Frequently Asked Questions

•	What will I need to start karate classes?
	To start karate classes you will need no special equipment or clothing. You should however wear tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt until you get your gi once your membership is paid. Please also ensure that your finger-nails and toe-nails are cut short. You should also remove all items of jewellery including watches.
•	Do I need to be very fit or strong?
	Your level of fitness does not matter, as long as you are medically fit to participate in exercise. If you have any medical conditions that the teacher needs to be aware of, please let us know. Your levels of fitness and strength will improve with regular participation. Generally, we would recommend that children starting karate classes should be a minimum of 4 years of age.
•	How will I benefit from taking karate classes?
	By regularly attending karate classes you will gain improvements in many ways, and these include fitness, strength, flexibility, control, discipline, focus/concentration, coordination and stamina, as well as learning the Japanese art of self-defence itself.
•	If I decide to start karate classes regularly, what will I need?
	You will need to obtain a karate Gi (suit) available from the class Sensei (Instructor). You will also need a license, which contains your registration details and insurance (available through your Sensei). Please note insurance is renewable annually.
•	How long does a class last?
	Classes last for one hour although most of our students now train for 2-hour sessions. For the first half of the class we concentrate on physical training to build up students’ fitness, strength, flexibility and stamina followed in the second half by learning the basic techniques of the art of karate and self-defence. There normally is a 5-minute break in each class.
•	Should I eat before a karate class?
	Students are advised not to consume heavy meals before classes. Fruits, eg bananas, grapes, oranges and the like are recommended before and during classes. Students are also advised to drink lots of fluid i.e. water, juice etc before, during and after classes. Fizzy drinks are not recommended.
•	How often do I need to attend?
	Like most forms of exercise, regular attendance can provide the quickest and best improvements and this is also true of karate. As a rule, we require an attendance of twice per week as the annual training programme is based on twice a week training.
•	Achievement
	Achievement is based on a ten-level basis, i.e. from white belt to black belt. It is therefore imperative that students take part in the exams to master the art of karate and reach first-dan black belt. Exams are held four times a year, in March, June, September and December.
•	Protective equipment
	Karate gloves, gum shields and other protection are available from the Administration Officer.
•	How often to we have gradings? (Exams)
	Exams are held four times a year in March, June, September and December. Your Sensei will let you know if you are ready to take the exams for the next level. Exam fees are also applicable on the respective exam dates, details of which is obtainable from the Administration Officer.
•	Where and when are classes held?
	All beginners classes (Children and adults) are currently held at the Wavelengths Leisure Centre on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays. Advanced classes are held at the 999 Club (which is a few minutes walk from the Wavelengths Leisure Centre), on Thursdays. We also train on Sundays in West London for advanced adults and children. Please collect a timetable from the reception at the Wavelengths Leisure Centre or ask for one from the Administration Officer Erica Francoise or email info@sska-karateclub.co.uk
•	Tournaments (Competitions)
	These take place on a regular basis during the year and they vary from beginners’ level to intermediate and advanced level based on the karate student’s age, and are local, national and international competitions. Some of them take place in the London area while others take place outside London, and in some instances, some are held overseas. Nearer the competitions, we normally select the highly trained and most disciplined students to have training sessions additional to their existing ones, in order to prepare them for taking part in these competitions.
•	Affiliation
	SSKA is affiliated to the AMA (Amateur Martial Associations). The AMA is now the largest martial arts association in the UK, active on the international scene with members and associated members from many foreign countries.
•	Website
	www.sska-karateclub.co.uk

Please speak to any officer if you have questions about these training rules.