Your First Martial Arts Class in Trussville: What to Expect
Nearly everyone is nervous before their first martial arts class in Trussville, kids and adults alike. Almost all of that nervousness is about not knowing what happens, so here is exactly what happens.
Wear a t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants, bring water, and arrive ten to fifteen minutes early. You will train barefoot, an instructor will meet you before class, and you will be paired with someone who knows you are new. You will not spar, you will not be singled out, and you will not be expected to know anything. Your first class is free.
What should I wear to my first martial arts class?
A t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants. That is the whole answer.
Two small details matter. Avoid zippers and pockets, because zippers scratch people during grappling and pockets catch toes and fingers. And we train barefoot, so shoes come off at the edge of the mat.
- Bring water. You will need more than you think.
- Trim your fingernails and toenails, especially for Jiu Jitsu.
- Leave jewelry, rings, and watches at home or in your bag.
- Tie long hair back.
You do not need a uniform or a gi. Nobody buys gear before their first class, and we will get you fitted only if you decide to keep training.
When should I get there?
Ten to fifteen minutes early. That window covers any paperwork, gives you a minute with an instructor, and most importantly lets you be standing on the mat when class starts instead of walking in after it has begun.
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 3:00 to 8:00 PM. Kids classes run earlier in that window and adult classes run in the evenings, so check the class schedule for the exact time of the class you want. We are at 139 Railroad St Ste 2 in Trussville, inside PHNX Performance off Railroad Street.
What actually happens in the class?
Every class follows the same shape, which is what makes it easy to walk into.
It opens with a bow in and a warm up, which doubles as movement training. Then the instructor teaches the technique of the day, broken into steps and shown from more than one angle. Then you drill it with a partner, slowly and cooperatively at first, while the coach walks the room correcting people. Class closes with live work or conditioning, scaled to whoever is in the room.
As the new person, you will be paired with someone experienced who has been told you are new. That is on purpose. Their job for the hour is partly to help you, and most of them enjoy it.
Will I be embarrassed?
No, and it is worth being direct about why not.
You will be bad at it. Everyone is bad at it at first, including every black belt in the room, and they all remember the specific feeling you are having right now. Nobody is watching you, because they are all busy trying to get their own technique right.
You also will not be singled out. There is no moment where the new person demonstrates in front of the class. And you will not spar. Contact is introduced gradually, only after you have the fundamentals and the control to keep a partner safe. If you would rather never have contact at all, our Kickfit class is bag and pad work only, with no sparring and nobody hitting you.
What if I am out of shape?
Come anyway, and set your own pace. Step off the mat, get water, catch your breath, and step back on. Nobody says a word about it, and instructors would far rather you take a break than push into something that hurts.
The conditioning follows the training, not the other way around. Adults who wait until they are in shape to start almost never start. If you would rather begin one on one before joining a group, private lessons exist for exactly that.
What about my kid's first class?
Same clothes, same timing, and you stay and watch the entire class. We want you to see it.
Get there early enough for your child to meet the instructor before class rather than being handed off at the door. If they are nervous, tell us when you arrive so we can keep an eye on them. Some kids are on the mat and grinning within five minutes, and some need to sit and watch the first one, which is completely fine. Our kids martial arts program runs for ages 4 to 12 in two separate age tracks.
Booking it
Your first class is free, for kids and adults, with no card required and no obligation afterward. Book the class you want and show up.
If you have a question the list above did not answer, call us at (205) 537-1115. We have taught in Trussville since 2018, we hold a 5.0 rating across 158 Google reviews, and we train students from Argo, Springville, Clay, Pinson, Center Point, and across the Birmingham metro. Wherever you are starting from, someone here started there too.
Your first class is free.
Kids or adults, total beginner or coming back after years off. Step on the mat once, then decide.
Claim your free classFrequently asked questions
What should I wear to my first martial arts class?
A t-shirt and athletic shorts or pants with no zippers or pockets. We train barefoot, so leave the shoes at the edge of the mat. Bring water, trim your nails, and leave jewelry at home.
Do I need a uniform for my first class?
No. Nobody buys a uniform before their first class. We will get you or your child fitted for the right gear only after you decide to keep training.
How early should I arrive for my first class?
About ten to fifteen minutes early. That gives you time to meet an instructor, get any paperwork done, and stand on the mat before class starts instead of walking in after it has begun.
Will I have to spar or fight on my first day?
No. Nobody spars on day one. Contact is introduced gradually once you have the fundamentals and the control to keep a partner safe, and in our Kickfit class there is no sparring at all.
Can parents watch the first class?
Yes, and we want you to. Watch the whole class from start to finish. It is the best way to judge whether the instruction and the room are right for your child.