FAQ

Please see the “Join Us” menu on the Home page of this website and complete our membership form and health and safety questionnaire. You can take a couple of trial sessions before deciding on paying our annual membership fee. Contact us to book a session, then just come along to a first lesson about 10 minutes early to have a chat, then join in the session, give us a call if you have any questions. All of us were beginners once, so we know what it feels like. The hardest part of learning karate is walking through the door the first time, but you will be welcomed into a friendly club. Instructors are insured and have DBS certification. NB Covid 19 – please read the Covid 19 information on our Home page before attending.

No, the tradition in karate is to join in a mainstream class, we frequently have beginners and other students are helpful and willing to share their knowledge

Just loose trousers or shorts and a T shirt or similar top. We train barefoot. We can help with obtaining a karate suit and club badge if you decide to join the club later

We charge £5 a lesson. If you train beyond a first lesson, we ask you to join the club as a member, membership is £25 a year for cadets, or those in full time education and £50 a year for adults.

Karate is one of the best activities a child can practice, with the degree of discipline, respect and etiquette taught in the class the child will learn to accept more responsibilities, become more aware, confident and improve self-esteem outside the regular school classroom environment. Add to this fun, improved fitness and the need to to be able to improve their attention span, you can see why so many parents enrol their children in karate classes.

We don’t teach under 5’s for insurance reasons, 6 is a great age to start. For cadets aged 5 to 7 a responsible adult must remain in the training hall for the duration of the lesson. Our elder students are in their 60’s and some have trained from a young age.

All of us are individuals in our size, shape, strength, flexibility and confidence, so you start from wherever you are at and improve at your own pace. We will challenge and encourage you, but with you in control.

We don’t break wood, tiles or bricks – saws and hammers do a much better job! A small risk of injury is possible in any physical activity, karate is no different. We are careful to teach good technique, with an emphasis on self-control, to avoid injury. Our club does not fight in competitions, as our technique is designed for avoidance of conflict and effective self-defence – we do not tolerate aggressive or inconsiderate behaviour.

There is ample parking at Robin Park Sports Centre, you can obtain a pass for free parking for karate sessions at reception.

We hold coloured belt grading approximately every 3 months and a black belt grading annually. Training regularly, most students can pass the first few belt levels every 3 months.

Keen to improve what we do!

We try to accommodate those with disabilities, please contact us to discuss individually.

See our Terminology menu on this web site…

Bowing as you enter the Dojo (training hall) and to instructors and fellow students is a mark of respect for the club and club members. Bowing as you enter and leave the Dojo also switches on your karate as you join a class, then switches it off again as you leave emphasising self-control.