Kindly leave your ego at the door

By Russell Bennett
BERWICK’S newest martial arts training centre has one message for its new members, “No knuckleheads allowed!”.
Personal trainer Denee Lalouette started his own training business in his parents’ backyard, and when he opened his studio 18 months ago, he had a vision for those who were sick and tired of the same old gym workout routine.
And six months ago, he had a soft opening for his new venture Ultimate Fitness Training (UFT), nestled amongst the usual wholesalers on Berwick’s Enterprise Avenue.
UFT combines mixed martial art (MMA), muay thai and Brazillian jiu jitsu with advanced exercise techniques to provide its members with a fresh take on their daily workout.
“For people bored of the gym, it gives them something else to sink their teeth into,” Lalouette said.
Because he didn’t have a martial arts background, Lalouette utilised the expertise of jiu jitsu coach Yacine Alaoui and multi-style black belt Jeremy Ta’kody to train UFT’s new members.
Lalouette knew of the UFC’s booming popularity throughout Melbourne and took the opportunity to offer local residents the chance to take part in the same sort of rigorous training sessions as their MMA idols.
“The last UFC event held in Australia was in Sydney but more than half the crowd was from Melbourne,” Lalouette said.
Victorian state legislation bans UFC-style fighting bouts in Melbourne, but Lalouette said: “that’s based on some people who believe it’s a battle-to-the-death blood sport.
“It’s not that at all.”
He said MMA’s popularity would continue to boom over the next 12 to 18 months, with many of UFT’s members expressing an interest in using their training and expertise inside the ‘octagon’.
“We don’t have a fight team yet, but we don’t let knuckleheads in here,” he said.
“This is for self defence, discipline and fitness, not for people wanting to elbow someone in the face and break a nose.”
Lalouette said UFT’s training was “fun and exciting” for all ages, with a grading system allowing members to train from scratch up to black belt level.
“Our clients absolutely love it,” he said.
“We have 120 to 130 members currently.
“10 have left, but none because they didn’t enjoy it.”
Lalouette said sparring took place in a completely controlled environment with instructors that could quickly defuse any situation that got out of hand.
“If you’re looking to train and not get hurt at all, it’s like playing rugby and not tackling,” he said.
“But we only spar at 30 per cent and we only use 16 ounce gloves, not fighting gloves.
“We have a rule written up inside the gym: Leave your ego and your temper outside.”
UFT’s grand official opening is on 11 February from 9am to 4pm at 14 Enterprise Way, Berwick.
For more information, call 9769 3137 or visit www.ultimateft.com.au.