....WHAT OUR PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT US....

Thank you to Wes, MaryAnne, Amy, and all the fencers and parents at NBS - you've made Olivia feel great to be a part of the group, and have made NBS one of her favorite places to be.

-- Karl, Olivia's father (also a fencer)

I like this gym because it covers history of the sword. It also makes you focus. And it covers my favorite attack - lunges. There is even bouting.

Fencing is a cool sport because it has developed over hundreds of years.

Wes is a good coach because he likes teaching me even though I'm not very good yet. When I need help on something specific, he helps me on that a lot. He makes us work hard, but then we get to fence.

-- Thomas Gobble, age 8, fencing at NBS Gym since 2003

I began training at NBS gym because of a growing interest that I had in boxing that grew out of watching professional boxing. My goals when I first went to NBS were just to find a place close to where I live that could provide me with a safe environment to gain a better understanding of how boxing works and what it's like to compete as a boxer. During my tenure at NBS I have gained those things and much more. The folks at NBS have an excellent understanding of all facets of boxing, and the people who train you have participated in the sport at almost every level. More importantly, they fully understand the risks and rewards involved in boxing (as well as fencing and kickboxing), and tailor a training regiment that is challenging but safe for each individual. Anyone who wants to train to compete will find excellent facilities, information, hands-on training, and support. Likewise, anyone who simply wishes to improve their personal fitness level, satisfy curiosity about a sport, or gain valuable self-defense skills can do these things with as much or little physical contact as desired.

I feel lucky to have found NBS Gym and lucky to continue to train there. There is an excellent sense of community within the gym, and I count the friends and acquaintances I have made there to be as valuable as the knowledge and training I have received. I would happily recommend NBS to anyone.

-- Mark McCraw, boxing at NBS Gym since 2004

I had been interested in learning boxing since high school and college, but my schedule had not permitted me much time for other activities other than the main two I was involved with. I had wrestled some in high school, played soccer on a collegiate level, and driven race-cars through those years as well, so I thought I was pretty versatile. Once I came to NBS Gym, I didn't realize what I was missing. I have learned so much over the last year and an half and boxing has given me a different perspective as to how far fighters have to push themselves physically/mentally to be successful.

Wes and Amy are truly professionals and their skills are evident in the detailed lessons they teach each session . They train to the levels of the participants/competitors and are always willing to put in the time to help each individual. Also, you are training with everyone from amateur competitors to beginners, so it is a great mix of people to be around.

Although I am unable to fight competitively (and wish I could)...I would recommend boxing to anyone wanting to start an exciting sport at any age whether for competition or a good workout.

-- John Wade, Boxing - NBS Gym since 2004

Since I joined NBS Gym, the fencing club has never stopped growing both in the number of fencers and in the amount of experience and skill of its top fencers. Not only are more of the club's beginners starting to compete, but the experienced fencers also continue to improve, placing higher at tournaments and increasing their ratings.

The experienced fencers at NBS Gym are welcoming and helpful. Advanced fencers are permitted to contribute whatever time and skill they have in training the less experienced students. The coaching staff helps each fencer find a balance of physical training, coaching, drilling, and competing that is right for that individual.

Aside from the high quality of the fencing instruction at NBS Gym in all three weapons, the most important aspect of this club is the community that its members have formed. I have fenced with five fencing clubs and visited a few more, and NBS Gym's fencers are the most cohesive and supportive group with whom I have ever fenced. The club has competitive fencers from age 10 to 50. It has fencers who are accomplished athletes in other sports and fencers who have never participated in sports before. It has fencers who have been competing for years and fencers who just come for the exercise and never plan to compete.

This group is more active in most aspects of fencing than any other club where I've trained: we give advice during practice, carpool to tournaments, cheer for each other at competitions, coach our teammates during DE bouts, support our fencers who have had a bad bout or tournament, and encourage every one of our members to excel.

-- Tom Bryan, fencing at NBS Gym since January 2003