Evolve MMA

[sundaymorningstaple]

Tic...toc...tic...toc....

Seems you and your friend are posting from the same ISP. Interesting, neh?

Moderator

[rainetsl]

haha im glad you called them out sunday.

their marketing team is very shady, they even attempted to "threaten" my friend with a lawsuit after he refused to take down a bad review of theirs..

and of course same thing, they entered like 20 fake reviews most from the same IP. i hope for the sake of them they get a proper marketing team in the future.

[greuhbis]

Hi,

I'm actually considering to join evolve. I really appreciated their trial class. The teacher was very friendly and everything... It seems that the class you can be a every few people during the class and this is very nice too... but the price is soooo expensive... 3900 $ a year...

So I would like to if know if it is worth to go there when you are a total beginner... and which alternative in martial art (with friendly teacher, not too crowded classes and still good quality) I would have in Singapore as... actually no one else but Evolve answer my emails (to set a visit, trial etc...) (and... I wrote to almost 10 other schools).

(maybe it is not the best thread to ask ? )

[muaythai77]

Hi,

I'm actually considering to join evolve. I really appreciated their trial class. The teacher was very friendly and everything... It seems that the class you can be a every few people during the class and this is very nice too... but the price is soooo expensive... 3900 $ a year...

So I would like to if know if it is worth to go there when you are a total beginner... and which alternative in martial art (with friendly teacher, not too crowded classes and still good quality) I would have in Singapore as... actually no one else but Evolve answer my emails (to set a visit, trial etc...) (and... I wrote to almost 10 other schools).

(maybe it is not the best thread to ask ? )

Hi there, are you currently a member of evolve mma?

[Worldtravel]

Can anyone please tell how much Evolve charges? There is so much mystery around their pricing it's really annoying. They refused to tell me about their membership fees by email but also when I went there in person. They insisted I do a trial class before talking money....


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[renetk]

They ask a lot. 240dollars a month in non peak hours. In peak probably a lot more.

[SomeGuy82]

I do BJJ, so I can only comment about the BJJ classes.

If I can summarise it in one sentence, I would say this, “It’s not for everybody”.

If I could crudely split those who are interested into 2 types, it would below:

Person Type 1:
- Shy, not very comfortable around people (i.e. don’t like physical contact or chit chat);
- Can watch Netflix all day and not mind;
- Has a habit of joining every flavour of the month gym – then quitting within a month or so cause they didn’t see results;
- Gets bored easily;
- Doesn’t like to do things they are not very good at immediately;
- Would rather spend $4,000 a year on a new bag or watch – i.e. loves buying things rather than experiences;

Person Type 2:
- A little outgoing;
- Willing to put time and energy into something even if it’s really hard at first – i.e. can learn to play a musical instrument;
- Doesn’t like to sit at home in front of a computer or TV all day;
- Does not get bored easily;
- Does not need to see immediate results;
- Would rather spend money on experiences rather than luxury items;
- Likes physical activities and sports.

If you are Type 2, you’d probably like it quite a bit. However, I’d stress that BJJ is something that you have invest a lot of time and energy into to really enjoy it down the road. Believe me it can be gruelling. It’s prioritising long-term contentment over immediate fun and pleasure.
When I first started BJJ, I struggled like crazy. I’m over 35 years old and I’m a working financial professional. I’d been active my whole life, but due to my work, I’ve been putting way too many hours in the office over the last 5 years or so. So… at first, it was incredibly gruelling, physically and mentally. I was a regular gym guy, so I was accustomed to muscle soreness and aches, but, when you first start BJJ it’s on a whole other level. I was going 3-4 times a week regularly when I first started, thanks to pressure from my wife, and I seriously considered quitting several times, it was that painful physically. After every 30 minute roll, you kinda feel like throwing up. Worse, it was also bruising on the ego cause, I remember, my first few rolls, I was losing to girls! That’s right! GIRLS!

But strangely, after about 3 months, the aches dissipated as my body adjusted and I noticed myself getting better. I was able to hold my own (i.e. not lose badly) against the more experienced white belts and I even submitted a few of my white belt peers. The blue belts were becoming manageable. Felt like vomiting after 1 or 2 rolls, not every single one. After about 1 year, I had lost 7kg permanently. I was 72kg and down to the low 60’s – which is amazing, cause I wasn’t terrible overweight to start with. Over time you kinda get to know the regulars as well as the instructors, so the initial shyness wears off. I have to say, I really like all the BJJ instructors at Evolve. I’ve been to several schools in Canada and the USA, when I’m on my business trips (yes, I pack a Gi when I travel) and I can say that the instructors at Evolve are really quite good. Some people complain cause, as a beginner, they make you drill full guard over and over and it gets repetitive, but believe me, you need it. I’ve rolled with other whitebelts and blue belts at other schools and I can pass their guard quite easily – and I’m not even that good!

Some instructors may get a bit too competitive and can be tough on you at times, but they’re still pretty cool. You also have to learn to get used to the Brazilian Portuguese accent cause it’s their game.

I really like Evolve’s schedule cause it’s super flexible. I’m kinda lucky cause I work near the far east gym so I can quickly drop by the gym whenever I have 1.5 hours to spare. I keep a Gi handy in the office as well. If you don’t live close to a gym it will be harder.

That being said, BJJ has its ups and downs. You have your up days where you’re kicking ass roll after roll… then the next day, you’ll get stomped by an androgynous 17 year old with a frightening combination of strength and flexibility. You may develop a slight injury occasionally (i.e. elbow joint from arm-bars) that will make you take it slow for a few weeks (which is upsetting).

My only complaint about Evolve is that it’s really expensive. I work in finance and I even think it’s expensive. However, if you go 3-4 times a week regularly, I think it’s worth it. Many of my friends think I’m crazy cause I drop $3-4k per annum on BJJ, but at the same time, they drop $13k on a watch or some silly bag. At least I learn a cool skill, doing something that’s good my health and have a real hobby – i.e. I plan my weekends around my BJJ schedule; I also do research and reading on different techniques and ideas – ya I know… who would have thought! I’m a bit worried about how I can balanced training with my family once I have a kid.
I read that Evolve engages in shady marketing practices… If this is true, it’s a shame cause they don’t need to. But business is business I guess.

Lastly, wanted to quickly stress that I’m actually a mix of person type 1 and type 2. When I first started BJJ, it felt really awkward and I didn’t really like it. But it grows on you. Also, maybe my response is more about BJJ rather than Evolve. If you want to do BJJ, there are other schools in Singapore. Evolve just works for me cause of the location and the flexibility – albeit at a price.