Ring Sports United
http://www.ringsportsunited.com/bm/Testimonials/index.shtmlTestimonials
Ringsports testimonial
Shelby Barnes
Sept 2007
I started boxing in July 2000. Originally, I was drawn to boxing as an alternative to marathon training. In fact, I found Sidekicks -- the boxing gym where Kim and Mark Messer were teaching at the time -- because it bordered a popular running path. Every Sunday, as I finished my long training runs, I would see the sign advertising “executive boxing” and every Sunday, I’d will myself to remember the phone number. Finally, after too many Sundays to count and after a particularly grueling 20 mile run, the number was lodged in my memory, and I soon found myself wrapping my hands and embarking on what has become a life-altering personal journey.
Anyone who has spent time in a boxing gym will tell you the physical aspect is only a small part of what boxer’s learn. In fact, I refer to boxing as a mental activity with amazing fitness benefits. The fact that I lost 45 pounds in 4 months or took 2 minutes a mile (!) off of my running pace is secondary to the life lessons I have learned in the gym. Even after 7 years, I still learn something about myself every time I wrap my hands or get in the ring..*especially* when I get in the ring in fact.
My boxing skills have seen me through many tough situations outside of the gym. I have learned the challenges and issues we face in real life magnify themselves in the ring and in order to face them inside the ropes, I need to visualize and practice at all times. The result of this focus has made me more confident, less shy, less fearful and much more effective at controlling my reactions and emotions in stressful situations outside the ring. Recently, I had someone close to me tell me I saved her life because of the way I talked her through a particularly difficult and emotional situation. I told her the only reason we made it through that conversation without arguing with one another (versus focusing on the issue) was because of my boxing training. Had I not been focusing on the art of discipline, I’m not sure I would have been able to control my reactions.
As I’ve gotten more involved in the sport and met boxers from many other gyms and trained at other gyms, it is apparent that Kim and Mark Messer have an amazing gift. Not only do they share their passion of the sport with their students, but they also teach all students the same basic techniques they teach their fighters. In fact, many of the basic boxing students have gone on to be fierce competitors with only minor adjustments to their training schedules.
The Messers have a deep knowledge of the sport and an uncanny ability to transfer that knowledge to anyone who walks in their door. They take a different approach than most coaches I’ve encountered. For instance, they don’t just teach students how to punch..but they teach them how to stand, how to move, how to hold their hands, how to defend themselves, how to work in an offensive and strategic way as well. They also teach all students how to work the heavy bag and hold the focus mitts for a partner. And above all, they pay intense focus to technique and attention to detail. One of Mark’s favorite sayings is, “Practice doesn’t make perfect – PERFECT practice makes perfect.” And that’s the bar to which he holds his students. You can always pick a Messer boxer out of the crowd.
I thank the Messers everyday for sharing their passion and introducing me to mine.
Shelby Barnes
Ringsports Testimonial
Jamie Laflen
I joined RSU in spring of 2006, after moving to Seattle from Chicago. Due to the stress of moving across the country and adapting to a new, hectic work schedule, I weighed in at 252 pounds after my orientation, the most I had ever weighed.
When I lived in Chicago I used to attend a generic fitness club’s boxing/kick-boxing classes, using those programs to help me to get into shape and to challenge myself. When I joined RSU, I expected classes similar to those I had taken in Chicago, but I was in for a surprise – RSU was much more professional and challenging than any program I had taken in the past. For the next couple of months I rediscovered muscles I had not used in a long time and developed a cardio regimen that could sustain me during the basic boxing workouts. It was tough making it to RSU three days per week for what was sure to be a humbling experience – where I just barely hung on through the whole workout.
After three to four months at RSU I took the basic kick-boxing orientation and began taking kick-boxing classes as well as continuing to train in boxing. I continue to enjoy the combination of kicks and punches and the coordination I have developed that is necessary to combine these two elements of fighting. After four to five months, I hit my stride – the workouts were still challenging, but I began to gain the ability to focus on learning and applying new techniques.
Since joining RSU, I have lost between 40 and 50 pounds. I did not modify my diet much, other than eating smaller, more nutritious meals – after all, how could I put a bunch of garbage in my body after spending all that time at the gym?
I like being a member of RSU for many reasons:
· The workouts are a constructive outlet for any stress that may build up during the day;
· The classes keep me on a schedule and help to ensure that I continue to work out even when my schedule gets busy;
· RSU is a community – every few months they host a pot-luck party where the RSU members and their families get together and socialize while watching a UFC or professional boxing event.
· Finally, if the class schedule wasn’t enough, I have made friends at the gym that I look forward to seeing and with whom I look forward to working out and sparring many days each week.
Mark and Kim run their classes in with a great positive energy – they are encouraging and non-critical. Even when I was out of shape I never received negative criticism, and was never told not to join a class – I was instead inspired and encouraged to work my hardest and to push myself so that the next workout would be a bit easier.
Going to that first class in 2006 was hard, but the workout I did last night was also challenging. Because of the rigorous nature of the workouts I complete at RSU, I come to the gym prepared to push myself on a continuous basis. Pushing is hard and does involve some pain, but the result is worth it – I get in better shape and learn each technique as it would be applied in the ring.
After all, pain is just weakness leaving the body!
Ringsports Testimonial
Gavin Ng
I trained here a majority of last year and still have 4 months credit remaining so I plan to go back and train after I'm done with my bloomsday training.
Anyway, this place has a lot to offer as it has a kickboxing world champion, a pro boxing coach, pac-10 champ wrestler, and BJJ purple belt as instructors. It's hard to find an mma gym that offers this much diversity. If you plan to go 3-4 times a week and take 1-2 classes each time you go..you really get your money's worth here.
However, if you only plan to do a few classes a week..or even one a week. Definitely re-negotiate the price, as it can get much pricier than other gyms. The instructors are all very knowledgeable, friendly, but also push you to work harder.
Also unlike most martial arts gyms, this place is very clean, with equipment that is in good condition. They also do weekly newsletters and have UFC/Pride FC potluck parties which helps keep the members rather close together...as well as in-house fights every now and then if that is your thing.
The only thing I do not like about RSU is as many members only go to RSU for their daily workout...a lot of the time spent during classes is spent on cardio drills...which is helpful, but for those who spend time out of class working out and want more time in class to focus on technique...it can get frustrating...as half your class you can't help but feel you're in a cardio kickboxing type class.
RSU also has very large classes for Level I classes, and the MMA/BJJ classes are getting more popular. This is a good and bad thing as you get more competition to work with, it also gets you less personal attention from the instructors to improve your technique...but this is a case at many popular gyms.
Overall RSU is a very nice, clean gym with great instructors. I feel if you wanted to focus on a specific martial art (i.e. just BJJ/kickboxing/wrestling/boxing) 3-5 times a week, you may consider another gym. However, given the price (assuming you attend class on a regular basis) and the fact that RSU has great instructor for pretty much every aspect of mixed martial arts..it's a great gym.
