Buffalo, NY - Gold Summit Martial Arts Institute

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 1/09/2007 9:25am

At the Gold Summit Martial Arts Institute, we focus on making a complete martial artist. We are located in the Buffalo area. The classes taught are Kung fu, Taiji, and Iron Fist Boxing. All classes are taught by Summit instructors, and teach the same basics and philosophies. The Kung fu is predominantly Long Fist, with a firm foundation in the basics. In the first few years, stances are heavily drilled. Fighting applications, joint locks and grappling, and weapons are only taught after a few years. For a shorter learning curve our boxing class uses a majority of ring style techniques, combined with some non-ring style situations and techniques.

Aliveness- 7:
In the early years of training, holding stances, formwork and simple punching drills are used often. It is not until the advanced levels that aliveness is used often.

Equipment- 7: Currently we are doing major remodelling in the room that the heavy bags are in, but we still have thai pads, punch mitts and kicking sheilds availible in addition to free weights.
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Gym Size- 8:
3 facilities with 10,000 sq ft total.

Instructor/Student Ratio- 8:
There is 1 instructor per about 12 students.

Atmosphere/Attitude- 10:
Our school nicely painted, and we have scrolls and statues.
Attitude is one of the most important aspects of our school. Everyone is friendly, but strict.

Striking, Grappling and Weapons - 8-5:
Striking is the dominant form of training in the early years. Standing grappling and weapons are taught at advanced levels. Weapons include, but not limited to; jian(straight sword) dao (broadsword) and staff.

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 4/12/2007 12:18pm

How long would you say it takes to become 'complete'?

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 4/12/2007 3:08pm

In my limited experience, I would say about 5 years to have a complete foundation.

**kwoww** · Posted On: 4/12/2007 4:20pm

Sounds like a good school, but some of the ratings seem a bit high, and aliveness in particular looks exaggerated. Do you spar, or just do drills?

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 4/12/2007 9:23pm

We spar light, medium and heavy contact. Also with grappling/throwing and without.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 4/12/2007 10:17pm

it is hard not to be a bit bias about your own school, and being proud of your school and its traditions is fine. But,as a fellow CMA practicioner I am thinking that an 8 rating for grappling might be a bit high. Unless you train hard on the ground with full resistance on a weekly basis the rating should be much lower. Only people who train in grappling arts (BJJ, Wrestling) can claim 8 or above in grappling...in my opinion.
Just trying to save you some grief from the the grapplers here at Bullshido, and there are a lot of them.

**Crazyman** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 1:50am

Remember a ten means best of the best, world class training. For a ten in striking it would have to be MT with a few other useful things thrown in. That or a boxing gym that produces boxing champs left and right. A ten in aliveness would mean you spar full contact several times a week. A ten in instructor student ratio would mean your instructor gives private lessons to you all the time. IMHO only a grappling school could ever hope to get an 8 in grappling.

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 10:16am

Thanks for the comments. That puts it into perspective better. However, I don't believe that a 10 in striking means it would HAVE to be Muay Thai.

Also, the ratings are for quality as well as frequency?

**kwoww** · Posted On: 4/13/2007 10:58am

Of course.

Again, a value of 9 or 10 should be reserved for the best of the best. Do students from your school win competitions all the time? Have there been any notable martial artists claiming to have trained at Summit Martial Arts? If not, maybe a 9 for striking is too high.

Gym size I could see an 8 or 9 from your description. Sure, you have a lot of space, but is it quality space?