train while in the area!
I’ve been training at Checkmat Lynchburg for a little under two years and cannot say enough good things about this gym. The training and instructors are stellar and the people are very friendly and welcoming. Both their adults and kids program are absolutely top of the line.
I have been training here for 5+ years now with nothing but a positive experience. My understanding and application of techniques has greatly improved compared to a previous gym and that is due to the leadership and experience of the proprietors. A trusting, encouraging, and friendly environment that focuses on personal development and rewards hard work and dedication. So if you are in search of a place to begin or continue your jiu jitsu experience with regular access to some of the sports top competitors that Checkmat has to offer, then this is the place for you.
Our children have been training at Checkmat for 6 months now, and we are so thankful. The professors are observant and attentive. The students are friendly and honorable. The parents are a delight to meet. Our children are growing in strength and coordination. They look forward to every class!
I trained here for about 3 years and I cannot say enough about this place. The community is amazing the coaching is top notch. I was truly blessed to have found this place. Rob and Kellie, you guys run an amazing gym.
Our daughter has been training at Checkmat for almost a year. She loves the sport, her coaches, her peers and the encouraging community. As parents we love to see her challenged and inspired to be her best. Rob is a skilled, certified instructor who sets appropriate challenge for his students and maintains a safe and respectful learning environment.
Been training a little over a month here and couldn’t have asked for a better place! Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful as I’m a beginner. It’s a great family to join and to learn a lot from while you grow a lot too. 10/10 recommend!!
Great academy with great staff. Very satisfied with my experience here and happy to be a member.
Integrity is such a hard quality to find in people and in a business. However, Checkmat Lynchburg exemplifies this through training with outstanding (and highly qualified) leadership, honoring rigorous standards of promotion systems, and offering a safe, nurturing environment for the entire family to train. Professor Hurd and Professor Stewart truly care for their students both on and off the mat.
We are so happy with how much our boys have learned and developed at Checkmat! We have seen them grow so much in the past year under the guidance of the professors and teachers there. Not only are they learning jiujitsu skills, but also developing character! Definitely recommend
My school aged daughter has been at Checkmat for almost a year. We knew nothing about BJJ but decided to try Checkmat because they offered a free week and then month to month after that so the commitment was low to try it out. We noticed immediately that everyone was very welcoming and encouraging, from Rob to the other kids and parents. We love the self defense she is learning but honestly that's not even the most important part to us. The self confidence, the eye contact, the perseverance it teaches, the leadership, etc. are a huge part of what we enjoy about it. Our daughter also adds that she enjoys the community aspect of Checkmat. I highly recommend the youth program!!
I've been training at Checkmat Jiu Jitsu for about 6 months now and have loved each and every session! Professor Robert and Kelly Hurd are the absolute best, teach a wonderful class and have always been incredibly welcoming! From day classes to Judo on Friday, the classes are comprehensive and truly an honor to learn from. All the instructors and members are wonderfully talented, have been absolutely amazing to roll with from the beginning, provide amazing memtorship and overall is just a wonderful gym to train at alongside so many skilled people. Thank you for having such a great environment like Checkmat to train with so many awesome individuals, I sincerely look forward to continue training with you all!
Been going here for a year. Friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Instructors are very knowledgeable and patient with beginners.
Spent almost 2 weeks training at Checkmat Virginia. I’m glad I did! Read reviews and seen that the academy was welcoming to outsiders that were in town on business. The reviews didn’t lie. Felt right at home with a great group of instructors and BJJ practitioners. Rob was great answering any questions I had during my visit. I would not hesitate to visit again when I’m in town.
Great Gi instruction at their Wednesday night class and great rolls after. Everyone is very approachable. Shared a lot of laughs.
I was visiting from Fargo ND and inquired about training while in town. The folks at Checkmat were awesome. The class was fantastic, and the rolls even better. I cannot recommend enough. I'll be fitting my training in at Checkmat everytime I'm in Lynchburg. Thanks folks for a good session!!!
Checkmat is an excellent academy! I dropped in for an open mat on 9/9/23 . Rob Hurd welcomed me like I was one of his own. He and his students are really solid rolls with outstanding techniques. They are BJJ wizards and unicorns! After open mat, I purchased a hoodie. It was reasonably priced and comfortable. If you're relocating or visiting the Lynchburg, VA area pop in and try them out. I will definitely be back to take their Friday Judo class and open mat.
Visiting from WV and dropped in to train. Very friendly and professional gym to train at, would definitely recommend to anyone in the area! Hoping to stop by again next time I visit Lynchburg!
This is a great gym. I was in town visiting family and stopped by for a few training sessions. Very welcoming group, awesome coaches, and super technical instruction. Can't wait to come back.
Checkmat Lynchburg is an amazing place to train! I travel a lot for work and it is very difficult to find places to train where they treat you as one of their own. Everyone rolls with such control, which is a testament to their technique and training.
I was in Lynchburg visiting family and stopped in to Checkmat Lynchburg for open mat. I could not have had a better experience! Everyone was extremely welcoming and treated me like one of their own. Professor Hurd has built a great school with high level jiu jitsu that I would recommend to anyone in the Lynchburg area!
Clean, good instruction, and great people to roll with! Shout-out to big Colin for the wrestling fundamentals. Definitely recommend and I'll for sure go back when I'm in town and away from my home BJJ gym.
When visiting a new gym you never know what to expect as a higher belt. In Jiu-Jitu there is always that balance of wanting to be welcoming, but also feeling out the visitor. I appreciate that toughness that comes with the art. First, Rob was quick to return my phone call and provide information about the gym. The hospitality carried over to Bryan's class. The students are a mix of white and colored belts. All were very welcoming and equally as talented. If you are looking for a place to train while in Lynchburg I highly suggest giving Checkmat a try.
Very grateful to have found Checkmat. My son has finally found an activity he loves and is learning so much. The coaches do a fantastic job of working with the kids. They demonstrate patience and make the experience fun while also teaching the kids important skills/techniques. The facility is always clean. The prices are reasonable and unlike other facilities you are not forced into a contract. So much more I could say, but those are the highlights.
I came down to Lynchburg for a competition and I was welcomed into Checkmat by Coach Rob for a few rolls and some tips. Everything is clean and everyone here is super friendly and understanding. The coaching is very precise and everyone is respectful. I would love to come back sometime.
I had a fantastic time visiting and training here. The instructors were attentive and helpful while the students were skilled and inviting. I can not say enough nice things about this place. I'm looking forward to my next visit.
Visited from CA on a business trip and Rob allowed us to join in on couple classes with amazing hospitality. The attentiveness even to us who aren't his direct students was very refreshing. If you’re thinking about joining, do it!
Stopped by their Saturday open mat while I was in town, everyone was really gracious and welcoming. Definitely some skilled competitors in the room, but more importantly no jerks on the mat. Hope I can stop in for a class next time!
If you’re looking for a BJJ gym with engaging instructors, a multitude of high-level belts, and a safe/welcoming environment that will push you to grow, this is the gym for you. I initially came out of a desperate attempt to get my head back in the right space. I was a little fearful that I would be laughed right out the front door and that everyone would ignore me. I paced back and forth numerous times before finally walking in. I have never been more grateful to have been so wrong. I was greeted at the front door by multiple smiling faces. Everyone was very diligent to come say ‘hello' to me and introduce themselves. I never had the chance to quietly turn around and sneak back out because I was met right where I was. Open arms and all. I walked away from my first class a little overwhelmed with emotion because I had never felt that accepted by complete strangers. If you don’t know what a Gi is, that’s okay. Don’t know how to put one on? They’ll show you. Not sure how to tie a belt? They’ve got it. Don’t know where to start? They’ll teach you. All you have to do is walk through the door. That’s the hardest part. They limit all of your responsibility to showing up and bringing a good attitude and your best effort. Rob and Kellie have done an excellent job of fostering an environment that truly leaves you walking away knowing that everyone wants the best for you. They want you to grow and thrive, and want to help get you there. They will meet you right where you are. I have nothing but wonderful things to say. Not to mention, there are a ton of ladies! As Rob would say, “The heaviest weight in the room is the door. You just have to stop making excuses and walk through it."
I’ve been attending this school for about three months now and it has been a great experience. Everyone is welcoming and patient. If you’re thinking about trying BJJ, come try it out!
There are two things I look for in a training environment: caring people and quality instruction. The latter ensures you’re not wasting your time, and the former is the foundation of a healthy community that makes everything else worthwhile. At Freedom BJJ, Rob and Kellie have diligently sown both of these attributes into their students and it shows.
I am a traveler who has trained at many different schools and I can easily say this is one of the best I have been to! Extremely welcoming and helpful people, thoughtful instruction, and tons of skill levels to roll with. Notably there is the largest amount of female students I have ever seen which speaks to the depth of the school. Anyone (especially the professors) will take time to work with you and better your game. I highly recommend training here!
I was in town traveling for business looking to train. Freedom jujitsu was a great experience and I look forward to training there again.
I would highly recommend this gym to anyone, and especially to women interested in learning jiu jitsu. Professors Rob and Kellie have gone above and beyond to make their academy a positive training experience for women. They’ve done an excellent job of creating a safe and supportive environment for athletes of all sizes, strength, and skill level. The instruction is top-notch with a focus on building good technique and timing, and the athletes training at Freedom are very good at training hard without being too rough. I always leave feeling like I learned something and got a great workout in. I live too far away to attend class regularly, but I would definitely train at Freedom full time if I could. If you’re thinking about trying jiu jitsu, Freedom is the place to go!
Rob and Kellie are top notch professors but even better people. I've had the opportunity to train with, travel with and compete with my Checkmat teamates at Freedom Jiu jitsu Lynchburg...along with some awesome seminars. If your ever in the Lynchburg VA area stop in. We would love to see you. Thanks to Mike T for all you support. OSS
Rob and Kellie are absolutely phenomenal. We just moved up from Texas a couple months ago and are absolutely in love with this gym!
When my girlfriend and I moved to Lynchburg from Austin, Texas; out biggest concern was, "where are we gonna train?" We trained with BTT since we began training, and to say they set the bar high is an understatement. Well, after we moved we were lucky enough to find this gym. You get all the great things out of a BJJ gym with none of the nonsense. The Coaching staff here has more than exceeded our expectations, and they continue to do so on a weekly basis. If you're on the fence about givin' this gym a chance, do yourself a favor and do it. Happy Rolllin'
I stopped in for a class during a business trip. Everything was great from start to finish. Professor Rob was very helpful and provided all class offerings over the phone. When I arrived at the gym, Professor Bryan and all the students were very welcoming. The instruction was top notch and the rolls were great. I would highly recommend Checkmat Lynchburg-Freedom Jiu Jitsu to anyone looking for solid Jiu Jitsu and a great environment.
This is the place to train if you live in Lynchburg or the surrounding area. If you're passing by while traveling, this is where you should train. Professor Rob is extremely knowledgeable and has amazing jiu jitsu. His instruction is technical and detailed, and he's really good at linking a series of techniques together while providing the bigger picture understanding of "why". Rob is also clearly dedicated to helping each student with his/her individual game. It is obvious that he cares about his students. I trained at Freedom Jiu Jitsu for a month while temporarily close by in Rockbridge County. It was truly a great experience and allowed me to continue training while relocating. As a visitor, I was welcomed with open arms. The other students and community as a whole were super friendly and welcoming. It's clear that high level, competitive jiu jitsu is being taught at this academy. The students are tough and technical but not intimidating or over-aggressive at all. Everyone is close and having a great time learning and training. This really is the place to be in my opinion. Excellent jiu jitsu instruction, competitive, great vibe and atmosphere, and friendly community. I'm grateful for the time spent training with Professor Rob at Freedom Jiu Jitsu and look forward to getting back whenever I'm close by. Thank you, Rob!
I was in Lynchburg just visiting, I stopped in for a no-Gi class. The instructor was very friendly, and taught some good escapes. Overall it was a great experience!
I have been training 13+ years and am a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I moved to Forest, VA from NY in 2020. I visited Checkmat Lynchburg and immediately felt at home. The instruction is top notch. The coaches care about the students and the sport, and the team is really a team. There is no ego here, only consistent, dedicated, and humble training. And the owners bring in top world class instructors consistently for seminars. You would be hard pressed to find a school this dedicated and talented in a big city let alone a small community in Central VA. I have been nothing but impressed by this school. I look forward to continue training at Checkmat Lynchburg as my new Jiu Jitsu home. Ignore negative comments on here, they are not remotely accurate in my experience, they do, however, reflect a level of weak and petty softness I am not accustomed to in BJJ. If you have a problem with someone go discuss it and handle it. Using Google reviews to trash one gym to try to prop up another is pathetic, especially when done with fake names. Grow up.
Professor Rob he s a great instructor and have a great program for kids and adults I extremely recommend everyone to training there and also a great environment.
Great place to train whether you are looking for a full-time gym or just stopping by from out of town and looking for some good rolls. Positive atmosphere and personalized coaching based on the specific athletes game. Beginner or Experienced, Freedom is an amazing place to be!
This is the best BJJ gym I've ever trained at. It's a great family atmosphere, the training partners are amazing, there's a super wide variety of styles - especially among the upper belts - which gives you the opportunity to create a super technical, well rounded game. None of this would be possible without Rob & Kellie, who are amazing owners and extremely dedicated to the success of their students. Rob is the best BJJ coach I've ever trained with (I started training BJJ in 2001 and received my Purple in 2010 before taking 8 years off). Why? Because he understands each person's game, what their preferences, body type, and physical limitations are, and he is able to craft a game plan specifically for them that maximizes their strengths and minimizes their weaknesses. That doesn't even begin to get into how hard he works to create individual gameplans for his students leading up to competitions - including breaking down the games of their opponents so that they can specifically counter each opponent they will likely come up against, finding other Checkmat coaches to coach his students at events if he can't be there, going over that athlete's gameplan with that coach, and even communicating with that coach in real time if the match is being streamed live. I've never seen anyone work as hard as he does to help his students succeed, individually and together. It's utterly mindblowing.
Rob and Kellie provide an extremely high level of jiu-jitsu training while fostering a positive community for all. I’ve truly appreciated my time training with them and would encourage everyone to come try jiu-jitsu at Freedom BJJ!
My daughter started training here almost three years ago. The instruction and team there, not only taught her how to protect and defend herself, but the biggest change was in her confidence. The owners and other students create such a welcoming environment, it has inspired my son, husband, and myself to all step foot on the mats. It’s an amazing thing to be able to do as a family.
I’ve been training at Freedom for 1.5+ years, and the owners, Professor Rob & Coach Kellie, are very caring & dedicated individuals. Since my first day on the mats, they’ve gone above and beyond to make me feel supported on my Jiu Jitsu journey. They have challenged and helped me to become a better student, and the experience has been very rewarding. The gym and the athletes that train there are like family. If you are considering learning Jiu Jitsu, there is no better time or place to start- you won’t regret it!
I was very apprehensive about trying out Jiujitsu. I watched the owner training small children and doing a phenomenal job of it. Since I work with small children too, I knew if he could pour this much into them, just think about how great of a teacher he would be for me. It's been great! I get great training, lots of encouragement, and plenty of higher belts are there to guide me too! If I need a move demonstrated again and again and broken down, no problem, they are all there to help. No one treats you like just the newbie. They're all like family and they all want to see me do my best!
Before I write my actual review, if you are looking to training here and see some of the negative reviews, these are from people who were asked to leave the gym after and are not remotely accurate. This gym has been like a home away from home for me! I am an ATOS/Tony Passos brown belt here for medical school, and they welcomed me with open arms. Regardless of the fact that I'm part of a team that is Checkmat's largest rival. If you are in looking to train in Lynchburg, this is the place to be! Toughest training room in the city!!
Freedom Jujitsu is a fantastic organization!! My daughter started training there in August of 2018 at the age of 10. She has always been a very timid, shy, and a little bit on the socially distant and insecure side. In the 2 years she has been attending classes, and being challenged to put in the effort, work hard and improve, not only have her skills on the mat improve, but her confidence has risen significantly. That has also carried over to home, school, with friends, and with life and general. Freedom is professionally run, and physically and mentally challenging. If you or your child are willing to commit to putting in the proper effort… improvement will follow!!
I have been out of the BJJ game for almost 10 years and have been apprehensive to get back at it since having a serious neck injury and surgery back in 2015. I have visited a few other schools in the Lynchburg area and none of them made me feel comfortable with getting back to rolling than Freedom Jiu Jitsu did. I visited for the first time during an 1130 am class and was immediately greeted by Professor Earnest and 2 other purple belts. They welcomed me and gave me all the information for classes and also spoke with me about my injury and calmed my apprehensions about rolling. They offer a wide variety of classes and times to accommodate everyone and even have a play area for children. As a “new guy” I was welcomed by all members of the academy and they treated me like I had been going to the academy for years. There are members of all skill levels, experience and sizes. There is no pressure on anyone to roll If the don’t want to. There are no mat bullies here and one would not be tolerated at this academy. If you want to learn at an academy that is not only going to teach you Jiu Jitsu, but give you tribe to be a part of Freedom Jiu Jitsu is the place for you. Come out and try you won’t be disappointed!
My experience here was excellent! I am brand new to BJJ only having 3 classes before coming here. Everyone was friendly and patient in teaching me the skills and techniques. They even cheered me on when I was the last to finish warm-ups! It was easy to see that everyone genuinely cares about each other both on the mat and in life.
It’s a very comfortable and welcoming environment. I learn a lot and get a real workout after each session.
This place hosts world champions for seminars (regularly). And is the only world class jiu jitsu school in town with competition tested black belt instructors. 5 stars easily!
One of the best places in Lynchburg to learn jiu jitsu as a beginner, if you're seasoned, or traveling through. People here are friendly and respectful and they have a great facility with many amenities. Rob Hurd is an amazing professor and provides great value to all that comes! They also have a tremendous kid programs.
I had such a great experience this past weekend at Checkmat Virginia. Great environment with great people. The gym was a super clean space and very family friendly, even an play area designated for small children. I look forward to visiting in the future.
I was able to drop in while on a business trip to Lynchburg and had a GREAT experience. I have dropped in to schools all over the country and couldn't have been more impressed. A quick comment on three things: facility, instructor, and students. Facility: In a word, spotless. When Rob told me they were there a year, I was stunned. They made great use of the space. It's well designed and functional. My guess is that parking might be a challenge at times, but get to class early to get a spot. Instructor: I plan my drop in visits weeks in advance to make sure I know the house rules, schedule etc. They responded to my request in minutes. Very customer friendly. Rob greeted me like an old friend. Made me feel right at home. His teaching style is well paced and methodical and he breaks down moves to the simplest parts. As as a visitor, I kind of view this as a place to get in a workout, but Rob spent a bunch of time with me making sure I was doing things correctly. Way more time than I ever would have expected. Great leadership, great instructor. Students: I think this filters down from leadership, but a great group of people. Everyone made me feel like I have known them for years. Plus, there is a LOT of talent in that room. A group of humble killers. I can't say it enough times, but great experience!
Highest level jiu jitsu in central va. World class instruction on the mats at all times, unbelievable that we have this type of jiu jitsu available in the Lynchburg area.
This is a great place for people of all ages to learn jiu jitsu. The owner is very friendly and knowledgeable. My daughter enjoys going every week
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