06/23/09

Disappointing Experience

by kickarts

So when I came across Pow!! on the web I was super excited. It seemed to have everything I wanted: a multitude of co-ed classes that not only taught serious martial arts technique and forms but also a good solid cardio workout.

PROS: 1) Close to my house in South Loop.

2) Wide variety of classes available all day long.

3) Sparring available with actual boxing & UFC rings

4) Co-Ed classes where men and women fight side by side-no girly girl Bally random punch/kick classes here.

5) Owned and run by a kind, friendly, physically fit, and knowledgeable Woman!

CONS:

1) Unfriendly/ Inhospitable Staff - First, the receptionist was kind of cold and unhelpful. The class description says that we will be hitting heavy bags and yet she told me I would not need wraps or gloves-but I did!

Also the male instructor who ran the class did not give me the time of day. He did not even have the courtesy to introduce himself to me, EVER. Furthermore, he did not acknowledge me or my technique until the owner told him to and then it was very half hearted and slightly arrogant.

2) The Instructor was very unmotivating and too quick to show the drill technique- it seemed like he was just going through the motions and could really care less if we knew what we were doing (technique-wise) or if we got a good workout. If I did not know how to already kickbox, I would not have known what to do at all and could have really hurt myself.

3) It is overcrowded- It is a fairly small gym with a large boxing ring and a lot of equipment taking up space. They teach 2, or maybe even 3, classes at a time in one small area. Not only was this confusing, b/c I did not know when I was supposed to be doing what. But also, I thought I was going to get kicked in the face by the person next to me b/c we were in such close quarters.

4) It is very EXPENSIVE. It costs about $140 to register and then another $140 a month. There is little room for a flexible pay schedule- You cannnot take single classes and have to pay $110 to if you want to take 2 classes a week. Outrageous!!

In short, Pow! seems like a cool place to take classes, but I was very disappointed with my experience. I do not think I will be going back!!

12/03/07

Degerberg Academy 2

by vegitoboi

I had high hopes for this place. WhenI saw on their website that they taught like 15 different Martial Arts, especially Brazillian Ju Jutsu and MMA, an alarm went off in my head saying, "...careful, sounds like another Degerberg type school". Boy was I right. It's like an exact replica of Degerberg, only these guys have "better" Martial Art styles to learn from which is a big plus (Degerberg doesn't have BJJ or MMA or Krav Maga). That's what I like to see in a place. Sure, let the kids have their Karate and Tae Kwon Do, but for REAL Martial Arts I credit them for teaching these adcanced, UFC style disciplines. Speaking of UFC, former Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski used to train here as well. So, if this place had what i wanted, what's with the low rating? It has to do with location and price. Sure, it's good if you can afford to frequent the West Loop side of Chicago everyday of if you live there, but the traffic and gas getting to and from really turns me off. Plus, it is pricy and has that "Degerberg feel" to everything. Sorry to say it since it really does have what I want, but with my prior experience i'm trusting my gut this time and staying away.

• Pros: Brazilian Ju Jutsu/ Krav Maga/ MMA training, former UFC champion trains here
• Cons: price, location

11/24/07

Unprofessional, Low quality instructors

by hbucher

Very unprofessional business.

On my first day I told the instructor I was new to Muay Thai and he shrugged with sarcasm. I had a black eye as a result of not being told how to handle the pads correctly and then almost broke another student's foot for not being instructed how to hold the kick pads (he kicked my elbow).

I had a severe, chronicle back issue and despite doctor's recommendation they did not let me out of the contract.

My impression is that they are there for the money only and you are just a number in their lawyers list.

I was so disappointed that I wrote off this loss (6x$130) as a bad mistake to be learned from.

• Pros: Close to loop
• Cons: Low quality instructors, beligerant and quarrelsome staff, opressive environment