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Train hard, fight easy
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Q. Do I need to be fit before I attend a class? Q. I am looking to get fit, is this class suitable for me? Q. What should I wear when coming to a class? Q. Do I need to spend a lot of money on equipment to train? Q. Do you run a grading system? Q. I'm worried about sparring. Do I have to spar? Q. Do I have to enter competitions? Q. What's the difference between "All train" and Squad Training ? Q. Why is Squad training by invitation only? Q. What is the "All train" Ring exposure class?
Q. Do I need to be fit before I attend a class? A. No. Anyone of any fitness level is welcome and we encourage but don't pressurize students to participate in the workouts simply to the best of their own ability and current fitness level. This may mean slowing down or performing fewer repetitions of an exercise or taking a break to get a breather. Back Q. I am looking to get fitter, is this class suitable for me? A. Yes. Your aerobic and anaerobic capacity will increase through regular training with us. You may also find that you will lose a few pounds and change shape as your body adapts to the rigours of training. Expectations should be tempered in the light of frequency and regularity of training and day to day lifestyle however. It must be stressed that the purpose of the class is not simply to make you fitter - rather this is a useful by-product of the type of training in which you will engage. Stamina and endurance and the ability to work intensely in bursts with fast recovery times as well as over longer periods are essential physical traits of a kickboxer. Back Q. What should I wear when coming to a class? A. Wear loose fitting shorts or jogging bottoms and a T-Shirt or vest. Most of our training is done bare foot but some people prefer to wear a pair of trainers or martial arts shoes during the warm up. This is fine but please ensure your footwear is clean and non-marking. If you have Gi bottoms or Kickboxing Contact trousers or Thai shorts these are also fine. Back Q. Do I need to spend a lot of money on equipment to train? A. The only equipment you need to initially purchase is a pair of hand wraps to help protect the wrist joint and small bones in the hand when hitting pads and a gum shield when you get to a level at which you begin to spar. These are both low cost items and can be bought through the club or independently. All other equipment (gloves, foot and shin pads, head guards etc) can be borrowed from the club during training sessions. If however you wish to purchase your own such items you can do so either through the club or independently (but please consult with the club instructor on appropriate equipment first as we regulate glove weight for various exercises.) Over time we prefer students to purchase their own gloves etc to help keep resources available for new students but also find that most people do prefer to wear items only they have sweated in!. Contact trousers can be purchased through the club or internet as preferred (although the wearing of these is not essential). Back Q. Do you run a grading system? A. Yes - we run a structured syllabus based on six tiers of achievement. Grading requirements include offensive and defensive technique, movement, pad work to demonstrate combinations, partner based exercises and various levels of sparring. Q. I'm worried about sparring. Do I have to spar? A. No. If you do not wish to participate in sparring this is fine. Although sparring is an important element of kickboxing (ultimately Kickboxing is a Martial Sport) it is possible to learn the techniques involved without engaging in full, free sparring. However it should be remembered that ultimately sparring provides a test bed for the techniques learned on the pads etc and although you may become fast, sharp and powerful through pad work and structured exercises alone this does not mean that you will be able to translate this into effective technique against a live opponent. It should be noted however that sparring DOES form an essential part of the grading syllabus and if you do not wish to participate in sparring you will be unable to grade at levels where sparring is a requirement. Back Q. Do I have to enter competitions? A. No. No pressure is put on anyone to compete. We understand that competition is not for everyone and students train for a variety of reasons - for instance for fitness or to build self confidence rather than to compete. However for those who are interested in stepping into the ring we will support and guide your development towards achieving this. Back Q. What's the difference between "All Train" and Squad Training ? A. Squad training is a more focused session specifically targeted at developing the club's fighters and getting them ready for ring competition while the "All train" sessions cater also for those only interested in technique, pad work and fitness. "All train" sessions do include sparring (for those who wish to participate) and also cover fight and ring skills as well as provide a generally high intensity workout. Back Q. Why is Squad training by invitation only? A. Squad training is for fighters and those looking to fight only and the aim is to provide a focused session for these individuals where the coach's time can be applied solely to them rather than amongst a mixed ambition class. Squad training will only be offered to those individuals who show the commitment necessary to train to fight which will include (but not be limited to) training a minimum of once a week in the "All Train" classes and showing personal commitment to putting in offsite, own time fitness conditioning (running etc;) The ring is an unforgiving arena and you will only enter it as one of our fighters if you are fit, able to adequately apply both offensive and defensive skills under pressure and show personal dedication to your training. Back Q. What is the "All train" Ring exposure class? A. This is held ad hoc at the Terry Allen Unique Boxing club at weekends (dates and times variable) and is intended as a class for those who like to spar but do not want to compete so that they can experience what it is like to spar in a ring environment and to learn the ring craft that fighters have to use. Back |
