Steven G
October 19, 2017 08:51
I went for a free trial class a while ago.
PROS:
1) First, it's a quality workout for sure. I liked the change up in the routines to keep it from getting boring.
2) The instructor was patient and knowledgeable. I had practiced a totally different style for years and showed up with a lot of the old habits , but he accommodated the learning curve well.
3) Instructor was not one of those Muscle-headed "I know 100 ways to disembowel a bear with a bottle cap!!!" types who run 90% of these types of places.
4) The equipment was plentiful and in good condition. They even let me borrow a pair of gloves for practice.
5) Respectful atmosphere. That's hard to come by in these schools, maybe I should've put that first?
CONS:
My only critique is on Muay Thai itself. I had some insights during this class and from what I researched online.
1) The foundation of Muay Thai seems to be conditioning above all things. That's perfectly legitimate, but it's not mutually exclusive to Muay Thai. You can get "tough" and learn a different martial art.
2) The strikes and defenses of Muay Thai lean heavily on strenuous conditioning to prevent catastrophic injury to yourself- even if you do it 100% perfectly. There is a huge emphasis on physical "toughness" as your primary defense, which leaves unconditioned, novice practitioners way more vulnerable than you'd want to believe. The place does market to beginners but if you want to learn an art that will make you an effective fighter in less than 5 years, keep looking. *Yes after 5 years of very diligent practice and conditioning your skill will be formidable. However the chances that you'll avoid a permanent, crippling injury along the way are slim.
The instructor himself had a bad knee and something wrong with his shoulder that he was visibly in great pain with, at the end of the class he could barely walk straight- and this was a light class with no sparring.
I thought to myself "Is that what I want to be like in 10 years? Wincing and limping around?"
SO ... Nice enough place, and a fair price for the training they offer. Come here to get in shape and socialize. However if you're looking for ***self defense*** and you're not already tough as an oak door- Muay Thai is more of a liability than an asset when you take off all the padding.