General Chat & Info Board

Jonathan Johnson67 said:Does anyone know where I could pick up a higher-quality staff (around 180 cm)?
Roughly how much would that run me?

Unfortunately, I haven't a clue.... I ended up picking mine up at a local flea market (it was a rake handle; a bit lightweight, but it gets the job done). Your best bet might be checking a flea market, provided they actually carry anything that long... 🤔

Nah, nothing really works.
And that leather one? Way too thin for me... feels flimsy.
Right now I’m using bamboo, but honestly, it’s just too light, and the surface isn't even smooth enough.

Jonathan Johnson67 said:Does anyone know where I can pick up a higher-quality stick (BO - 180 cm)?
Roughly how much would that cost?

If you head down to a local hardware store, you can just buy some wood.
Grab a couple of two-meter pieces, find a sturdy tree, and give them a good beating. Whichever one survives the torture is your new BO.

Megan White4 said:Question:
Just looking for some info... Does anyone know what the going rate is for new tatami mats? I know Kwon has a few different types available, so if anyone happens to have a price list, that would be great. Also, is anyone else selling them? 🤔

I think there's a company over in Pazin that handles gym equipment setup, I guess. I guess this site is just another one of those niche portals. Maybe it’ll actually be useful for once, but I doubt it.They offer discounts for clubs and have delivery too, I guess.

Brandon Carter2 said:There’s a company based out of a small town in the Midwest that handles gym equipment setup—I believe it's www.special.hr. They offer discounts for local clubs and they handle all the shipping.

Thanks.... 👍

Greetings.

I’ve been weighing the option of picking up a martial art for a while now. After doing some digging and asking around, Kuk Sul Do seems to align best with what I'm looking for.
I'm looking for input from anyone more experienced. I need specifics on the training environment for absolute😁 beginners, the quality of the instructors, and how practical this skill actually is in a real-world scenario.

We don't really do separate levels for beginners versus pros here. Everyone just trains together in one big group. The only thing is, if you want, I can pair you up with someone who’s just starting out... there are about four people at that stage right now.
The sessions are pretty intense physically, though. Honestly, don't sweat it if you hit a wall... just step to the side and take a breather. It's entirely up to you.
The coach is great. Seriously, the energy they bring is through the roof, and they always make sure everyone actually understands what's going on.
As for how useful this stuff is in a real fight? I wouldn't know... I've never actually been in a scrap.
If you have more questions, just shoot me a DM.

Hey, quick question—is $83 a month for karate classes actually a lot, or is that just about what everyone else is paying...?

Melissa Williams25 said:Is $83 a month for karate training expensive, or is that just the average price?

Let's assume $67 is the average rate per session...

Melissa Williams25 said:Is $83 a month for karate training expensive, or just an average price?

$67 That would be a monthly average, so it could certainly be more or less...

The real question is how many sessions there are per week. For two 90-minute sessions a week, $67 it’s somewhat reasonable ($8.25 per session). $300 would be pushing it, and $400 is definitely overkill ($17 per session)... It’s fairly simple math.

🤔

Megan White4 said:$67 there could be an average monthly price, so it might be more or less...

The real question is how many sessions there are per week. If it’s twice a week for 90 minutes, $67 then it's somewhat reasonable at $8.25 per session. $300 would be pushing it, and $400 is definitely overkill $17 per session. It's pretty straightforward math.

🤔

I’d be willing to pay up to $133 for one-on-one training three times a week with a pro, but paying that much for group classes or a standard sport three times a week is excessive, regardless of your budget.

Wait... I was just thinking about that one technique... you know, the leg lock? Jujigatame. It’s funny how certain moves just stick in your head. You’re rolling around on the mats, everything’s a blur of sweat and heavy breathing, and then suddenly... there it is. That perfect leverage. It’s almost surgical, if you think about it. Not that I’m an expert or anything... just some thoughts while I'm sitting here... anyway... kaže:
I’d probably be willing to shell out up to 300... if the deal was right. $133 So, I was thinking about this training split... doing 1-on-1 sessions three times a week with a coach, sure, but then adding three sessions of some standard group sport on top of that? That’s a massive amount of volume. Honestly, it's overkill... doesn't matter if you're motivated by love or whatever else keeps you moving, it's just a lot.

I reckon those prices for a 1v1 with the big boss are a bit much... maybe just a little too steep... $33 Saturday... yeah. Not enough people actually working. Just a few of them putting in the effort... barely.

Jonathan Johnson67 said:I’d say prices for a 1v1 session with a pro are roughly around $33 an hour. Though, they don't host many of those.

I suppose it really comes down to the individual instructor and their specific skill level... but that’s beside the point right now.

So, $83 a monthly rate would be somewhat acceptable if we're looking at two sessions a week—actually, three sessions a week would be perfectly reasonable.

It’s expensive.
Period.
We do three two-hour training sessions a week and we pay $67.

I know the gym scene in a city like Chicago is pricey, but prices have definitely started creeping up.
It’s happening because the instructors have gotten a little greedy.

Megan White4 said:$67 there might be some kind of average monthly price, so I guess it could be more or maybe less...

But honestly, I think the bigger question is how many sessions you're actually doing every week. If you're just going twice a week for 90 minutes $67 then I suppose that's sort of okay ($8.25 per session). Now, $300 would already feel like a lot, and $400 is definitely way too much ($17 per session)... It’s all pretty simple math, really.

🤔

Well, I don't really know many gyms that don't have training at least three times a day.
Twice a week just feels a bit low, I guess.
And from the clubs I know, I don't think a single one has a monthly fee lower than $67 that amount.

- briskjackal5 -

Once a week, obviously. Not every single day.

- briskjackal5 -

briskjackal5 said:Well, I can't really think of many clubs that don't have training sessions at least three times a day.
Twice just seems a bit low, doesn't it?
And from all the gyms I know, not a single one has a monthly fee lower than $67 what we're talking about here.

- Briskjackal5 -

In our academy, you get training sessions three times a week ($50 for beginners and $57 for advanced students). If you want to level up even further—and you can arrange this directly with the Sensei—you can opt for two additional Tai Chi sessions, bringing your total to five training sessions per week!

www.uechi-ryu.com check out our site for more details!

Tyler Edwards53 said:At our club, we've got training sessions running three times a week—so if you're looking to get in shape, there's plenty of chances to show up...$50 For all you newbies out there—listen up... if you're just starting out, I got you. This is for the beginners... honestly, it can feel a bit overwhelming at first, right? But don't sweat it—we've all been there... just take it slow and soak it all in... $57 For the veteran lifters out there—if you want to level up, you can actually grab two extra Tai Chi sessions for a little bit of extra cash (just gotta clear it with the Sensei first)... that brings you up to five training sessions a week total!

Check out this site for Uechi-ryu training—it’s pretty legit if you're looking to dive into some serious martial arts stuff... definitely worth a look if you want to get into the groove of it! For more info—hit me up...

Man, where do I even start with karate? It’s honestly such a trip once you actually get into it—like, it’s way more than just throwing punches around in a sweaty gym. There’s this whole vibe to the style... it’s about discipline, focus, and that mental toughness that stays with you long after you leave the dojo. It’s super intense, though—I’m talking full-body exhaustion levels of intense. The workouts are brutal, no joke. You’re doing repetitive drills, high kicks, and conditioning that makes your muscles scream, especially when you’re working on those explosive movements... it really pushes you to your limit. As for the instructors? Well, that’s everything. If you get a good Sensei—someone who actually cares about your technique and doesn't just bark orders—it’s life-changing. A great instructor guides you through the grind and keeps you from getting injured, but a bad one? Man, they can totally kill the motivation. But yeah, if you find a solid school with decent coaches, the experience is absolutely worth the sweat and the sore muscles... definitely something to think about if you're looking for a challenge.
Thanks!

Melissa Williams25 said:Could you please describe the characteristics of this karate style? How intense are the workouts, and are the instructors any good?
thanks.

If you ask me, the training isn't overly punishing at all! Honestly, anyone can tailor the intensity to match their own fitness level, right? As for the specifics, we're looking at a traditional style rooted in Chinese origins—the training methods follow those ancient traditions practiced back in China and later refined in Japan, though I’d say it feels a bit less aggressive than the old-school versions. Our instructor holds a 4th-degree black belt and has been honing his craft for nearly 30 years; believe me, he truly knows his stuff! I really hope that helps clear things up!

Here’s the situation: I want to know what my best bet is for training. My goals are to drop some weight, pack on some muscle, and pick up skills in whatever martial art makes sense for me.
Right now, I’m sitting at 253 lbs and I’m about 6'2".
So, I’m looking for recommendations on what would actually work for me.
Boxing? Or maybe something else?