Reviews
Krav Maga Milwaukee is a very welcoming environment. The participants are friendly and welcoming along with the staff. The workout is amazing. The defenses and strikes are very practical and effective. Each instructor brings a different style to the table and they all come from varying backgrounds and knowledge in other disciplines. They are all dedicated to their work, they will push you through the drills, teach you and they will even take the time after class to answer any questions a student might have. This is the place to go for real world self-defense and a great workout!
This review is primarily based on my most recent experience as a Monkey Bar Gym Member and does not correctly represent my review of the gym 2 and a half years ago when I first joined. I would also like to state that my review is NOT a review of some of the amazing trainers I have had the privilege of training with over the course of my membership, as they are not only motivators, but have become friends. I strongly caution individuals to read and reread the contract handed over prior to signing and becoming contractually tied to the gym. While my first two years as a member were physically challenging, community oriented, and provided a place where I have met some of my best friends, I can no longer justify giving money to the owner of this gym. He is not willing to take criticism, lacks self awareness, and plays defense at all times. Above all, he will not value you as an individual. He sees nothing but dollar signs. Your person = $$$. After 2.5 years of loyal membership, my husband and I decided that we needed a change in our fitness routine. Unfortunately this required $100 per person for our final month of "membership," although we were both stripped of all "privileges" facebook group & scheduling access - so I am not quite sure why we had to pay the entire sum. Additionally, we were EACH charged $250 to terminate our contracts early. I caution everybody to never sign a contract which requires an early cancellation fee. These are not common, and unfair. Overall, I would strongly encourage you to shop around for a gym other than MBG. When 8 instructors and over 10 members leave in a weeks time, there is clearly something very wrong with the operator.
Most of the reviews below, even the negative ones, don't deny that the gym and the instructors are top-notch. I've been a member for over a year, and I'm so grateful to have found Monkey Bar. I've always struggled to maintain a consistent fitness regimen - I'd get bored or make excuses not to work out, but at Monkey Bar, I show up and work hard, 4-5 days per week. I look forward to my workouts and I'm in the best shape I've ever been in. The trainers are amazing, my fellow members encourage and support each other, and the owner has been nothing but genuine and respectful towards me. I did sign up for a two-year membership and their policies were made very clear to me, including the cancellation fee for early termination and automatic monthly charges on my credit card. As a small business owner, I appreciated them taking the time to explain them to me, and I understand why these policies are in place. I do hope you consider becoming part of the Monkey Bar community - it really has changed my life!
I was a member of Monkey Bar Gym for over a year and a half, before moving out of state and discontinuing my membership. I will say that I literally HATED going to the gym before joining MBG. That all changed after I joined MBG. From the beginning I felt very welcome and motivated. Even though I was a novice to many of the movements when I started, I never felt unsafe because of the time the trainers took in each class to explain the movements, including coming over to offer personalized assistance as needed. There is a huge range of individual fitness levels within the class, and trainers always offer a range of options per ability level. There are a wide variety of classes offered, and I loved knowing a trained professional would be encouraging me and pushing me to be my best each class. The results from the day I joined to day I left speak for themselves. I lost 20 pounds, and my body is noticeably stronger. I went from not being able to do a single pull-up to doing several in a row. I can now use my own body power to climb a tall rope. More than anything I gained a love for working out, and a HUGE amount of confidence in myself and what my body is capable of. I miss the classes and community at MBG as I never would have left had I not moved. When I knew I was moving, I spoke to the owner in advance and we discussed continuing membership options that worked with my moving date. I hope the gym is around for many years to come as I truly think it is the best!
I love this place! The trainers are knowledgeable, fun, and always pushing you; whether it's to fix your form, try new exercises, or move up to the next weight. If you prefer paying minimal dollars to take a few laps around a gym, sleep on a bench press, and go home feeling the same then by all means do so. If you want to get value for your money and really feel the difference and push the limits of your body and mind, then go to MBG! I have no regrets as this place has helped fitness become a lifestyle instead of just a hobby.
As I traveled across the United States, I have been to many upscale gyms such as Barry's Bootcamp in New York and Miami, Warrior Fitness Bootcamp in New York and various other fitness centers that were in the realm of Cross-Fit, Zumba, Total Body, etc. I have yet to find one that has routines strategically structured like Monkey Bar Fitness does. When consistently attended, your body will change. The workouts are thought out, challenging, energizing, strengthening and doable for anyone looking to get lean, strong and toned. Your body changes as will your mind. The routines will change your mindset and that is the special trait about this gym. You are trained to work through resistance in the gym and in life. I've been blown away since day one. Jeff, the owner is open to feedback. So even if there is something off that you think could better position the gym for mutual success, he is skilled at giving and taking feedback. I deeply recommend this gym.
I've been a member at MBG for over four years and I feel that it is not only one of the best gyms in Milwaukee, but also the best value. For essentially the cost of 2 or 3 personal training sessions at other gyms, MBG members get access to over a dozen trainer-led classes every day. The workouts are both fun and challenging, and the group format encourages me to push beyond my comfort zone. Workouts alternate daily between boot camp style high-intensity workouts and strength workouts, ensuring that you cover all bases. The trainers are great, and they each have their own style that makes every workout a little different. The members are supportive, encouraging and a lot of fun to work out with. This may sound corny, but at MBG you really can get in the best shape of your life and have fun doing it. Jeff, the owner, has always been great to work with. He regularly encourages members to submit suggestions about how to make MBG a better gym, and holds quarterly member meetings where he reviews all of those suggestions and discusses them with both members and employees. Regarding the membership agreement, I found that he was very transparent in sharing the details about the contract. Specifically, he went out of his way to explain the notice required to cancel as well as the termination fee. There were no surprises. Essentially, members receive a lower monthly rate in return for a longer commitment - win/win. Join MBG! You'll be happy you did.
Before joining Monkey Bar, the thought of working out after work every day would've been unfathomable. I used to hate working out but now I genuinely enjoy it. The classes are extremely well structured and I appreciate how the instructors are mindful enough to emphasize the finer, technical points of the exercises. I'm always paranoid about my form being "off" so it's great to have help. What drew me to Monkey Bar is that it's very well rounded with strength, conditioning, flexibility and self-defense classes. It feels unnatural at first, but very rewarding when you push through it. The overall mindset of the gym is great. If you're looking for more than access to machines and equipment, this is the place to be. The classes are adaptable to any fitness level and are as challenging as you're willing to make them.
I have been going to this gym for 2 and a half years, specifically for the Krav Maga classes. I was never informed that these classes were temporary and felt confident signing up for another two years considering they kept the krav maga classes for the two year I was there. I get an email out of nowhere announcing the classes are cancelled. There is a $250.00 cancellation fee. I wouldn't have signed up for another two years knowing this class isn't permanent. It was the reason I joined. As a courtesy, seeing that a member only took the class your gym just cancelled you would think they would waive the hefty fee. Nah, didn't happen... I feel like that is a little tactless and unprofessional. I don't recommend.
I joined the gym in 2013 and Ive been a member ever since. Monkey Bar Gym has completely changed my life. When I started I could barely do a pull up and I struggled to clean even a light kettle bell. I though I was in decent shape, but I never realized just much athletic potential I had. Over the past 5 years I have hit so many milestones. 153 yards of power wheel crawling, Kettle Bell Push Pressing my body weight, hitting jump rope doubles and triples, doing muscle ups. Ive stepped outside of my comfort zone and tried new things like combat sports, boxing, yoga and even got certified in Krav Maga. Ive become a better person overall and its all thanks to the support and motivation that Ive received at MBG. I wouldnt have been able to do it alone. My body has completely transformed. I was 135 pounds of skin and bones before MBG. FIver years later I have put on close to 40 pounds of muscle and have upper body strength for the first time in my life. Along the way Ive met and developed friendships with so many of the members and trainers, many that will last a lifetime. I owe so much to monkey bar gym and the owner. Jeff has always gone out of the way to help me personally and with my fitness and nutrition goals. He is the greatest role model with his vegan based diet and fitness based lifestyle. I will be at MBG until I die. They're gonna have to bury me with a kettle bell and Jump Rope. MGB for life!!!!
