Hey, @warriormale, have you ever thought of throwing in some advice for men on cool stuff like this? Or maybe how to find a good gym locally – what criteria and stuff the gym would need to fit to assist us in our goal of Ultimate Manliness?
Well, I haven’t girded up my loins in a while, so I can’t offer any advice on that topic…….
But I can offer some tips on what to look for when choosing a fight gym.
Here they are:
1. Gyms MUST be kept clean. Bacteria grow quickly with old sweat so its critical that mats and all locker rooms/showers be routinely wiped down with disinfectant. If you notice dust balls, don’t go back. You can get very sick from dirty mats.
2. Talk with the trainers and the gym members. Try to get feedback on what they like and don’t like about the gym. Members will be honest and will tell you the good as well as the bad, so be prepared for feedback.
3. Visit as many fight gyms as you can before making a decision. This will give you frames of reference, comparing one gym to another. Try to write things down during your visits so the observations don’t “blend together” making it difficult to remember. Ask a friend to come along with you. Two sets of eyes are always better than one. Visits should be fun!
4, Ask to take free classes before you decide. Good fight gyms will allow you to take these classes to help you decide. The justification is simple – How can you commit to taking classes in a fight sport that you’ve never tried before? There is ground combat (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) striking (boxing, kickboxing, muay thai) and combos (MMA). There is also wrestling and many others as well. It’s common sense to take a class first to see if you even like it.
5. Ask for a tour. Good fight gyms are very proud of their facilities and will be eager to show them off. Let them do their sell job. Never commit to membership during the first visit. Tell them that you will come back after visiting other gyms. This will help them to realize that you are a smart shopper!
6. Ask to see the contract. Good fight gyms normally want a commitment from members, typically 6 months. Take the contract home and read it before you sign it. You are making a financial commitment and it’s important to understand what you’re agreeing to.
In the end the fight gym will be your second home. You will be spending a lot of time there and paying membership fees. So it’s really important to do your homework thoroughly before making a commitment.
Take your time and have fun with your visits!
Train and fight!
Always seek Manliness!
WarriorMale
WarriorMale 