Trident Academy of Martial Arts

I can’t say enough great things about this place.
As a complete novice to martial arts, I admittedly joined Trident partially for self defense… and partially so that I could just punch pads and take out my pent up aggression in a healthy way. (Somehow, I wasn’t getting either of those things from the yoga studio two doors down.) What I’ve gained in the mere two months I’ve been here, however, is so much more than what I joined up for. It’s simultaneously humbling and confidence instilling — this learning process. It’s a wonderful experience.
While each teacher has their own style, the material’s always consistent across the classes. The instructors themselves are collectively committed to helping you progress as best you can, encouraging you during the learning process, and making themselves available to help you or answer your questions even outside of class. Meanwhile, the facility itself is clean and spacious with a friendly atmosphere.
There’s also no pressure to join right away — which I loved. When I first came to Trident, I took those sample classes (I forgot to mention: they give you some trial ones to see if you like it first, which is kinda awesome). When I told Ben I was still undecided, he offered me a few more freebies. But I didn’t need them. By the end of my third class there, I realized I was hooked (pardon the pun?) on the striking program and signed up that night.
One of the best investments I’ve ever made.

Excellent place to train for kids n adults! Great teachers! Been training for two years and my son has progressed from not wanting to get on the mat to loving and looking forward to training.

By far the best gym in the area! My son never wants to leave. He’s been training there for over 4 years, and couldn’t imagine a better place to train in martial arts.

Wonderful program! From being greeted by name at our first intro class to the extraordinary support from the instructor Ben, this program is the real deal. Not just martial arts taught here, but life lessons. I’m amazed at how much effort and care they show their students and families.

I’ve done several stints of formal training for combatives and striking sports. I just moved to the area and was looking for a gym to start jiu jitsu. I’m in the adult classes – there are a lot of adults like me starting their white belt, but also lots of seasoned vets.
This was the most welcoming gym I’ve ever walked into. This place isn’t about profit, it’s about their students and their learning. Mr. Pat Tray is an excellent leader and the rest of his staff will guide you to which classes best fit your interests. You can take more than just one discipline. One of my favorite instructors for JJ is Ivan, he is a huge guy who is a most professional and fun instructor. I worked with Ben when I first came in, and it was great to sample 2 classes for free before I decided I wanted to sign up. I came with a friend who decided she wouldn’t have the time to commit, and it was absolutely NO guilt trip to join.
I go 3x a week and love the community and friends I’ve made. I couldn’t imagine going a week without coming to Trident. Everyone loves teaching and learning. Nobody is out to injure you or be a bully. This is a professional and fun place! They’re affordable for what they offer and their culture is far above the standard. You won’t regret it!

I had the pleasure to meet Sifu Pat Tray and the staff at Trident Academy during a Guro Dan Inosanto workshop. What an impressive group of people and a fantastic facility. I am looking forward to training there soon when I am back in the area. Highly recommend this school!

One of the best lifestyle decisions I’ve made was to join Trident. Instructors are friendly, informative and patient. Very blessed to have found instructors of such high caliber.

I have been a friend and student of Pat Trey for many years. I can say Pat and his staff are truly some of the nicest People you will ever meet. Pat is the BEST and he has trained with the BEST in so many different Disciplines. He is very Humble but has a Wealth of Knowledge that he shares with all his students. He has dedicated his life to martial arts and its shows threw his teaching:)

Instructors: ¹⁰⁄₁₀ the main thing to look for is accreditation. All the Trident MMA instructors are accreditated In BJJ, JKD and Thai Kickboxing. The Lead instructor and owner Patrick Tray is a former NAVY SEAL and has a Full Instructorship in Bruce Lee’s art of Jun Fan Gung Fu/​Jeet Kune Do Concepts and Filipino Martial Arts under martial arts legend Guro Dan Inosanto. He is the DC Metro Area Representative forthe Thai Boxing Association of the USA under world famous Ajarn Surachai Sirisute. Mr. Tray is also a Full Instructor for JKD and FMA under the extremely talented Paul Vunak and his Progressive Fighting Systems. RCJ Machado Brazilian Jiu-​Jitsu International Association recognizes Mr. Tray as their Virginia State Representative. He represents the Shootwrestling Light Heavyweight Champion, Erik Paulson and Combat Submission Wrestling.
Teaching Method.8/10 Mr Tray teaching method is a ¹⁰⁄₁₀ due to his experience and legacy. He has 3 other lead instructors who have varying teaching methods. This offers positives and negatives. The positive is that you learn different things from each of them; the negative is that sometimes the instructor’s methods or interpretations contradict. The school also uses junior instructors, in which I personally frown upon. The teenage instructors lack the experience to instruct alone. Sometimes classes will begin with a junior instructor because a senior instructor is late or unavailable. Also the junior instructors display some entitlement rather than humility
Leveling System: ⁵⁄₁₀. Another negative is that the system for advancement is confusing and not very articulated when you join. The striking system has a belt system and a shirt system. There are different colored shirts according to your «level» and different striped belts. The shirt system does not articulate or display the level of experience of many of the students. There is a collection of advance martial artists (20+ years experience) from various martial arts disciplines. However, they are not afforded the opportunity to CLEP or advance more quickly. The system is based on time in class. A 1^st year martial artist who goes to class twice a week will advance faster than a 20 yr martial artist who only attends once a week. Even though the 20 yr martial artist is more advanced. The inability to recognize these advanced martial arts students can cause conflict. The lead instructors can identify these individuals and some of the senior instructors, but the junior instructors often cannot recognize or identify which can cause frustration amidst students and instructors. The BJJ leveling system is direct– a belt system; however I have not yet seen how students from other schools can gain repriciocity as well if they came from a different school. Courses of action that should be under consideration is to have the shirt system based on experience as evaluated by Mr Tray and the belt systems according to the disciplines instructed. This way you would have a Brown Shirt /​Black Shirt (20 yr martial art veteran) with a yellow tip belt in JKD/​Muay Thai., This is more for the instructors to identify the learning curve to which the students may learn.
Facility: ¹⁰⁄₁₀ the facility is brand new and is amazing. Fully matted floors for takedowns and grappling and a full sized ring for sparring and training. The facility is one of the best this writer has ever seen at this level of instruction.
Esprit De Corp: ¹⁰⁄₁₀ everyone at Trident is fun and craving to learn, the classes is laid back and it gives the ability to learn while being relaxed and calm. Friendships form quickly which helps in learning. The kid’s classes are more disciplined which is what they need at that level.

My brothers started at Trident a week ago and it has been nothing short of phenomenal. The instructors are amazing and keep it fun yet serious, the staff up front are always smiling and very courteous, and our experience has just been great. 2 thumbs up, thank you so much for this experience.

Excellent school for all ages and skill levels. When our two sons were old enough, my wife and I developed a checklist in our minds of the qualities in the martial arts school we wanted them to join: fun, challenging, promoting self-​discipline and practical self-​defense, variety of disciplines, and high-​caliber instruction. Given this lengthy laundry list, we know we got lucky with Trident Academy. As the parents of two students ages 5 and 8, and now students ourselves, we cannot be more complimentary of the school, the training, the instructors, and their commitment to the kids, parents, and adult students in the «Trident Family.»

My son just recently started (3 months), and I am so impressed with the staff and trainers. Dave and Chris are amazing with the younger kids. The improvement I see everyday in his BJJ is amazing. Each coach (Dave, Chris & Andrew) have a different style of coaching and by switching the coaches up keeps the kids on their toes. My son thinks it is a special treat when the owner, retired Navy Seal, Pat Tray comes over to talk and teach the class. I would highly recommend the school for anyone, be it as a way to get in shape or to improve your current skill set.

Me and my sister have been training here for years, and I’m really glad I started my martial arts experience here at Trident. All the instructors are attentive, highly qualified and trained by the best, retired Navy Seal, Pat Tray! The classes are high energy, a great workout, and you really walk away feeling like you learned something new every time. The Mauy Thai and the Filipino Martial arts classes are my favorite.