General Chat & Info Board

Quick question: is there any kind of spray or something I could use after training to keep my karate gear from smelling 😁
? How do you guys deal with this in general? I washed my hand wraps last summer, but I really feel like I should be doing something after every single session to prevent the odor.
Help!

I have no clue what they're actually made of—but hey, maybe it’s that shoe deodorizer? I think they carry it over at the local CVS...

https://goo.gl/images/nxdKSg
Just this, some goat stuff, and those rubber bands they're holding. :/
And everything smells. 😁

Hey, can anyone recommend a boxing gym on the east side of town? Like near East St. Louis or maybe out toward some of those suburbs... I've got about 30 bucks on me, zero experience, and I’m just looking to train recreationally maybe twice a week. My main goal is just to pick up some solid technique and get my cardio up a bit...

Greetings to everyone here.

I was wondering if anyone might be able to offer a recommendation regarding where one could perhaps begin training in beginner-level kung fu within the greater metropolitan area—assuming such an option even exists locally—or perhaps something along those same lines?

My thanks to you all.

Wing Chun or...?

da 🙂

Hey there. I'm looking to sign up for Muay Thai and was wondering which club would be the better pick here in Miami—Mornar or PitBull?

If you ask me, PitBull’s got the edge since they run those MMA sessions too—so it's way more focused on mixed striking overall... whereas Mornar is probably better if you're strictly looking at kickboxing.

Gregory Robinson22 said:da 🙂

Just Google it, man... 😁

Check out this site:

Check out this Wing Chun spot: http://www.wingchun.com/

Checking out this site for EBMAS... looks like they're an association focused on managing and promoting martial arts here in the States. They seem pretty set on elevating the standards for various disciplines through training and community building. A bit dry, but the mission is clear...

Check out this Wing Chun school based out of West Coast territory... looks like a solid spot for training.

Of course...

Wing Chun club in East Chicago... 098 / 166 4 661... krunoslav.bagadur@gmail.com

Thanks so much! 🙂

Greetings!
I am 19 years old and will soon be moving to New York City. I would like to begin training in ITF Taekwondo, but I am at a loss as to which club I should select. Does anyone have any recommendations? 🙂

I was wondering if anyone could share some more info about Joseph Johnson6 (who I think was recently named the head coach at Chaku Rija???) the Muay Thai instructor over in Orlando?
I’ve heard quite a few people mention they had some pretty rough experiences there, so I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone here has any specific details or insights before I commit.

Where can I pick up some boxing gloves for recreational use? Nothing fancy needed—just looking for something affordable that isn't total junk. Naturally, my first stop was Pride.com, which seemed great at first glance. But when I went looking for their store hours, I ran into a mountain of amateurish writing on their site that immediately turned me off. To make matters worse, the online shop and their physical storefront on Main Street seem to operate completely separately; prices vary, and everything feels disconnected. Then I hit a real kicker: I found a policy stating, "A customer also has the right to a price reduction if they aren't satisfied with an item, by deciding for themselves how much the discount should be." WTF?? Is this a flea market where you just subjectively decide what things cost? On top of that, I couldn't find any info on shipping costs. I added an item to my cart hoping the shipping would show up, only to get another shock: all the listed prices exclude sales tax, which wasn't even mentioned. They just tack the tax on in the cart, and you don't even see the final total until you register. I did a little digging and found old reviews from back in 2011 claiming they sell low-quality junk and even mislabel brands, sometimes selling knockoffs.

I'm not sure if the stuff about the knockoffs is true, but something definitely felt off while browsing their site, and it steered me away from buying anything. I’d happily buy from anywhere else if I could just find a place with a decent selection.
What have your experiences been like?

One recurring headache I’ve had with them lately is their inventory management. Half the time, what’s listed online isn't actually in stock, so they call you up later to push an alternative or tell you it’s a special order. Other than that, I haven't run into anything major—nothing worse than the usual hiccups. It’s not like we’re handling fragile porcelain here 😬

Regarding gloves, I haven't really messed with their budget line. I have one of their house-brand bags that holds up fine for light use at home. Maybe some clothing too, but I usually just grab the cheap stuff for low-impact gear. I don't skimp on gloves, so I can't speak to their lower end, but let's be real: you aren't getting much when the materials are subpar. Even finding decent vinyl is tough, let alone high-quality leather, and then there's the padding and stitching to consider. Gloves are like shoes—if you're spending less than a hundred bucks, don't expect to climb Everest in them, and expect them to smell a bit more often 😬

I didn't see anything about haggling over prices, though. That sounds incredibly shady 🤣
I'll give it some thought next time 😬

At the end of the day, you can always just order from somewhere else in Europe.

Yes, these people over at Pride.com are truly one-of-a-kind weirdos... If I didn't have an insider colleague, I wouldn't even give them a second glance.
🙄

Personally, I’d recommend Decathlon.

I ended up picking up some gear from Budo Sport after a friend who used to box recommended them, so hopefully they hold up.

If you’re just looking for some recreational training, grab any pair of 10-12oz gloves for like $200-$83 at any local shop. You'll also need $17 for hand wraps. Maybe pick up a mouthguard later on. When I used to buy from Pride, I’d always call ahead first just to make sure they actually had stuff in stock. Honestly, I think it's better to just show up at the storefront; you get to check out the gear in person, and the staff can actually give you some pointers. Pretty sure a bunch of pro athletes used to shop at Pride anyway.

I could use some glove recommendations too... just for recreational stuff, but I’m starting to get into sparring. My coach suggested 16oz, though he didn't specify a brand. I know most decent pairs will do the job, but for the sake of my hands and long-term health, I’d rather invest in something actually high-quality...
For bag work, mitts, and light sparring, I’ve been using some 12oz Everlast from $100, but I’m not exactly thrilled with them, so buying the 16oz version of the same thing doesn't seem wise...
The issue is I have no idea where to start looking...
What’s the consensus on the Leone brand?
These look alright to me; they claim to be 100% leather and seem pretty sturdy with reinforced wrist support...
I saw plenty of other leather options on sites like Pride online priced over $150, but they all seem a bit "amateur." Meanwhile, everything else in this price range looks like synthetic junk. I'd love to hear from people who actually know their gear...
Budget-wise, I’m willing to go up to $333. That feels like plenty for a hobbyist, but if it's overkill, I'm happy to go cheaper...

Some of you guys love to go back and forth in the comments, so please just move the chatter over here.
That way, everyone else can actually get a word in on the other threads.