Five Points Academy

A couple of points — I was first introduced to Five Points out of the SEA of gyms and studios in NYC by my boyfriend. He has been a member for 6 – 7 years now even before they moved to their current location. I was on ClassPass trying multiple gyms at the time, and decided to give Five Points a go. I have no prior Muay Thai/​martial arts experience, but with (relatively) healthy lifestyle and fitness. My first Muay Thai class was with Emily and a visiting Thai master and they gave me a lot of attention to make sure I got my basics right. The hour flew by without me feeling like I could never do it again.
I cancelled ClassPass and joined Five Points; and Steve was great. He was very welcoming and so were his trainers/​masters, front desk, even the cleaners. The price is a little steep, but come on, it’s NYC and all you have to do is go all out & attend as many classes as you’d like, as many times as you want. They (masters & senior students) are very patient with teaching newbies like me and it takes the anxiety out of slowing everybody down. Also, the gym is kept very clean. :)
Thanks Steve and the rest of the team!

Good facility, towels, shower, good selection of different classes.
Unfortunately that’s all advantages of this place for me.
1. Should cancel the policy of buying club’s t-​shirt and shorts. Paying 250 $ per month + gear, I think i does not matter what brand of t-​shirt you wear.
2. When the guy without any experience comes to take class and he is told to punch bag. Seriously? You want him to injure himself, punching without proper technique?
Instructor has to show not only drill but look after each learner and correct him.
People in class want to learn, not only punch pads, thats what they pay for.
Thats about muay thai class. Maybe I was coming at wrong time, to the wrong class.
I hope that stuff will make proper conclusion from this feedback.

I would love to give this place five stars, but 3 because my ribs are in so much pain as I type this. It’s bound to happen my training partner put his knee into my rib and rolled me over his head.
It’s been five days and it’s impossible for me to hold a plank push up, coughing hurts, picking up 10lbs. makes my eyes water, and I take it this is normal for this kind of training and part of becoming stronger.
I would love to come back, a professional told me it’s going to be 6 – 8 weeks to heal the ribs. But feel awkward about paying to be beaten up while learning. Ugh.
Update: my rib injury is finally gone after several months. I want to give this place another try so I took a judo class with Kevin. He gave good instructions to me and made me feel safe when I started to drill the footwork and gripping. I realized he was the owner! I suggest to take a class by the owner of any fitness business to really judge the school.

Awesome gym. Clean, great instructors, and positive atmosphere supported by staff and gym members.

This is looooong overdue since I’ve been a member of Five Points since 2009. At Five Points, the instructors know you by name and are treated like a member of the family, not just a number. This is a stellar group of trainers and athletes who seek health, fitness, fierceness and development of the body as a whole. You will get corrections on form & technique in an motivational nature and you actually want to keep coming back. The owners are the coolest people on the planet and will answer any of your questions w/​out pretense. I can’t recommend Five Points Enough!

I wanted to make sure that I took the time to review my stellar experience yesterday, especially after reading some of the other reviews. I took the kettlebell class with Emily and it was fantastic — everything I’d hoped it would be and I can’t wait to take it again (and possibly other classes). It was a true LEARNING experience, no Lululemon bullshit here. It was a serious class where attention to form and technique was paramount. Emily really took her time helping me and I can say I learned so much in that one hour. She was inspiring and encouraging. The class was small, focused, and challenging. I’m definitely sore today. I work out quite a bit and like to challenge myself, I can confidently say it was an excellent workout as well as being a learning experience. I’m super encouraged to continue to work with and further my knowledge/​use of kettlebells. I also enjoyed the vibe of the space, everyone was extremely nice and welcoming. Great overall experience.

Had a great experience with my first Judo class at 5 Points. Kevin is an incredibly down to earth instructor who is committed to establishing a safe, friendly training environment. And as with most martial arts schools, his students are a reflection of the instructor: skilled, welcoming and helpful.
Can’t wait to return.

I was getting bored of my usual day to day work out in a regular gym. I went to a friends Muay Thai competition and felt inspired to learn the art of Muay Thai. Luckily Five Points is a 5 minute walk from my work so I had to join. The past 7 months being a member here has truly changed my life. I feel healthy and strong and I’m learning such a beautiful martial art. The coaches and instructors are top notch and are attentive to your skill and development. I feel lucky and proud to be apart of such an amazing community :)

Attention:
I advise all visitors to this review to read through Steve’s (owner) comment below to learn just another reason why they should stay from «Five Points». If you’re looking for a reputable gym to work out at, check out my reviews of some awesome places on my profile :)
Steve, it is shocking that you cannot receive any kind of feedback without resorting to name calling and condescending, presumptuous comments. Sadly, you do not see this as an opportunity to improve but as an opportunity to trash me – a person who spent time and money to try out your facility.
I wish you well and hope that you will eventually learn how to accept constructive feedback and respond to comments in a respectful way.

TL;DR Five Points is worth your time whether you want to compete or you just want to get into shape. Every instructor I’ve worked with (Steve, Simon, Kevin, Emily (both of them), Gio, Rima, & Bill) and the ones I haven’t all genuinely care about the development, safety, and improvement of each student. On top of that, every single person I have interacted with is pleasant.
Alright Brosephs and Brosephinas, after 6 months of training at this fine establishment, I’m here to give you the rundown on all the classes I’ve taken and the instructor’s I’ve worked with.
Muay thai: I checked out 3 different Muay Thai studios before choosing 5 points. The first class hooked me because I got to train counters and guard techniques along side the standard kicking and punching. The instructors — all of them — want to make sure no one gets hurt and focus a lot on form. You need a firm foundation to build a skyscraper and the fighters at 5 points touch the f****** clouds! That’s the other reason I picked this gym — they
are still actively producing winning fighters. Check out the sight to see their wins and losses. Every class is amazing and varies in a way that allows you to practice what you’ve already learned and adds techniques to your arsenal. My technique has improved, my speed, strength, and cardio all have gotten much better. On top of that, I’ve lost about 15 lbs of squishyness and toned my shoulders, calves and thighs quite a bit.
Kettle bell: My experience with every kettle bell class so far has gone like this:
1. Before class: I’m so ready for this class and they’re playing R&B today, it’s going to be a great class.
2. 25 minutes into class: What in god’s name was I thinking, I’m tired, I want to go home, how are other people smiling, why am I so sweaty?
3. After class: I’m still alive! … I’m going to be so sore tomorrow. I wish my building had an elevator.
Side note: Throughout all of the kettle bell classes I’ve taken, each instructor has watched form and technique like a hawk preying on a defenseless baby bunny. I am consistently corrected on timing, technique, and weight load.
TRX: I’ve only taken this class like twice, but each time was a ton a fun. It’s an odd mix of body weight training and flexibility training. I love the class because it allows you to adjust the way and amount of body weight you’re using on each exercise. I first took the class at my worst — 225 all squish, no muscle — and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I could do with the instructors modifications.
Judo: Nothing like getting dizzy practicing ukemi (break falls) after sitting at a desk all day. A lot of attention is paid to Kuzushi (off balancing) and repetition of technique. The instructors are very much of the whole «do it a 10,000 times to understand it once» mindset.
BJJ: Sadly, I have never taken a BJJ class. That being said, everyone I spoke with that has seems to love it. The instructor is a Black Belt under John Danaher. Yes, that John Danaher.
Yoga: I hate Yoga. I hate it so much. So very, very much. That being said, I try to take 2 Yoga classes here a month. It works wonders on my hip flexibility, posture, and breathing. The pace is challenging and the instructor knows a ton of variations to help beginners and challenge the experts.
So I know what you’re thinking, «But Travis, all of those classes are just sports. What if I want to learn something to defend myself on the dangerous streets of NYC.» Well 2 things, (1) BJJ, Judo, and Muay Thai will absolutely help with that. (2) Take the Kali classes.
Kali: The main instructor, Simon, has an eye for technique that doesn’t seem humanly possible. He watches everything from footwork, to body movement, to your gaze during each movement. It’s a practical martial art and the instructors pay very close attention to application of technique.
I haven’t taken any of the other classes, so I can’t directly speak to them. I have full faith that their amazing as well.
A special shout out to the 5 Points front desk crew and other staff. Thanks for being cool as f***.

I do a lot of strength training classes so I thought it would be good to take a conditioning class here. My friend decided to join me (she hardly works out.) My first observation was that I didn’t like that there wasn’t any music to accompany the workout. Second, there was no stretching or proper warming up other then jumping rope. My friend pulled her quad muscle early on in the class and had to stop. Later I pulled a muscle in my back and wasn’t able to walk or sit properly the following day. Having us stretch properly plus jump rope would’ve improved the class immensely.

I’ve only been to one class here, so this review will be updated soon, but so far I haven’t seen anything to complain about.
I took the Kettlebell class with Steve and it was challenging & engaging. He was very hands on, paid particular attention to the new/​newer students but walked around the whole time to give pointers to everyone. The academy was clean, staff was friendly, and they have showers and lockers.
PRO’s
— challenging class, suitable for all levels
— attentive instructor
— knowledgeable and friendly
— clean & welcoming facility
CONs
— none so far

I have been coming to five points for over two years and I love it! I take Kettlebell and strength training classes. The instructors are all amazing, and give great instruction to make sure you have proper form. I have tried some other kettlebell classes that make me cringe after being a Five Points member. This an unpretentious place, and the staff knows all their members by name. Also Brandice at the front desk is just the best. I would recommend Five Points to anyone.

Been training Muay Thai here for over five years now. Great facilities, great coaches, and great training partners.
Couldn’t be happier with my experience here and couldn’t imagine training anywhere else in NYC!

I haven’t done Muay Thai since my car accident a couple of years ago so it was really intimidating to walk into a fighter gym feeling like a newbie again, but I’ve had an awesome time here these past few weeks! Been taking kettlebell classes and my favorite ones are definitely with Steve Milles. He’s one of the best instructors I’ve ever had — always making sure you’re in the proper form and challenging yourself — and he’s also a really friendly guy. Fellow class-​goers are encouraging and funny, facilities are clean and staff always makes you feel welcome. Will definitely keep coming back! A+

I’ve been at Five Points just one week as of this writing. I have taken three different classes so far, seven sessions with five different instructors. Classes with any one of them, in any one of the classes I’ve taken (Muay Thai, Kettlebell and Pekiti Tirsia Kali) would be worth joining for. Having access to many excellent instructors who are both highly skilled in their respective arts, and able to share that knowledge with novices and experienced students alike make it an excellent training environment, wether you are a new student, a returning one, or an experienced one. Additionally, the other students have consistently been friendly and helpful.
The training space itself is well laid out, with several separate areas to accommodate the variety of classes that are offered. Even the largest classes seem to have plenty of room to work, and the instructors do a very good job of giving the students the necessary attention.

I’ve been a member of five points for nearly two years.
The gym is open daily, has a verbose schedule; and is kept very clean. There’s a family quality to the gym where the staff knows you by name. I have yet to find a better place to sweat.

Joined here 15mths ago. Love it. Everyone is really welcoming and takes the time to teach you the correct technique. Each trainer has different styles. All really accomplished fights.
I also love the variety of classes they offer. Muay Thai, sparring, TRx, kettle bells etc.
Facilities are also really well maintained and equipped!
Love this place.

I joined Five Points this winter after moving just a few blocks away, and it’s been a great decision. I trained at two other Muay Thai/​fighting gyms several years back, and there are a bunch of reasons why Five Points really stands apart from those gyms (which were top-​notch as well):
1. Muay Thai Class structure: the emphasis at Five Points is on technical rounds: you’re going split the majority of the class with a partner wearing Thai pads and a belly pad. This allows you to work on a variety of strikes, techniques, and combos rather than just repeating certain combos like classes at other gyms. This structure is much more realistic if you’re planning to jump in a ring or have to defend yourself, and gives you an opportunity to concentrate on specific moves if you need to work on something.
Also, after a few years without doing any training, desk jobs for six years, and a naturally inflexible body, my Muay Thai kicks absolutely sucked (seriously, watch out for your groin), but they’re getting better every day thanks to the top-​flight instructors and classmates here. :)
2. Fitness classes/​equipment: none of the other fighting gyms come anywhere close to Five Points in terms of the amount of fitness equipment and classes available. Kettlebells, sandbags, TRX, HIIT, barbell, and yoga classes are all top-​notch and included even in the most basic membership offered. Also, the free weights area has everything needed for a complete workout, and I love being able to use that area whenever I please if I’m not up for taking a class.
3. Locker rooms with showers and towels: Good luck finding that elsewhere. ;)
4. Staff and instructors: most real gyms of this sort have a solid staff, and you’ll certainly find a group of committed, non-​judgmental, and affable folks at Five Points. They always push you to improve. Steve and his crew are also always making improvements to the gym (which looks great after the latest ring move and the colorful logos added to the top floor– someone’s gotta upload photos of both).
5. Belts, on belts, on belts: The ultimate indicator of a gym’s quality. The fight team here is super inspiring and incredibly helpful.
6. BJJ. Judo, Kali classes: I haven’t taken any of these (still concentrating on improving those kicks!) but everyone here who’s takes these classes raves about them.
7. Atmosphere: If you haven’t been able to tell by now, this place is very inviting and a great gym whether you’re perfecting your training or trying something for the first time. There’s a good mix of male and female trainers/​instructors and gym-​goers. It’s not a place where people try to intimidate others, and you’re not going to see some dumbo wearing an Affliction shirt, chugging Muscle Milk and a gallon of water while snickering at your squats, bro. If you want to work out or train as part of a community, the opportunity is there for you, but it’s just as easy to show up, workout, and go home if that’s more your style.
8. Hours: Compare Five Points to other similar gyms– Five Points is probably open for twice as many hours as any other place.
Yeah, Five Points gets the Jason B. Seal of Approval.

Best gym i’ve ever been to. Joined for the kettlebell classes and ended up training in Muay Thai for a few years. Currently I’m mainly lifting there but as soon as my nagging leg injury heals I’ll dive back into Muay Thai.
Gym offers Muay Thai, BJJ, Kali, Kettlebell classes, TRX, HIIT training, yoga and classes that incorporate a combo of strength training activities.
All the trainers are awesome and Coach Emily has an adorable mini-​pitbull named Sunny that is always there to make you smile.
Best part of the gym is the people. Everyone — from the trainers to the members — will make you feel welcome. This is the first gym I ever joined where I ended up with drinking buddies (which of course brings me back to the gym, but that’s OK).
Give a shot. When I joined I thought I would go for a few months to lean out with KB classes and move on… that was about 4 years ago.

Been a member since 2010. I really love this place. It’s important to have a few «places» in the city where you can go and feel welcome and this is one, not just to me, but to most members. From a fitness standpoint, the sky is the limit. You can literally do something different every day, from a fitness class like kettlebells or TRX to martial arts classes with world-​class trainers including Muay Thai, Judo, BJJ, and Kali. Or if you just want to wing it, you can do your own thing on the free weights, machines, mats, bags, or cardio machines. Everything is well-​maintained and there’s ALWAYS someone around to give you pointers or a spot. If you want to ramp it up, the trainers are there for you but not at all pushy.
Great people, great vibe, great facilities. Sure there are bigger gyms with dozens of treadmills and even lap pools, but those are lame because you feel like a nameless, faceless, drone — the treadmills reminding you of the daily treadmill of your life in this unforgiving city. In this gym, you will be known if you wish to be known. You’ll have help if you wish to have help. You’ll feel like part of a team. And THAT my friends, is something you can’t buy at the big brand name joints peppered around town like so much pepper.

I love this place so much.
I started going to Five Points in August 2013 and although I’d been training at martial arts gyms around the city for awhile, it can be intimidating to join a new place, especially if you’re out of practice (like I was) or new.
Not only did I feel welcome from day one, but they whipped me into shape FAST.
All the coaches know their sh*t! The classes are fun, you get a lot of personal attention and it’s always an awesome workout. The other students are always very friendly and the more advance ones are always patient and willing to help as well.
I’m not trying to be a serious fighter, but their fight team is pretty badass too.
I just recently rejoined after being away from NYC for awhile and their new space is awesome, and so clean!
Long story short — a really great group of people demonstrating serious martial arts/​fitness knowledge in a really nice space. Into it.