Walking into a martial arts school for the first time can feel intimidating. You don't know the etiquette, you're not sure what to wear, and everyone else seems to know exactly what they're doing. Here's what actually happens in your first class, so you can walk in with confidence.
Before class
Arrive about ten minutes early. An instructor will greet you, show you where to change, and walk you through a short waiver. Wear comfortable athletic clothes. You don't need a uniform for your first visit.
The warm-up
Every class starts with a warm-up of light cardio, joint mobility and stretching. Go at your own pace. Nobody expects a beginner to keep up with the black belts on day one.
Learning the basics
You'll spend most of the class on fundamentals:
Stance and footwork
Basic blocks and strikes
How to bow in and out of the training floor
Everyone on the mat was a white belt once. The only way to start is to start.
After class
Stick around to ask questions. We'll talk about which program fits your goals and schedule, with no pressure to sign up on the spot.