Fitness Clubs
Revolution MMA
Revolution MMA is a beautiful gym that makes the most of its space. The gym consists of a pro shop, octagon, MMA training area and a sound-proof Krav Maga room. Being advertised as Toronto's largest MMA facility seems misleading though, as while some schools are smaller, they don't break up their training area into so many segments.
Revolution offers Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, as well as fitness classes. The also have kids MMA, which isn't common.
A few minutes after i arrive I meet owner/instructor Joel Gerson. I decide to play prospective-student, telling him that I'm checking out gyms in the area. Gerson takes me on a power-walked tour of the gym. When I mention another school, he actually tells me that if I train there, I'll get a staph infection.
The tour lasts less than 5 minutes before I'm whisked to an empty room on the second floor, sat at a desk, given a pamphlet outlining three payment options, and asked to pick one. Not only do I feel incredibly uncomfortable at being isolated and given such a direct sales approach, but I also told him earlier that I was only here for information.
Unlike most gyms, there is no monthly payment option. You need to sign up for a 12 month term at the following rates:
- Option #1: $449 down and $54.95 bi-weekly.
- Option #3: $1499 for the year, plus tax. The cheapest option, but still much more expensive than most gyms.
- Option #2: Something in between 1 and 3. I found this option confusing, but didn't feel comfortable asking questions.
When I tell him I'd like to try a class before committing, I'm told to sign up, and I'll have 10 days to cancel after the first week. I tell him that I won't be signing up today, and his face visibly drops. The meeting doesn't last 30 more seconds. I ask for a brochure that I could read later, and get told "that's why we have a website".
As we leave the office, I walk a bit slower than Gerson. When he gets about 15 feet away, he finally notices. He looks over his shoulder, and I get a "you good?" from him. I nod. He gives me a thumbs-up and disappears. No one notices me leave.
Revolution MMA really is high quality. It gets professionally cleaned daily, the equipment is brand new, the entire training area is matted and the instructors are ridiculously qualified, including professional UFC fighter Carlos "The Ronin" Newton.But in the end, I can only recommend them if you're immune to high-pressure sales tactics.
Writing by Dan Cosgrove. Photo from the Revolution MMA web site
Discussion
19 Comments
Sort By Oldest First / Newest First
Subscribe
if you are looking to drop weight , tone up your body ,learn stand up or ground work or even enjoy a good work out this gym has everything you need , everyone treats eachother with Respect and show good positive attitude towards eachother
With one of the largest student bases of any MMA gym in the GTA, Revolution has a solid reputation in the industry most especially when it comes to professionalism and customer service. Having been featured in Toronto Life (BEST OF ISSUE), The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, National News, The Fight Network, Sportsnet Magazine and many other leading national media outlets, Rev’s attention to customer detail is inimitable.
It is a shame that this reviewer came in with an obvious bias against the club, as it is standard procedure for us to have all our programs thoroughly detailed and explained as part of every tour, in addition to doing a prospective student’s specific needs analysis. To state that this wasn’t done in this case, and that pricing options were outlined after 30 seconds is simply a falsehood.
Tours typically take 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many questions are asked, and whether or not the individual is actually serious about training, as opposed to serious about getting a story. While we might point out the risks of joining the wrong gym, we never, ever specifically bad mouth other facilities.
What is the most disconcerting aspect of this review on blogto is the fact that the same review for the club was posted for no less than 4 or 5 different sections on the site (martial arts clubs, boxing clubs, fitness clubs, etc.). How is the criteria the same for all these sections? What in fact was the criteria for each section? Or was the ranking system from 1 to 10 as arbitrary and subjective as it appears? How is a traditional Karate school in the same category as an MMA/fitness facility? makes no sense.
And finally, if the reviewer would like to come back and objectively try a class on the house when he is actually interested in beginning a program, we would be more than happy to welcome him, but he should be ready to sweat. If anyone else would like to come in for a free tour and personally sit through my grueling “hard sell”, mention this blog post and receive $100 worth of training gear for FREE if you purchase our popular Gold Membership. For actual reviews by real people who trained at our facility Google “Revolution MMA” or use this link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps/place?hl=en&;safe=off&gs_upl=2265l4359l0l4531l14l8l0l2l2l0l281l1579l0.5.3l10l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=662&wrapid=tlif132719695264010&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=revolution+mma&fb=1&gl=ca&hq=revolution+mma&hnear=0x89d4cb90d7c63ba5:0x323555502ab4c477,Toronto,+ON&cid=15817678721683817135&ei=YhoaT5-fC_Go0AHIk427Cw&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=placepage-link&resnum=8&ved=0CFIQ4gkwBw
Joel Gerson
Chief Instructor/Owner
Revolution MMA
www.revmma.com
Toronto's Leading MMA Facility
As for myself, I've trained at a few different clubs over the years and have a lot of admiration for Joel and the model he has set up. Anyone can take issue with the sales process in any business. All I can say is that I did not have an issue with Joel or how the sales process transpired. More so, I joined Rev not because of the payment terms offered, but because Rev is, HANDS DOWN, the nicest facility in Toronto with a great team of world class trainers.
If your sole criteria of joining a martial arts facility is the club's payment terms and your ability to cancel after your trial period is over, then Rev is probably not for you.
However, If you're looking for an immaculately maintained facility with an incredible roster of talented and approachable instructors -- then give Rev a shot.
With tax and a six month commitment you pay roughly $1000 just for the intro program with taxes. When you move onto the high grade program you end up paying a registration fee (This fee makes no sense as I was already a member) and then pay roughly $180 (Taxes included) a month with a 1 year commitment. Ofcourse if you're willing to pay this you eventually get into the Combat Athlete Program like I did and end up paying roughly $250 a month for unlimited classes.
However even with aggressively high pricing I'm a member because it's a great place to train. Members are extremely nice and instructors that are highly skilled...well atleast in jiu jitsu. Their Combat Athlete Muay Thai and MMA programs need some work.
Any place is good as you and the instructors make it. I trained at Rev and it's solid. If you find an instructor that is lacking, you take another class. It's not a BJJ centric place, like LIN is. Now there is Crossfit as well. Prices are reasonable, if you use it 3-4x / week.
It's not a true MMA athlete's gym, but it does make MMA more accessible to the general population.
There are more women and girls than at most clubs, and that's not a bad thing. The fitness classes are very good. It's worth checking out.
I was not paid or incentiviced for this review in anyway.
I would like to speak from my personal experience with Rev MMA...My kids have been members of the club for now 3 years. They train 3-4 times a week. As a parent I am more than satisfied with the service we get at the club. Front desk stuff is amazing, huge thanks to Jessica, Jessica, Carly and Liana. These girls are always there to answer any question, they know my kids by name, and are very attentive to our every need. My kids feel like they are part of Rev MMA family. They are always greeted with a smile and do not leave without getting a hug from the girls or a high five from older kids that come to help out little once with training.
Instructors are more than qualified. They are being taught by a BLACK belt instructor and he is great. When it comes to older kids helping out....these kids are earning volunteer hours for school and learning responsibility, respect, how to be humble, patient etc. They are helping the instructor and never substituting one. I as a parent do not see a problem with that, when my boys are older I would want them to be as dedicated to the sport and the community as these kids are. I never forget to thank them for taking an hour out of their lives to come and assist my boys in their training.
Prices: If you are coming in once a week.. Yes it expensive but it’s not what RevMMA is about. For most members of the club it’s a lifestyle. My kids train 3-4 time a wk now and as they get older it will be every day. With an option of them going 3-7 times a week it is very inexpensive.
Joel Gerson come every once in a while and trains a munchkin class, I think it says a lot about him as an owner. He clearly cares to take the time out of his day to show up and spend an hour training little kids. When I had my tour he was very clear and to the point as to cost vs. benefits you get.
I have nothing to complain about. I am very happy with their service, quality of training, facility and everything else RevMMA has to offer.
My expectations have been met and exceeded. One of few places offering a mixed martial arts programs, and you can build your mix.
I selected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Combat Fitness (CF) and will include Muay Thai in the near future.
BJJ classes have a feeling of "continuity" where you keep drilling similar techniques and transitions for several weeks as opposed to jump from one to another. Every class ends with 30 minutes of rolling. To me, that is the best part of the class - you get to fight almost everyone in class, not just your training partner.
CF classes are the real deal - if you have any energy left after it, you are not doing it right. 45 minutes of high energy cardio / strength exercises for all levels of fitness. You do your best. I'm not most fit person myself, but I don't feel pressured to go beyond my capability.
My conditioning has improved, I lost few pounds and I will continue to train.
I have been looking for a place to train for a little while and researched Rev online. Walked in a couple of times and tried to get a walk around without booking an appointment but none of the membership folks were around. I found the front desk staff very helpful and they allowed me to just look around and watch some of the classes.
Last night I got lucky just walked in. The lady at the front desk found someone to show me the facility and inform me about memberships. Met with Jessica and Joel and had a tour of the facility, watched some of the classes and a one on one BJJ lesson that a member was having. I was impressed with everything I saw. I found those I spoke with very knowledgeable on their disciplines and respectful.
Rev has three well equipped Dojos for different activities as well as a weight room. All the equipment looked well maintained and its a clean facility. The coaching staff were engaged with their students. I saw lots of sweat, hard work and smiles. It's an impressive package.
A moment on "Hard Selling" I did not experience that at all! I got the information I wanted, learned about the programs (some of which I have never really seen before Krav Maga) and found that Jessica understood that I needed to see how the class schedules will work with my lifestyle, family and around my work.
The cost of memberships are not out of line with any other gyms I have looked at and Rev offers more. The training staff are all experienced and quite frankly if you feel can't learn anything from guys Carlos Newton then my friends you should check your egos. Everyone can bring something worthwhile to the gym. Everyone has different backgrounds and experience. I don't mind a guy giving me his opinions or experience. If it works in fight on the matt or in the street I will take it. If you've ever been completely out of gas and over your head in a confrontation you will want to know all those things that have worked for others and you never know... that thing you dismissed as useless because of your ego may come back from your memory and work.
I digress but in fairness to the gym and as someone who has no connection and hasn't signed up yet I found them professional, interested and most importantly committed respectful people. I liked it there and had a great tour!!!
If I sign up and train there I will write another review to let you know how I found it.
Cheers.