Frequently Asked Questions

Classes

Is it dangerous?

Not at all. All of our Instructors are fully qualified and our classes have been specially designed to provide the highest quality training at the lowest possible risk.
Beginners, especially, have no need to worry, as all Basic Programme classes are non-contact.
In addition, as part of our Health & Safety policy, all of our Instructors are First Aid trained.
What will I need for my first free class?

You will need:
•Yourself/your child
•A friend (optional)
•A bottle of water
•Loose fitted clothing (e.g. t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms)
•A method of payment
You will not need:
•A uniform (all of our courses include the cost of a uniform)
•Trainers (our training area is fully matted)
•Any kind of fitness (everything can be taken at your own pace)
•Any kind of experience (you will be with your own instructor)
Will I have to

Not if you don’t want to! Our beginners programmes are all non-contact, to ensure that no one begins to spar before we are confident that they have full control of what they are doing, or before they are confident in their technical ability. Even then, some of our members choose not to spar and instead make the most of our focus-pad classes or try out our Kung Fu or Forms classes.

The Academy

Is there somewhere I can get changed, have a shower etc?

Yes there is. We have both communal changing rooms and a family changing cubicle, as well as two showers that a free to use for all full and introductory students.
Where exactly are you?

We're right above Richmond Train Station!

To the left of the main entrance is a set of double doors (by the post box). If you take the stairs up to the top floor (past the Richmond Dance Academy) you will find our reception.
Is the Academy open during the day?

Yes, we're usually open from 11am - 10pm Monday - Thursday and from 11am-3pm Friday - Sunday.

Feel free to pop in if you would like to speak to one of our Instructors or get a tour of the facilities!

Martial Arts

Isn't Martial Arts just for kids/men/women/sporty people/people who need to lose weight?

Believe it or not, we come across this kind of misconception a lot.
The truth is that Martial Arts is for all of these people and more!
One of the best things about Martial Arts training is that anyone can do it to their own desired standard and still consider themselves to be a success!
Even with some of the highest standards in the world, we pride ourselves on NOT having an "elitist" policy, so whoever you are and whatever you're looking for, you are more than welcome to join the world-wide family that is the Martial Arts.
What style is best for me?

While some traditional styles are better suited to particular body types, the truth is that any Martial Art will suit you as long as you enjoy it! That's one of the reasons we have so many styles on offer.

If you're really not sure, we recommend that you try one of our Introductory classes in either Kickboxing or MMA (or both!) as this will give you some idea of what type of Art you will enjoy.

Prices

So how does your new pricing structure work?

A full list of our course prices can be found here.

Our new structure means that (for Kids/Juniors and Adults), membership to either our Kickboxing studio or our MMA studio includes membership to the other. Think of it as a two for the price of one membership that gives you more variety then ever before!
Please tell me I won't be signed into one of those 12 month contracts?

Not any more! We've done away with those long commitments everyone else is forcing you to make and reduced our minimum contract period to just a month!

That means that, if for whatever reason you are unable to continue your training with us, you can simply cancel with a months notice. What's more, you're a member for life, so rejoining at a later date won't cost you anything extra, and if our prices drop, you'll rejoin at the reduced rate!

Further Questions

Combat Company