Quite simply, the best gym in the world…read more
I originally checked out S2C8 some months ago as I was interested in learning self protection, and had been recommended KFM by an expert as a good system for me. You see, as well as being of the female persuasion, I'm absolutely tiny, so a lot of "one size fits all" things just don't do it for me. I have done self protection courses through work which have been absolutely laughable, as most of the techniques would have required me to stand on stilts to use them. I attended a trial KFM class and I absolutely loved it. As well as being useful in teaching me techniques I feel I really could put to good use if the need arose, it was one of the hardest workouts I ever did, and incredibly good fun. However, the gym is an hour and a half away from my house, so I decided I could not justify the travel time.
I looked at other local gyms for a few months as well as training at home. I took up kettlercise and tried kickboxing. I can't pick many faults with the kettlercise, although it does get repetitive, but the kickboxing was frankly poxy. I just felt I wasn't learning anything useful. Some of the knife disarming techniques I saw them teach looked entirely objectionable, because it was plain to see that they would not work in a real-life setting. I thought it was bordering on the criminal to teach people faulty self-protection, as it could put them in serious danger. I decided I wanted to try MMA but the local club would not take me, because I'm a tiny girl. Apparently, I might find grappling with men "uncomfortable". I said that no, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest, and was told that, basically, it would bother them. End of.
In November I finally had a L'Oreal moment and decided that, you know what, I could and should justify the travel time to go to a decent gym. If learning to protect myself and getting fit is not worth a bit of effort, then I don't know what is. I signed up for my membership and I've not regretted it for a second. I now drive 6 hours per week to do 4 classes, and it's totally worth it. Let me tell you why.
Firstly, the facilities are fabulous. They include a matted area, a cage and a ton of functional fitness equipment. They have a stereo and light system and smoke machine so they can do club simulations; I tell you, practising your self defence in strobe lighting with loud music is an entirely different, intense experience. Also, if you'll allow me to be prosaic, the reception area is lovely and the changing rooms and loos are kept immaculate.
Secondly, the people. The atmosphere is just fantastic, and it's not just the instructors. For instance, when I first walked into the MMA class I thought I was going to die. I'm under 5', for god's sake, and not terribly fit. All the other people there bar one are big, fit or big AND fit men, and most of them are also a lot younger than me. Any one of them could pretty much snap me in half and throw me into next week. But they don't - each and every one of them is incredibly supportive and helpful. I mostly train with the one girl there, because we have a good giggle and being of a similar size helps, but when I train with the guys I just love it. They are not condescending, which I hate, but they are always considerate. When I make a mistake, which is quite often, I don't feel at all bad about it, because the attitude there is so supportive. It makes learning a lot easier, because you are free to push yourself and know that if you "fail" it simply isn't a problem; you are learning something new, and you can just try again.
Thirdly, the way the classes are organised. This is not the sort of club where you turn up and the instructors are scratching their heads trying to decide what to do today, resorting to static stretches that really should have gone out with the Ark or endless repetitions of the same routines just to fill time. There is a plan here, and each class adds something to the previous one. Going over and building on previous routines really makes them sink in, and you can see that you're progressing. The warm-ups are never the same and they are always both challenging and fun. Also, there isn't a wasted minute. No standing about waiting for someone to decide what the next activity will be. You can tell that they've got it all planned and structured. As it takes such a time commitment on my part to be there, I really appreciate it.
Fourthly, it's just such good fun. I've never had so much fun whilst feeling that I'm about to spit out a lung, or getting thrown about by a man twice my size. It is all part of the ethos of the gym - as they say on their website, "Having fun enables you to express yourself honestly and openly and this is where we all function best."
Last, but not least, you best not tell them, but their prices are really good value, too. The package I'm on works out at under £5 per class, and each and every class is worth it.
It's just brilliant. Give it a go!
