Become a Part of the #1 Martial Arts and Fitness Academy in Washington DC

BETA Academy was founded in 2008 by MMA and Muay Thai World Champion Master Nakapan Phungephorn with the vision of building the best Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness Academy in the entire Washington DC area. He and his wife, “Kru” Melanie (Kru is the Thai word for Teacher), share a lifelong passion of learning and teaching practical martial arts.

The inspiration for BETA Academy comes from the Betta Fish (also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish). These fish are admired not only for their efficient and deadly attacks against their opponents but also for their grace of movement.

We Will Exceed Your Every Expectation!

As a member of the BETA Academy family, you will have the opportunity to refine your martial arts skills in the comfort of our spacious 10,000 square foot facility fully equipped with state-of-the-martial arts training equipment.

Strengthen your mind and your body on our high quality mixed martial arts training equipment.

• Kick Heavy Bags
• Punch Speed Bags
• Slam Grappling Dummies
• Pin opponents down on the mats

And much more…

Improve your physical fitness with strength and conditioning tools such as Kettlebells and Battle Ropes. Many of these training tools are incorporated into BETA’s challenging training regiment.

Men’s and Women changing rooms, lockers and showers are available for your convenience.

Ready to Start Your FREE 30 Day Trial?

On your first visit to the academy, a friendly Martial Arts Consultant will greet and show you around our ever-expanding facility.

We encourage you to tell us about your personal goals so that we can develop a customized training schedule to meet your individual needs.

Whether your aspiration is to improve your fitness level, learn effective self-defense skills or to become a competitive athlete, BETA Academy has the program to help you successfully achieve your goals.

Stop by and Visit Our Downtown Washington DC Location

BETA Academy
1459 Columbia Road, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.538.0422

Our school operates out of the basement level of the Calvary Methodist Church conveniently located less than two blocks away from the Columbia Heights Station (on the Washington DC Metro Rail’s Green Line).

We are not only within short walking distance of the metro; we are also less than a block away from the Columbia Heights shopping district that contains a Best Buy, Target and a Pot Belly Sandwich shop, among many other stores and restaurants. In this area, there is plenty of street parking. Students may also park in the enclosed, public parking garage of the shopping center for a small fee.

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER

“Studying martial arts has positively affected all aspects of my life. As a young man, I originally sought out Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Thai Boxing for its effective fighting methods. I quickly learned that there is so much more to the martial arts than just fighting. Confidence, self-discipline, and warrior spirit are just a few of the many positive character-building values that I have learned over the years. My goal is to give back to the martial arts by instilling these values into our community.”


-Khun Kru Nakapan Phungephorn 



TEAM LLOYD IRVIN/ TEAM LEO DALLA AFFILIATION



BETA Academy is proud to be associated with the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Thai Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts academies in the Washington, DC and surrounding Metropolitan area. Our consortium of schools allows us to share new techniques and training methodologies, resulting in a limitless, expanding knowledge base for our students and our instructors.

Learn more about our Team Lloyd Irvin/ Team Leo Dalla Affiliation of Academies.