Pacific Ring Sports

 

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K C.

Oakland, CA

I have only been going for a month with my muy thai partner in crime, but this place is the bomb. A converted warehouse in downtown oakland that's only seconds from the freeway.  Parking can be hard on certain days and times, and watch out for those damn meter maids!

Mike and the trainers are super nice, friendly, and the workout is great. I want to try boxing, sparring and jiu jitsu some day. The rates are reasonable and for unlimited classes as well. Try this place, you will not regret it.

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7

98

Joe O.

San Francisco, CA

I stopped by this place the other day to get in a workout and check out the gym.  From what I researched the Muay Thai training should be pretty top notch.  They also offer boxing, and jiujitsu classes.  However, when I showed up only the boxing class was available so I paid the $10 fee and jumped right in.  Standard format of most gyms which consist of a few rounds skipping rope, followed by some shadow boxing, and then some rounds on the pads working on technique.  You end the workout with burnout speed drills and some ab work.  

Overall a great workout, and the boxing instructor gives detailed instruction on the finer points of the sweet science.  It's little adjustments that make all the difference.  Too many "boxing" programs popping up in gyms nowadays with instructors that do not know the finer points.  The only drawback for me was that I was paired with a beginner.  He was very friendly and helpful, but wasn't too adept at holding pads or throwing combinations which threw my workout off a bit.  But most gyms have this "issue" since the sport has really exploded recently.  Having a good pad partner makes all the difference!  (Sorry guy if you read this =)  Great gym!

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Elite '08

93

607

shannon l.

Fremont, CA

This is like one of those boxing rings you see in the movies.  People are practicing by themselves and in groups all over the place.  The people at the desk and trainers are SUPER friendly.... they don't make you feel dumb for being completely unexperienced.

I went for a trial muay thai kickboxing lesson ($10) and it was really challenging for my body!  I went on Saturday at noon and the class had about 20 people.

After 10 minutes of warmup (jump roping, stretching, etc.), I had a one on one training session for about 45 minutes with Robert (Saiyan) Prakhantree.  He's actually from a northern part of Thailand that I've been to (Udon Thani).  He was very nice and helpful in correcting my form.  They definitely work you here though... we didn't take any breaks in the 45 minutes.

I think my body was sore for literally a whole week after.  I believe there's a rate discount if you sign up with a contract.  I would but it's a little too far.

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1

Brendan M.

Oakland, CA

Yo, this place is dope!  Great for all levels and good mix of guys n gals.  Staff is completely chill, no pressure to sign up, no pressure from the coaches (unless u want it!) and no B.S. about buying gear or uniforms!  Just pure workin out!  

Whatever attitude u have towards workin out, the gym will accommodate.  If u are a serious athlete they got your back, likewise if ur a beginner tryin to get some skills or just tryin to get a good sweat and awesome cardio this is the place.

Prices are better than most every gym in the bay.  If you wanna check it out just come in and talk to the front desk.  Someone is always there to help during business hours which are posted on their website.  Parking during the day can be a pain, but after 5pm (which is when most ppl go) itsa snap.

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115

Traci S.

Richmond, CA

At first I was kind of pissed that the website was a dead end wondering what kind of ramshackle organization doesn't have a website these days but now I know - this place doesn't need one.  If it did have a website it would be overrun by Crunch rejects who want a quick fix on the new hot gym, and the chi of this place would be completely thrown off.  If you drove by you would pass it up,completely unawares of the amazing energy within.  If you walked in and it were empty, it would scare the shit out of you - Cinder block walls, punching bags everywhere and the red, white and blue theme would immediately take your mind to Rocky and you'd probably run out of there with piss running down your leg.  But if you stayed for more than 30 seconds, you would be greeted by the  friendly, encouraging, helpful and courteous staff.  With their no pressure explanations - that I can't even describe as a sales pitch - they can walk you through the gym (even wrapping your hands for you if you don't know how) and charging a mere 10 bucks for that first workout.  And even though I have THE most awkward Muay Thai kick anyone in the gym had ever seen (it merited quite a bit of discussion) no one laughed at me, just offered encouraging guidance on how to kick correctly. People from all walks of life come here to get a good work out and have a good time.  I think I made like 5 friends on my first day and I was just visiting. It almost reminds me of "Average Joes" from Dodge ball it's just comfortable and I can get a great workout at a good price, with cool folks.

3/8/07 This is THE only place where you can wear a giant emblem of a tiger on your crotch and not look like an asshole. You'd look pretty cool even.

4/10/07 Okay so after about a month my body fat has gone down by 7% and I can do 1 handed push ups on my tip toes.  Okay I do girl pushups but I can do about 50 of them without stopping so there! Oh and I can jump rope for 9 minutes (for the most part) and my right hook is coming along nicely.  Oh and I'm conisdering buying a pair of those nifty fighting shorts in pink with diamond emblems on them - Again this is probably the only place I can wear them in public without looking like an asshole but at least I'll be in good company.

5/22/07
Body fat is down 10% woo hoo!

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3

9

Isa C.

Oakland, CA

i LOOOOOOOVE this place... aka "Pacific Ring Sports"... at first when i ran across it, and peeked inside, it looked really intimidating with the huge punching bags and the boxing ring... i didn't go in... but when i went again with a friend of mine, the guys at the desk were really really friendly, totally helpful, and welcoming, and they weren't trying to sell me on their gym, like some of the other gyms... no pressure to sign up, and it's only $10 to try it out...

there is a good number of guys and girls, doing both boxing and Muay Thai kickboxing... their prices are good (better than some other places i've researched)... for a flat rate per month, you can go to as many (or as few) classes as you want, and you also have access to their weights and machines whenever the gym is open... you don't have to buy special gear unless you want to, cuz there's equipment for you there, just go in your regular gym clothes... and the time for the classes are totally geared towards the working person especially if you work close by... (at 5:30 and 6:30pm, M-F; and Sat's)

the instructors are really qualified, and they push you hard, but you can go at your own pace, cool for super beginners (like me)... and there is quite a bit of individual attention even when the class size is high...

if you want an intense, high impact, cardio workout in a friendly, supportive atmosphere, this is the place!

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