Owner Javier Sánchez in black Unit T with Juan Elias in the Middle and Eriko Vasquez far right

My interest in MMA started back in the days when Spike first came on the scene and turned the UFC into a billion dollar industry.  I grew up in San Luis Obispo, California, where Chuck Liddell is from, and I remember when he was just a dangerous bartender you did not want to mess with… now he is a UFC Champion.

I love the sport and learning about MMA training in Costa Rica has brought me to Unit Gym.  They feature the fighting styles I would like to learn.  I have been taking Body Combat Classes at Arena Trek, my local gym, and can’t say enough about how it has changed my physic and my endurance it may now be time to transition into the real deal.

Today I was welcomed into Unit Gym by the Manager Juan Elias Ramirez (Black Belt in Karate Shidokan and trained Santo Domingo de Heredia).  As of October 13th 2009 Unit Gym opened it doors on the Radial Santa Ana Belen in OfiBodegas del Oeste after moving from the Outlet Mall in Santa Ana.

“I go there too, great training, best I’ve received till now, seriously no gym has got me in the shape I have now, it’s mostly guys but hey girls a few of us go too, and it’s great training and amazing eye candy hmmm ;0)”
~ Wendy Rubiano

After only 6 months in operation at the Outlet Mall they now have accumulated over 100 members and over 20 of them are woman.  The growing popularity and excitement of MMA Mixed Martial Arts has been captured at Unit Gym.  The owners are not Mixed Martial Arts professionals but do train in the sport and have a passion for it.

Mariana Fuentes and Mari Ramirez

“The feed back from the woman is that they like it more because it is a different style of workout and they see better results. The majority of the women take Boxing, Thai and stand up fighting… Jiu JItsu has too much body contact” ~ Juan Elias

Diego Soto
Javier Sánchez
Diego Rodríguez

These local business men have put together a complete MMA package for anyone who would like to train in the martial arts.  The structure is simple and you only pay for the style of fighting that you would like to learn and there are enough classes through out the day to accommodate any schedule.

“I go there! Amazing Place! Great people! I totally recommend it!”
~ Irene Tirado

The facility and the equipment are all brand new and state of the art.  For training purposes it’s one of the best looking facilities of its kind in Costa Rica for martial arts training.

The Unit Gym Hours of operation are:

7:00am – 9:00pm (Mon – Fri)
10:30 – Noon (Saturday)
Closed Sunday

Pricing includes:

Brazilian Jiu JItsu – $50 per month
Boxing – $30 per Month
Muay Thai – 47 Ronin – $30 per month
Brazilian Jiu JItsu PLUS one – $65 per month
Boxing PLUS Muay Thai – $45 per Month

Full Package including all styles – $75 per month

Each Style of fighting includes 12 classes per week and you can go to every single class if you would like all included for the same price.

The Facility is beautiful and well constructed featuring:

- Official Boxing Ring
- Jiu JItsu fighting cage
- Sparing tatami matts for sparing and Muay Thai
- 11 Punching Bags
- 10 Muay Thai Punching Bags
- Brand new spotless bathrooms for Men and Woman.

Accredited Personal Instructors

For Mixed Martial Arts your training comes complete with experienced professionals, here are the instructors for each of the fighting styles:

~ Brazilian Jiu JItsu

Instructor – Brazilian Sydney Machado (Black Belt from Gracie Barra Jiu JItsu) Mixed Martial Arts Professional Fighter.

~ Muay Thai

Instructor – Sully Lauret has been practicing Martial Arts for over 10 years and is an accredited instructor.  He is one of the most recognized competitors of Muay Thai, Kick Boxing and Karate in the Country.

~ Ronin – Stand Up Fighting

Instructor – Eriko Vasquez (Purple Belt) in Karate Shidokan and has also competed in Shidokan, MMA and Kick Boxing Tournaments.

~ Boxing

Instructor – Brian “the Tiquito” Vasquez has over 9 years of professional fighting under his belt and has been teaching for 5.  101 amateur fights with 94 wins, a National Champion representing Costa Rica and as a professional has won 17 fights 10 by way of Knock Out.

And Coming Soon:

- Yoga
- Pilates
- Physical Therapist
- Nutritionist
- Juice Bar with High speed internet and lounge
- Weight room

This is an incredible way to stay in shape, lose weight and learn a completely new way of life all at the same time.  If you have reached a level of boredom and monotony in your work and need a challenge Mixed Martial Arts training may be just what you are looking for.

By Omar Pinto
Get in Shape Costa Rica
Oct. 29th 2009

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