Your First Taekwondo Lesson

Walking into a martial arts club for the first time is the hardest part. Here is exactly what will happen, so there are no surprises. Your first lesson is free and there is no obligation to come back.

Before you come

• Let us know you are coming. Not essential, but it helps — we will look out for you and make sure someone greets you. Send us a quick message.
• Do not buy anything. No uniform, no equipment, no kit. Please do not spend a penny until you know you want to carry on.
• Wear a T-shirt and jogging bottoms. Anything you can move and stretch in. We train barefoot, so you do not need trainers.
• Bring a drink. A water bottle is worth having — it is a two-hour session.
• Eat light. Try not to have a big meal in the hour before class.

Getting there

Springwater Catholic Community Centre, 30 Springwater Avenue, Sheffield, S12 4HJ.

• There is parking at the centre.
• We are easy to reach from Hackenthorpe, Beighton, Mosborough and across S12.
• Aim to arrive by 11:15 AM for a class that starts at 11:30 AM. That gives you time to find us, say hello and get your shoes off without feeling rushed.

You can see the venue on a map on our contact page.

When you arrive

Come in and ask for one of the instructors — someone will be expecting you. We will take a couple of minutes to say hello, ask about any injuries or medical conditions we should know about, and explain how the class runs. You will not be put on the spot or made to perform in front of anyone.

Then you take your shoes off, step onto the training floor, and join in.

Can parents stay and watch?

Yes — and we would encourage it, especially for a first lesson. You are welcome to stay for the whole session. Plenty of parents do, and a good number of them end up joining in themselves later on.

What the class involves

The session runs from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It starts with a warm-up and gentle stretching, then moves into our structured syllabus: basics, technique, and whichever of the five disciplines we are focusing on that week. There are breaks. Everyone trains together, from complete beginners to black belts, with the instruction adapted to each student.

Nobody expects you to know anything. You will not be asked to spar, you will not be expected to keep up, and you will not be the only person who has just started. If something is beyond you on day one, an instructor will give you something else to work on.

Nervous? That is normal

Almost everybody is nervous walking in, adults included. Our students are used to it and are genuinely good at making newcomers welcome — it is the thing people mention most often about this club. If your child is anxious, tell an instructor when you arrive and we will keep an eye on them.

At the end

We bring everyone back together to finish. Afterwards, have a word with an instructor — ask anything you like, and there is no pressure to decide anything on the spot. Come back next week if you enjoyed it. That is it.

You are covered by the club's insurance for your first four lessons, so there is nothing to join and nothing to pay beyond the £8 lesson fee once your free trial is over. Full details are on our pricing page, and more common questions are answered in our FAQs.