Don't give them your money, especially if you're not from around here…read more They gave me the run around, told me a fake lesson time twice, even though I stopped by the day before to double check. Then when I showed up, they were jerks about it, like they're trying to make you feel unwelcome. I've lived here for almost 10 years and come from Brooklyn, so I have a pretty thick skin, but they were especially clumsy and obvious about it. I speak Dutch but I have an accent, and I'm a woman and look young, so people tend to make assumptions, but it's their loss. I'm an experienced fighter (taekwon do for 25 years, competition, refereed, taught self defense and all that), but am taking up boxing to learn a new style and work on my arms. Anyway, there are a lot of good boxing schools in Rotterdam, so don't waste your time on this one.

This MMA gym is really good and has produced lots of champions!…read moreMarlous Coenen is a former world champion and is fighting at Bellator next month and is an example for lots of women. Her partner and my trainer Roemer Trompert is a 3 degree Black Belt Tae Kwondo and a MMA veteran who fought all over the world. There are trainings 6 days a week and the atmosphere is very good! So let's meet on the mat!!!

This is a great gym if you want to learn MMA. There are 18 lessons per week (three per day, six…read moredays a week) and you can take all of them if you become a member (and if you have an insane amount of stamina). But also if you are thinking of trying boxing, kickboxing, grappling or just would like to do stamina enhancing exercises, this could be the place for you. The atmosphere is relatively relaxed and friendly (no staredowns in the locker room or going all out against people that are obviously new to the sport). But it is still a contact sport so do bear in mind that you will have to take a punch, kick or arm bar at times (don't worry, you are wearing an armor worth of protection to ensure you don't get injured, it just hurts a little bit). You can do competition in MMA and grappling or just train for fun, it's up to you. Euhm yeah, what else is there to say? It's an extremely addictive, complex and (for me at least) fun martial art. You can get trial lesson for 10 euros I think. So if you live in Amsterdam and you think you could get into this martial art, I'd say give it a try!

I was a member for over a year and used it both locations, for their equipment and tried classes…read more The classes are predominantly in dutch, even if you ask for translation. The club announcements are in dutch. Even if your dutch is in progress (like mine) it can be unnerving to be left behind in fitness instruction. The equipment is good and the setup is good as well. Be prepared to be in the background of either locational/promotional filming of fitness bloggers, and other events that regularly take place.

Awesome gym ! Amazing facilities, classes and smoothie bar. A little cold in there and it can get…read morecrowded but still worth a membership if you can get your hands on one !

From the owner: CrossFit Forging Elite Fitnessread more