General Chat & Info Board

lonecyclist3 said:@Chris Bailey93 - hmmm... Don't get mad at me, but maybe it’s just the simple smell of a sweaty gym... 😬

People who aren't used to the "musky" scent of a local MMA gym or weight room often mistake it for dampness... Try hitting up some other clubs nearby to see if it's the same thing, then you'll know for sure... 😉

Actual mold and mildew have a totally different vibe... I know because I lived for years in an old house without proper insulation, so all those plastic joints on the exterior walls would sweat from condensation during the winter and grow mold everywhere... 😬

If we're talking about mold, then nope, the air definitely isn't healthy if it's full of spores... But if it's just sweat, hey, there's no winter chill here, and honestly, that's exactly what you want to smell in a gym... 👍

I'm not angry 🙂, really. I actually wish it were just that—we thought the same thing at first since the training room doesn't have windows, so the "scent" just lingers... but that massive green stain on the wall tells a different story 😁. I hit the gym enough to know what sweat smells like 😢, but I'm pretty sure this is something else. It's a shame there aren't more parents here to weigh in; I'd love to be wrong, because like I said, we both really liked the sensei—our son included 😁.😁.

Alright, in that case, I don't have much to add... Unless you want to check with the club to see if they're going to fix this or if it’s just staying this way, considering how much everything else seems to suit you guys...🤷

Also, Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art and sport, so I'm not quite sure it's appropriate to use the Japanese title 'sensei' for a coach... It might not be an issue here in the States, but Koreans aren't exactly big fans of the Japanese, sooo.... 😬

lonecyclist3 said:Alright, in that case, I don't have much to add... Unless you want to check with the club to see if they're going to fix this or if it’s just staying this way, considering how much everything else seems to suit you guys...🤷

Also, Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art and sport, so I'm not quite sure it's appropriate to use the Japanese title 'sensei' for a coach... It might not be an issue here in the States, but Koreans aren't exactly big fans of the Japanese, sooo.... 😬

Thanks a lot for the correction—clearly, I'm a total amateur here.

True, that space is totally in limbo (though there are plenty of others just like it)

Chris Bailey93 said:My 4-year-old is basically a living Ninja Turtle—constantly practicing his moves everywhere he goes 🙂. We’re looking to get him into a real martial arts class, but we’ve hit a bit of a wall with age requirements. We’re based in Chicago. Does anyone have recommendations for a club (TKD, Karate, etc.) that actually takes kids this young? So far, our only lead for Taekwondo is Dan-Gun. Thanks in advance!

Hey there
I guess my best advice would be to just take him down to watch a Kyokushin training session meant for little ones. There are plenty of kids right around his age there, and I suppose the whole setup is pretty great—they have an excellent instructor when it comes to working with children. The kids learn all the techniques, they get to hit the focus mitts, and they pick up discipline, but I think it all stays within the realm of play so it’s actually fun for them. There are quite a few kids his size, so he’d probably fit in pretty quickly. Just so you know, I’m talking about the Sosai Kyokushin club. You should probably check out a few other places too, though, and maybe let the little guy decide which one he likes best. I’m just sharing this as a suggestion, really; the main reason I mentioned it is simply because the kids and parents seem happy and the group is well-established.

Hey there,
so I’ve been sitting here mulling over the idea of finally picking up some kind of martial arts, and the one that keeps popping into my head is this local Kung Fu club—Safira—but honestly, the internet is such a mess of conflicting opinions that I’m starting to feel a bit lost... if anyone here actually knows what they’re doing and has spent some time on those mats, I would be incredibly grateful for the lowdown...
and just speaking generally, what am I actually looking at when it comes to Kung Fu... what can a person even expect from that whole scene?
thanks

brightbadger37 said:Hey there
I guess my best advice would be to just take him down to watch a Kyokushin training session meant for little ones. There are plenty of kids right around his age there, and I suppose the whole setup is pretty great—they have an excellent instructor when it comes to working with children. The kids learn all the techniques, they get to hit the focus mitts, and they pick up discipline, but I think it all stays within the realm of play so it’s actually fun for them. There are quite a few kids his size, so he’d probably fit in pretty quickly. Just so you know, I’m talking about the Sosai Kyokushin club. You should probably check out a few other places too, though, and maybe let the little guy decide which one he likes best. I’m just sharing this as a suggestion, really; the main reason I mentioned it is simply because the kids and parents seem happy and the group is well-established.

ant.masaza,

Thanks for the reply. Sounds solid—striking techniques, kids his age, and a decent coach? Hard to beat. We’ll definitely swing by to see how our little ninja reacts🙂.

steelwolf472 said:Hey there,
so I’ve been sitting here mulling over the idea of finally picking up some kind of martial arts, and the one that keeps popping into my head is this local Kung Fu club—Safira—but honestly, the internet is such a mess of conflicting opinions that I’m starting to feel a bit lost... if anyone here actually knows what they’re doing and has spent some time on those mats, I would be incredibly grateful for the lowdown...
and just speaking generally, what am I actually looking at when it comes to Kung Fu... what can a person even expect from that whole scene?
thanks

You aren't going to find many glowing reviews for that specific club here.
Some people will tell you to stay far away, while others might claim they operate like a cult.

If that doesn't give you enough clarity, my advice is simple: go check out one of their sessions. After that, head over to a few different martial arts gyms to see how they compare.

Once you've sat through a couple of different classes, you'll know exactly which environment fits you best.

Chris Bailey93 said:My 4-year-old is basically a living Ninja Turtle—constantly practicing his moves everywhere he goes 🙂. We’re looking to get him into a real martial arts class, but we’ve hit a bit of a wall with age requirements. We’re based in Chicago. Does anyone have recommendations for a club (TKD, Karate, etc.) that actually takes kids this young? So far, our only lead for Taekwondo is Dan-Gun. Thanks in advance!

Just not sure if they take kids under 6. Best bet is to call them and ask. 🙂

Hey everyone! So, I'm just getting started with my studies over at the University of Florida, and I was wondering if anyone knows where I can train Muay Thai around Gainesville? It doesn't have to be a competitive gym—I just want somewhere high-quality with an experienced instructor who actually gets things done instead of just messing around. If anyone has any recommendations or tips, I’d really appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

Hey there,

A buddy and I are looking to get into some recreational kickboxing. I’m looking for recommendations for a club, ideally somewhere in downtown Chicago. Just to be clear, this is strictly for fun since our cardio is basically non-existent 😬 and our work schedules don't leave us much free time. We want a place that will push us when we get lazy, but also actually teach us the fundamentals...

Thanks in advance.

Greetings, forum members!
Here’s the situation: I’m looking into Tai Chi options in St. Louis—specifically the sessions held over at the Legacy gym.
Does anyone here have actual experience there? Is the instruction any good, or should I look elsewhere? Also, can anyone vouch for the Kwan Do Do instructor at that Legacy location? I need the truth.

Thanks...

Amanda Cooper42 said:Greetings, forum members!
Here’s the situation: I’m looking into Tai Chi options in St. Louis—specifically the sessions held over at the Legacy gym.
Does anyone here have actual experience there? Is the instruction any good, or should I look elsewhere? Also, can anyone vouch for the Kwan Do Do instructor at that Legacy location? I need the truth.

Thanks...

I actually train at that club. Honestly, the best thing to do is just drop in for a session and see how it feels for yourself. They hold training on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. A Tae Kwon Do crew follows right after us, so you could easily kill two birds with one stone if you're looking to get multiple things done. Cheers.

Hey there,
I was wondering about a few things:
- Is there a martial art out there that actually combines direct contact—you know, like wrestling—with actual hand and foot strikes? I’m looking for something that isn't just mindlessly swinging at thin air or repeating the same flashy moves over and over... basically, I want to show up to training feeling genuinely motivated.
- Are there gyms that offer sessions three times a week?
- Can I find a facility that’s actually spacious? I really don't want to be packed into a room where everyone is squeezed together like sardines, barely having a meter of breathing room between them.
- And is it possible to find instructors who are well-organized and actually maintain some level of discipline?
- Also, are there women involved?🙂 To be honest, I'm not really interested in being in a space that's exclusively men.

Is there anyone else hanging out in this thread?

Brandon Price6 said:Hey there,
I was wondering about a few things:
- Is there a martial art out there that actually combines direct contact—you know, like wrestling—with actual hand and foot strikes? I’m looking for something that isn't just mindlessly swinging at thin air or repeating the same flashy moves over and over... basically, I want to show up to training feeling genuinely motivated.
- Are there gyms that offer sessions three times a week?
- Can I find a facility that’s actually spacious? I really don't want to be packed into a room where everyone is squeezed together like sardines, barely having a meter of breathing room between them.
- And is it possible to find instructors who are well-organized and actually maintain some level of discipline?
- Also, are there women involved?🙂 To be honest, I'm not really interested in being in a space that's exclusively men.

There’s a sport called San Da or Sanda—it involves striking similar to Muay Thai, uses wrestling takedowns while standing, but doesn't involve ground fighting. There’s also Shoot Fighting, though you won't find that here in the States. We practice San Da at my club, but there aren't any women doing it—just the guys.
Look, you can't really expect massive spaces or zero crowds in combat sports—we are in America, after all.

Robin Palmer3 said:There’s a sport called San Da or Sanda—it involves striking similar to Muay Thai, uses wrestling takedowns while standing, but doesn't involve ground fighting. There’s also Shoot Fighting, though you won't find that here in the States. We practice San Da at my club, but there aren't any women doing it—just the guys.
Look, you can't really expect massive spaces or zero crowds in combat sports—we are in America, after all.

And why not suggest MMA instead?🤷

Respectfully, Robin Palmer3,
Have you perhaps recorded something for us?

Robin Palmer3 said:I'll put together a few videos of useful neck exercises for you guys—stuff you can actually do without worrying about ending up in the ER.

hiddensailor14 said:And why not suggest MMA instead?🤷

So, what exactly is MMA? If you're looking for a breakdown, it basically stands for Mixed Martial Arts. Unlike boxing, where it's just hands, or wrestling, where it's all about the takedown, MMA is a blend of everything. You’ve got striking—think Muay Thai or kickboxing—mixed with grappling techniques like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. It’s essentially athletes using whatever tool works best in that moment to win the fight. As for where you can catch the action, you don't have to look too far. In the States, the big names are the UFC, which is usually on ESPN, or Bellator, which often airs on platforms like Paramount+. There are also smaller regional promotions if you want to see the rising stars before they hit the big stage. And yes, absolutely—there are women in the sport. In fact, some of the most technical and intense fights in recent years have featured female fighters. The talent level in the women's divisions is incredibly high, and they have their own championship belts and massive fanbases. It's definitely not just a "men's sport" anymore; the skill gap is closing, and the competition is fierce across the board.

Brandon Price6 said:So, what exactly is MMA? If you're looking for a breakdown, it basically stands for Mixed Martial Arts. Unlike boxing, where it's just hands, or wrestling, where it's all about the takedown, MMA is a blend of everything. You’ve got striking—think Muay Thai or kickboxing—mixed with grappling techniques like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling. It’s essentially athletes using whatever tool works best in that moment to win the fight. As for where you can catch the action, you don't have to look too far. In the States, the big names are the UFC, which is usually on ESPN, or Bellator, which often airs on platforms like Paramount+. There are also smaller regional promotions if you want to see the rising stars before they hit the big stage. And yes, absolutely—there are women in the sport. In fact, some of the most technical and intense fights in recent years have featured female fighters. The talent level in the women's divisions is incredibly high, and they have their own championship belts and massive fanbases. It's definitely not just a "men's sport" anymore; the skill gap is closing, and the competition is fierce across the board.

It’s Mixed Martial Arts—you know, the whole ultimate fighting thing...
-> It involves everything from strikes with hands and feet to wrestling in the clinch and grappling on the ground; takedowns, throws, joint locks, and chokes. You don't wear a gi or a kimono.
Some gyms have women training, though they aren't as common. I'm not sure why Robin Palmer3 felt the need to modestly mention San Shou, which practically nobody does around here, while completely forgetting to mention his own gym out in the suburbs... 😁
If you're closer to the downtown area, there's a club over there too, run by briskjackal5 and Ethan Hayes6.
There are others, too.

Why does it feel like he just wrote the exact same thing ten different times? 😕
I'd suggest flipping through the last few pages of this thread; I'm pretty sure this has already come up... 😉