We asked our team what their first day in the gym was like.

Here’s what they had to say, unedited.

What our team mates have to say.

Davy Murphy (lost 40lbs+)

Well lads I started training with the arena in January 2013 wit no experience what so ever in any kind of combat sport and was a fat unfit mess at 96 kgs 14.5 st and now walking around at 12 stone and compete at 11 when I first started I taught shit what am I doin but all the lads der are sound and helps each other out and from the first night I was hooked what a great way to get in shape keep fit and It also works wonders for your mental health and confidence levels definitely give it a go

Colm John Finnegan

I was involved judo in dublin, i find difficult and struggled with dublin judo with their bad attuide and no patience with me because I am deaf with sign languages so one year ago, I joined Arena Wexford, I felt so welcome and respect with my deafness. Piotr is great with communicate with me and always make sure I understood what he saying in class. This is why I am still going to arena class. It all about skills and fitness and moral support in yourself.

 

Timmy Curry 

Started training with Arena Wexford about 2 years ago always wanted to get in to it but taught it was 2 men in a cage bashing each other same problem nervous started then with no experience what so ever at 11 or 11 and a half stone learned a lot of respect for other people and my weight dropped to 60- 65kg of muscle not skin and bone..All the lads are dead on sound and listen and are willing to go at every 1 elses pace and most of all its fun and keeps you fit..Defo feeling better about myself since started training mma

 

Brandon Nolan 

Everyone is friendly and very helpful and patient.. It is a contact sport at the end of the day so it will be tougher than most workouts but it all stays at a respectable level.. It’s much more than going in head to to head to try destroy someone, it’s more mental than physical.. Everybody respects each other equally irrespective of their background or experience.. Would recommend it to anybody and would like to see more people attend just to see that it’s about much more than just fighting

 

James Richard Kinsella 

I’ve been training with Arena Wexford for a few years now. I’m one of the oldest guys there and at 65kg I’m one of the smaller guys but it doesn’t matter. Egos are left at the door. We train to improve ourselves and help our teammates…not try to break each other.
I am definitely both physically and mentally in better shape for training there.

 

Luke Gleeson  

after my first class. “back after my first MMA class – it was brilliant. The trainer is such a cool guy, he called me “Metallica” after my t-shirt haha, and i loved the way he explained the boxing techniques we went over. I am looking forward to not being able to walk tomorrow!” It’s really weird to see this written down, I wrote it so long ago, and I had no idea how much harder training would become. I also had no idea how much stronger it would make me. I’ve put on weight. I’ve gained hugely in confidence. I have a better attitude. Formative experiences are meant to challenge you. Why would I stop going?

 

Adam Nowak 

Hey guys I would like to let you know that my first two weeks in Arena was one of the worst weeks in my life I was feeling really sore after each session but I keep going and now after 14 months I know that every single training that I had was worth because i feel much better and have more lesf confidence. I’ve got really good results of this hard work and just the start is hard, i was thinking at the start what am I doing here it”s too hard all this combinations different techniques and all was confusing at the start but it’s one of the best things that I’ve ever done. By the way Thanks to Peter for all this things he teach me.

 

David Murphy

My first class was wen I was 17 and I had no experience in any martial arts. I was greeted by a friendly atmosphere and ever since some of my closest friends are member of Arena Wexford. I consider meself lucky to have wore the arena colours and fought under the name. Joining the arena was 1 of the best decisions ive ever made

 

Fran Hore 

I started bjj nearly 3years ago…had no experience before…great place to train for any sport…jiu jitsu uses every muscle group in d body…one of them sport you get addicted to…n so humble…love doin it n love learning from it
…n meet some good people at arena and other gyms around ireland….such agreat place to train and learn.

 

Craig

I am 43 and can say that training with the #ARENATEAM has been the best way of getting fit that I have found. Piotr makes sure that the training sessions are tailored to each individuals abilities the club has experienced proponents of a wide variety of martial arts and offers an excellent opportunity to learn different techniques and fighting styles. I would recommend team warriors to anyone around my age as a great way to get fit and stay fit.

 

Zak Clancy

From the parents of our Kids Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Classes.

 

Philip Tobin

Both of my daughters, aged 4 and 6, are being coached judo by Peter at Arena . Both I and the kids find Peter an excellent coach. Each session is a fun filled hour, as a lot of the coaching is carried out through games, which the children really enjoy. They learn very quickly through this method of coaching, and always look forward to the next class. The judo takes place in a very safe environment with the floor and walls of the gym being fully matted. The cleanliness and hygiene levels at the gym are excellent, and to the highest standard. As a parent I find Peter very approachable and would certainly recommend him as an excellent judo coach.

 

Noel Furlong

I am 43 years old and myself and two son’s one is 16 the other is 7 train with The #arenateam under the instruction of Piotr Bajon. We all enjoy this very much and with such a range in ages there is something for everyone. My 16 year old son would be the first to admit that he had become a bit lazy and he had put on weight he is like a different person now his fitness is up he has lost weight and has gone from training 2 nights a week to 4 or 5 nights now. He has got into a routine its home from school something to eat homework done (without been told) gear ready and off to training the play station is getting a rest too. He even puts his training gear out to be washed when he comes home. My 7 year old trains with Piotr 2 nights a week doing BJJ he can’t get enough of it and gets disappointed if it is not a training night. Before he started with Arena Wexford his concentration would not have been very good. I mentioned this to Piotr before he started and I could not have gotten a better response he told me he would work with him and see how things would go. The results have been great in a very short space of time there has been a marked improvement in his concentration and this is also a great help with school. Due to work I cannot train as often as I would like but I find it great when I can get there. My fitness level has gone up I have lost weight and have gained new friends as all the arenas are a great bunch to train with. To sum up I would have no hesitation in recommending Piotr to anyone interested in training in something a bit different from the normal run of the mill training. His teaching methods are excellent especially with children he has the ability to get the maximum out of everyone young and old and I believe this is a great gift to have. The gym is kept to the very highest of standards the hygiene and cleanliness is second to none. I have great respect for Piotr I find him very approachable he always has time to talk if you have any questions or worries and in the time I have known him I would not only class him as an excellent instructor but also a friend.