What do you think of this gym?

My friend and I have been thinking of joining this school. I think taking up an MA with a partner keeps you interested, and he's been wanting to join an MA class for a while. This school looks like it may be a bit pricey, but they say there aren't any contracts, so I guess that makes up for it.

http://www.ultimategymny.com/index1.htm

I've contacted them about whether they would take in 17 year olds, shouldn't be a problem but I've been denied before because of it with another gym.

Your lucky to live in New York... it seems like all the great martial arts schools are in New York...

making this one no differant.

It looks like a great program but I couldn't find how much they charge, I saw that they offer a month, three month, six month, or yearly membership but no price...

so how much is "a bit pricey"?

Hmmmm.... not sure myself. It is nicely presented, but I couldnt find reference to any competition success regarding its members. If a school focuses on what are commonly competetive arts, and are good at coaching them, then they usualy encourage students to enter competitions, and are proud to display their successes. Have they no winning fighters in their stable? If not, why?

Vale Tudo means 'anything goes' and refers to the style of a competition, not a specific martial art. Saying you can learn Vale Tudo, is like a school saying 'come and learn UFC'. what style of grappling do they teach? Its very vague.

If a school has no contracts, but encourages you to pay up front for long periods of training (6-12 months), then that is a contract. You will not get a refund if you stop going 2 months in to your year.
Contracts do not always equate with evil, if its a nice facility, then they have overheads to cover like any business- but be mindful of any long term commitment you make.

they advertise 'authentic' muay thai, yet do not have specific info on their instructors, nor where they themselves trained. Again, an authentic heritage is something to be proud of, and inspire confidence in students- why not use it if you have it?

taison was very helpful when i was investigating a local MT school, and i am sure he will be so here.

check out this site www.singto.co.uk I am not saying its the benchmark for all western MT, but look at the depth of info they are happy to share, and the level they have taken some of their students to. Taison said it was well worth checking out, and he was right. Be interesting to see what he makes of this place.

I sent them an e-mail, and they told me its $175/month for classes 3 times a week and $190/month for unlimited. Might as well spend the extra $15. They didn't answer my question about their "group discount" for two or more people signing up together. I think I'll wait for a couple of more responses, then try a class and see if I like it.

Smells a bit fishy. .

No lineage and Vale Tudo? ? I thought Vale Tudo was a competition not a style. Maybe I'm wrong?

Anyway, $190 for training? Isn't that a bit much to expect from you? I mean, they are getting a bit greedy in their prices, don't you think? A good school should be somewhere around $60-$120, not more than that but less is good.

My suggestion, look up a place with a lineage, at least you'll know you're learning the real stuff.

-Taison out

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I sent them an e-mail, and they told me its $175/month for classes 3 times a week

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that is steep. In UK £'s that is about £9 per class. going rate here is around £4-£6. i used to have 1 on 1 personal karate tuition for £15 an hour, if that helps put it in perspective.