Underdog vs Muay thai daosawan in montreal?

[Cherenkov]

Hello,

I have little experience with martial arts. I would rather say I have none.
For the moment, I need something to get fit and encourage me of doing workout. I am 21 and seeing those muscle that used to be defined and cut now flask and small made me want to workout again (summer coming too ).

I intend visiting these two gyms that are fairly close to my home.
Friend might come train with me. I don't know if they will follow me every training session; might end one of us quit. University doesn't allow a lot of free-time but I need to do sport, it frees my mind and allow me to study.
I sure bet it is hard to make an idea of a place with a single visit and a one time free try hence the reason I am asking you guys.
Muay thai daosawan (which is on ST-lau close to the mt-royal metro station) I can reach by foot (approx 15mins for me) is quite expensive. 700 minus 15% for student a year & 300$ 3 months with again 15% which equals to 255$. The 180$ 3 months underdog with also access to Boxing classes (and day-time gym) is a clear win vs the daosawan club that only has muay thai classes & no day-time access.
In the other hand, underdog is at st-laurent metro which is I would say 20-25mins of travel. The summer I can reach the place with my bike so that could come down to 15mins with in extra a nice climb for my cardio

Friends won't make it if it is the daosawan (too expensive & far away). I could try it for the school session and then go to the underdog summer time with them if they still want by the time. Either I still can try both and the choice is even harder. Where should I begin? I think underdog is more beginner friendly but I could be wrong.
In the first place, I am not interested for competition and I heard underdog was the place if you wanted competition which I don't really want. Only idiots don't change of mind, I can't tell how much I will love the sport so heh that's still an open question.

 

[PeterPain]

Underdog has cheap MT class that could be worth it but their bread and butter is boxing. They have guys like Dierry Jean and I've been told that they crush local amateur scene.

I go there because it's cheap and close to my office. I find it to be a bit too close to ''Dutch MT'' for my taste but they won't give you a hard time if you bring in other ''TMA luggage''. It's group class and they just sign a bunch of new people so they have both advence and biginners. Their oppenning hours have me swear tho.

As for Daosawan it looks expensive but their head coach trainned with non other than Kru “Peter” (Kambalay Sisomphou) and that is a good thing. He was my first Kru and I do miss the little guy. Doing judo 4 times a week holding armbar upsidedown on my head while getting kick in the face was a breaze compare to trainning with Peter. Try to see if 700$ a year includes private classes. Private class are and will always be better than group class. Seems advence lvl to me tho.

There is always Tristar but it's even more expensive. Peter still trains there.
I would still train there if it wasn't that I purchase a car, am getting maried and should have a mortgage anytime soon.

-Pierre

 

[Cherenkov]

I then don't really lose anything trying underdog first? Cheaper, boxe, muay thai and I still can join daosawan later when I will be on top of my shape (to give you an idea, I am at 50% I would say) & have some martial art experience.
My impression is that their training at daosawan seem to be rough and with school I might end up losing my money I could have used to take class when I have time in summer.
Good idea by the way to ask if the price includes private classes.
Will visit both at 6:30 (one after the other ofc). Today is muay thai class, will see how it does in muay thai vs the daosawan and I will go check boxing class too, I might begin with that if their class seem good.

 

[Cherenkov]

I went to daosawan yesterday. It is small... I wasn't expecting that and for the price it really suck to not have access to a gym. It was also very hot inside, they must die summer time.
I didn't find there was enough ''contact'' like hitting on pad/sand bag. That is what I want.
I will go see underdog boxing class today and muay thai class thursday.

 

[PeterPain]

See you, will be fashionably late because I close the office at 7

 

[Seb Shaw]

Which university do you go to?

 

[Cherenkov]

@seb shaw Polytechnique
@peterpain Yesterday couldn't make it, will go check today at approx 6:30-7 and tomorrow boxing class same hour. Is the class crowded thursday/friday?

 

[PeterPain]

I did a bit of cardio yesterday, it was packed but for boxing.
Thursday used to be empty but they signed alot of people after the holydays.
Loo may have to make the Gym bigger if they kept this up.

Should be there saturday.
It's the one class I never miss.
My work schedule doesn't like most gyms it's why I trained at 9 in the morning when I was at Tristar

@Seb, we may have bump into one an other.
I'm the only bare feet guy with scars on the shins.
I wanted to ask, do they charge extra for kettle class?

 

[Seb Shaw]

Cherenkov - McGill & Concordia both offer classes in Savate kickboxing that I believe are open to non-students as well. In terms of value you for money, they may be the best options for you.

 

[Cherenkov]

Savate looks fun and mcgill isn't far at all.

I wonder if I am considered as a student?
What do you mean value for money? Savate > Underdog?

 

[Seb Shaw]

It would cost you about $100 for 3 months of Savate at the uni, about $180 for 3 months of MT at Underdog, and $300 for 3 months of MT at Daosawan.

So Savate is cheapest but they only train 2X per week. Underdog has 3 classes per week. Daosawan has about 6 classes that you could attend.