How do I sign up?
First things first! Sign up for a free intro lesson! It is required for all new students. https://practicalmartialarts.net/get-started/intro-lesson/
Once you have completed the intro lesson you can enroll right then & there. If you did not enroll at the intro lesson please email info@practicalmartialarts.net to make a short appointment for enrollment at your first day of class. We can send you a link to sign up. We just need your first month’s tuition plus the enrollment fee that includes the uniform, belt & a pair of gloves. All of our memberships are month-to-month with 30 days’ written notice to hold or cancel.
What should I or my child wear? Where can I buy a uniform?
For the intro lesson simply wear comfortable workout clothes & bare feet. (And a properly fitting mask if required by the county.) Once the intro lesson is completed, the instructor approves your class placement and you officially enroll, your uniform will be included in the enrollment package ($85 kids/$135 teens & adults). We stock them in house.
Can I send my child with a nanny/caregiver?
Once enrolled, yes, but not for the intro lesson. If student is under 18 they MUST have a parent or legal guardian present. Once enrolled, feel free to send your child with a caregiver or drop them off & pick them up after class.
Can I bring a friend to the intro lesson?
Yes, friends are welcome provided that you book both student intros online AND they must have a parent present at the lesson.
Is the free intro lesson required?
YES. The introductory lesson helps students start group classes with greater success, allows our instructors to assess younger students’ readiness for classes and choose the best class for the student. It also helps us teach more effectively when new students are already oriented to our dojo culture.
Is this an assessment of my child?
For the most part, it is an orientation but we are assessing readiness. It gives us insight into which class is most appropriate for your child to start in. For young ones, we are looking for the basic ability to be in class following directions. Sometimes kids aren’t quite ready for the class that they desire and therefore we will start them in a different class or ask them to return in a few months and try again. It’s not uncommon for 4 year old to not quite be ready for our group classes.
Where do we park?
Please park in any PMA spaces, unlabeled spaces, down the alley or on the street. DO NOT park in our neighbor’s spaces (unless they are closed).
When can we start?
All of our programs are ongoing, month-to-month and students can start at any time once they have completed the free introductory lesson.
How many weeks are the programs?
All of our programs are ongoing with the eventual goal of reaching black belt. For kids the average time it takes to reach their first belt is 3-4 months so we encourage parents to set up that expectation with their kids.
How long is the wait list for the later Beginner class?
That is hard to say because it depends on when the current students graduate out. The wait can be 1-4 months. The shortest wait to join that class is in the late spring or summer. Please feel free to inquire for a recent estimate.
Why should I train at Practical Martial Arts and not another school?
There are many great martial art schools in our community and each has a unique benefit. However, we pride ourselves on teaching students to be well-rounded martial artists by cross-training in stand-up, take-downs, ground work and street self-defense. Additionally, we teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a fantastic grappling style that enables you to defeat opponents on the ground which is where 70% of all altercations end up.
Apart from the physical, our dojo is a close-knit, supportive community. We explicitly teach students the concept of “oss”, to persevere under pressure, and how they can apply this concept in their everyday lives. We offer programs and opportunities for our students that are extremely rare for martial arts studios. Students are required to take part in a variety of projects that relate to altruism, environmental self-defense, non-violent conflict resolution, acts of kindness, respect and more.
How often do students need to train?
Two times per week is the minimum commitment necessary to make progress; three times per week at advanced levels.
Do you have weekend classes?
Yes, but Saturday classes are part of the weekday programs. We do not have a Saturday only program. Please see the page for the class/age you are interested in.
Can a student train whenever they like?
We have many programs to enable a tremendous amount of flexibility, however students must stick to one program or another; Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu and Saturday is available to both programs. During June, July and August, kids can train any days and as many days as they can!
When does the next session start?
Our classes are ongoing. You can start at any time. However, keep in mind that martial arts are a discipline, not a sport. You will be expected to train year-round with reasonable breaks for vacations or holidays. Your consistency and dedication is what will see you through to each of your belts and getting your first tap!
Do classes stop in the summer?
No. Our classes run YEAR ROUND regardless of school/university breaks – except for being closed each year between Christmas and New Year’s.
How much is the monthly tuition?
Tuition is $259/month on a credit card. All our tuition is paid automatically through GymDesk & Square. Membership is month to month with 30 days notice to hold or cancel. Classes run year round. At enrollment students pay for an enrollment package that includes a uniform, belt, and gloves.
Can I do drop-ins or once a week?
No. We require our students to commit to a minimum of twice per week. Learning any martial arts requires commitment and consistency.
What if I need to hold the membership?
Email info@practicalmartialarts.net Subject: HOLD. We can hold a payment with 30 days notice. Holds are only for a full calendar month. If you are missing a few classes here and there you can do make up classes within 30 days. We do not offer refunds for unused classes.
What if I need to cancel?
Email info@practicalmartialarts.net Subject: CANCEL. We can cancel a membership with 30 days notice. Please be sure to check in with us first to see if there is any way we can help you continue…Maybe a schedule change? A check in with the teacher? A private lesson to work on skills that need improving? We are here to help!
Do you have camps for kids?
We have 3 amazing Ninja Camps each summer. Students earn 2 class credits per day for their training. We sometimes do a Veteran’s Day Camp, Winter Camp, a Spring Break Camp, and a Ski Week Camp. www.ninjacamps.com
How many students are in each class?
On our main mat, the average class size for kids is 18 to 26 (at this size we divide the class), Little Dragons 8 to 12; each with two Black Belt Instructors per class. Adult BJJ averages 6-12 students per class.
What style do you teach?
We teach Freestyle Mixed Martial Arts, which is a blended system with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai, and wrestling. Many people refer to it as MMA but we are not MMA like you see online. We are not a fighter’s gym though we teach the same skills.
Do you have classes just for women?
Our classes are mixed with about 30-50% of our students being female, especially in the teens classes where we also have non-binary students. We do have specialty events that are just for women or girls like our Women’s Self Defense Seminars.
What is controlled contact sparring?
Controlled contact sparring is the most realistic safe way to train skills. In these drills you employ controlled punches, kicks and grappling techniques on a partner, who is attempting to land the same techniques on you. Controlled striking targets include body, leg and head. We believe that the ability to employ a technique without hurting your partner is the cornerstone of developing true martial art skills. Additionally, we feel very protective of our students’ brain cells! We have perfected realistic training without causing injury.
Is controlled contact sparring the same as full contact sparring, or boxing?
Absolutely not. In controlled contact you use the same technique as boxing or kickboxing but you limit your power to insure safety. In full contact or boxing you don’t hold back. Each blow uses full power on your opponent. We do not train this way in our dojo.
Why not eliminate contact all together?
This would be like trying to learn to swim without getting in the water.
How long does it take to get a Black Belt?
That depends on your long-term dedication and athletic potential. Our phenomenal Black Belts did it in 4 years of intense (5 days per week) training + a natural gift + previous experience. On average it takes 5 to 6 years but can take up to 8 years. Time spent training is measured with actual skills but never prioritized over technique. Our Black Belts are measured against our overall standard, not on ‘personal best’.
What is the youngest age one can get a Black Belt?
The earliest age to earn a Youth Black Belt is 12 years old after the minimum required length of training and accomplishment of real skills and technique. These Youth Black Belts can earn a second degree youth rank and then test for their adult Black Belt at minimum age 16. We pride ourselves on having high standards for Black Belt.
Is this the style I see in the Ultimate Fighting Championship?
Yes, but this a martial art academy or Dojo, not a fighters gym. However, the techniques you see are the exact same; same Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, same Muay Thai, same Wrestling, same Boxing. The only difference is how things are taught and what we believe martial arts are all about. We believe martial arts are a vehicle for self-improvement and learning about one’s self. A fighters gym primary focus tends to be about making the individual better at fighting. Our Dojo takes these same ultra effective drills and skills and makes them safe, so everyone can grow and benefit.
