dfiumano624 - 150 a month is pretty normal, if you dont want to pay then you obviously dont want to train bad enough to ever even amount to a shitty fighter. shits pretty cheap if you actually train at least 5 times a weak and do more than one class. were not talking an arm and a leg, we're talking about little bitches bitching and making excuses.<br><br>The school I signed up for is $200 for two months, and after that it's $119 a month, with NO CONTRACT. I bought a package from the school which had a mouthpiece, shin guards, 16oz. boxing gloves, MMA gloves, wraps, and a t-shirt with the school name on it as well. I start my first class on Tuesday at 6, which is the Muay Tai class, and at 7 is the MMA class. Looking forward to shedding this friggin flab, and to learn something new at the same token. <img src="/images/phone/post_tag.png" alt="Phone Post" border="0" style="vertical-align:middle;"/>
be careful man, im always wary of schools that do that package deal. im just worried that you are going to be training at a shit school. what is the name of the school? it could be an awesome school for all i know but, like i said when they start doing these package deals you have to be careful because its the beginning of a money making machine angle rather than a place that really wants to help teach you.
I hear what you're saying, but before I signed up at the school, I actually spoke to the instructor for the duration of both the Muay Thai and MMA classes and also watched both classes to get a feel of what is involved there. Also, the fact that there's no contract, the price is right, and it's the only MMA gym close to me that fits the first two pre-requisites made me want to go there. I just had a good vibe about the place. Mind you I'm not looking to become a pro-fighter, I just want to be in shape like one, and also learn the various techniques involved in MMA, so at least I know how to defend myself at some degree. 
hey look, im on your side, im so on your side that even though i wrote up a long ass post and accidentally deleted it, im still willing to write another one to tell you how potentially ridiculous you are being.
first off, you know nothing of the sport, from a first hand experience. if you did then you wouldnt go for the package deal, the package deal is usually full of a bunch of shitty lowgrade equipment that these gym owners sucker you into buying at a jacked up price because they can either get a deal on them or buy them wholesale. hold on, apparently you think you know a thing or two about this gym just from watching? but but but, you actually probably have done little in participating. also, you talked to the instructor who benefits and NEEDS your money to prosper. so you are telling me by the same logic, if you were to buy a car and knew absolutely nothing about them, you would go to the dealer and just by whatever the salesman told you to.
secondly, you claim you have a 'good vibe.' this good vibe logic branches from the same tree as the bitches that always ask, 'is it too late for me?' essentially, you have settled and there is little anyone can do to change your mind. so to be concise, you have made an arbitrary decision and wish to stick with it. there is also this further settling evidence as you stated, you don't want to be a pro fighter and just want to learn techniques. well hey, while we are somewhat on the topic of cars, let us compare you to a car. you claim you are not a race car, okay, that is fine, not every car can be a race car. however, the key point is, seeing as even though you are not a race car, you still want the best care and management you can get while still being reasonable. now does that mean you go and arbitrarily settle on potentially buying some absolute shit parts when you know close to nothing about them? hell, you probably wouldnt even take that risk with the actual car that you drive around. with that said, why would you take that kind of risk with your own life which by the way is infinitely more valuable than some car?
that being said, you HAVE to do more research on this place, it is your duty to yourself to do this.
Ridiculous I'm being, eh? Being that I'm 42 and I been around the block a few times, I think I know if I'm getting shafted, or overpaying for shit. And like I said, I'm not locked into this for a year, there's no contract! SO, what's the worst case scenario......I lose a few pounds, and learn a sport I'm really into! Come on! You're talking to me like I don't know what the hell I'm doing! But you know what, if buying that package was a mistake........SO WHAT! I've made worse decisions in my life. Bottom line is that I'm doing something I enjoy, and not letting myself go, like some people around my age do, so I made my bed, and now I have to lie in it, right?
worst case scenario is if its not up to par...u can easily just stop going at your own perogative... either way its better than being locked in with the YEAR-LONG contract
i will take a small loss to a big one :)
Victor seems sincere and has a geniune concern for you from my perspective..he has big brother love man ahahah... i can appreciate that considering the masses that get swindeled in MA schools
That's again why I signed up in the first place. If I don't like the school after my two months are up, I can pick up and go somewhere else, and I have the equipment I need as well. Like I said, I've made worse mistakes, so I just have to find out for myself if this school is something I can go to on a long term basis.
And Victor, I didn't mean to sound pissed at you or anything, but I do appreciate the input, even though it did sound a little "dragged out". Plus, posting at 4:45 in the AM wasn't too smart of me either.
look dfiumano its like this, yea ok you are 42 but, and probably have lots of experience in numerous areas in life but, this is mma. if you are 42 and you've been working as a blank blank blank for a long time, i would agree, you probably know a whole lot more than most people who do blank blank blank. however, this is mma. for instances, you wouldnt claim to be able to play the piano better than a guy whose been playing a few years if youve never actually played the piano before, even though you are 42 and experienced in life. mma is the same thing, except these salesmen trying to sell you something you dont know much about. these guys are not only good at verbal jiujitsu but also can become your 'friend' and then next thing you know, you are so attached you just have tunnel vision and end up paying for crap training because you like the guy and then you start to like the other clients and....... do i really have to further elaborate?
its ok to be pissed at me man, because i am trying to big brother you as supersaiyan says. im not big brothering you so i get something out of it, for fucks sake im on the computer typing on a forum. what do i get from this? some sick sense of epleasure from feeling like i accomplished something? no man, im trying to help you out for the sake of helping you out, not for me to get anything out of it. seriously man, you think you know, but you have no idea. ive seen it done time and time again to many fucking people, hell i can honestly say, i have been a part of the 'salesman' routine to sucker people into joining too. and let me tell you something, the stupidest fuckers and easiest suckers in this circumstance are the ones the think they know the most and what is going on. look man im not trying to say you are a sucker but, look, you are an older guy who is 42 and don't know very much about the sport. if i was a salesman, you would be prime fucking real estate right next to the teenager who thinks it would be so cool to train.
by the way, the equipment you bought most likely shit. and the way you put it, like i said again, it sounds like you are a 'settler' and settling into a bad bed of mistakes. just because its not the worst mistake youve ever made does that mean you should still make a mistake?! honestly man i just dont want you to get screwed.
Well i appreciate you "helping me out" like i'm a fish out of water on the sport, but i've done my homework on the MANY schools in my area before i signed up for this one. PLUS, i've been to many martial arts schools, and pretty much know if they are "McDojos" and whatnot. I think i'm smart enough to make that determination, and to take appropriate action.........don't need "my hand held" sorta speak. And yes, i was TOLD TO MY FACE by the instructor that it's "not the best quality", but said that it'll last you a while (which is fine by me). But don't forget there is "no contract" that i had to commit to, so AGAIN the worst case scenario is that i lose some weight, and have cheap equipment. I can always pick up the good stuff if i pick up and leave to go to another school once my tuition runs out...........not a problem! The bottom line is, is that i'm trying something that i always wanted to try, and not second guessing myself. But it's funny, you make it seem like i gambled my life savings on the Kentucky Derby or some shit like that. It's a friggin MMA school for crying out loud, and i'm SURE i can tell if i;m getting "snowed" or not, but thanks again for your input.
victorchensky - you claim you have a 'good vibe.' this good vibe logic branches from the same tree as the bitches that always ask, 'is it too late for me?'
Well, it looks like the attitude i have is to GET INVOLVED, no? Seems like that's what i'm doing.................unless i'm missing something....
essentially, you have settled and there is little anyone can do to change your mind. so to be concise, you have made an arbitrary decision and wish to stick with it.
So tell me, how long of a journey should i partake in to find a school................when i'm eligible for Social Security? Obviously i know nothing about the sport or about being "suckered" (as you have previously stated. Please, tell me a good time frame which i should make my decision on a school? I'll be waiting with open arms!
Funny, how some people like to "help me" but want to badger me at the same token! AMAZING! Instead of writing something similar to War And Peace on your soap box........why can't you just wish that person luck? Seems like you have some frustration with some of the people in this thread (me especially), but ya know what.............i could really give a shit. Try your tactics with someone else........i'm not buying it. Have a nice day! :D
im just trying to be objective where as you are reacting as a typical person who feels like they have been personally insulted. you saying you want someone to just wish you good luck further feeds into the attitude that you have settled and just dont have what it takes to change your mind.
so you claim you can see a mcdojo a mile away, a lotta people would claim the same thing and they in fact became swindled by people such as matt barvo, lang, and atticus.
it is always a good tactic to sell someone something without an ongoing contract. this is prevalent with such things are phone plans. the fact of the matter is, it is a foot in the door move and makes it very difficult to turn down. im not saying theyre guaranteed to be a mcdojo or not but its a tactic employed by them.
i applaud your determination to try mma but once again, you probably cant tell if your getting screwed or not, it just isnt something you can tell right off the bat. back to the car examples, if you are not a car mechanic and dont have automotive knowledge you cant easily tell if the mechanic is bullshitting you.
as for the time frame, im not saying you should take forever to look for a gym but, you should always do research and constantly be searching for other schools that could possibly fit you better. instead you interpret this as if i am attacking you and telling you to never start mma and you should take forever to find a good school. coupled with the charged statement you took personally that could easily be interpreted that maybe i might think you are an idiot and cannot discern what is a good gym or not. what i am trying to say if you have to learn and keep your objective outlook, not just settle. you want to go to the gym? fine, but you should do research, you think you wont get screwed, maybe that is the case, but once again plenty of smarter people have been swindled.
once again i will reiterate that i was being objective as all the statements above prove, where as you are just interpreting all the hard facts as personal attacks on yourself. therefore, you ignorantly shut yourself away from good useful information which at the core is most of what i have said.
you are 42 years old, say you have a kid and they are like OH I KNOW THIS you dont have to tell me about it dad, i am making a good decision. you then try to support them in the search of further postmodern enlightenment such as the constant creation of new knowledge that may be equally useful as the old. then they get all upset and act like you dont know them and that they know what they are doing when in fact they have no experience and as a result they demonize you. let us get this straight, i say this with OFFENSE, it is this kind of ignorant and immature behavior that leads to some of the worst decisions man has ever made. instead of standing on the shoulders of giants, you choose to actively stand by yourself ignorant of all the experiences of others. and i by no means call myself a giant but, the knowledge i have gained has amounted from the experiences of myself and many others, and this knowledge is a juggernaut.
where as i choose to use facts based on actual experience, you choose to use your emotions and lash out.
So tell me, what i should do, since you have all of this insight on MMA schools, and buying cars and whatnot. Tell me what my course of action should be! Seriously, tell me what i should do, since you're still on that soapbox of yours going on and on about a "potential bad decision". And yes, i may be going on and on about this as well, but i HAVE to give my opinion once again as well. So really...........tell me!<br />I would like to hear this....And also, what's your status as far as MMA goes. Are you training somewhere? are you a fighter? do you own a school? What makes you, can we say.......KNOWLEDGEABLE on this subject? I'd like to know who i'm dealing with. Please, enlighten me would you please?
PS: I start class on Tuesday. I'll keep YOU posted! :)
Would you tell someone who has never played golf that they screwed up by not joining a country club for a year and buying $1000 set of callaway golf clubs before they played their first hole?
How is this any different? The guy is not locked in to anything, and got a set of the cheapest equipment needed to participate. Sounds like a good idea to me. He can always move on to better equipment (or a better school if necessary) if he decides he enjoys it.
At least someone is in my corner on this, and not chastising my actions. I think it's called being practical, and spending money "within my means". Did you ever stop and think about that Victor? Maybe some of us here can't afford a top name school AND equipment. Maybe for the time being, this is what their budget allows? Instead of "preaching" stop and think about what MAYBE the person's situation (financial or not)is, before you step on your podium.
"Would you tell someone who has never played golf that they screwed up by not joining a country club for a year and buying $1000 set of callaway golf clubs before they played their first hole?<br /><br />How is this any different? The guy is not locked in to anything, and got a set of the cheapest equipment needed to participate. Sounds like a good idea to me. He can always move on to better equipment (or a better school if necessary) if he decides he enjoys it." <br /><br /><br />THANK you! Gotta love the fuckin "know-it-all's" you come across!
are you serious dfiumano, i have been telling you what a good move has been all along in fact i stated it two fucking times!
directly quoted the first post towards you:
that being said, you HAVE to do more research on this place, it is your duty to yourself to do this.
in the second post i reiterate it twice:
as for the time frame, im not saying you should take forever to look for a gym but, you should always do research and constantly be searching for other schools that could possibly fit you better.
what i am trying to say if you have to learn and keep your objective outlook, not just settle.
you argue it is too expensive to train at a good school, well i would have no clue how much it costs in your area to train at a good school but i know schools in california generally cost at least 150. you make the assumption that top of the line mma schools cost a lot, this is not always the case. xtreme couture for instances i hear is only 120 a month for unlimited. so yea, ok maybe 150 is more than what you are paying but, honestly it is only about a little more than a dollar a day more. in addition to that, a lot of top of the line schools have a shitload of classes throughout the entire day so you can actually capitalize on it further.
maybe you cant afford nice equipment? look man we all cant afford $200 headgear from winning or winning gloves but there are a lot of websites that can sell you decent gear at very cheap prices. for instances, if you are looking for good muay thai gear, http://www.muaythaistuff.com has some very good deals if you order the package deals. http://www.txmma.com/ has some cheap shorts as well. mmawarehouse has some good deals and right in front of your face, believe it or not, the UG sells decent gear at a decent price. have you even looked at the prices? because honestly if you looked at the prices you would probably see that it is much more profitable to just order online. whats bothering me is you keep on saying all these things like you have no choice but to do this and this, all i am saying is there are a lot of fucking options out there and this may or may not be the best.
where are you going to train? you think with all this arguing, you would let me know where you are going, for all i know it could be a completely legitimate gym that is trying a new advertisement and marketing strategy.
lastly what makes me knowledgeable on the subject? well i train man, ive been training for a couple of years now, not including highshool wrestling. in high school i was second in my section in greco roman wrestling, second in my district in collegiate and in bjj, i have a blue belt and am working towards the long road of purple belt but, unfornately i stopped doing gi so it makes promotion near impossible. also when i was at the top of my game i got injured and didnt train for half a year. if i had to classify my skill level in bjj id say im a very good blue belt or a new purple. Currently i train 5-6 days. have i competed? yea man, i got injured about a year ago and didnt train for half a year. i won the us open in the smallest weight class and the absolute division as well but that was two years ago. now i am currently in the process of trying to get back into real competition shape and compete in a decently large nogi tournament and/or trying to get ready to try amateur mma. ive also taught beginner and kids bjj before and done my share of promoting mma gyms and trying to increase business. the business wasnt doing so good and it changed their name and started all over again. it was kind of a shady move in my opinion and for a while i stuck with it anyways until i got sick of it getting majorly injured didnt help either.
Hey if you are interessed, there is a great special week ( all day, 10h-21h) of intensive training in all kinds of martial arts : all kinds of boxing, mma, wrestling etc.and physical conditioning.
It's directed by a few world champions so it would be a good chance to start off your career with correct basics.
Plus since it's abroad, it would be a great vacation.
Email them at panza.gym@sfr.fr or panzagym@free.fr for more info!
It's also possible to sleep there so don't hesitate to inform yourself!
http://www.alsace-sportdecontact.fr/index.php/prochainement.html
Go for it man it's not too late. I have a few buddies that started training in their mid-to-late 20s and ended up going pro.
Seems to be a lot of self righteousness in this thread. Don't shit on a guy for asking a question. Sometimes people are curious and like to hear others experiences with something before trying it. Frankly i'd be a little worried if you were teaching my kids victor. You seem to be lacking some empathy and compassion for others.
3 pages later = too late
end of thread
im actually kind of interested in how the OP is doing and whether dfiumano624 is still training or not. i hope the best for both of them, if theyve actually made it this far and are still training hard then they probably have found the answer to whether or not it is too late for them already.