Came into this place while I was trying out a bunch of different mma studios [this was surprising for me to find out, but apparently most places that offer one martial art have some kind of BJJ and Kickboxing program].
I've tried 4 places so far but this place was unique in many ways.
PROS: 1) Convenient classes to get to if you live or work in Greenpoint NYork - Contract flexibility was more than I'd normally seen/expected from most martial arts programs I've been involved with - Many skilled instructors who bring a great and positive energy to the classes they offer; HR office does a good job at keeping people informed as to how things work there etc
2) Belt rank-ups aren't charged so... that's a big thing since most schools seem to just use belt tests as a second source of income.... they don't though.... so props for that...
CONS: [this is MY experience so please consider this] 1) Classes are structured in a way that it is pretty easy to develop an overuse injury quickly (for me it was the fact that they literally had NO TIME AT ALL between a kids class and adult kickboxing for me to stretch on my own *PRIOR* to practice beginning (and keep in mind, unless you're nasty, I don't see any reason why anyone would want to stretch on a dirty, cold tile floor [no matts set up off the main practice area for people to stretch like all other places I've trained so far] which is the only place to stretch prior to starting class... unless you want to stretch in the locker room... which... sure... go ahead in stretch on a cold, unwelcoming locker-room floor... why not I guess [I'll give a hard pass on taht one though]) and the practice we did there was a LOT of overemphasis (in my opinion) on one specific type of kick on ONE side of the body with very very VERY little variation. I was so sore because of this lack of variation I had to take weeks off and it made me realize this is NOT the place for me. I've trained in many places recently and this is the only placed that did this with this result....
2) The pricing is a little out of control (for what it is) and it's a lock-in contract no less for a year. $239 or something like that... I've seen worse, less flexible contracts... but beyond that... no thanks, I'm aware of at least TWO places with a similar program that charge less and don't have lock in contracts, one of them right by my house.
3) They only offer ONE trial class... and it's PAID [LOL!]... $30 trial class. They might invite you for a second if you wait a couple weeks but... yea nah... [the place I'm training at offers THREE trial classes ALL FOR FREE WITH FREE EQUIPMENT/GEAR ETC]; another offers TEN!!! TEN!!! One class.... yea okay... that's not enough to know if I (or anyone) would want to be part of a school like this.
4) Despite paying more than you would at most places for a slightly inferior experience than ud get elsewhere, they still expect THE STUDENTS TO WIPE DOWN THE FLOORS/EQUIPMENT WHEN THEY'RE DONE.... and it's also shared equipment ... but I suppose you could just bring your own... but still... kinda gross just thinking about using gloves someone else just used recently... but yea... you have to pay more than you would with a lock-in contract AND you have to clean your area after you're done... yea okay....
I may update this review if I think of more things to say (good or bad) but for now I'll just leave this.
So in summation, this is basically, clearly, for all intents and purposes, a McDojo for Adults (they have a Corporate Office and EVERYTHING.... y... yeaaaaaaaa lol)...
...so.... does all the same stuff most places [even Karate studios] do these days, but for more money, less trial classes, less room/time to stretch and more money WITH lock in contract for a year.
The instruction was fine but I don't think I coudl've asked for a worse class structure than the one I experienced. That might not be every class but... I was out of commission for a WHILE for reasons that were 100% not my fault and can't imagine training in a place like this, esp for what they charge and with the contract they offer...
They did reach out to me recently via text but when I responded I never got a reply of any kind (it's been 5 days now LOL) showing this is probably an emotionless template they send to everyone with no thought, commitment or emotion involved.
By the way... I looked into the equipment costs to join this place... unless you do your laudry every other day, you're going to need to purchase at LEAST close to $300 in EQUIPMENT just to get started...
... that's before even hitting the matt the first tday... and you have to buy it all from their Corporate website (once again, LOL).
I feel bad for anyone stuck here beyond a point where they can pull out...
Hard... HARD pass, but enjoy my $30 for ONE class [which they said would be a private class but was really just a regular class... but that's a whole OTHER thing I'm not even going to get into right now read more