Where do we train?

We train in several different locations throughout the week and terms, and you can find a list of all of our training locations here. Our Beginners Course this term will be held at Parkside Community College.

How often is training?

We run several training sessions per week – you are welcome to train as much or as little as you would like.

What should I bring?

Wear loose clothing such as a t-shirt/vest and tracksuit bottoms/shorts that will allow free movement. If you own any kickboxing pads – shin/foot, gloves or gum shield – bring them along too. Bring along a bottle of water because it’s thirsty work! You can see a full list of kit that we use on our kit page.

How much does it cost?

Our membership is £35 per term, giving the holder access to all Wednesday, Friday, and additional sparring lessons of a term. An individual lesson is £5, for those looking to try out the sport.

Do you guys actually punch and kick each other?

Kickboxing is a martial art based on real contact of most techniques. The contact is not necessarily at full power but most of the training sessions involve pair training where people try various techniques and combinations on a partner that is blocking them. An important part of the skill is being able to effectively block these techniques.

Will I get hurt?

The risk of injury is minimal as we pay maximum attention to safety issues to ensure safe and healthy training practices.

What rule set do you use?

We train in American-style kickboxing, involving kicking and punching above the waist. There are no leg kicks, sweeps, elbows, or knees allowed. Sparring is light continuous, with 2-3 rounds of 1.5-2 minutes depending on the venue. This means that the fight is not stopped after each hit and knockouts are not the aim of the fight. Instead, the focus is on demonstrating good technique and using combinations.

If I have previous martial arts experience, will it be a bit slow for me?

Not at all! Our members range between novices to black belts with many years of experience: everybody is looked after individually and trains with people of similar skill: this inspires, stretches, and encourages everybody’s learning. Our instructors have many years of training and teaching experience and they ensure nobody finds it slow. There is also no formal barrier to moving up within the class, if the group you find yourself is in is moving too slowly simply join in with the more advnaced group who will be happy to accomodate you.

Do I need any martial arts experience to join?

Absolutely no martial arts experience is required to join us, and around half of the club joins each year as complete beginners. Our four-lesson beginners’ course will teach you all you need to know to join in with the rest of the class.

What is the beginners’ course?

Our beginners’ course lasts four lessons and it is meant to give to the students the very basics of the style: stances, guards, punches and kicks. After that beginners join the rest of the class. Different individuals will progress at different speed but each student is considered individually.

How often do you compete?

We have multiple competitions across the year, including the annual Town vs Gown fight in association with Carisma and Varsity against Oxford. In the last couple years we have also travelled to the University Kickboxing Championships in Leeds. Competing is open to all who wish to take part, but is not compulsory.

Do I need to compete?

No – you are free to choose whether to compete or not without judgement.

What can I do to properly prepare for a lesson?

It’s a good idea to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for an hour or two before the class. The training will teach you how to improve, among other things, flexibility and power: unless you are proficient in fitness or done martial arts for a long time you better wait and learn from us what to do exactly: badly performed exercises may be worse than no exercise at all.

I wear glasses, is that a problem?

It is possible to do much of what we do wearing glasses, but it’s not ideal. The only major thing you would have to avoid would be sparring, since there’s too much risk to do that with glasses. If doing anything without glasses might create problems we suggest wearing contact lenses.