I'm trying to open a gym.

by JasonM on Jun 27, 2008 9:56 PM EDT Comment 11 comments

I am trying to open up a gym dedicated to MMA. The reason I'm writing this is to get any opinions you all may have about this subject. What would you like to see change at your current gym? What do you like about it? If it were open later would that matter? Would having a cage and ring matter? Would you use a complete gym for strength and cardio? Would having a few big names in MMA in to do seminars be something you would like? Thanks for all your help with this, I want it to be the best.

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I’m hesitant to give a well thought out answer since these questions give the impression you may be a little inexperienced with the gym business.

by Simco on Jun 27, 2008 10:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You gotta start somewhere

I’m very new to the gym business, that’s why I ask. I am a certified personal trainer and have a few years experience with wrestling, boxing, and BJJ. I just wanted to get some different thoughts about what you like and don’t like.

by JasonM on Jun 27, 2008 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The best place to start is in real life, getting experience. Not asking strangers, most of whom don’t train at all, what they want.
A certification, even NSCA or ACSM, doesn’t mean anything in the context of an mma gym. No offense.

by Simco on Jun 29, 2008 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am sure...

.... he is sorry for wasting your time and insulting your intelligence!

by blueballlefty on Jun 28, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very sorry!

by JasonM on Jun 28, 2008 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

some thoughts

since the cost of living varies depends from area to area, I’d check around and see what other mma gyms offer in terms of rates. I’d also think the level of instruction would influence the rates you charge. also I’m seeing some mma gyms offer weight training equipment that doesn’t take up much space, things like medicine balls and kettlebells. I think rings and cages are nice to have if you have the space, but i don’t think they are vital to have. rings and cages might help for marketing though. good luck.

by monkeyfightclub! on Jun 28, 2008 12:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the help.

The gym I go to now offers one class per week at 50.00, 2 at 75.00, and then unlimited for 125.00. Since this is the only one available to fit my work hours I had to join it. As far as the ring/cage that is exactly what I was thinking, it will more than likely draw in some people just to say that they train at a gym that has that. Those are also the people that would hardly show up too.

by JasonM on Jun 28, 2008 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

check into

a crossfit style gym for the strength training and cardio thats getting pretty popular

by blueballlefty on Jun 28, 2008 1:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for that info about crossfit.

I just went to the crossfit website and it looks pretty intense, we will def. incorporate that into our gym somehow.

by JasonM on Jun 28, 2008 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Get good instructors...

...you can’t be a well respected gym without guys who have A LOT of experience and knowledge. Do you have people who can teach BJJ at a high level? Strong wrestling coaches? Striking coaches?

These aren’t things that you can just throw an ad in a newspaper and easily get.

Without those things you can have the nicest building in the world and you still won’t have much of an MMA gym.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

"The reason a lot of people do not recognize opportunity is because it usually goes around wearing overalls and looking like hard work." -- Thomas Edison

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 29, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs