Bally's "TMA"

[Mr. Mantis]

Bally's Total fitness centers apparently offer martial arts training.
http://www.ballymartialarts.com/
Apparently, they say "TMA" means "Total Martial Arts." Has anyone participated in any of these classes across the nation? My inclination is to think that it is bullshido of an order only surpassed by yellow babmoo, Dillman and other chi deluded super power rangers that manage to survive in this dimension long enough for society to say "WTF?"

So, anybody go to a class?

[plasma]

Looks like standard TKD.

[Mr. Mantis]

They say WTF TKD and Hapkido. Neither of which I know anything about.

[DerAuslander]

Bally's has a professional TKD program. All of those gentlemen in the picture graduated from one of the top TKD colleges in Korea. The program is professionally run as a business.

[Neildo]

So it's a McDojo of the highest order?

[Bang!]

As long as they don't have them doing fucking upright rows in every group class, they're ok by me.

[kobudo]

http://www.ballymartialarts.com/IMAG.../hpMainPic.jpg



How old is the kid they're training? Is her belt rank really simultaneously black and red?

From the main page:

"We strive to provide education and training in the Korean martial arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido to children, teens, and adults of all ages and abilities."

Hapkido description:

Literally translated, Hapkido means "the way of coordinated energy." In contrast to other martial arts that focus solely on kicking and striking, Hapkido techniques offer a balance of defensive hand techniques, body throws and joint locks with offensive attacks at pressure points and other vital areas. This balance of defensive and offensive techniques is favored among law enforcement agencies and can be applied towards practical self-defense or truly effective close-quarters combat.

So they are claiming that what they teach is effective for practical purposes. I don't know that much about Hapkido.

Their belt system has four levels of "deputy" between red and black (maybe that was the rank of the girl in their picture), with eight levels of black -- 7th and 8th degree black belts are apparently given the title of "grandmaster." To me, this smells funny -- and it smells funnier after reading the FAQ. I'd say they'd be worth checking out for bullshido, but Bally's is nowhere near me. Maybe more experienced bullshidoka would be able to read that faq/belt system & info page and read more into it. Check out their membership page and learn about their one to three year term commitments (with promise of a black belt after three years)!

Oh, and who can miss this pic?

http://www.ballymartialarts.com/IMAG...systemMain.jpg

[DerAuslander]

So it's a McDojo of the highest order?

Don't think so, since they're tied in with Bally's.

[Epicurus]

I like how they made sure to hire only "authentic"-looking instructors. Probably they hired some caucasians, hispanics, and african-americans too, but they have to wear special masks while they teach.

[DerAuslander]

How old is the kid they're training? Is her belt rank really simultaneously black and red?

Most KMA don't have a brown belt. The semi-black is the TKD equivalent.

with eight levels of black -- 7th and 8th degree black belts are apparently given the title of "grandmaster."

Pretty much the case with any JMA or KMA with belt ranks.

It's pretty hard to get a 7th dan anyway from the WTF, so this is not an indicator of being a black belt mill.

Check out their membership page and learn about their one to three year term commitments (with promise of a black belt after three years)!

Yeah, that's BS.

Oh, and who can miss this pic?

http://www.ballymartialarts.com/IMAG...systemMain.jpg

Hey, I'm impressed. She's cute and she has a sword!:icon_thum

[Mr. Mantis]

Don't think so, since they're tied in with Bally's.

It's not cheap to go to Bally's. Plus, I think you have to pay more to do the MA class, but I'm not sure.

They have clubs in Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, Texas and Minnesota.
http://www.ballymartialarts.com/clubs.aspx

[kobudo]

Most KMA don't have a brown belt. The semi-black is the TKD equivalent.

Pretty much the case with any JMA or KMA with belt ranks.

It's pretty hard to get a 7th dan anyway from the WTF, so this is not an indicator of being a black belt mill.

Ok, then. I've only ever really looked into Judo, and the "deputy" ranks looked a little off to me. Does three years to attain black belt (as their site all but guarantees) sound a bit short, or is that the norm? Does someone live near enough to one of these to find out how much belt tests are, or if they are included/required at all?

Hey, I'm impressed. She's cute and she has a sword!:icon_thum

Well, can't really argue with that. :icon_wink

[kobudo]

It's not cheap to go to Bally's. Plus, I think you have to pay more to do the MA class, but I'm not sure.

According to the site, that seems true. They do provide their pricing structure for advanced (black belt) students:

Pricing/Sessions:
Black Belt Instructor
8 session package = $320 ( $40 per session )
4 session package = $180 ( $45 per session )
1 session = $50
Master
8 session package = $400 ( $50 per session )
4 session package = $220 ( $55 per session )
1 session = $60

[Neildo]

Geebus! I could do BJJ for cheaper!

[Teh El Macho]

Hey, I'm impressed. She's cute and she has a sword!:icon_thum

Dude!!! Cute women with sharp objects scare the shit out of me. Just remember Lorena Bobbitt :icon_conf