Ultimate Fitness

(not a review about team alpha Male) signed up January to try out the class and to receive free boxing gloves gift which included wraps. Classes were over crowed over priced and lacked one on one attention. I canceled the agreement via email with the operations manager. They threatened not to cancel my account if I didnt return the gloves/​wrapps. The operations manager acknowledged that there was nothing in writing stating the gift was conditional of 1 year agreement and accused me of scamming them. Very emotional and unprofessional operations manager; Dave Rowan.

Okay so this is my review after 2 weeks of training with Team Alpha Male.
If you are serious about fighting, this is the place to be. I’ve trained here for the past 2 weeks and the intensity is great, and there is someone to show you something in every style. You have top fighters training with you side by side and the atmosphere is genuine.
I will be away for the next 2 weeks because I am fixing my car so I can keep making the trip from Palo Alto to Sacramento. But I cant wait to get myself back in the gym to train with these guys!!!
Thank you Urijah, Dave, Lance, TJ, Cody and all the other guys for being so welcoming during my visits to your gym. I am sold, this is the place I want to train and I recommend this place to everyone!
Ive trained around the world on many different occasions, mostly in wrestling, and I will say that this is my favorite place of all. Team Alpha Male for the win!

I train here and this is a gym unlike any other. They put out some Champs and seeing them in action is enough motivation for me to put up my best efforts. I love the instructors and all the people that train there. Inspirational, humble, and bad ass. It smells like sweat and you will be stepping in puddles of sweat but that because people there train hard. Come sign up if you want to make a change in your life. Props out to Urijah, TJ, Danny, Cody, Dion, Kenneth, James, Cary, Justin, DJ, and everyone on the staff.

I’ve been a member at Ultimate Fitness for a while and hands down it’s the best gym in Sacramento. I mostly attend the afternoon conditioning and stand up classes and every class I’ve gone to has always been a really good workout. The monthly rate is a really good deal compared to other gyms in Sacramento. You won’t find a place in town that offers the same amount of classes or the quality of classes at the same price point.
Classes always start and finish as stated on the schedule and instructors always have a tough but fun class waiting for you every day of the week. (10 Burpee Tuesday — Power HIIT — TRX) Instructors/​Trainers are always watching and making sure you are preforming the exercise/​drill with proper form and technique. Lastly, classes are just fun and also hardcore for those of you trying to lose weight.
All of the instructors/​staff approachable and awesome!
Plenty of classes to fit your schedule
Friendly/​Community atmosphere

This review is LONG overdue.
Let me preface this by giving you a brief background as to where I came from in terms of martial arts training.
I started training at Millennia MMA in Rancho Cucamonga, CA in 2007. I stayed there for over 2 years until I moved to the Sacramento area in 2010. I competed in local BJJ tournaments and did a Muay Thai Smoker fight in SoCal all with the help of the great trainers there. There, I joined Ultimate Fitness in hope of continuing training and competing.
Boy I was I surprised at the experience. First and foremost, don’t expect to train with Urijah Faber or any of the UFC fighters that train there.
Secondly, this gym has a MASSIVE turnover rate for their instructors. Their class schedule is rarely kept due to instructors being out of town or not there. The focus of this gym is not the classes they offer, they will try and pawn off personals from their coaches and fighters which are astronomically expensive.
So if you’re fresh and have never trained MMA before, DO NOT GO HERE. You will NOT receive much attention from the instructors nor are they concerned with keeping good instructors around.
Being somewhat experienced, I decided to start competing at the amateur level. I did meet some great people there that helped me train for the fights in between classes. I even hired Kito Andrews to help train me. Kito was great, worth every penny. But this was the only way to get some support for my endeavors.
I’ll give you a story as to just how UF operates. I was instructed by my coaches to attend the «Pro Practice» which occurs in the morning. I attended a session during kind of an off day and got some good training in. I went in the next day and the
cameras were there to interview Urijah and co. As I started warming up on the mats with everybody, Mr. Fisher pulls me aside and into his office.
Mr. Fisher informed me that I was not going to train at that time today because I wasn’t «paying a special fee» to attend. This was an outright lie. Several other amateurs fighters trained and still train at the pro practice, hence why they are very successful. So I left and called my coach and informed him of what happened. HIs exact words were «Urijah didn’t want you on the mat because the cameras were there.»
I was beyond angry. Here I am paying $ 150 a month plus extra for coaching and attending a class I WAS TOLD to attend, and they straight up embarrassed me for no reason.
There are a million stories I could tell you about how this gym operates, but there are some clear things i want all of you reading take from this:
1. UF does not care about anybody except their pro fighters. If you’re not a pro fighter, don’t bother wasting your time.
2. Their instructor turnover is high. Therefore, you will not get adequate and consistent training to help you progress.
3. Management is more concerned about making money and getting their face on camera than they care about your training.
UPDATE: By the way, in case anybody is wondering. Mr. Fisher is a chiropractor who gets «medication» for the majority of his fighters. With the new UFC drug policy in effect, expect to see guys like Urijah Faber lose even more fights than he already has. There’s a reason their fighters rarely get injured. They’re all juiced.

I love the classes and instructors at this gym. I joined this gym because I was really looking for challenging classes. The conditioning classes were exactly what I was looking for! The instructors are extremely knowledgable and put together a unique, safe, and HARD workout every class. All of the members are so welcoming too. Especially when I first started coming to the gym everyone introduced themselves and helped get me acclimated. There really is a nice sense of community at this gym and everyone is there to work hard. I also really love the kickboxing and Muay Thai classes. The instructors are great with beginners and really seem to enjoy teaching new people. I have never been bored at this gym and it has helped me surpass all of my fitness goals! Can’t say enough about it.

The strength classes are great, the instructors & trainers are very encouraging in every way possible. The kids program is AWESOME! All of the staff, trainers & management have been so cool and very nice. Great place to go and get your work out ON!

I love this gym! Everyone has been very welcoming. I find the trainers and fighters to be extremely knowledgable and they are always more then willing to assist and show proper technique. Can’t say it enough, I love this place!

Worst gym ever and very unclean the owners wife Carrie fishers very bi Polar and rude and even lets her dog drink out of the drinking fountain and dosent clean it after sometimes they don’t clean there jujitsue mats and people have gotten flesh eating diseases there kids program instructor is great but the parents that also attend the class are very rude they are like sharks looking for blood and the owner mat fisher is very unkind and let’s other people run he’s gym somtimes they run out of cleaner for the gym and just dosent clean the gym

I always loved mma and I felt like my old gym wasn’t challenging me enough so, I looked into ultimate fitness. To be honest, many of the people I knew who previously trained here, all had the same things to say
” it’s a glamorized gym, they don’t really put in work, everyone there worships Urijah, and the fighters are rude.” Well, I’m the type of person to see things for myself and not base things off of anyone else’s opinion but my own. So, I decided to sign up and also work with a personal trainer. During my time here, i realized that all those things I’ve heard from other people weren’t true. In fact, the truth is, you’ve got to work your ass off. If you’re there to only be a groupie and mess around instead of learning, then obviously you aren’t going to have a great experience but if you’re committed to learning how to better yourself, then I highly recommend this gym. Working with Freddie, I not only became faster, I improved my footwork, endurance, and kicks which I had an issue with but, I learned how to put more power into my kicks by using my hip more. Training here and meeting cool people who always gave me tips was definitely an amazing experience and I recommend this gym to everyone I know. Because of health reasons, I had to stop training but once I’m back to being healthy, You better believe I’ll be in here like church just like kito says ;)

I’ve been coming here for a couple of years and for someone new to mixed martial arts at the time, it can be intimidating. My opinion changed after seeing how friendly the fighters and instructors were. The people you will have the opportunity to train with are some of the best in the world. They have instruction for all levels, even classes for children. Dion, DJ, Justin, and Dustin have a true passion for what they are teaching. I recommend coming to this gym and seeing for yourself!

My rating has slightly changed for Ultimate Fitness because after attending for about 6 months I realized my skills have plateaued. I was resorting to personal training on top of my monthly gym fee which was getting to be quite pricey. Ultimate Fitness needs to lower their membership dues and add classes tailored to a certain skill level. I am actually cancelling my membership because I don’t really use it anymore. The staff is great and the atmosphere is great, but the workout is no longer beneficial.
I have only been trainign at UF for a few weeks now. Upon sign up I can say I was very hesitant and questioning my decision. But just after a couple weeks of classes I can say it was one of the best moves I have made! I LOVE the staff and trainers! I knew absolutely nothing about MMA, boxing, or kickboxing and they have worked with me every step of the way. Such a small business vibe that i love. Everyone is super nice and approachable and encouraging. No egos! Majority of the classes I have taken have been with Dion and he is amazing! I get my butt kicked in his classes while learning so much about the techniques! The team is really motivating and it is an awesome workout! I’m used to the luxurious amenities at my previous racquet club, but no bourgie gym can compete with the skills I have acquired in just the few weeks I’ve been a member. The best healthy lifestyle change I have ever made for not only my body but my mind as well. absolutely love it.

From a full time fighter to a Professional working downtown that just wants their limits tested, this place has all levels for all comers. No attitude, family environment, great training and the UFC fighters share all their knowledge, nuff said.

I took a trial when I visited Sacramento and I have to say this is a great place to train. There is plenty of space and are multiple areas, mats, rings, etc. Everyone, instructors, employees, training partners are very friendly and welcoming. I tried the boxing and grappling classes, both instructors provided clear technical instruction and helpful advice!

The WORST experience. The management is inept and has no concept of customer service.
After completing my yearly membership and canceling my account in November, I was then charged for the month of December through my bank account. I called countless times to take care of the issue, but all I was told was «we’ll call you back». Dave, the manager was to handle my issue, but never did. At this point I’ve had enough with the back and forth.
Their inability to do their job cost me $ 150, of which they have refused to refund. They suggested i call my bank and handle it from there.
I highly recommend NOT joining such an establishment. No accountability for their mistakes, terrible customer service and their inept management are some of the reasons why I’ll never do business with them. You shouldn’t either.

This place is as good as it gets for training martial arts and fitness in Sacramento. UF provides a very friendly (no ego) environment to all its members and guests. I would recomend this place to anyone looking for a great gym.

Trained here for 1.5 years but, unfortunately, left in disgust. Why?
Last month, my boxing gloves were swiped from the ring during class, while I was just feet away skipping rope.
The brazen act was captured on the gym’s security cameras and the swiper was identified as a new student — but nobody knew his name. The management said they would find out and get the gloves back.
I called regularly to check in as the days became weeks, but to no avail.
Finally, after THREE weeks of waiting, I got a hold of the manager guy, Dave. He basically said he didn’t have time to deal with this issue. I found this shocking. After all, what is the point of having security cameras if you don’t use them to solve crimes when they occur?
Dave gave me two choices. He said I could buy a new pair of gloves and keep training — or I could just find a new gym. He said I was at the end of my contract anyway.
Now, Dave could have just scanned the database of new students — which has a profile picture of every student — and called the guy to ask him to return the gloves that he purloined on camera. Or, if for some strange reason he didn’t want to engage the thief, he could have offered me a new pair, since I’m paying nearly $ 2000 a year to train at Ultimate Fitness.
But no. It’s my problem, not Dave’s. He doesn’t need to do his job. I just need to get over it – or find a new gym.
So, I’m finding a new gym. But I’m out $ 80 for the gloves and $ 150 for the month of training I missed without them.
More than that, I’m shocked by the terrible customer service. After all, the crime was captured on camera and it’s a fairly easy case to solve. A gym or dojo is like a second home. I have trained in several clubs over the past 20 years and have always left in good standing and with fond memories.
But now a loyal dues-​paying student is leaving Ultimate Fitness so a thief can stay and box with my gloves.
I will miss the training here — Dion and Jeromy are great. My kicks are stronger than ever and I have added a whole new series of jumping knees and spinning back fists to my repertoire. Class was fun and challenging, and the instructors are five-​star.
But I would advise all students to keep their belongings in their sight at all time.
The thief is still there. He is boxing with my gloves. And if he needs a jump rope or shin pads or an iPhone or a wallet, he just might take yours.
And he will get away with it. Because no one is minding the store.
***UPDATED: To add insult to injury, Dave left me a message this week saying that I’m going to be reported to a credit agency for quitting the gym. After being told to quit!
It’s a sad day when you have to retain a lawyer to deal with your gym. Expect a letter, gentlemen.
****UPDATED Again: Below, someone named Carrie F. claims that the gym attempted to resolve the issues I outline in my review. I don’t know what took Ultimate Fitness over a year to respond, but Carrie F’s claims are simply untrue. If UF had offered to replace my gloves — or had simply given me the phone number of the person who swiped them ON CAMERA — I would never have posted a negative review. UF ignored me for three weeks as I attempted to resolve the issue, told me to quit the gym, threatened to take me to collections once I did quit the gym, and ignored a letter from an attorney requesting the return of my gloves
If the current management of UF wants to debate the facts, I can start posting these documents online to prove my case. But as someone who does public relations for a living, let me give UF a free piece of advice: let sleeping dogs lie. Don’t put your managers up here to pretend that UF attempted to resolve this issue. It’s too late to keep this customer, but if this experience results in any good, it should help you to improve your customer service so that situations like this are avoided in the future.
But getting on Unilocal — one year later! — and posting claims that run contrary to the truth is just bad business. I have moved on – you should too!

This is a great spot to work out. After years of weightlifting and running on the treadmill, I felt my workouts were getting stale and I was growing tired of the whole gym «scene» with aggressive guys staring you down looking for a fight and gym staff always trying to sell you on training packages. Being at Ultimate Fitness, I now look forward to my workouts again, and I see boxing as more of a new hobby that just happens to incorporate an incredible workout.
I was somewhat nervous coming here, having never taken group classes before and not even knowing how to throw a punch properly. I expected the staff to be more concerned with their own workout or practice, but I couldn’t have been more wrong; everyone is very friendly and so eager to really help out and offer advice, and tips, they really do want to see you progress.
I looked around before joining, but I am very satisfied with my decision to join Ultimate Fitness, the montly fee is well worth it and I highly recommend signing up for the TRX classes as well… wow, what a workout!

I rarely write reviews but thought this place definitely deserves all 5 stars. The instructors are no nosense bad asses that work well with newbies and experts all the same.
I definitely recommend people that are only in «good shape» try it out since if you’re one to make excuses this gym is not for you. On top of that Urijah, is one down to earth dude.

Here are a few stories about Ultimate that illustrate the type of place it is:
Friendly and accessible to all:
When I did Jiu Jitsu classes we periodically had a blind woman come into the gym with her guide dog. Dustin — the instructor — always made sure she had one of the advanced students personally take her though the warmups and provide guidance and instruction for technique where necessary. She was a regular and over time she developed a clear knowledge of BJJ. She is probably still there.
Team atmosphere:
As I was leaving class one day I saw a dude about my age walking off the boxing area with a gash above his eye. He was one of the guys who regularly sparred and went hard with the other young bucs — but this time he got caught and had a cut above his eye. He was freaking out and kept saying «i don’t have any health insurance.» One of his team mates stitched him up right there. He was back about two weeks later.
Inspiration from the pro’s;
In the short time I was there Urijah Faber fought for the world championship, Meisha Tate became a new champion, TJ Dillawshaw competed in TUF, and countless of their budding MMA pro’s won dozens of fights.
These are inspiring folks to be around. I left my GI in the gym one day and I went back later that evening to get it before it went in the lost and found. I got there right as the gym was closing and one of their budding MMA pro’s was in the back of the gym — all the other lights were turned off except for the halogen spotlights right above him in the weightlifting area — he was furiously doing situps on the roman chair as everyone else went home.
The Jiu Jitsu instructor Dustin Akbari is also an amazing teacher. In sum, UF has my highest possible recommendation.