Testimonials
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-Kyle
Training at Vanguard Gym has been very rewarding. The returns are in the way I’ve seen my physical endurance get better. I am not nearly at winded after the workouts as I was in the first few classes. The benefits are much more than I expected, not only for the athletic aspect of it, but also the mental aspects. It really provides a break from the same old workday that I was experiencing before joining.
It has also made watching MMA on television more enjoyable as I have a better understanding of what the athletes are doing.
The instructors and also other students are very helpful at Vanguard Gym, and they honestly want you to get better. I was really impressed when I saw on the website that there were no ego’s at the gym, and then found that to be absolutely true. I started training there when Doug was out of town, and even in his absence, I was immediately treated like I was part of the family. I’ve also lost about 7 pounds of body fat since training, without losing any muscle.
- Brandon Lark
I have been in law enforcement for over 14 years & have been involved in many physical encounters during the performance of duties. As a result, I’ve found it imperative to be proficient in some type of martial arts/self defense training, as a matter of survival.
When I moved to the area I was looking to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) school environment that would challenge my physical and mental stamina, while developing a level of camaraderie with my fellow students. I also wanted to receive excellent BJJ instruction from a highly qualified & experienced BJJ instructor, and if possible, I wanted to find an all in one school. I have found the physical challenge, support, esprit de corps, high level coaching, instruction, and more with Vanguard Gym’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Boxing, and Cross Fit programs.
As a result of my training, my physical & mental stamina has increased. I have also discovered an environment which provides excellent, easy to understand instruction from an experienced BJJ black belt. On many occasions, the instructor takes the time to provide individual coaching and hands on instruction to his students. This level of instruction is a rare quality found in many schools. Of the all the schools I researched, prior to joining Vanguard, rarely did I receive individual attention from the black belts.
-Channing
When I moved to this area in May of this year, I visited numerous gyms in the area to see what best suited my needs. I paid numerous fees and dealt with all sorts of personnel from each gym before I found Vanguard. From the first day I could tell it wasn’t any typical gym. It didn’t pride itself on just the newest state of the art equipment, “luxurious” facilities or “highly” trained specialist available to personally “train” me. It is a gym dedicated to helping people pursue a healthy life through actively engaging in a healthy lifestyle. Right from the beginning the actual owner, not some sales rep, took the time to assist me and ask what I was trying to achieve. After our discussion he showed me the facilities, and asked if I would be interested in trying a few of the various classes. I knew after the first day of Cross-Fit this gym could give me the challenges I was seeking. Before I hadn’t been interested in the other types of training offered, yet after I did them in the trial, they too where in tune with what I desired to be, a physically fit, confident and prepared person. I wanted to find a gym to assist me at becoming the best I could be, all around, to handle any situation needed, a gym that helped level my life out through the appropriate amount of physical activity. What I have obtained is that and so much more. I spent eight years as a U.S. Marine and went through various types of training and tested all kinds of programs and supplements. Yet, now at Vanguard and the age of 28, I’m on the path to being in the best shape of my life, physically and mentally. Not only does the gym offer a chance to excel everyday, a convenient location, proper facilities, excellent instructors and great classes, the staff and other members are all there to support me in achieving success, just as you are there for them. It’s a team effort there.
- Joshua N. Orndorff
I had played organized team sports for about 20 years and found it harder to find the competition level that I wanted to participate in as I got older. I was interested in finding an individual sport that I could compete in that would push me physically and mentally.
When I started training I was curious to see if I would be able to train in MMA let alone actually compete in it. After 10 months of training I had my first MMA fight and won a Unanimous Decision. It was due to the great training and teammates at Vanguard that allowed me to be able to get in the cage so quickly and actually be successful. I am well ahead of where my expectations were when I started training. Along with competing in MMA I have also competed in multiple gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu tournaments, winning my divisions in a few of them. My grappling and striking has improved drastically in the time I have been training at Vanguard Gym but there is still a long ways to go and I look forward to putting in the work necessary to continue to improve.
Since I have been training at Vanguard Gym my level of physical fitness is easily the highest it has been in my life. I started training at 230 pounds and was mainly into lifting weights. Over the first year of training I lost over 40 pounds and improved my endurance greatly and was able to keep my strength from my time that I was strictly lifting weights. After running a marathon two years ago I can say that any Saturday’s four hours of training at Vanguard is just as, if not more, physically demanding. When I started at Vanguard I expected to not only get into shape but also learn effective striking and grappling. I have continued to improve in both areas well beyond my initial expectations. Even though MMA, BJJ, and Muay Thai are individual sports when it comes to competitions, the team training leading up to them is extremely important and at Vanguard there are plenty of other hard working teammates there to push each other to improve. The camaraderie is definitely an added incentive that I did not even realize was something I would get out of training at Vanguard.
– Josh
I have always been involved in sports and enjoy being apart of a team. At Vanguard Gym the facility is absolutely awesome and the team involvement and respect everyone has towards the gym, sport and each other is unparalleled. Since joining the gym, I came out of retirement with swimming. I have combined Mixed Martial Arts and CrossFit into my training regiment. The training has made me stronger in the pool and my times are improving. I have noticed that my fast twitch muscles have been improving as well as my strength and conditioning. I had great expectations starting out and I am still, always impressed! My alternative way of training with Vanguard has definitely turned some heads with the swimming community in the Northern Va/DC area. I strongly feel that the training I do at Vanguard will help me get to the elite level in US swimming.
— Joe
When I first came to Vanguard Gym, I was walking around at 192 lbs. After less than a year training at Vanguard, I’ve lost 45 lbs and compete in the lightweight division. I feel great, I’m in the best shape of my life and my confidence great. Training at Vanguard, I’ve learned to control my emotions. I’ve become more mellow to the point where things that used to bother me don’t anymore. I’ve gained skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai and MMA. Only Vanguard has the program that fits the expectation I need and to push me to my limits. I have more self -control and self-discipline. I believe training at Vanguard can help me accomplish my goals. I highly recommend joining Vanguard Gym, whether you just want to get into shape or become a great fighter.
— Duy
I sought the training options at Vanguard due to my need for exercise and a desire to get son involved in an extracurricular activity. I needed an option that met my family’s busy schedule. To be frank, it was quite difficult finding anything that started at 7:00 p.m. on weeknights. I was very excited to find a viable option for my son and I to participate in that worked into our schedule.
Vanguard Gym has provided my son and I the opportunity to participate in a sport together, build our father-son bond, improve our level of fitness and self confidence, and have fun. My son has significantly improved his school grades and self confidence since attending Vanguard. Doug and the other coaches are true professionals who take the time to ensure that all the students, no matter what level of experience, grasp the techniques being taught and demonstrate proper execution of each sequential move.
My original goal was primarily based on getting my son involved in an extracurricular activity that met our schedule. That goal has been met, as my son truly enjoys attending Vanguard. At the end of the day, both my son and I are reaping a number of rewards from attending Vanguard: exercise, father-son time, education, additional social interaction and self confidence. I’m involved in something with my son – that is priceless. My son has improved significantly in his school grades and I have lost fifteen pounds since attending Vanguard. Additionally, since I am older than the majority of the members, I feel good about being able to hang with the younger guys at my level.
— Michael
The benefits I’ve seen since my time at Vanguard Gym have far exceeded any expectations I had when I decided to venture into the sport. I’ve been able to set goals for myself and conquer them in a way I’d never of imagined had it not been for the help of the coaches and my fellow training partners.
The day I stepped through the door at Vanguard Gym I knew I wanted to be a fighter, and while I had a solid base in physical fitness I lacked many things that one would require in order to become such a fighter. Though through much hard work, dedication, and the invaluable knowledge and instruction of the Coaches, and Assistant Coaches, I was able to transform myself from an ordinary athletic guy, to a mixed martial arts fighter. And while becoming a fighter was my primary goal, I found so much more within the gym. Through working with the coaches, and my training partners, I forged a bond that I can think of no other way to describe it then “like family”. The one thing that I believe our gym has that conventional gyms don’t is this, all of the guys and girls within the gym form a family like bond, one that has helped me not only achieve physical goals, but internal goals as well. We all hear about how sports have changed people physically, but for me, some of the biggest and most rewarding changes being apart of the gym has helped me with are changes within myself. They say “iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another” this phrase couldn’t be any truer when I look back on all of the things I’ve gained since becoming a member of Vanguard Gym. Self Confidence, discipline, a sense of being a part of something, these are all things that I’ve improved on tremendously thanks to the gym, the Coaches, and everyone within the gym.
— Mike Pope
I definitely recommend Doug for those who want get involved in Martial Arts; he is an excellent student and instructor as well. He has been my assistant instructor for many years, helping me bring the best out of my students. He is a very disciplined and knowledgeable instructor and is ready to introduce you to the Martial Arts World.
— Leo Dalla
www.leodalla.com
I have two boys. Boys have a need to test themselves. They want to stay in shape. They want to develop skills they can be proud of. They want to be around people they can learn from.
Training martial arts is like learning a musical instrument in that they have to earn the skills they want. They just can’t show up and hang out and expect to learn how to fight and get stronger. They have to mix it up with guys who have something to offer and instructors have to have the wisdom to push them (inspire) to learn more every day. I want them to see how much they are learning to keep them motivated. I love seeing them excited to tell me what they did that day.
I am praying that this will be a lifetime pursuit. Something they will pass on to their kids. Just like learning an instrument this is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, the best thing I think the boys could do would be to make a lifetime commitment to train. I am grateful that Vanguard is run as a Dojo. There is obviously a sacred commitment to what is being taught there. There is respect and fun and appreciation. Martial artists are also given the opportunity to compete to really test themselves. Vanguard Gym is a very inspirational place.
— Father of Two Boys
When I started looking for a gym that suited my needs I was looking for a gym with daily classes, a large selection of functional fitness and CrossFit equipment, and great coaching. While talking to friends that trained at different gyms, I found Vanguard offers the most for the buck. What I found when I got there was a coach patient and willing to teach the fundamentals of striking and grappling; friendly teammates; and a safe training environment and equipment.
What have I developed while training at Vanguard? Confidence, physical fitness, and practical instructions in self-defense.
— Shawn
Doug has always helped me with my game, he knows the crucial details to improve the advanced grappler and takes it slow with the beginners so they always have fun. I have sparred with him countless times and I can attest he is one tough customer.”
— Steve
I was looking for a gym for general self-improvement–I wanted to improve my fighting ability, and I wanted to improve my fitness. At Vanguard Gym I have been able to do that and at times that complement my schedule as Vanguard’s flexibility with scheduling is well above standard compared to other gyms. I feel better about myself from a fight ability and fitness standpoint but continue to have goals that I know Vanguard’s staff can help me achieve.
— John
I highly recommend Vanguard Gym’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Thai Boxing classes for anyone, male or female, who wants to get in shape and learn skills and discipline that will help them outside the gym. Not only are these classes a great workout, they will give you the confidence to handle yourself in any situation. Doug’s teaching style is focused and clear, and he is great and working with people of any skill level or background. Men and women who are ready for a challenge and want to have a blast training in a fun and social team environment should check out these great classes!
— Lauren
I’ve been practicing various martial arts for several years now. I began with sambo and judo back in Russia , and started Brazilian Jiu-jitsu about a year and a half ago. That’s a great sport for one who wants to learn self-defense, meet good people or have a great work out. When I met Doug, I was impressed with his professionalism, dedication to sport and positive attitude. Besides that, as a coach, he can often teach you something new about a move that you thought you mastered already. Whether you are new to martial arts or an experienced athlete, I recommend you go ahead and give Vanguard gym a try.
— Ivan
Sr. Software Engineer
Doug is an excellent instructor. I have been
training with him for a little over a year
and can honestly say he is one of the top instructors I have ever trained with.Training with Doug will have you executing techniques with precision and efficiency that will give you real confidence in your abilities. Doug’s teaching style uses a no pressure approach so that you learn as well as enjoy being there.
— Walter
I have been training with Doug for about three years and have been fortunate to have seen him recieve his brown belt from Leo Dalla. Doug is an awesome training partner as well as an excellent instructor. He is very detail oriented which makes for an easy learning process. The time I have spent with Doug on the mat has improved my Jiu-Jitsu tremendously. I am proud to say Doug is my training partner, instructor, and friend.
— Matt “Heavy” Helle
I have known and trained with Doug since 2005 when I began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has spent countless hours with me and my classmates instructing and perfecting techniques and positions. Doug’s love for Mixed Martial Arts shines through in all that he does. As a former Marine Corps, edged weapons, hand to hand combat and combatives instructor, Doug has the tools to teach you what you want to know.
Training at Vanguard Gym will give you an opportunity to train with people with varying skill sets from international competitors and champions to beginners, and I strongly recommend signing on with their winning program. No matter what your interests, Doug can help you achieve them.
— Todd H
I have trained in Martial Arts for over 26 years with many different schools and attended many athlete development camps at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I can honestly state that Vanguard Gym has the best training program of any school I have attended. Doug has designed a program which teaches anyone from beginner to expert level. I have been a student for close to a year and have never experienced a time in which Doug was too busy to personally help me or answer any question during or after class. I strongly urge anyone in the Manassas area interested in Martial Arts to give Vanguard a try.
— John Csoka
