the beginning of a new journey

Hi everyone,

im just about to venture into a complete lifestyle change, where im hoping to start training in a martial art 4 or 5 times a week. i have no experience whatsoever in an form of martial arts, but have been lifting weights/bodybuilding for about 10 years, 4 times a week, so im hoping this will help me somewhat! all a bit daunting as its a big change but im looking forward to the challenge.

out of interest im looking at going to martial art concepts in halesowen, if anyone else here goes there or knows of the place would appreciate some insight as to what to expect

JJ

 

I think the Kelly's have the goods as far as ability and background goes but the place does seem very commercial, not always a bad thing but it tends to put me off.

I've heard they are supposed to be expensive and I'll admit I don't like it when a website for an academy, gym etc which is as obviously as comcerial as this doesn't give you the fees up front.

 

thanks for the replies

yeah i totally understand where youre coming from and its a hard one. a big pull to MAC for me is that it is literally 5 mins down the road, so saves me time in travelling elsewhere. i too have no idea of the cost, i am going next week for a chat with a guy there so we will see what he says. im pretty sure i read somewhere on here from someone that they were paying £69 a month, which included training 3 hours a day mon-fri, and an open class on saturday. i wouldnt even be training for 1/6th of this amount of time though so id hope that might bring that cost down. i certainly wouldnt want to be paying that sort of money, i dont think.

 

What exactly are you after with regards to training?

Is it the convenience of MAC that has attracted you or what they are teaching?

 

hi mate,

the convenience is a factor, but also that they offer a number of styles to train in. for what id like to get out of training, and the reason for me wanting to take it up as a replacement to bodybuilding is a good few number of physical and mental benefits that i dont believe i would get from doing any other sport. flexibility, strength, high aerobic fitness are of high importance to me too.

the other place i had an eye on was rob lock's in stourbridge, which is a doable journey. that is £49 a month for unlimited training, which is what id prefer to go down so i can train more than once a week.

 

Check out Simkin's Martial Arts in Walsall too.

More distance for you but a good teacher and atmosphere.

 

I have been looking very closely at this place myself - not for me (I am committed elsewhere now and agree with the comment about it seeming rather commercial) but for my husband who wants to study Jeet Kune Do. I really can't find a bad word about Martial Arts Concepts anywhere - and neither can he. He is going to get in touch with them after the bank holiday - as yet the main unknown is what it will cost which I also agree should be up front on the website. I also saw the post on here about the guy who trained a lot and was paying £69 a month but I seem to remember noting that the post was a few years old so I am sure inflation will have impacted.
Also in Halesowen --- this is where I am training now.
http://www.wingchunhalesowen.co.uk/
We meet in a church hall and its completely utterly non commercial - no belts, not financial motivation by the sifus -- and I really really like that about it. I have talked to Sifu about the possibility of us meeting to train more times a week and its not out of the question as long as the rent on the building can be paid! For me Wing Chun is perfect as I don't have massive strength being a woman roughly 165cm and 130pounds - but I am fast and already in good shape fitness wise. Wing Chun really exploits the things I can do well. Some of the guys in my class are pretty built - one of them has commented that his bulk gets in the way a bit.
If its range of styles and equipment you are looking for - I would say that MAC is probably the place for you. They seem to be mostly about JKD.
Please let me know how you get on when you visit. I will also post again if hubby gets in touch in the short term and finds something out about the costs.

 

Hi,

thanks for the info. one downside for me is that i know that they dont have any separate weights - barbells, etc. i would still like to lift once a twice a week and so paying two fees separately for a weights gym and martial arts gym seems a bit nonsensical.

i came across a place called ultimate martial arts academy in cradley heath. that place DOES have a gym, so seems a decent option. i cant find any info or any sort of review of the place here or online, though.

http://www.ultimatemartialartsuk.com/timetable.html

 

Can I ask where you do your gym training? I train at the leisure centre gym and its really affordable at less than £30 for unlimited use of gym, pool and most classes. If you can't find a school with a weights area then you might be stuck with paying for both. I think its better to compromise a bit of cash than good sound training.
Sorry I can't help with the Cradley Heath place -I haven't heard of it - will take a look at the link.

Seems to look pretty good to me - but wow those are some loud bright shorts! lol

 

Hi again..
Hubby called Martial Arts Concepts today and he found them to be very illusive about pricing. They also told him that they pretty much only teach Jeet Kune Do to students with previous martial arts experience (which makes sense). Given that my husband attained black belt in Tai Kwon Do about 20 years ago but hasn't really done anything with martial arts since then they are willing to meet him and said they will get him on the mats (which he assumes means for a "throw about" ) - they will take it from there. He is going to give it a whirl on Thursday.
Our feeling currently is that they will try to rope him in and that they should be rather more up front about things. Other than that we couldn't really find much out.

 

Absolutely. I hear ya loud and clear and couldn't agree more. However, my husband is one of the hardest people in the world to sell anything to...I have tried and just getting him to buy new shoes when his are broken is like pulling teeth! lol
Will keep updated - but neither of us feeling too happy about that particular aspect.

 

Hi

OK a little update about this place. ive just been for a face to face chat, having visited its clearly marketed to kids ('black belt academy' is emblazoned on the building) and then came the pricing. all ill say is 'WALLOP' a knockout blow im amazed anyone has recovered from and then agreed to go there!

the price is WAYYY over my budget. not sure if i should give the costs of the place on here as they dont release them themselves, i think it would be fair to advise instead that it isnt cheap...

 

Awesome - big thanks for that and no wonder they wouldn't tell my husband anything about pricing over the phone. I think tomorrow will be him pulling a no show.

 

Aegis, i sent you a email as i couldnt see how to PM you?

 

Could you maybe pm the prices to me too please? It will save my husband a wasted journey as we really are curious to know now!

 

yep, PMs sent to both