Hello!
I know some people from FLOMMA in Palatine, IL post on this message board and I would like to get back into training again so I can get back into a healthy lifestyle / get into shape.
I truly enjoy martial arts and just plain old exercising has not kept me interested. I finally have a job with normal hours after 4 years and it is time for me to get back on the horse.
I was at the FLOMMA website: http://www.flomma.com/
You guys have amazing prices, not that pricing is always a huge concern, it is more about the quality of instruction as we all know.
I had some questions if possible:
1. I do not fully know what a year membership covers when it comes to class attendance. So many schools have so many different rules and methods of approach. I am a graduate student and I noticed the student discount + the 10% off you are offering right now. I guess the price seems so very reasonable that I was not sure if it covered attendance to any of the classes throughout the week or if it was limited to one particular class style.
Men 1 year contract = $120 per month, High School / College Student Membership + 10% savings = $89.10/Month (1 Year Contract - Paid Monthly)
I am a full time graduate student and I work full time, does this College Student Membership apply to Graduate Students? I have a student ID. Does this cover the ability to attend any of the classes through the week? I am TRULY interested in the JKD/Kali classes as I love JKD principles and the weapon work/flow of the Philipino martial arts.
PROGRAMS
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Boxing
Intermediate Boxing
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Jiu-Jitsu Sparing Drills
Krav Maga
Wrestling Takedowns
Jeet Kune Do (JKD)
Kali / Escrima
Circuit Training
Cardio / Kickboxing
Thai Boxing / Muay Thai
Heavy Bag Workout
Children's Class
Strength & Conditioning
Kicks & Abs
I would also be interested in some of the exercise oriented programs at the school such as Strength and Conditioning and Kicks & Abs (Which looks awesome, I love bag and endurance workouts based on rounds).
My other strong interest besides JKD/Kali is the Kickboxing program.
2. What are the workouts like in the Kickboxing / JKD+Kali classes? Some schools get right into technique and do not work out their students before class, other schools spend half the class running people into the ground with workouts before sparring and technique. I came from a school where you were run into the ground with exercise and it was great for me! It really brought about a healthy lifestyle as I work out better with a coach pushing me beyond what I would do on my own. I am also satisfied if the classes are more about technique with a short warm up and would just try to maybe do 2 classes in one night then.
3. I am truly impressed by your schedule. What is the average length of your classes? Do many people attend multiple classes in one evening or do many overlap so that it is not possible to attend multiple classes?
Mon
12pm BJJ (Gi)
4pm Open Gym
4:45pm Children's Jiu-Jitsu
6:30pm BJJ Sparring
6:30pm Strength and Conditioning
7:15pm Boxing (Intro)
8pm Boxing (Intermediate)
Tue
12pm Strength & Conditioning
4pm Open Gym
4:45pm Children's Jiu-Jitsu
5:45pm BJJ No-Gi
5:45pm JKD/Kali
6:30pm BJJ Sparring (No Gi)
6:30pm Thai Boxing (Intro)
7:15pm Cardio Kickboxing
7:15pm MMA
8pm Open Gym
Wed
12pm BJJ (Gi)
4pm Open Gym
4:45pm Children's Jiu-Jitsu
5:45pm Boxing (Intro)
6:30pm Boxing Sparring
6:30pm Wrestling
7:15pm BJJ (Gi)
7:15pm JKD/Kali
8pm BJJ Sparring
Thu
12pm Strength & Conditioning
4pm Open Gym
4:45pm Children's Jiu-Jitsu
5:45pm MMA
5:45pm Strength & Conditioning
6:30pm Thai Boxing (Intro)
7:15pm Krav Maga
8pm Open Gym
Fri
12pm BJJ (Gi)
4pm Open Gym
4:45pm Children's Jiu-Jitsu
5:45pm Kicks and Abs
6:30pm BJJ Sparring (Gi)
7:15pm Open Gym
Sat
11am BJJ (Gi)
11:45am BJJ Sparring (Gi)
11:45am Krav Maga
12:30pm Boxing (Intro)
1:15pm Strength & Conditioning
Sun
Closed
Thank you for your time in answering my questions!
Ive trained there before when im in Chicago, drop in for the day type thing maybe 3-4x. People always treated me good. Solid all around gym.
Good interview with FLO MMA JKD/KALI instructor. Has me excited to train again!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hXjrx4VezE
ttt
Comprido is 7X world champ if you don't go to be taught by him your crazy. Not too many people have that knowledge in house .
He gave my instructor his brown belt and I'm actually going to a Comprido seminar this Saturday in Ohio at my home gym Strong Style Mma. 
Hey Flawless,
I am not sure I want to take on any grappling yet. I really want to get in and work my standup and try to lose some weight. I really just want to find a fun way to exercise at this point in my life.
I trained BJJ back in the day with Helio Soneca Moreria and really did enjoy BJJ, I just am not there right now in life personally. It is not what I am looking for.
I have no clue what have for coaches or what they have produced in way of fighters that are known to be good strikers . That's not to say it's bad training, I think they ate just well more known for Bjj, but I may be wrong .
I would maybe make thread on the best chicago area striking schools . See what the responses and experiences are.
I suppose flawless, I am very interested in the Philipino Martial arts and knife fighting. The PMA instructor there is Paul Vunak's midwest rep. which is a pretty good indicator of his skill/background.
Honestly, I am not trying to become the best striker ever, I am a 32 year old that wants to lose weight and have fun doing it.
They look like they have a great staff though.
http://www.flomma.com/trainers/
Rodrigo Comprido
One of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts in the world. FLO owners traveled to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil to recruit him as a full time BJJ instructor. His titles includes 7 time BJJ World Champion, Two time OPEN weight BJJ World Champion, World Champion 2006 - Black Belt, Super heavy. He is also the Head Jiu-jitsu coach to Brock Lesnar (Full Profile)
Andrei Arlovski
Andrei "The PitBull" Arlovski is a Belarusian mixed martial arts fighter and a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Heavyweight Champion of the World. He had defended his Heavy Weight tile in the UFC and is a veteran of the UFC, M-1 and Strikeforce (Full Profile)
Ramiro Mota
Coach Ramiro has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 16 years and teaching for 13 years in the Chicago land area. Ramiro has earned his black belt from Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros. He has always been a popular Jiu-Jitsu instructor at the school because of his enthusiasm, patience and control. Read more about Ramiro in his full profile. (Full Profile)
Achour Esho
Has 19 years of experience in the Martial Arts. Starting in the sport of Muay Thai at the age of 11, Achour quickly excelled through the level system. In 1998 he started competing in kickboxing and became the IKF regional kickboxing champion. In 2001 he switched over to boxing and competed in the Golden Gloves and won the ABF IL state title. (Full Profile)
George Esho
Has been involved with Boxing and Thai boxing for 15 years. He began training at the young age of 13 at. He has trained in a variety of Martial Arts including Boxing, Thai boxing, JKD, Grappling, Kali, Wrestling and Shooto. Read more about George in his full profile. (Full Profile)
Jonatas Noaves
Our Black Belt Jiu-Jitsu instructor and Pro MMA fighter (Full Profile)
Ben Dauck
A Smart and Crafty Fighter and also a very good trainer began his training with world champ Duke Rufus and Kongnapa, Becoming 2001 & 2002 IKF National Champion and 2002 ISKA National Champion, 2001 (Full Profile)
Dave Pena
12 years high school coaching experience. Head wrestling coach Conant High School. Freestyle State Champion 1991 IHSA All State 5th 1992 (Full Profile)
Tim Fernandez
Tim has over 26 years of experience in the martial arts, being fortunate to be exposed at a young age to arts such as Savate, Boxing, Kickboxing, Krabi-Krabong, Thaiboxing and JKD/Kali. Tim has trained in Thailand at the famous Fairtex Thaiboxing Camp with Master Trainer ApIdej Sit-Hirun and Krabi-Krabong at the Buddhai Swan Institute under Ajarn Samai Mesamarn. Read more about Tim in his full profile. (Full Profile)
Shonie Carter
Known across the world as "Mr. International", Coach Shonie Carter is a ponieer in the sport of MMA. With over 200 victories under his belt, his knowledge is second to none. Coach Shonie has a great knack for bringing out the competitive spirit in everyone. His personality is as exciting as his fighting style. This is one instructor you have to meet. (Full Profile)
Rodrigo Botti
Coach Botti was brought in by Comprido from Brazil to help further excel our Jiu Jitsu and MMA program. Rodrigo Botti is a world Jiu Jitsu champion and undefeated MMA fighter. (Full Profile)
Vitor Vianna
World Cup Champion 2002 & 2003 3nd place worlds 2000 2nd place Worlds 2001 6x national champion 15x state champion 2nd place 2004 ADCC trials
I rolled with Comprido and Ramiro Mota teaches some solid techniques in his classes.
It's a killer school, but the JKD/Kali instructor from the interview you posted is no longer associated with the gym. Arlovski has also moved, so he is no longer teaching there from what I know.
Just drop by the gym and Achour (Osh) will answer any of the questions you have.
Looks like an incredible facility with great staff.
Problem with Chicago MMA is logistical. If you live in the city good luck training in the suburbs (FLO MMA). Traffic here is soooo bad it's impossible to get around in a timely fashion. It's also a major waste of time and stressful.
Going out to Curran's from downtown would be a fucking nightmare...
Even in the city, there is zero parking for POW Martial Arts in the West Loop. You basically cab it or are lucky enough to walk.
It's precisely the reason Bonnar left Chicago. He spent all his time in the car going from gym to gym.
Cicero? Pfttt that's the hood son, stay outta there!
Auch, Jonates, and Comprido are excellent instructors and even better people.
MIKE CIESNOLEVICZ - Cicero? Pfttt that's the hood son, stay outta there! <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
Lol. I trained there for years, but, I'm allowed to carry.
It is ok, 9.7 Million people live in the Chicagoland area. There are plenty of students to be found both in the city and the burbs.
Andrei is still involved in the gym, he has been gone filming Universal soldier 4.
The stand-up instructors are great at FLO.
Auchor is an incredible thai boxer and an undefeated pro boxer.
Obviously nothing has to be said about the quality of BJJ instruction at FLO, Comprido and the other black belts are awesome.
JabroniBeater - He also promotes I THINK the XFO local shows <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
Dan Lardy promotes the XFO.
There is also a new bjj school in chicago that just opened up run by Ramiro Mota from flomma, location is 2929 s archer Ave. Right off the 55, and also the 90 94.
Cool, Any FLOMMA reps on the board? I swear I have seen FLOMMA post on the UG before. Just wanted to get some of the specifics to my questions answered. I will be dropping by, just working on finals for grad school right now.
I live in Hoffman Estates, IL BTW, so FLO is 18 minutes per Google maps from my house.