Your First Class: Know these things
It may be intimidating to attend your first Martial Arts class. Or it may be exciting…or a little bit of both.
In any case, this experience serves as an important introductory milestones in your development journey as a Martial Artist. You will want to feel welcomed, with the feeling of being motivated to work towards attaining your desired outcomes. The Martial Arts is a journey, we will always be discovering more and more about ourselves and our body (and its interaction and relationship with other bodies!), even into our elder years. Ideally we would like to keep the ‘motivation momentum’ going and not slash it short right at the beginning.
What will play a big role here with regards to your motivation factors are your assigned instructor(s)/coach(es), the culture of the club (this includes Hygiene and Cleanliness!), the Tenets and Mission Statement of the academy (do you resonate with it? does it matter to you?), and finally - your own mental state and position (such as your open-mindedness, willingness and perseverance to push through).
A key important item is that you are making an effort and taking the first big steps, and such movement and action can only result in positive outcomes.
Here is a quote that resonates with me which I got inspiration from somewhere:
You will not encounter, smell, and see all the vibrant shades of the exotic trees that are deeply rooted in the depths of the jungle, and all the lively creatures they bring, along with tasting the fruits which these trees bear direct from the stem if you do not walk the path into the jungle. And you will not uncover, let alone know about, all the additional important paths leading to other such beauty, if you do not decide to walk the first path.
This quote refers to this Life being filled with color, and to experience color requires taking action — to take those first and subsequent steps. There is much value in such Trial and Error. Sometimes taking such action requires very minimal effort - sort of telling yourself you are going to do something, and then you do it without any additional thought or contemplation, simply because it is a good, productive thing which you said you were going to do..and so you do it. And that is that!
Anyways! Regarding the more tangible elements to expect for your first class!
Coming prepared for your first class:
At minimum:
Sign Waiver form — this is required to participate in your first Budo Kombat class. If you have an interest in participating in a Trial Class and don’t want to delay training upon your arrival, please sign it digitally in advance here
Ideal (not a must):
Get Hand-wraps (can be purchased at the dojo for $15, or purchase separately)
It is best to have your own pairs for you to get close with - as in, try to avoid sharing hand-wraps generally, unless they are washed. Best not to get someone elses sweat on you, and to use wraps where you know they have been ;)
Start off with one pair, but eventually get yourself a few more. You will not want to re-use the same hand-wraps you have soaked in sweat more than a few times. Not sure how often you do laundry but re-using them can get pretty stinky! We want to keep the fun in Martial Arts and not build an association of stinkiness with it - for yourself and for those around you. Having a few pairs lying around that are already ‘rolled up’ and ready to be wrapped around your hands will help make your training preparation a lot easier.
Read up on how to wrap your hands/put them on! It may take up to 10 minutes for a first-timer to put these on properly, even with instruction! And even then they require effort and a few repetitions! That’s way longer than it sho{uld take…which should just a couple minutes.
Please refer to this post (‘How to put on hand-wraps) and practice putting them on beforehand so you can maximize your effective training time at the dojo :) Again, don’t let it stop you from attending…you’ll get help regardless :)
Get Training Gloves (for Boxing or Muay Thai — generally loaners would be given out without concern, please message Coach if you would like to borrow a pair of Loaners for your first couple classes. To purchase your own pair at the dojo, the price is $50)
It is best to have your own gloves for hygiene purposes, as well as fit. Size/Ounces generally does not matter much for most sessions at Budo Kombat — a general training gloves will suffice. The general rule is that the heavier they are, the more padding/foam it has for protection (for your hands). Lighter gloves tend to have less protection for your hands, but also allow you to punch faster and will prevent your arms and shoulders from burning out quicker!
More on Training Gloves post here — ’Which Boxing glove should I get?’
Additionally:
What to Wear - athletic clothing which would typically be worn at a gym, allowing for ‘wide-range movement’, including kicks and punches. Flexibility exercises will be a part of the classes, so ensure your shorts/pants are not too loose or too tight.
Please clip your nails (including Toenails) prior to training at the dojo
If you want to wear shoes on the Training Hall (not a prerequisite), wear dedicated indoor shoes that do not mark or scratch mats.
You have the option of training barefoot, with socks, or indoor shoes. If wearing socks, you may want to wear grip socks to prevent sliding on the mats.
If you have a history of toenail or foot fungus, you are required to train with your socks and/or shoes
Remove accessories such as watches/bracelets, loose jewelry (necklaces), potentially earrings, and any other accessories that may get damaged, get lost, or cause damage (eg. upon yourself or others).
Consider your personal hygiene prior to training at the dojo with those around you. We do not want others stink to gross you out, and the same applies for them!
Thank you!
Coach Azeus
