11050 Livingston Rd unit f, Fort Washington, MD 20744, USA
Fort Washington United provides the highest quality academic tutoring and martial arts in the Maryland and D.C. metro area. In-person tutoring and online tutoring are available. Register for a FREE TRIAL today!
Since the inception of Fort Washington United (FWU), my sons have been a part of its journey of growth and educational excellence for nearly eight years. They came from studying Kung-Fu and Tae Kwon Do but their marital art experience only started to soar from Brazilian Jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at FWU. Where it was a struggle keeping them motivated in the two other disciplines, my wife and I couldn’t keep them away from FWU and the energetic staff. Beyond the courage and character-building traits, they developed from BJJ training and competitions, they really grew to love FWU’s After Care and Summer Camp programs. Steve and Nicole (FWU’s Founders) always impressed us with the amount of creativity and care that they put into each child and every activity. Whether our boys were participating in group projects, field trips, or immersed in water sports, there was always a fun and educational overtone built into the themes. As our boys grew, Steve and Nicole gave them wonderful opportunities to gain service hours for school by allowing them to help around the academy. All the while, they excelled on the mats and in their own studies. Our boys were exposed to the “Mind, Body and Spirit” ethos of the academy as they not only increased their knowledge but they helped other students flourish as well. One of our sons has ADHD and needed extra care, this was no challenge for FWU and they rose to the occasion with a specialized tutoring regiment that help him perform well in elementary school and in his Science and Tech High School. Our eldest son went on to become an academic tutor and even a BJJ coach. I could go on ad nauseum about how FWU was an all-around positive influence on our children. So in conclusion, FWU’s family-first approach enriched our household and specifically our eldest son who is heading to college this fall with a civil engineering merit scholarship that is due in part to FWU. Many thanks, Andrew M.
Posted 1 year ago
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I can't say enough wonderful things about Fort Washington United. My child has been attending for nearly five years, and it has been an incredible journey. The child-centric approaches they employ have made a world of difference in my child's development both on and off the mat. From the very first class, the coaches have been welcoming, supportive, and genuinely invested in each child's growth. They focus not only on martial arts techniques but also on building confidence, discipline, and respect. The positive environment encourages kids to challenge themselves while feeling safe and valued. I’ve seen my child transform in so many ways—improved focus, increased self-esteem, and a newfound passion for physical activity. If you’re looking for a martial arts program that prioritizes your child's development in a holistic way, look no further than Fort Washington United. We are so grateful to be a part of this amazing journey!
Posted 1 year ago
I’ve trained at several gyms over the years, and this one stands out immediately. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes are top-notch and welcoming to all skill levels. The staff and coaches are incredibly friendly and approachable, creating a supportive environment that makes it easy to learn and stay motivated. Highly recommend for anyone looking to train seriously or just get started.
Posted 1 year ago
My son absolutely loves all the programs here. He is about to start his second year of summer camp after being part of the after school program. Not only has he gained an enormous amount of confidence since he started training, but he has grown as a student and an athlete.
Posted 1 year ago
My son started going to Fort Washington United as part of the aftercare program. From the moment I spoke to the owner, I knew this was a place where my son would be safe and care for. My son struggles with change and unfortunately as a child of dual military parents has to adapt frequently. This gym offered immediate stability to him. It’s become his favorite part of his weekly routine. Even better, it’s given him accountability for his actions, a sense of self and team, and made him a more confident kid. The entire staff is welcoming, authentic and kind. Truly couldn’t have designed a better place for my kid myself!
Posted 1 year ago
I LOV KILEAH
Awesome gym for martial arts! Love the jiu jitsu class, entertaining and good atmosphere from the coach and the students.
Great gym. I've been training with them nearly a year and love it!
This is my son's first year attending FWU and I couldn't be more excited and blessed for my son to work with such a professional and polite staff. My son's tutor Ms. Nicole has worked tirelessly to make sure he not only stays on task for his grade level goals but that he also exceeds them.🙌🏽 My son also has some amazing coaches that are not only helping to teach him the various skills and techniques associated with MMA but they also teach him discipline, respect, and teamwork.😉 FWU has mastered the recipe for developing successful students and I'm glad my son is one of them.😊
Earlier this spring, I was looking for a martial arts academy for my five year old son, who was about to start kindergarten. My husband and I wanted to help him get used to being about other kids, since he had been in quarantine for over a year with little to no other time to play with kids his age. We also wanted to instill confidence, respect and self-control and believe that mixed martial arts is a good way to achieve that. I had planned on starting our son in a program in the fall, but as I looked for summer camp programs, I discovered Fort Washington United (FWU). Initially, we wanted to make sure that our son could keep up with the summer program and the evening classes. The staff was great is working with us and our son to assess his ability and we were able to register him for 5-6 weeks of summer camp and the daily martial arts classes. Our son LOVES FWU! He enjoys the structure and working with the coaches and all of the moves that he learns each week. He also is making friends with the other students. Because our son doesn’t attend school nearby, we are not enrolled in the after school program, but we would if we could. Martial arts has given our son confidence and he’s excited to practice his moves at home to anyone who will watch! The summer camp was simply phenomenal! Our son loved the weekly themes, lessons and field trips they went on. The coaches taught the kids important values and taught them how to speak up, be respectful, be responsible, and be a good citizen of the academy. We also loved how the kids worked in teams, by age and presented their projects each week. We were blown away that our 5-year-old was doing PowerPoint presentations and building airplanes and coming up with business plans. There is also a wonderful education track during the summer camp week and after-school program to help keep your child learning at their grade level and beyond (if they are able to). This summer camp also prepared him for the social aspects of kindergarten (eating lunch, playing with others, transitions to different activities, keeping up with your personal items, etc.) I read a review about how this program may not be for younger kids. I would say that it would depend on the child. My son has thrived at FWU. He was one of the youngest kids in the summer program and he did great! He also is inspired and motivated by the older kids, and teens who help with the summer camp. I also think that a lot of our kids need to get a little real-world consequences for their actions when they don’t follow the rules. My son is motivated by that and the point system is an appropriate tool in the academy setting. He doesn’t like losing points because other kids on his team aren’t listening, so he tries to be a leader and example, which we like to see. Overall, I have and will continue to recommend FMU to parents. It’s a safe and nurturing place to have your kids. The staff (Steve, Nicole, Karen, Jason, Charles) are all upbeat and keep you informed on what’s going on. I love how Coaches Jason and Charles are with my son and all the kids. We love that Steve and Nicole are veterans and they have made the decision to pour into the lives of kids. Karen is always helpful, pleasant and supportive every time I see her. My husband and I have been really happy with the decision to enroll our son in this program.
Hope this review helps anyone on the fence……..our son is an energetic (kid has a lithium Ion Tesla battery), rambunctious, 100% boy. We love him to pieces but noticed his weight was slowly creeping up, his attention span, and listening skills weren’t where we wanted them to be. We wanted to be proactive and get him into a disciplined environment while also increasing his physical activity. We researched different Martial Arts Academy’s in the Fort Washington area and came across Fort Washington United. We initially called in January 2021 and spoke with Nicole. Within a week we decided to bring our son in for a trial class. The atmosphere and environment was very welcoming. The staff stopped what they were doing to invite us in, take us on a tour, and answer the zillion questions we had. Our son immediately fell in love with the class and was a participant 4-5 times a week in the evenings and on Saturday’s. Fast forward to the Spring and we were prompted with the decision to do the traditional Summer Camp for our son, or enroll him in the Summer Program offered at Fort Washington United. We are so glad we went with FWU. Our son (who turned 6 in May) has progressed immensely in the areas of reading, problem solving, communication, public speaking, water safety (swimming), and leadership. The lessons and principles instilled by the staff has turned our son into a responsible, respectful natural leader who can also throw a hell of a punch and follow with a roundhouse kick, but will also help an old lady across the street……..AWESOME STAFF! AWESOME MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM! Can’t say enough great things……wish I could give them 10 STARS!
If you are into fort Washington area, this the best martial arts academy
I am the mom of a special needs child. I was very hesitant to put him in martial arts. I’m glad we did, best decision we ever made! Grappling and striking have boosted my sons self esteem. During summer camp, the group went on museum tours. Each week had a educational theme. They learned coding, finance principles and received points for each book they read over the summer. The points could be used for toys and games. Now that school has started, the focus is on homework. I worried the staff wouldn’t be one on one with my son for his studies so I didn’t bother sending his homework. Imagine my surprise when his teacher sent multiplication homework home and my son already knew it! He’d work with staff using Kahn academy. Great place, great staff!!!
I've trained at UMAA since September 2018, and since then, my growth has been immense. If you're into challenging workouts, this place has you covered (I am down 40 lbs and keeping the weight off). If you're looking for fulfilling afterschool programs for children, this place is dedicated to both mental and physical success, with tutoring and homework support to go along with martial arts instruction. If you are interested in setting and achieving personal goals, I can personally attest that this gym has helped me reach new heights. I never saw myself winning a grappling tournament, but the coaches, staff, and teammates made that a reality. I cannot recommend this place enough . From ownership down to students, this place is all class. It is more than just a gym, it is a community hub.
I highly recommend UMAA. My son Mason has attended the after school program for almost 2 years now and I could not be more thankful to the coaches and staff. Since attending, Mason has become a lot more confident, disciplined and an overall better student. The coaches and staff care a lot about the kids and always go the extra mile to help whether it’s with training or homework.
My son goes to UMAA to their after school program. The coach never misses a day to update us that my son got picked from school, in the van and when they’re in school. We celebrated my son’s 11th birthday at UMAA and the theme was Nerf Blast. The party was a “BLAST” all kids had a great time and the staffs did a “BLAST” job! I highly recommend this school. Not only they love what they do, but they care the well being of their students.
I love how organized and focused this academy is. I’ve seen great changes in my daughter in the short time she’s attended and my son is now apart of this amazing martial arts family as well.
Staff there are very nice and they teach very good techniques
This school is great for kids and adults. Both the learning center and the martial arts are top notch. They do real self defense and are planning a great summer camp.
United Martial Arts Academy is great environment to build a foundation for martial arts. With a diligent staff and wonderful community it is an excellent environment for learning, guaranteed to instill the calmness and confidence needed to succeed.
The United Martial Arts Academy has classes for the entire family! The classes are great for people of all ages that want to learn top rated self defense and get fit! The kids have a ton of fun during classes! I would recommend this gym to anyone again and again!
Great staff. Real team environment. Great place for young people to get fit and learn self defense techniques.
Best martial arts gym in Fort Washington for kids and adults.
This establishment does not know how to handle primary children. The punishment for a 5 year old should not be the same for a 12 year old. The point system that the children are on is very subjective. And thinking that a 5 year old should have the same responsibility as a 12 year is ridiculous. It is probably a great establishment for older students but not for younger children.
I can’t even begin to express how terrible it was to send my child to that place. The lack of communication and the way my child suffered because of their mistake are truly unacceptable. I will never make that decision again. Wish I could give a zero!!!!
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