Everyone has different reasons for wanting to learn a martial art.
Whenever new students start training with us in Taekwon-do or Kickboxing we try to find out why they want to start a martial art. Each person has their own individual reasons and goals, whether it is to become fitter, to gain confidence, stress relief, learn self defence, or even to try something new and meet people. Gravesend and Medway Martial Arts is a friendly Taekwon-do and Kickboxing school and we have a great team of people to help you learn so, whatever your reasons, we're confident that our classes are right for you.
Scroll left and right to read about some of the more common reasons ...
Improved Fitness
Some people start training because they want to get fit.
Martial arts are one of the best ways to improve fitness. It's no secret that martial arts training can provide a combination of cardiovascular exercise, flexibility training, strength conditioning and explosive power. Due to the nature of our training, fitness benefits can be achieved by all students no matter what their starting levels are. Each student can work to their own maximun intensity, so fit or experienced members can still get just as much of a workout as newer students or those who are not quite so fit.
Many people pay a lot of money going to a gym in an attempt to get fit, but the real benefits come when you are in a group class of like-minded people with a trainer or coach helping you along. Circuit training and boxing fitness classes are very popular these days because they are enjoyable whilst delivering the desired results. Martial Arts training will get you fit in the same way. Our instructors have been trained to the highest level with the Professional Unification of Martial Arts and can help with technique and application, keeping you motivated and working hard. You will be seeing the fitness improvements in no time.
Increased confidence
Some people want to increase their confidence and self esteem.
Many people start training in martial arts to improve their confidence and their belief in themselves. A martial arts education takes you on a journey that will show you that you have abilities you never thought you possessed. Of course, everyone starts out with different levels of confidence but every single person who trains at our classes will show and feel a big increase, made possible by the training that they are undertaking.
The results are obvious to all. We have seen people who are extremely shy step out in front of the class and demonstrate techniques. We have seen introverted people step outside of their comfort zone and learn to spar. We have seen victims of bullying achieve such an increase in confidence that the bullying stops without conflict. This confidence increase transcends the martial arts training and helps you in your normal life too.
Stress Relief
Some people want to relieve stress and anxiety
It's an unfortunate fact that in todays world we have a lot of pressures on us, both from work and home life. Our employers seem to want more out of us for little or no thanks, causing stress and anxiety.
Our classes can help with this. Our sessions will have you working hard, focusing on your training, and you will find yourself quickly forgetting the day you've just had. After the session ends you will feel invigorated, and maybe a bit tired! The training exercises can decrease stress hormones and increase endorphins, your body's feel-good hormones, giving your mood a natural boost. On top of that, research suggests that physical activity may increase your resilience toward stress, giving you an edge for the future too!
Self Protection and Defence
Some people want to learn how to protect themelves from attackers or bullies.
For children and parents the subject of bullying is a nerve shredding one. Many children are subjected to bullying and it can be devistating for the child and the family involved. We have had a lot of children start training with us because they are being bullied, with a large number wanting to learn how to fight back.
While by definition martial arts can provide the tools to allow people to defend themselves and the knowledge of how to apply them, most people discover that they never have to use what they have learned. Bullies are generally cowardly and prey on those who can be controlled. Our martial arts training gives the student the ability to fight back which in turn provides a large degree of confidence. Most people usually see the bullying stop and never have to use the physical skills they have learnt - the best way to resolve it.
Interested in Martial Arts
Some people have always wanted to try a martial art.
If you speak to any number of people, there will always be those who tell you that they've always wanted to learn a martial art but have never got around to it. There are many more who have actually gone out and done it. But why are martial arts so popular?
In various forms martial arts have appeared in popular culture for years, and have inspired many people to take up one of the forms. In the seventies Bruce Lee appeared in his famous films and showed millions of people in the Western world how spectacular martial arts can be. In the Eighties we saw it slightly differently - The Karate Kid was a film that saw huge numbers of children tell their parents that they wanted to start karate.
Away from film, we have seen the Mixed Martial Arts scene, mainly in the guise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), become one of the most popular sporting events in the world, overtaking boxing in terms of world spectators and financial revenues.
We offer FREE trial sessions to everyone who wants to come and try our classes in Gillingham or Gravesend. How many? As many as you need to make a decision.
We firmly believe that you should not join any martial arts school unless you are happy with the quality and instruction you receive, and you can come and try our classes with absolutely no obligation.