Silverback Academy

14740 Flint Lee Rd # F, Chantilly, VA 20151, USA

(52 reviews)

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Silverback Academy's Krav Maga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu programs are the premier fitness and self defense classes in Chantilly, Virginia.Try out a class and get started today!

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Michael Gee

I attended a Friday noon open mat here. There were a LOT of people who showed up, and everyone was super friendly and welcoming. Clean facility, lots of mat space. What more could you ask for? I greatly enjoyed my rolls and I'll be coming back in the future.

Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Jose Merino

What I appreciate the most is the level of respect coaches shows to their students and the amount of knowledge coach Sean provides in his classes. Teammates are touch player yet humble and welcoming to newcomers. These were the traits that got me to join the academy!

Instructors Classes Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Eddie Yi

After many years off (maybe 5 or so), I got the itch to get back into training. Based off schedule, location and personal referrals, I decided to try out Silverback Academy/Ascend Jiu Jitsu. I signed up right away after 1 day, and I've been here since August 2024 (it is now December). Relearning Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu was a struggle, but Professor Sean, Coach Tyler, and the other coaches and experienced members helped me ease back into things. This gym has people from all sorts of "walks of life", which is encouraging for anyone who is considering joining. It is definitely worth a visit!

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
Christopher Carver

I recently joined this academy after moving to VA from MD and from a different academy. This is a great place. Very friendly and with many highly skilled training partners, and the training space is exceptional - good mats, great music, good instructors, and a great schedule. I highly recommend them.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
anmol gupta

Great spot!

Atmosphere
Posted 1 year ago
JOSH PETTY

I am an upper belt at another local gym in the area who would be considered a competitor business wise. This gym is amazing. A huge group of girls and guys of all belt ranges who train gi and no gi. They have a lot of black belts who are all very welcoming and who don’t train with an ego. They don’t try to beat you down to prove their gym is better. Just solid jiu jitsu and a welcoming attitude. I would encourage people to check this school out for an open mat or a class whether you train in the gi or no gi whether your male or female. It was a great experience for me.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Chris Tina Chen

Ascend/Silverback is the place to be if you want to train hard AND smart. I shopped around a lot of bjj places around the area and this is the spot that truly humbled me. Professor Sean is not only an amazing bjj instructor but he’s also great at building a positive culture at his gym. As a woman training, it’s rare to see more than a handful of women training at once as well, but at Ascend/Silverback sometimes we have up to 15+ women showing up to train! It’s a true testament of the work Professor Sean and his staff put into maintain!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Troy Bou

I've been training here for about 7 years. From Blue to Black Belt and you could not ask for a better community. This gym has so many members you can find whatever you're looking for. There's advanced competitors, people interested in self defense and experienced hobbyists.

Facility Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Edgar Lopez

I travel from Canada to chantilly every year to visit family and silverback has been my go to gym to train 3 years now ! Sean is super welcoming and good vibes , nice people fun rolls.

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Posted 2 years ago
Samir Nader

Best Jiu-Jitsu in Virginia no joke.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Ahmad Rahim

I'm extremely grateful that I have an amazing Tom DeBlass affiliate gym a few mins away from my home. It's been over 6 months since I last trained, and finally, I got the chance to train here today. My entire interaction with the owner, Professor Sean, and his staff was top-notch. They're clearly passionate about Jiu-Jitsu with an unmatched level of hospitality. Highly recommend training here if you live in the area or if you're just visiting.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Paul Maldonado

This place is full of amazing people who will push you and encourage you. You will feel like a new person, a much stronger person mentally and physically.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 2 years ago
Matt Hull

I started with Silverback Academy in Nov of 2022 with zero Jiu Jitsu experience and I can’t say enough good things about this place. I have grown so much both physically and mentally from the coaches and professors this academy offers. Head Coach Sean Stoopman is very kind and patient and teaches in a way that is easy to understand and at the same time holds you to a very high standard which I really like. This academy will push you hard but make it fun in the process! If you’re looking for a gym that will challenge you and push you to new levels. Come to Silverback, we would love to have you!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Mathew Kemp

Silverback feels like home. I’ve been training here for over 4 years now and still look forward to every class. The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and always willing to thoroughly explain the answers to students’ questions. The curriculum adapts to improve on traditional techniques and implement the “meta” while still laying a solid foundation of fundamentals. And the people are some of the best friends I’ve ever had. If you’re looking for a place to train in the DMV, Silverback should be at the top of your list!

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Zoe Davis

Started at Silverback over a year ago, and it’s not only a great place to learn and train but the people are amazing. Such a uplifting and supportive environment! 10/10

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Gilda Radwan

I started at Silverback a while back, and have trained at different spots from west to east coast. The head coach Sean, is the most knowledgeable and patient professor I've ever met (all the other coaches are great in teaching as well)! The classes are extremely well organized and programmed so you have the opportunity to retain the information you learn—it's a great system in place. Variety of bjj classes (from 6am-8:30pm) are offered from basics, advanced, gi, nogi along with wrestling, and krav (to name a few). There are also competition classes to help students prep to compete, which is the ONLY place I've ever found to do that!! Whether looking for a hobby or wanting to compete, Silverback gives the best welcoming, positive, and encouraging environment!!

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Posted 3 years ago
Mohammad Dost

Best place to train. Amazing BJJ and Muay Thai classes. Highly recommended. And great atmosphere. Like one big family

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Posted 3 years ago
Alan Parker

I have been training martial arts, my entire life… I feel like I was always on this journey full of constant let down…. Then I stumbled upon Silverback!!! Everything I ever wanted in training is right here in one place! All of the instructors have real world experience and they don’t sell you fluff!!!!! I have never met such a welcoming atmosphere!!! As skilled as everyone is, no one ever makes you feel less than … in fact, it’s one of the most encouraging environments I have ever been in .The head instructor along with all of their students have literally changed my life! I strongly urge anyone that is serious about martial arts training to come by!

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Cameron Hurd

Highest level of instruction you’ll find, matched with an incredible group of friendly & welcoming people from all walks of life. Truly a special place to train & learn martial arts.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Daniel Habashi

Sean runs an amazing gym full of talented people. So glad I found this place😁

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Olivia Coyne

Moved into town about a month ago due to a job change and needed to find a new home. I tried 2 other places and silverback was the best place I found. I've only gone to a few classes, but I can't wait to go to more and learn/grow with this crew down the road. They are definitely worth it.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 3 years ago
Danielle

Awesome martial art and lifting gym with multiple class options, cool owner and members! :)

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Posted 4 years ago
Lemy Park

Great group, awesome coaching staff. Always grateful to have been able to train here

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Al Krinker

Great place to train. Coaches have in depth knowledge in gi and nogi; stand up and ground game. Very welcoming place with lots of mat space and different partners both in levels of experience, body type and age. Definitely recommend it

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 4 years ago
Doug Dahlby

Lessons are well-designed to be suitable for both beginners and experts. Rather than focusing only on form drills and sparring, the instruction also covers how to use self-defense skills in real-life scenarios.

Instructors Classes
Posted 5 years ago
J K

Best BJJ school in town

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Posted 5 years ago
Jacob Novak

This is one of the best places I’ve been to. Has great professors/instructors. Everyone is very welcoming no matter what your experience level is. Highly recommended!

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 5 years ago
John D

Sean is a great instructor & makes the gym a welcoming place. Always learn a new detail or two when I stop by. Highly recommend.

Instructors Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Jared Dopp

Sean is a great coach/training partner and the people are very welcoming. The facility is nice and well maintained with a large space. There is also a nice strength and conditioning section.

Instructors Facility Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
AJ Trefonas

I stopped by Silverback Academy for open mat while in DC. I’m a purple belt from Colorado. They were very friendly and hospitable. Awesome rolls with high level people!! Definitely highly recommended and will be coming back

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
Kristel Ebert

I had never done anything like this before and was nervous about trying it out. The instructor did a great job pairing me up with people who could teaching me and I was surprised how comfortable I felt. Plus, it was a great workout even though it was my first time. Definitely would recommend this place to someone looking to try Jui-Jitsu out!

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 7 years ago
Charles Wheeler

A great community for martial artists of all skill levels. Patient and knowledgeable instructors, very clean and welcoming. Anyone in the area, especially beginners, should check it out.

Instructors Facility Location Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
Thomas Merryman

This is a fine group of individuals that care about the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and I learned something every time I visited. I love their approach and mindset and give them my highest recommendation. I am a novice when it comes to the vast number of other programs they offer in addition to BJJ but I believe that if you apply their process to any program then the program that results will be stellar. I cannot speak higher of Sean, Joseph, Alexa, Andrew, etc. Great people, great place.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 8 years ago
Ciera Fleming

All my life I have wanted to practice a form of self defense, but I never found anywhere to go until I moved down here to Northern Virginia. After looking around at the best forms, I learned about Krav Maga, and through that, I found Silverback. From my first class, I was hooked. It was not only the exact kind of realistic self-defense that I was looking for, but no one here is gimmicky or will teach you things that just aren't plausible in a real-life scenario. Even as a 5'5", 113lb woman, you're taught techniques that are used to overpower individuals that are much stronger than you by targeting weak spots, while keeping yourself as safe as possible. Not only are these classes providing you with a great skillset that could potentially save your or another individual's life, but it's a great workout, as well. The classes are an hour long, but they feel like 15 minutes. You'll find yourself getting addicted and just wanting the classes to be longer and longer so you can practice more. They also hold many other classes, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (which I also attend), AMOK, MMA, and more. As for the people that both run SBA and attend, there is an incredible sense of camaraderie among everyone. No matter how new or skilled you are, you will always be pushed to do better and encouraged every step of the way. Your weaknesses will be exposed and you will learn from them in a positive and educational way. Everyone here just wants to see you do your best. The owner, Sean, and his wife Alexa are two of the kindest and most down-to-earth people you will ever meet in your life. There are not enough words to properly describe how incredible these two both are. They will help you improve every day, and in a way that doesn't make you feel incompetent or dumb (because let's be honest, we all can get that feeling when trying to learn something new). The entire gym is an incredibly welcoming community of people, regardless of your background, beliefs, or color of your skin. Everyone is so supportive of each other all the time. Speaking from an introverted (and anxiety-ridden) point of view, it's very hard for me to want to be around other people, much less ones I don't know.. However, at Silverback, that feeling tends to disappear very quickly as everyone makes learning with one another so easy. We all make mistakes and we're all growing together. I live nearly an hour away from the gym and I come here as often as I possibly can. It is 100% worth it. There honestly isn't a better place to learn self defense or to better yourself as a person. Sean has created a beautiful gym with beautiful people and I'm honored to be a part of it. I can honestly say that attending Silverback and meeting Sean has changed my life for the better in an immeasurable way.

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Posted 9 years ago
K Grim

Best in the area and Sean know his stuff. Very Professional and knowledgeable. I shall Return.

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Posted 10 years ago
Brandon Sutton

Excellent gym. Instructors are super nice and helpful. Great focus on technique and form. Great workout.

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Posted 11 years ago
Joe Aldeguer

I'm very happy I have found Silverback Academy even though it is a bit far from where I live. Master Instructor Sean Stoopman, puts a lot of emphasis on realistic defense/offense training against all sorts of threats you could potentially meet in the street. I have taken Martial Arts classes before from places such as the one you find in strip malls which left me wanting more. But with Silverback Academy my first day in Krav Maga I immediately got a taste on how to defend against gun threats or stick attacks! I have learned Krav Maga now for 2 months and I LOVE IT! There is the Stress test (physical and mental conditioning so you can still function under stress of a violent attack) which Sean puts as through. I swear every time we go through one of these I'm covered in sweat from head to toe afterwards! During class other students who have belts are always willing to help newcomers such as myself. Good place to learn Krav Maga, I can't recommend it enough It almost seems like a no brainer why not learn a skill which could potentially save your life or your love ones life while getting fit at the same time.

Instructors Facility Classes Location Atmosphere
Posted 11 years ago
Angus Wan

I am very happy I found Silverback Academy. I had been out of shape and the gym was just not cutting it. Silverback has provided the discipline and motivation I needed. Master Instructor Sean Stoopman brings a positive and disciplined atmosphere to self defense and personal fitness. He is very knowledgeable in various disciplines of self defense, not just Krav Maga and BJJ, and occasionally combines various techniques to improve on existing ones. Each technique class is structured for both beginners and advanced students. Every one of them is a workout. Other than technique classes, there is the Cross Fit inspired Krav Fit class. It is partially to supplement the physical requirements of the techniques class and to figure out how sore your whole body will be after a proper work out. For more advanced students, there is Competition BJJ and Sparring. At sparring, you learn to apply the techniques learn in the techniques class with other advanced students. One of the first lessons I learned was blocking a punch with my face was not good and should be avoided at all costs.

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Posted 12 years ago
RJ Krempasky

Excellent Gym. A great alternative to a traditional workout and a great positive atmosphere. All the instructors are welcoming and very good teachers.

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Posted 13 years ago
Jesse Byrd

I joined because I wanted to get back into jiu jitsu and learn the new school game. This was the only local school with a connection to the Danaher curriculum. Classes were often started without any warm up. Technique time was limited, and lots of careless rolling going on. When I cancelled my membership they didn’t reply to my many attempts to contact them and attempted to charge my card after I had clearly cancelled. Bad form and bro mentality abound at this school and I was very let down by the whole experience.

Instructors Facility Classes Atmosphere
Posted 6 years ago
Nicholas Rudolph

What is sad is that I really, really enjoyed this place. Until I tried to leave. Now, almost 6 months later they are STILL charging my credit card and I have verifiable emails showing I cancelled my membership on 3 separate occasions. Sadly, can't recommend that kind of business to anyone.

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Posted 9 years ago