Your First Martial Arts Class in McCalla: What to Expect
Almost everybody is nervous before a first martial arts class in McCalla, children and adults alike. Nearly all of that nervousness comes from not knowing what is about to happen, so here is exactly what happens.
Wear a t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants, bring water, and arrive about ten minutes early. You will train barefoot, an instructor will meet you before class starts, and you will be paired with somebody who knows you are new. You will not spar, you will not be singled out, and you will not be expected to know anything at all. The first class is free.
What should I wear to my first class?
A t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants. That is genuinely the whole answer, and it applies to children and adults alike.
Two small details matter. Avoid zippers and pockets, because zippers scratch people during grappling and pockets catch fingers and toes. And we train barefoot, so shoes come off at the edge of the mat.
- Bring water. You will want more of it than you expect.
- Trim fingernails and toenails, particularly for Jiu Jitsu.
- Leave rings, watches, and jewelry at home or in a bag.
- Tie long hair back.
You do not need a uniform or a gi. Nobody buys gear before a first class, and we will get you or your child fitted only if you decide to keep training.
When should we get there?
About ten minutes early. That window covers any paperwork, gives you a moment with an instructor, and most importantly lets you be standing on the mat when class begins instead of walking in after it has started.
We train Monday through Thursday between 3:00 and 8:00 PM. Kids classes run from 3:45 through 7:15 depending on the day and age group, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu meets Monday and Wednesday at 7:15, and adult martial arts meets Thursday at 6:15. Check the schedule page for the exact class you want. We are at 4823 Promenade Pkwy in Bessemer.
What happens once class starts?
Every class follows the same shape, which is what makes it easy to walk into cold.
We bow in and warm up, which doubles as movement training rather than cardio for its own sake. The instructor then teaches the technique of the day, broken into steps and demonstrated from more than one angle. You drill it with a partner, slowly and cooperatively at first, while a coach walks the room correcting people individually. Class closes with live work or conditioning, scaled to whoever is actually in the room that day.
As the new person you will be paired with somebody experienced who has been told you are new. That is on purpose, and their job for the hour is partly to look after you. Most of them enjoy it, because not that long ago somebody did the same for them.
Will I embarrass myself?
No, and it is worth explaining why not rather than just reassuring you.
You will be bad at it. Everyone is bad at it at first, including every experienced student in the room, and all of them remember the exact feeling you are having on the drive over. Nobody is watching you, because they are all fully occupied trying to get their own technique right.
You also will not be singled out. There is no moment where the new person demonstrates in front of everybody. And you will not spar. Contact gets introduced gradually and only once you have the fundamentals and the control to keep a partner safe.
What about my child's first class?
Same clothes, same timing, and you stay and watch every minute of it. We want you to.
Arrive early enough that your child meets the instructor before class rather than getting handed off at the door, and tell us if they are nervous so we can keep an eye on them. Some children are on the mat and grinning within five minutes. Some need to sit beside you and watch the whole first class before they will try, and that is completely fine and more common than you would think. Our kids martial arts program runs for ages 4 to 12, with Moogies for ages 4 to 7 and Kids Martial Arts for ages 8 to 12.
Booking it
The first class is free, for children and adults, with no card required and no obligation afterward. Pick the class you want and come.
If the list above did not answer your question, call us at (205) 747-2277 or reach out through our contact page. We train families from McCalla, Bessemer, Hueytown, Hoover, and Pleasant Grove, and wherever you are starting from, somebody in that room started there too.
Your first class is free.
No card, no commitment. Come stand on the mat once, and then decide.
Book your free classFrequently asked questions
What should I wear to my first martial arts class?
A t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants with no zippers or pockets. We train barefoot, so shoes come off at the edge of the mat. Bring water, trim your nails, and leave jewelry at home.
Do I need a uniform for the first class?
No. Nobody buys a uniform before their first class. We will get you or your child fitted for gear only after you decide to keep training.
How early should we arrive?
About ten minutes early. That gives you time for any paperwork, a moment with an instructor, and a chance to be on the mat before class begins.
Will I have to spar on my first day?
No. Nobody spars on day one. Contact is introduced gradually and only once you have the fundamentals and the control to keep a partner safe.
Can parents watch the first class?
Yes, and we want you to. Watch the entire class from start to finish. It is the best way to judge whether the room is right for your child.
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