The gym is a primal place. A multitude of studies have highlighted the worlds within the world of iron and sweat. Gender roles are at the forefront, with fear and bad body image lingering not far behind. In essence, spaces that are designed to embrace health and wellness are often anything but, and a lot of people avoid the benefits of exercise to escape typical gym culture.
Breaking the mould one punch at a time is Pride Fighting Academy (PFA). It’s easy to assume that a fighting gym would be the pinnacle of all things people don’t enjoy about gym culture, but we’re here to show you otherwise. Don’t judge this gym by it’s cover.
Stroll down Roodehek street in Gardens, pass The Dog’s Bollock restaurant and pause at the sound of fists hitting pads and shins slapping bags. You’ve arrived.
PFA is co-owned by killer husband and wife duo, Jess and Mike Mouneimne. Their relationship speaks to the culture at this gym: it’s all about love and family.
Speaking to Mike, the gym has it’s origins in pure fighting. PFA started over a decade ago with the goal of getting the best of the best local fighters on the international stage. But martial arts, from boxing to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, doesn’t get the recognition it deserves in South Africa. As fate would have it, Mike’s stage was just too far away to present ample opportunities for professionals to fight.
But as in life, businesses must adapt to survive and Darwin would give PFA ten points. The gym has evolved into a space where everyone is welcome. Now, it caters mostly for people wanting to learn and get fit, with a small yet successful space for professional fighting.
Also read: WATCH: They don’t call it a fight for nothing – the epic story of boxer Vukile Magwaca
Leading the charge is a team of absolute weapons. The coaches at PFA are of champion quality (minus the ego’s). Walking into the gym is like walking into a family braai. It’s all fist pumps and warmth — whether it’s your first or hundredth visit.
Mike is a Brazillian jiu-jitsu black belt and a Mixed Martial Arts specialist and Jess has a diploma in Sports and Exercise nutrition and is a certified yoga teacher. She is also competitive on the BJJ & MMA local scene and has a passion for training and uplifting women.
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Erick Kaboja is a boxing beast, as is decorated professional boxer Vukile Magwaca. Carlo Massa is a competitive mountain biker turned jack of all trades in the gym. Jailson Sousa is a black belt jiu-jitsu champion that is an incredible coach for beginners and children, too. Zane Anderson is the gym’s strength and conditioning coach, and Banele Mniki (Star) manages the gym and keeps everyone caffeinated with a great cuppa. And this isn’t everybody…
“Each person holds so much untapped power within themselves. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen,” says jess. The PFA family consists of many exceptional talents that work together to empower every person that walks into the gym. Find your coach here.
Not only will you be in the right fists, but in an environment that makes you excited to move your body. PFA makes exercising less about aesthetics and more about what matters: health (mental and physical), strength, improvement and empowerment. Your body will be given the chance to transform itself naturally, in a space that places an emphasis on fun and progress; not perfection.
So, whether you’re looking to start something new or battle the best, you’ll find a space at Pride Fighting Academy.
- Website: pridefightingacademy.com
- Location: 2A Roodehek St, Gardens, Cape Town
- Classes: Beginners right up to advanced practitioners. MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, yoga and more is offered.
- Contact: 082 660 2129 (Mike)
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