By Nathan Duke
Northeast Queens denizens who patronize Bayside resident Marcos Lagos’ new business had better come looking for a fight.
Lagos, who previously owned a mixed martial arts training school on 18th Avenue in College Point, relocated his Hidden Fist to 202-87 Rocky Hill Road in Bayside three months ago. The training school offers a variety of martial arts to youths and adults, including Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing and kung fu.
Each class, which incorporates physical conditioning, technique training and fighting, lasts about three hours, Lagos said.
“I believe there’s no way you can really train for fighting in 45 minutes but, at most schools, they teach you a couple of moves and you’re out,” he said. “Here, we teach body training, technique and fighting. It’s unheard of in most schools.”
An estimated 50 percent of students at Hidden Fist are newcomers, while the other half has some fighting experience. Lagos said some parents send their younger children for training.
“Parents bring their kids here so they can learn respect and discipline,” he said. “It’s good for parents, too, because their children come here, they get tired and then sleep well.”
Classes at the school are $100 for children and $185 for adults. The two groups are split up into youths and people over the age of 16. Hidden Fist is open from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., during which time two sessions for each age group are held.
Clients can begin training at the school at any time and pay on a monthly basis. Patrons are expected to purchase their own outfits, gloves, mouthpieces and knee pads for the classes.
Lagos said he plans to expand his business to another site next door to the martial arts studio in the near future.
“The space is really big, which is one of the reasons why I moved over here,” he said. “The school will be at least double in size.”
The expansion will include more punching and kicking bags, additional weight equipment and more mat space for fighting.
Lagos, who once trained in the martial arts in China and is now a black belt, said his school also places young fighters in city competitions and, in 2006, his students took third place in the state’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation competition.
He emphasizes his students should take the time to practice outside his class.
“It’s all about conditioning,” he said. “You could be in great shape and you might not be able to keep up in my class.”
But he said his clients not only come to the school to learn fighting, but also to get back into shape or for leisure.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
