any good mma / self defence gyms?

optionfa

optionfa

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so im looking to change things up from the just weightlifting and cardio in my workout schedule and would like to check out some kind of martial arts gym, of course the added self defence training could never hurt.

any experience and information welcome!
 
optionfa said:
so im looking to change things up from the just weightlifting and cardio in my workout schedule and would like to check out some kind of martial arts gym, of course the added self defence training could never hurt.

any experience and information welcome!
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I have trained private at revmma and currently training at robinsons Gracie jiu Jitsu in Newmarket. Hovig at rev is great but robinsons overall is better than rev. I highly recommend it. They are also moving to a bigger better space soon. They have great trainers ,do all kinds of styles and training, the Gracie's come up and do seminars and in may GSP will be there
 
I attend Watson's family karate in Aurora. They teach karate and kung fu. The head instructor there is a 6th degree black belt. Teachers are great there, very friendly and open. They have several different types of classes to include cardio kick boxing and weight training. They let you try the gym for free for a month.
Just my 2 cents.
 
thanks for the replies, some of these places are a little too far from markham as mentioned, but < 20 minute drive I dont mind.

I'm still not sure if this is for me, I'm not trying to be some amateur mma fighter I don't really even follow the sport. As mentioned I'm more so looking to shake up my workout routine and I'v always wanted to learn some combat arts.

I have this image of training and working out in a gym as well as sparing with insurtuctors / other memebers, I have zero experience so any info is much appreciated.
 
http://www.actionreactionmma.com

http://www.linmartialarts.com

http://www.teamumac.com/

Here are some places that are probably much closer to you.

What I would recommend is not committing to any long term membership until you know you really like what you are doing. A 1 week trail or anything like that is not enough time to really know if its for you or not - or maybe it is if you immediately dont like it. If you can try to just get a 1-3 month membership at first.

If your main goal is fitness, combat sports are good for it but with a caveat - More injuries!

I have trained several different disciplines and at the moment train Muay Thai and Kali and I find that my joints especially my knees and ankles, sometimes shoulders are really taking a beating as a result of regular training. This sometimes impairs my weight training and conditioning so thats a negative. As I type I also have bruises all over my legs from taking leg kicks and giving them out and I just recovered from a shoulder/rotator cuff issue only to now have some issues with my left elbow that got kicked really friggin hard the other day.

Aside from that, I say go for it. Try different classes and see how it goes.
 
Roasted said:
I've been a member of Kombat Arts years ago till I figured out it wasn't really for me....that's even further though. Toronto BJJ is closer but I'm guessing there is a gym closer to you still.
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What didn't you like about it?
 
toshison said:
http://www.actionreactionmma.com

http://www.linmartialarts.com

http://www.teamumac.com/

Here are some places that are probably much closer to you.

What I would recommend is not committing to any long term membership until you know you really like what you are doing. A 1 week trail or anything like that is not enough time to really know if its for you or not - or maybe it is if you immediately dont like it. If you can try to just get a 1-3 month membership at first.

If your main goal is fitness, combat sports are good for it but with a caveat - More injuries!

I have trained several different disciplines and at the moment train Muay Thai and Kali and I find that my joints especially my knees and ankles, sometimes shoulders are really taking a beating as a result of regular training. This sometimes impairs my weight training and conditioning so thats a negative. As I type I also have bruises all over my legs from taking leg kicks and giving them out and I just recovered from a shoulder/rotator cuff issue only to now have some issues with my left elbow that got kicked really friggin hard the other day.

Aside from that, I say go for it. Try different classes and see how it goes.
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Very informative thank you,

I am looking at Lin martial arts, looks pretty decent and close to home, The Muay Thai striking classes they offer looks like a good mix of fitness and martial arts tho I may try a trial of both Muay Thai and BBJ to see what I like better..

Im not so worried about the injuries as Im still young and heal fast, and in some sick way injuries from training and working out make me feel like im making progress haha.
 
optionfa said:
Very informative thank you,

I am looking at Lin martial arts, looks pretty decent and close to home, The Muay Thai striking classes they offer looks like a good mix of fitness and martial arts tho I may try a trial of both Muay Thai and BBJ to see what I like better..

Im not so worried about the injuries as Im still young and heal fast, and in some sick way injuries from training and working out make me feel like im making progress haha.
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Even if you are young, for whatever its worth you should treat your body like its the only one you got, because it is!

When I talk injuries, I don't really mean muscle contusions Im referring more to tendons and ligament damage. Damage to certain higher risk ligaments don't exactly heal on their own. When things tear, they are torn for good unless you go do surgery and even with surgery there is no guarantee you will be 100% and thats why you have a lot of athletes that are forced to retire early because they get injuries they never fully recover from.

I have a partially torn MCL (knee ligament) from playing basketball as a teenager and that type of injury does not heal and so has been with me since then. The torn piece of ligament stays torn and just floats around. Even if I opt for surgery and get it scoped, there is no guarantee it improves it. Not to mention downtime of such an injury.. If you tear your very important ACL, you are out for a year or more.

If you are an MMA fan, just look at how many fights get cancelled because a fighter needs to pull out due to injury.. It happens all the time. Probably almost every fight card.

I really wish I took care of my joints better when I was younger so thats what my advice would be to any young person involved with any type of athletic activity. Not trying to be negative, just pointing out that there is a greater risk of injury with combat sports and if your main goal is fitness, an injury may hinder you.
 
optionfa said:
Very informative thank you,

I am looking at Lin martial arts, looks pretty decent and close to home, The Muay Thai striking classes they offer looks like a good mix of fitness and martial arts tho I may try a trial of both Muay Thai and BBJ to see what I like better..

Im not so worried about the injuries as Im still young and heal fast, and in some sick way injuries from training and working out make me feel like im making progress haha.
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The closest isn't the bestest. For karate only Brad Jones dojo in Newmarket would be worth the drive. Although I live in Newmarket and go there so I am biased.They also do Jiu Jitsu, Tai Chi, have yoga classes and keep fit classes as well as a decent gym area to work out.

www.bradjoneskarate.com
 
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