I have spent about 5 years training in Taekwon Do over in Hove. I have constantly been bugging flatmates and friends to come train in the martial ways, usually to limited response.
Thankfully, I finally saw some light at the end of the tunnel with a flatmate who had trained in a little amateur boxing. Now he was wanting something a little more akin to his fighting background, so we decided to go try out a session at kicks. Rather than my usual school hall venue, kicks boasts a proper ring and is a permanent feature of Lewis road. This is especially relevant if you choose to train in kick boxing or Muay Thai.
The established feel does create a 'proper' training environment. Beginners are grouped together according to grade and you are expected to work up the syllabus and belt gradings no matter what your prior martial experience. With the kick boxing or Muay Thai there is some leeway on this. For beginners, this is a very good approach and means that less fit or confident initiates won't feel 'kicked' out of the dojo or be intimidated by more proficient adepts. There is also a wide range of classes for children and this dojo is an excellent place to teach some of the honourable sides of etiquette that you wouldn't find inn the school classroom.
Whilst you will have to buy some equipment and insurance, there is only a base membership fee then you can pay as you go per lesson, or take advantage of some direct debit offers. I would say that it is well worth checking out the extensive website that has a very good timetable of when classes occur for the different grades and age ranges.
Sadly, I was still committed to my Taekwon Do training when I went, so I did not keep up my sessions. Also, my flatmate fell into the response that all my other friends did and stopped going (his loss!). I have since taken a step back from TKD and when I return to renting in Brighton I would make this dojo my first point of call to resume my martial arts journey. read more