FAQs

Do I need to have had past experience in taekwondo or martial arts?

Definitely not. We welcome all grades and abilities, and especially love introducing new people to taekwondo. University is one of the best times in your life to start a martial art as you can have a few years of training and can reach a high standard whilst studying.

Do I need to have a uniform?

Not for your first few sessions. After a while at the club the time will come for your first grading. If you wish to grade then you must buy a uniform, which is made up of a white suit, belt and Ki-Taekwondo badge. Please email the club or ask a member of the committee at any of the training sessions to find out information about buying a uniform and badge.

What should I wear?

It’s best to wear loose clothing that will not restrict any movement. Also clothing should not have zips or any other sharp materials. This is for the safety of you and others.

Ideally they should be white, but basically whatever is comfortable for you to train in.

Do I need to be a student?

No. Non-students and students of other institutions are more than welcome to join. See below for variation in fees.

How much will it all cost me?

The first 2 sessions are completely free. After that you need to pay the following fees:

This is excellent value for money as this entitles you to over 120 hours of training time and works out at 75p per hour for students!

Please note that if you wish to grade there is a charge of £15 per student to grade per semester. This fee does not go to the club but to the examiner for his time in examining the students and this charge applies to all club members.

Do I have to fight full contact?

No. You will only spar full contact if you want to, and our instructors think that you are capable. In class we spar semi contact, this is to keep the training realistic, yet still keeping it safe. There should be no contact to the head in training. If you wish to fight in competition, then you will be fighting full contact, wearing body armor and a head guard. Competition fighting is optional, but encouraged.

Do I have to train every week?

A student wanting to grade is expected to come to every training session possible. If the instructors feel that the student has not attended enough sessions over a term they will no be allowed to grade. We accept however that making every session is near impossible because of personal commitments and illness or injury.

Will I have time for studies and other commitments?

Training is Saturday and Sunday at 2 hours per session for beginners, so there is plenty of time for studies and other societies/clubs throughout the week.

How often can I grade?

Gradings are held at the end of each term, so 3 times a year. This is obviously dependent on your ability and your instructor’s confidence to put you forward for the grade. Also there is a set amount of hours you must attend before taking a grading.

How will I know about events?

Please check the website regularly to answer any questions you may have as this will be the best way of getting up-to-date information about the club and reminding yourself of upcoming events. Instructors and committee members will also keep you informed of such events through regular announcement in class. Finally, please make sure you have given your e-mail address to the club. This means we can send you regular group e-mail with information about upcoming social events, gradings, seminars and changes to training.

Am I allowed to wear my jewellery when training?

We ask that all jewelry is removed before class. If you are unable to remove any jewelry for any reason you will only be allowed to train with the instructors permission. In certain cases you may be prevented from training for your own safety and that of others.

Will Taekwondo improve my physical fitness?

At its highest level, Taekwondo is a demanding martial art which can dramatically improve your fitness. At the beginning of the term the instructors will start training at a moderate level and will slowly build the intensity of training over the year as your fitness improves. To perform to your best ability in gradings and competitions however you may want to consider extra fitness training outside of class

Does it matter if I practise a different martial arts style?

All styles of martial arts are welcome to join and train with our club with the understanding that we teach WTF Taekwondo (the 'Olympic' style). Those joining having practised different styles are encouraged to enter the WTF competitions and gradings that the club attends. Although a number of our club members are trained in the ITF style of Taekwondo, we do not hold ITF gradings and do not officially attend ITF competitions. A number of our members do represent the University of Birmingham in various ITF competitions ever year though, with an impressive degree of success!

Is it beneficial to cross train in different martial arts?

This is debatable, but at our club we are more than happy for you to take up more than one martial art. It widens your capability and makes you a better rounded marital artist, but at the same time it may become confusing when abiding by different rules and techniques in competition and training.  Of course, there are only so many hours in the day, and we are keen for our members to train to their full potential.