Frequently Asked Questions
Have a look at our FAQs and find out answers to the questions that may be on your mind.
If there is something that we might not have covered, please get in touch with us.
Do you offer a trial session?
Absolutely!
Come along and join us, your first month is free.
Book your free trial online and you can train as many times as you like, completely free during your one month trial.
This will give you an idea of what the lessons look like and whether you think you can commit to training regularly.
Do I book my free trial for every session I want to try?
No, you only need to book your first session.
Your free one month trial will run from your first session and there is no need to book each individual session.
We hope this one month's trial gives you enough time to get used to the new routine and get to know other members.
You can wear sports clothes or if you have your own karate suit, feel free to wear this during your one month's trial.
Our instructors will check with you regularly how you found the training and you will be able to ask any questions you may have after each session.
When can I have my karate suit?
We recommend you train in joggers/shorts and T-Shirt for the first 4 weeks and once you decide you love karate we have a stock of uniforms for you at a discounted rate or feel free to buy one yourself.
We order uniforms which don't need to be ironed for regular use, child uniform costs £15, adult £20.
You can also treat yourself and we can order an embroidered Japan made uniform for you, however these cost considerably more.
How old do I have to be?
Children can join us from 5 years of age.
There is no age limit for adults, we believe that age is just a number !!!
Karate is great for your overall health, mental and physical well being.
How much do you charge?
All sessions are pay as you train, there are no subscriptions. You pay when you turn up for the session.
Child fee is £5 per session
Adult fee is £6 per session
Cash, card and contactless payments are accepted
or we can send you a payment link
or you can pay online using our secure payment system.
Which sessions can I attend?
We have a great range of karate sessions available to choose from:
* Tuesdays - all grades and ages, family friendly sessions in Cheltenham, followed by advanced session for brown & black belts
* Fridays - all grades and ages, family friendly sessions in Gloucester, followed by advanced session for brown & black belts
* Saturdays - brown and black belt sessions in Cheltenham, followed by all grades and ages, family friendly session,
* Sundays - we take part in seminars, squad trainings and competitions all around the country,
Private sessions are available to regular members only, in both Cheltenham and Gloucester
Insurance
All new members will have a free public liability insurance for the first 4 weeks while training with us.
After this period all members are required to have their public liability insurance in place which is £25 for the first year, then £20 for annual renewals.
Link to apply for your insurance can be found on our website.
If you have an insurance with different club/association we will ask to see this and have a copy on our file
How long till I get a black belt?
We prepare for kyu (coloured belt) gradings throughout the year and although we aim to have at least 2 gradings per year everyone learns at their own pace. Some members only practise in the dojo while others practise at home too and therefore progress faster.
On average, it takes anything between 5-7 years to get a black belt. It very much depends on your commitment to training.
Our grading examiners are senior instructors from all corners of the country and we do our best to prepare everyone to pass their belt test.
Grading fees apply to all belt tests.
Can I take part in competitions?
You will be encouraged to compete.
We see this as a fantastic opportunity for you to test yourself, make new friendships, get feedback and develop.
We enter regional, national and international competitions. In our eyes we never loose or fail, we learn!!!
However, you don't have to compete, we completely understand it is not everyone's cup of tea and that is okay.
I am just visiting, can I train?
We train with everyone and anyone!
The door is always open to visiting karate-ka who wish to fit in a bit of training. We believe that different instructors have something different to offer, but in the end we all share the same passion for martial arts.
Karate-ka from different clubs often train with us while staying in the area, or when they cannot attend their regular training, or they wish to train some more.
Everyone is welcome to train with us, just let us know or book your sessions online. There is absolutely no politics in our dojo, just plain karate. But please make sure you support your dojo first.
What do the sessions look like?
No session is ever the same, that is why it is crutial that regular training is maintained.
After a warm up, a regular session focuses on the form, correct application, which we build on using different techniques. We practice each technique or combination with partners, working on our self-defence skills and awareness, in a safe, supervised environment.
We study various kata, where we not only learn the sequence of moves, we also explore what each kata offers, its applications, and self-defence against various attacks, situational awareness, and ability to control the situation.
We also practise sparring with partners, and provide opportunities for everyone to develop their confidence and leadership skills.