The Bladium - Here I come!

So I have made my decision about what gym I am going to join. The Bladium outweighs the YMCA almost two to one. My final deciding factors boiled down to two things.

First, I spoke to a few friends that are black belts in multiple martial arts styles. They all told me that going from one style of karate to another is easier than going from one art to the other. I assumed it would be harder because of being “set in your ways” so to speak.

Second, and more importantly, pay attention business owners… Customer service and staff attitude! The staff at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA were all generally unhelpful. I called there and spoke to three different people through the coarse of a week and they all didn’t care about keeping me or losing me. I would say that the staff at the YMCA had the same attitude as the staff at the Local Wal-Mart - Hate their jobs, hate their customers, and hate their managers. So Screw you YMCA! I don’t need you!

On the other hand, The Bladium’s staff were all more than helpful. Dave Gonzalez is an awesome guy. He helped me get setup as a guest member to try the place out and hooked me up with my membership. By far, the best guy there so far, is Charles. Charles works at the rock wall. He teaches and certifies belaying and he stayed late TWICE for Lisa and me! He was there a half an hour after he was supposed to get out of there to certify us. I would like to see anyone at the YMCA have that kind of dedication to their members. Hell, I wasn’t even a paying member yet! Plus, he is genuinely nice and happy. So, I say it again, SCREW YOU YMCA!