Background: I am an American woman, mother, and physician…read moreliving in Milan for the last 7 months, studying Italian while my husband earns his MBA. Hence this review is in English as my Italian is not that good yet. The good things: A beautiful building, lots of equipment, a juice bar, lots and lots of classes of every conceivable type, a spa with sauna, jacuzzi, turkish bath, fanghi--all of this inclusivo. Also personal trainers and other spa services such as massage are available for an extra price. The staff that I met are nice and friendly and very accommodating of my limited Italian. The bad things: Very expensive. They required me to pay for and undergo a lousy physical by their in-house doctor who was rude and didn't do anything useful (I understand why they want a physical, but at least then make it a useful one), the personal trainer I met with was useless, and some old lady stared at me and yelled at me in the shower, while I was shaving my legs, totally naked, that I am ABSOLUTELY NOT ALLOWED TO SHAVE MY LEGS. Oh my god. You'd have thought I just spit on her dog. The fact that I didn't know the word "rasare" in Italian probably upset her even more. I called the customer service person that had signed me up, and she said, well it's true, neither the men nor the women can shave. Thanks for letting me know in advance. Therefore, I now have to shower twice if I want to shave (once at home, once at the gym). For men, I guess it's not that big of a deal if you can't shave your face there, you just do it at home in the sink. For a lady, well, we have to get our whole legs wet plus more. It's much more inconvenient. Also the locker rooms and showers are quite dark, which is kind of nice since I don't care to highlight everyone's naked bodies with bright lights, but then it's also kind of frustrating when you're trying to get clean and get dressed and make sure you got all your things out of the locker. The weird things: Maybe this is just a cultural difference, but...your choice of hard liqueur at the juice bar? Why? I thought this was a healthy place??? Alcohol is dehydrating and disinhibits coordination, the last thing you'd want while exercising. Are people really unable to get through a work-out without drinking alcohol??? I've only been there 3 days, and while I appreciate what the gym offers, I'm already regretting having signed up. Probably better to go sweat it out somewhere cheaper. At least then if you have negative experiences, you won't have lost so much cash.

Wow this is my first fighting / martial arts training and I'm really impressed…read more Location: I live in Navigli so this location was easiest for me to get to twice a week for training, since we meet at a dojo next to the Certosa Grosotto stop of the 14 and 19 trams (which stop in or near Porta Genova). They also teach Keysi in Monza and Cinisello Balsamo, but this was easiest for me to get to so I'm happy they offer it. The Dojo is clean and well-kept. There are two showers and two separate large changing rooms, then one main room with a wood floor and the typical Japanese paper sliding doors. Instructor: Jacopo the instructor is great. He's fluent in both Italian and English so there is no language problem. He's an expert in lots of methods as he practiced Karate for 15 years and Katana in Japan even. He's intense, passionate, and very serious about Keysi, exactly the kind of instructor you want when you are learning how to protect your life and those around you if the need arises. It's great to hear his perspective on why Keysi is so different and great compared to other methods. He is extremely professional and experienced even though he's younger than some Guru looking Sensei. Instruction: There aren't so many in the course right now because it's new and word is just getting out, which is great for really getting the technique right. I'm shocked at how quickly we learn new moves and techniques, while knowing them so thoroughly that we can apply them well. Everyone is earning their first grade right now, so we are on the same page. I particularly love when we learn a series of combinations for attacking, then practice on one other person who is wearing protective glove pads, and then have to fight them while being attacked from behind by a second pad wearing attacker, attacking each one in turn or simultaneously to learn how to deal with multiple attacker situations. It's a real workout! It also really teaches you how to protect yourself 360 degrees at all times, control an area, be aware of your surroundings, and to think well and act decisively when your mind is in a panic state (because you can't see who is hitting you from behind- it freaks you out!!!). I always have good things to practice in between lessons as well. Method: I have to admit I was turned off a lot by the online information about Keysi. It can come across as pretentious, untested, and even a bit douchey when you look at information online. But I decided to give it a try when I read a good review of how different and effective it was for urban situations. I am glad I did! It isn't about knocking someone off a horse or getting points in a match, or for some kind of esthetic elegance. It's super practical, natural, direct, and brutal. It's a honing of natural instincts into powerful movements that maintain balance to channel all of your body's power through the elbow, fist, knee, thumb, or whatever the move calls for. It's always surprising when its used on you in practice. When you are used to seeing straight punches it's unexpected to get a powerful elbow blow, hammer punch, slap and skin rip, or thumb knuckle to your mouth bone, or to attack with one other person just to be turned into a weapon for the defender. Then you realize that it would rattle an attacker to deal with this fighting method. They would simply have no idea where the next blow was coming from and it's over before they know it. Very cool! Effect: After a few months of this I can confirm: 1) It's a great workout. I am stronger, faster, and very in shape. I'm more tired after 2 minutes of training here than after a 10 mile run. 2) I am capable of protecting myself from 2-3 attackers (who do not have weapons) and getting better every day. 3) I am much more aware of my environment wherever I am 4) I have a balance, presence, and confidence I did not have before when out and about. After my fianceé and I were robbed in Milan by 5 thugs I had realized I was at the mercy of any attacker. Jacopo's Keysi instruction has made me comfortable and confident in crowds and late at night walking in Milan or Chicago. I know what to do and how to do it and know that I still perform well when panicking (because we test that). Looking forward to the next class!

From the owner: Divulgazione del Keysi, sistema di combattimento da strada nato in Spagna negli anni 80 da Justo…read moreDieguez e diventato famoso attraverso i film di Batman di Christopher Nolan fino ad arrivare all'ultimo Jack Reacher con Tom Cruise.