This one leaves me scratching my head, not sure how they got Best of Chester County. Signed my kids up for the quick start program, 3 lessons & a uniform, easy enough. Then they get you to join on a rolling 3 month block. Choose this gym based mostly on location so I'm uncertain how it stacks up in price comparison. It's not cheap, $299month get your family unlimited lessons, if you are going more than one kid it's cheaper this way. Did the 3 month membership, afterwards decided we weren't impressed.
This would be a good place to go if your kids are itching to take karate and require no real encouragement, supervision or personalized instruction. Be aware that the class is not always taught be an adult that works there. Many of the students fill in to teach, which I hadn't realized when I signed up. When I inquired about that, I got a song and dance about how they are really short-handed right not and they are just trying to keep things moving.
Early in our 3 month membership, I made an error when walking out of the gym on a Saturday morning. I thought the class in the back was completed as the students were scattered everywhere. I was wrong. The instructor confronted me in a nasty tone, pointing out my mistake. I immediately apologized for my mistake but this man would not let it go. Two sincere apologies later, I am almost in tears and he won't let up. Speaking about respect for the class - hey, how about some basic respect for fellow human beings? No? How about women? Obviously not. How about paying customers? Still no? I made an honest mistake and I've apologized twice already. Let it go, jerk. He's obviously looking for some validation on his Saturday AMs. He needs to practice what he preaches regarding respect.
Yeah, so the "gyms" flow right into each other, to get into the back gym, you have to walk directly through the first one and there are classes going on in both gyms, so there is nothing private about the private lessons. I know it sounds like their problem but it's about to be your problem if you sign up. Clearly they do not "own" the fact that the configuration of the gym set-up is shoddy.
I can't say his attitude wasn't a whole lot different than everyone else's there. They have the right people in front, that kid Jason that works the desk at night is great and friendly, just what you want to see when you walk in to a place like this, he's real encouraging and learns all the kids names, has a smile for everyone. The guy that does the tours also teaches the youngest kids - he is fabulous, lots of positive energy and very enthusiastic but he won't be your instructor unless you are less than 5yr old. But none of the other instructors are necessarily pleasant, welcoming or encouraging.
A few weeks before we left, I saw an adult student make the same mistake I did, walking thru a class. I spotted Mr. Nasty going after him and got my bowl of popcorn ready for the show. Their exchange lasted about 5 seconds and it all suddenly made sense. This is a "guys" gym. The place is filthy, there is never toilet paper in the ladies room, the floor is always wet, there is no water fountain anywhere (is that even up to code for a gym?), parent observation is encrusted in dust, these kinds of things are not important because it's a bunch of guys.
If you are a self-motivated student who is looking for a place to kick around some already kicked around equipment, this place is as good as any I guess. But if you are looking for a friendly environment where you are encouraged to learn, ask questions and someone to encourage you or your child to learn in a positive reinforcing manner, this is probably not the place for you. I feel like DG probably has some talent there but is in need of a total marketing overhaul. They're selling it but not sure why anyone would buy it. You can get this anywhere. read more
