Phantom Jiu Jitsu Academy — Attraction in Herndon

This review is not about the quality of the instruction in the sport, but solely about the business and financial practices of this gym. My experience has shown them to be -at best- incompetent and inconsistent in their communication, and at worst, deliberately misleading. I am leaving this review as a warning for others who may consider doing business with them.

Timeline of Events

April 2025 I informed the business that I would be away for ~2.5 weeks and asked about freezing my month-to-month membership. They told me they don’t offer freezes, but instead offered me a “credit.” No clarification was given on what kind of credit, and I admittedly assumed it was a billing credit (cash/discount). Had I known otherwise, I would have simply cancelled my membership for that month.

July 2025 I noticed I was still being billed the full amount, so I asked when the “credit” would be applied. The response: “At the end of your membership.” This was the first red flag, but since I was planning to end my membership soon anyway, I let it go.

August 2025 When I tried to cancel, I asked for my “credit.” This is when they revealed the credit was not financial at all, but a “training credit” to be used after my membership ended. That was never explained to me in April. Their communication directly caused me to make a financially disadvantageous choice by staying on instead of cancelling in April.

When I raised this issue by email, the business responded with an emotionally charged message accusing me of being “defamatory.” (Keep in mind: I only addressed this with them directly, not publicly.) However, they then offered to cut my final August payment in half “as a show of good faith.” I have this in writing.

At this point, I decided to accept the half-payment resolution and quietly finish out my membership in August.

Early August 2025 I showed up to train. The owner asked why I, a membership holder, was there, which is unprofessional, then confirmed I still had access until the end of the month. I used the membership, then traveled for two weeks.

August 27, 2025 When I attempted to return, I was told my membership had actually been cancelled on August 14. This directly contradicted both their written statement (“cutting my August payment in half”) and their verbal confirmation that I had access through the end of the month.

When I pointed out the contradiction, the owner escalated the situation publicly in front of other customers, arguing that “half payment means half membership.” This was never implied or stated in the original communication, where the phrase clearly referred to a discount on my final month’s dues, not cutting my access short. Instead of resolving the matter professionally, the owner chose to publicly kick me out of the facility.

The Pattern of Lies and Contradictions

April: Offered “credit” with no clarification - later redefined as something completely different than implied.

July: Told credit would be applied at the end of my membership - not true.

August: Told I had membership access through the end of the month & final payment cut in half - later revoked, membership cancelled mid-month.

August 27: Publicly kicked out after the owner retroactively redefined “half payment” to mean “half membership.”

At least, I have electronic evidence for the third and fourth incidents (emails from the business).

This entire ordeal could have been avoided if the business had simply said “no freezes, no credits” back in April. Instead, their lack of professionalism, shifting explanations, emotional outbursts, and ultimately an unnecessary public escalation, financial harm, and mistrust.

If you value clear communication, accountability, and professionalism, do not do business with this gym. At best, they do not remember or honor their own words. At worst, they are deliberately deceptive and...

As a jiujitsu practitioner of several years, with my home gym having been with several top teams, and in having visited my fair share of facilities, Phantom Jiu-Jitsu provides a rare balance in it being a place where high level technique meets a warm and welcoming environment. Frank has accomplished an incredible, and what often seems like impossible feat; in cultivating a space where the competitive athlete and hobbyist can coexist.

The culture of the gym allows for you to train with highly skilled and competent training partners who not only assist in strengthening your technique, but also keep you safe on the mats. The instruction is not only easily digestible but also deeply insightful and has the power to help refine even the smallest detail that can give your game an entirely new direction.

As a female grappler, it’s important for me to note that even with the high level instruction, there was no sense of intimidation or unease. The camaraderie between the students is palpable and inviting to visitors and new enrollments. The space is maintained with a level of mutual respect that’s genuinely impressive.

If you’re looking for world-class instruction and an environment conducive to not only the well-being of everyone who enters but to the art of jiujitsu,...

I started here about 3 1/2 months ago after moving up to Virginia from South Florida. I tried about 5-6 gyms in the area , called Phantom to get a vibe check and immediately all green flags. I came in for training that night and I was convinced this was the right place to train. Before moving out to the Arlington area I was staying in Culpeper for a few weeks and still making the 1 1/2 hour drive out just to get a day pass because the training is that next level.

Franks level of communicating and training is pretty unmatched. I’ve trained all over south Florida at top gyms, and around Central America and coming to Phantom was the first time I’ve experienced a real shift in how I understand what’s being taught.

All in all, it’s a great environment with top training and kinda just a kickass place. 10/10 if you’re visiting or want to try it out this should be...