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Starting martial arts can be an exciting yet daunting prospect for many.
Common Concerns & Fears starting Martial Arts include:
1.Physical Fitness and Injury Concerns
- Fitness Level: Many beginners worry about their current level of fitness and whether they will be able to keep up with the physical demands of martial arts training.
- Risk of Injury: Fear of getting injured during training or sparring is a common concern, especially for those who may not be used to high-impact physical activities.
Family Martial Arts Centres offer dedicated beginners classes which are perfect for students with little or no experience. These classes are very safe, low impact and focus on basic techniques and fitness. Talking to our instructors about your concerns can provide reassurance and help in finding suitable modifications for individual needs.
2.Age and Starting Late
- Age Concerns: Older individuals often worry about whether they can start martial arts later in life and if they will be able to progress at the same rate as younger students.
All students are encouraged to progress at there own speed and classes are suitable for all ages. In fact, many of our students are 40yrs+ with our oldest in their 70s. Quite simply, age is Not a barrier to entry or to progression.
3.Intimidation and Confidence Issues
- Feeling Intimidated: The thought of joining a class with experienced martial artists can be intimidating for beginners who might feel out of place or embarrassed by their lack of knowledge.
- Self-Confidence: Beginners may have concerns about their ability to perform techniques correctly or fear looking foolish in front of others.
Our beginners’ classes are unintimidating, and our instructors are very friendly and approachable. We assume no prior knowledge and teach everything in a very simple and clear way so that all students can quickly master the basics. We understand that many students may lack confidence and we take this into consideration with a variety of teaching techniques, specifically developed to give you confidence and build self-belief in your abilities.
4.Financial and Time Commitment
- Cost: The financial commitment required for classes, uniforms, and equipment can be a concern for many people. Martial arts can sometimes be perceived as an expensive hobby.
- Time Commitment: The time required to attend classes regularly, practice, and participate in events or competitions can be significant. Balancing this with work, school, or family responsibilities can be challenging.
Our classes are competitively priced and start from just £29 per month for our youngest members and £49 per month for older children and adults, with great discounts for families. Most students train once per week but you do have the option to attend more often if you so wish.
5.Finding the Right School and Instructor
- Quality of Instruction: Concerns about finding a qualified and reputable instructor or school are common. Beginners often worry whether the school they choose will provide quality training and a supportive environment.
- School Environment: The overall environment and culture of the martial arts school are important. A negative or overly competitive atmosphere can be discouraging for newcomers.
There are several ways to identify the right school from online research including websites, social media and reviews, to referrals from friends and family. However, the best and most reliable way is to visit the school, speak with the instructors, watch a class or better still, try the class. Family Martial Arts Centres offer trial classes. Attending a few of these can help you gauge whether the environment and teaching style suit you and your family.
6.Learning Pace and Progression
- Progression and Advancement: Anxiety about how quickly they will progress or whether they will be able to achieve higher belts or ranks is a common concern.
- Complexity of Techniques: Learning complex techniques and remembering them can be daunting, especially for those new to martial arts.
At Family Martial Arts Centres every student is treated as an individual and allowed to progress at their own pace. More complex and challenging techniques are only taught when you are ready. And most students are surprised at just how much they can learn, and how quickly they can become competent with the techniques in a relatively short period of time.
7.Cultural and Philosophical Differences
- Understanding Traditions: Martial arts often come with a rich cultural and philosophical background. Understanding and respecting these traditions can be a concern for those unfamiliar with them.
- Terminology: Learning new terms and commands in a foreign language can be challenging.
Our Positive Start programme for beginners will introduce you to the basics of martial arts traditions, protocol and etiquette, along with basic terminology. And similar to the physical training, students are encouraged to progress at their own pace.