FAQ

Are you bona fide?

You will be coming to see professional martial arts teachers.     They are subject to an Enhanced check by the Criminal Records Bureau, (nowadays it's called a DBS check) and are insured for member-to-member training, public liability and professional indemnity.   The instructors are all Black Belts with a minimum of 500 hours training (averaging 4 years and most have at least 8 years experience).   Our instructors and members are licenced by the Eikoku Karate-do Keikokai and are recognised by theTraditional Karate Study Group International.  If you have any doubts about our service then please talk to the other members, they won’t mind sharing their experiences with you.

When can I train?

We will sit down with you and work out what the best times and days are for your schedule and which classes are appropriate for your needs.   We can do this on your first visit to us for your FREE initial consultation.

We have classes every day so we know we can find something that fits in with your busy lifestyle.

Where is training held?

Our classes are held across the towns of Newton Abbot, and Torquay.   Our matted Centre and offices are at Karate Academy, King Street Studios, King Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 2LG.   

We also have classes at St Martin's Church hall, Barton Hill Road, Torquay.

If you would like to attend a lesson apart from your scheduled classes, please call 01626 360999 to check that there is space in that class.

Who else will be there?

Each class will have a mixture of students.   There will be people who have only just begun their training.   There may be some who have trained for 20 years or more.   The great thing about Karate is that we all started the same way that you have, so we know what it was like.   No-one is laughing at you and no-one will take advantage of what you don’t know, because the seniors are there to look after you.

The other person who will be there, of course, is the instructor.   They may appear fierce, but they are only human, too.   The instructor is not there to humiliate you, but to help you on your journey.   They are “sensei”, which literally means “one who has gone before”.   That means that they understand your journey and are well equipped to guide you.

What happens in a Class?

There will be a brief Warm-up, followed by basic techniques or combinations; work on the pads and with fellow learners; and the practice of set "forms" or sequences put together to aid memory of self defence techniques.  

How much is a uniform?

You don't need one to start with, but they are inexpensive when you do want one.   A student uniform (gi) costs less than £25.   Remember, you can start in you tracksuit or t-shirt and joggers.

Do I have to learn Japanese?

No.   As a traditional art we will use some Japanese terminology, usually with an English translation to keep it clear.   Over time it will just slip into your head, like anything that you hear time and time again.

I don’t like the idea of competition!

That’s okay.   You don’t have to compete.   If you want to you can, and we offer special classes for those who want to compete, but you don’t have to.

I just want self defence, not all that bowing and stuff.

Fair enough.   Come and try us out.   What we have found is that those “quick fix” courses that do self defence in 2 hours will often talk a lot of sense, but what you don’t get to do is to train your body and mind so that when it really is necessary to use the skills they are there for you.   By training regularly you will make sure that you are honed to be able to use what we show you.   And you can bet that with the techniques that we are teaching you definitely want to have respectful and careful training partners.

I like the sound of it but I’m not interested in taking tests…

Don’t worry about the tests.   No-one can make you take them.   We prefer students who are focussed on making progress in their art.   Test and belts come along when you are ready for them.   If you do the work and you are good enough then we can talk about testing, but belts are a by-product of training, not the reason for training.   Come along so that we can explain some more about what we do.

Is it expensive?

Karate is one of the cheapest hobbies going.   Try holding our prices up against driving lessons, or piano lessons, you’ll see what we mean.   Make full use of our courses.   We have various ways to pay, ranging from pay-as-you-go to paying for all your training before Black Belt in one go.   Most people choose our "unlimited training for the month" option.  You choose whatever works best for your pocket and level of commitment.

We can explain fees more fully when you've tried a class or two and you know that this is right for you.   Book it now on 01626 360999

When does Term end?

We carry on our classes all through the year.  Bank Holidays are non-training days, and there is a restricted timetable between Christmas and New Year, but we don't come to a stop.  Any changes or timetable exceptions are listed in the Members' Newsletter, for instance, if there is a special seminar or examination taking place.  If in doubt, give us a ring.