FIT HIT — Local services in New York

4/8/2019 - I did not ask for no male in 9000 sqf!! The women class area could be free of men if administrators wished but they will not accommodate that. I spoke today on the phone as I could not take class yesterday. In the women class area there were men doing their private lessons or training. They could make a specific room for women that was private, even with curtains. Hmm. Perhaps if the demand was more they supply will come too but I am just one woman. Just hurt to know the truth. It's ok. Alhamdulillah. I won't attend anymore classes at this place. I thank those two girls for giving me an amazing service. Thanks to them alone and none else. (reason for 4 stars: The reason is that even though it is women only classes, I see that men can walk around unless some measures are taken. I want to thank the staffs for taking care of this for me. Please do consider the privacy of the women who don't want any men to be around when they are not properly dressed according to their standards. Please, consider the religious values of women who attend WOMEN ONLY classes by WOMEN ONLY teachers. Please. I really appreciate it. I wrote review and shared with my circles. There are many women looking for women only classes with women only teachers. Privacy concerns are pushing a lot women behind. I want to attend more but this is a concern I have. I hope I will get more support as I attend more classes. Thanks. )

I did my first Krav Maga Martial Art class today. Before I say how the class was, I want to say how well I was treated by the two receptionist women. I went down to the class area and noticed there was a mixed group class going on. I asked to see the locker room to change in case I needed. O MY Allah! I won't say what I saw but I closed the door right away after I opened it. NO, that was not a room for me to go in or change or anything. InshaaAllah I will never step into it again. May Allah forbid that I should.

After I peeked into the class area and the locker room, I went up to the receptionists and said: Don't we have any privacy? They gave me such an amazing consideration. May Allah guide them to good. Ameen. They went down and asked all men to leave when the Women Only class started. They made sure no men came down when I was there in the class. One of them came down 10 mins before the class end time to alert me that men will be down in 10 mins. First, I didn't realize how much care they put in to come down to tell me this. I said thank you once she told me. Then, I called out to her Thank you again realizing her sincere consideration for my privacy. I am more than grateful.

There were 2 Hijabis I saw. One greeted me with salam as well. Maybe desi too. A very diverse body of students.

The assistant instructor was an Arab woman, I am 100% sure due to her accent and look. Could be Egyptian. Man! She is good.

Now about the class. It is a constant active movement. 30 mins of practice alone and 30 mins of practice with a partner. Not easy initially or the first time but becomes easy with practice.

I had an Asian partner, and she was nice. I left in a hurry as men came down while the women were sitting listening to the teacher as she was explaining some new movements. I had to leave. After I went out of the building, I realized that I should have asked my partner for her contact information. I know her name. I hope she shows up in the next class that happens on Sunday. InshaaAllah.

Teachers are helpful and go around helping.

Alhamdulillah.

I felt light after class. I also feel some pain :D Alhamdulillah. I look forward to...

Their "Free Fitness Challenge" is a SCAM!

I saw a Facebook ad about this "free fitness challenge", looking for people who want to transform their body for free. I click through on it and see a very sales-like page. I make an appointment and it turns out to be at a local martial arts gym in New York City (where I am based) called "Krav Maga Academy".

When I show up, there are many participants there as well. We get weighed and after quite a bit of waiting, we are led on a brief tour. We then get shuffled into a small room where they run us through a Powerpoint sales pitch.

The pitch consists of telling stories of past participants who changed their life and how their system is the only one that works. Something about 3 pillar system and how they're the only ones to do it. Then the sales woman does a lot of hyping up where you're supposed to raise your hand to show enthusiasm and she questioned why I didn't look excited. Near the end of the presentation, she brings up that she wants a "deposit" of $600 that will be returned to you if you hit your goals. Then she goes around the group and makes arbitrary goals for each person. I was told to gain 10 lbs (I'm currently 130 lbs and my body type stays relatively around that weight for years... I've never been 140 lbs ever!). We were also told that she needs a yes or not "today".

I think it was weird how she wanted me to gain 10 lbs but another participant to gain only 5 lbs, so I negotiate her down to 7 lbs gain. Right as I'm about to sign the contract, she adds in an extra condition! 7 lbs weight gain AND body fat under 7%. I negotiate her up to 8% but that's still crazy since there's no way I'm 7% body fat. Then she says she can't answer any more questions since she has another appointment but we need to let her know today. Talk about high pressure sales tactics!

I ended up signing at the last minute, but then realized my mistake! I asked some fitness friends and they informed me why that goal was unfair and impossible. Firstly, gaining 7 lbs in a short time without gaining any fat is near impossible. Secondly, inaccuracy of the scale to measure bodyfat makes it very risky since it could fluctuate and there's no margin for error. In fact, I "gained" 0.2% body fat in 20 minutes between the first measure and when I asked for a re-measure... a fluctuation that would've made me lose the challenge (and $600). Therefore I got scammed!

They were also supposed to by law let me know there is a cooling off period but they didn't... they finally refunded me after I found out about that law and sent them a certified letter. Their contract also says...

I love Krav Maga academy! I signed up for Kma membership after unlimited classpass ended. Here are the seven reasons why kma is the best decision I ever made.

I chose Kma over other Krav Maga gyms because the workout is intense and there are real padwork/contact in a safety-first environment. If you like to sweat and push yourself to the limit - this place is for you.

Kma offers total mind and body conditioning - as classes start with heart pounding warm-up, follow by punches/kicks against pads. I love hitting and kicking pads- as it definitely helps relieve stress after a long day at work!

3.I prefer Kma over other marital arts because it is practical in the streets of nyc. Every class, I learn a new defense against common attacks (bear hugs, chokes, mount) and the repetition/aggression drills definitely help with muscle memory. As a petite 5 feet girl- I am confident that I can take out a much bigger attacker by using leverage instead of strength and hitting him where it counts (aka soft spots). I learned to choke someone out, and can defend against knife attack (caveat - this is level two and special seminar techniques).

4.All the instructors are all top notch and classes are consistently amazing, fun, and safe - Matan, Sherman, Erika, Omri, Jay, Grace, Rich, Erika, Viktoria. My first few class was a bit intimidating, and the instructors made sure 'newbie me' was paired up with more experience students. Everybody was happy to help, and I met a lot of new friends through kma. I have trained at Kma for over a year in both level 1 and ground, and am inspired to ' give back' to help out new students.

Thanks to the diverse class offering and special seminars, I can see myself there for the next decade without getting bored. I have advanced to level two/three with Jay/Omri and sparring with Erika/Sherman and am still learning new techniques and getting stronger every day.

Instructors emphasizes safety first, and I have not been injured - even sparring with much bigger opponent. Also, I have never gotten any ' infection' - as Kma is cleaned twice a day and pads/gloves are sprayed down thoroughly.

The front desk team are friendly, helpful, and flexible! And they remember your names! Shout out to Ryan, Steven, Katrina, and Emily!

I encourage you to give this place a try - as it has changed my life for the better. with friends, family, and kids -for a fun bonding experience. Kma is opening a new 8,000 square foot facility later this year, so this is a good time to get in early.

Hope this review is helpful - and see...