frequently asked questions

We encourage students to attend a minimum of twice a week (unless they are a part of our ministrike programme). Earning Black Belt requires dedication and hard work, and attending training sessions at least twice a week proves highly beneficial for students. This frequency allows for the necessary repetition and practice, fostering engagement and success in making progress. Opting for training at Excel is not just a choice; it’s a commitment to the Black Belt goal and beyond, reflecting a lifestyle choice dedicated to personal growth and achievement.

The class curriculum is adapted to the age & stage of your journey. Each class varies in content to keep training exciting & fun! This could include padwork, bagwork, sparring, partner drills, cardio workouts & more.

If you’re attending your first class, be sure to wear comfy clothes you can move easily in like activewear. When you become a student with us, we’d love for you to attend class in Excel merchandise to add to the community feel of our academy. For yellow belts & above, you’ll need your sparring equipment in classes.

We have classes available 7 days a week. Monday to Friday from 4.30pm to 9.00pm & Saturday to Sunday 9am to 12pm. Please see the timetables below.

We offer a guided introduction to help you Excel through our Excel Assessment. The Excel Assessment is a 45 minute private 1:1 introductory session with an Excel Teacher, designed to assess your needs, build rapport, and guide you towards the best training path. This is more than just an assessment—it’s your first step towards confidence, skill, and personal growth in martial arts.

We ask for a £20 investment for your Excel Assessment to secure your booking and to ensure commitment. This helps us manage availability, ensuring spaces are reserved for those who are genuinely committed to finding out more about our programme.

Tuition varies dependent on the programme. Click the programme tab in the menu bar and select your chosen programme above to find out more.

No. We know circumstances can change and sometimes life gets in the way so we don’t tie you into a contract, all we ask is that you let us know that you’re thinking of leaving us so we can have a chat, sometimes children [and adults] need a little re-motivation as the journey to Black Belt and beyond is a unique journey that has it’s challenges along the way.

Unlike most Martial arts schools, Excel tuition includes all belt testing [Up to cycle Belt] in your ongoing tuition. Some schools also charge up to £100 per person annually for insurance or for what’s called a licence, this is all included in your Excel tuition, so you can be sure of no hidden fees once signed up. You’ll also get access to our student events & workshops, a uniform &  a number of materials to support you and your child at every stage of their development.

It’s never too early to instil positive habits and values. Our program has been carefully crafted to accommodate various age groups, starting from aged 4 years. Our teachers provide age-appropriate instruction, along with parent participation, creating a foundation for a lifelong journey in martial arts

For young children, starting with 1 to 2 classes per week is often sufficient. This allows them to gradually adapt to the routine and enjoy the learning process without feeling overwhelmed. We would always recommend at least twice a week training to get the best out of the programme, especially before transitioning to Juniors.

Our academy values parent involvement in your child’s journey. While parents are typically welcome on the mats, we understand that comfort levels may vary. You’re encouraged to join in, but if there is a reason you can’t, let us know and we’d be only too happy to take over. We have a designated seating area right next to the mats where you can still observe your child’s progres

It’s not uncommon for children to go through a period of adjustment when first starting. Our teachers are skilled in managing such situations with patience and understanding. We encourage parents to be consistent and regular in bringing children to training so they can quickly get into the routine of of their new journey with us at Excel.

Yes, this will be done automatically when your child is ready to transition to Juniors. The Junior program is more comprehensive than Ministrike, offering a greater depth of learning and practice. Earning Black Belt requires dedication and hard work, and attending training sessions at least twice a week proves highly beneficial for students. This frequency allows for the necessary repetition and practice, fostering engagement and success in making progress. Opting for training at Excel is not just a choice; it’s a commitment to the Black Belt goal and beyond, reflecting a lifestyle choice dedicated to personal growth and achievement.

Our junior program incorporates confidence, self-defence, respect & kindness, all essential skills to prevent bullying & help those who are being bullied. Your child will learn how to have a positive self-image, use their voice and carry themself with confidence.

Martial arts is not about violence. Instead, they teach students how to coordinate their movements and use them in a controlled way. Martial arts students increase their strength and flexibility, both of which can help them to handle themselves with confidence.

We understand every child’s needs are unique. That’s why we start with an Excel Assessment, to best understand you and your child.

Following this, we might recommend they start out in our Sensory Friendly Class, a supportive, parent-participation class designed specifically for our Junior students who may benefit from a more tailored approach to training. This class is ideal for children with different needs — including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), neurodivergent children, or those who simply feel more comfortable in a smaller, more structured environment.

Yes, our sensory friendly class is a supportive, parent-participation class designed specifically for our Junior students who may benefit from a more tailored approach to training. This class is ideal for children with different needs — including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN), neurodivergent children, or those who simply feel more comfortable in a smaller, more structured environment. Held in our smaller studio with no music and fewer students, the setting is calm, consistent, and designed to reduce overwhelm. Parents are required to stay and take an active role in the class, supporting their child with pad work and being on hand to provide any emotional or behavioural support they may need. Your presence helps create a safe and reassuring environment, where children can feel confident to engage, explore, and grow. Whether your child is new to martial arts or currently training and needs a bit more support, the Sensory-Friendly Class provides the space to build skills, connection and confidence at a pace that works for them. This class is a short-term stepping stone into our main curriculum, helping every child make progress in the way that suits them best — because at Excel, we believe every child can Excel in Life.

Your child is capable of anything they put their mind to and it’s our responsibility as parents to encourage & believe in them. We will help them and you to develop a ‘Yes I Can’ mentality because the more you believe in them, the more they will believe in themselves.

No prior fitness level is required. Our classes are designed to meet you at your current fitness level, and we’ll support you as you build strength, flexibility, and stamina. Martial arts is for everyone, no matter where you’re starting from​​.

Yes, we love it when friends come in together! Working out together can help strengthen your friendship and help both of you meet new people, too.

Yes! Martial arts offers a full-body workout, incorporating cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises. You’ll build lean muscle, improve endurance, and stay physically fit while learning valuable self-defence techniques​​.

You’re never too old to begin! Martial arts is for all ages, and we have many adult students who started their training later in life. It’s never too late to improve your fitness, mental focus, and self-defence skills​

That’s no problem at all! Our beginner classes are designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of martial arts in a supportive and encouraging environment. You’ll learn step-by-step alongside other beginners.

Definitely! The Ladies Only course creates a strong sense of community where women support and encourage each other. It’s a great opportunity to connect with others who share similar goals for fitness, self-defence, and personal growth​​.

Yes! Self-defence is a key focus of the Ladies Only course. You’ll learn practical techniques that can help you protect yourself in real-life situations, while also building the confidence to trust your instincts​​.

Yes, our Ladies Only course is designed to be inclusive and respectful of all cultural and religious practices. The classes are held in a private, women-only environment, allowing Muslim women to train comfortably without concerns about modesty. We understand the importance of privacy and ensure that the space is secure, with no men present during training sessions. Women are welcome to wear whatever attire makes them feel comfortable, including hijab-friendly options​.

Following the completion of the course, we will assist in helping you transition into a mixed gender environment if you feel comfortable. We can make accommodations for female only partnering, female only contact and modest clothing options.

Yes, we have our Ladies Kickboxing Course Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1263600041721471/

Your safety and comfort come first. If at any point you feel overwhelmed or triggered, you are always welcome to step aside, take a break, or speak to an Excel teacher in confidence. We encourage open communication so we can support you in the best way possible. Our goal is to help you feel empowered, not pressured, and we will always respect your boundaries.

Yes. We work hard to make sure that our camp programme is both fun and educational. Children learn life skills, but we also provide them with tons of activities and opportunities to socialise.

Absolutely! We cater to children of all ages and experience levels. We have beginners attend our camps and then transition to regular classes when the new academic year starts, and experienced young students attend our camps too.

Yes, our Ladies Only course is designed to be inclusive and respectful of Our camps are both intellectual and physical. Our camp activities emphasise the “mind-body connection” and teach children to focus, memorize, and use discipline to achieve their goals – all skills that require them to use their brains.all cultural and religious practices. The classes are held in a private, women-only environment, allowing Muslim women to train comfortably without concerns about modesty. We understand the importance of privacy and ensure that the space is secure, with no men present during training sessions. Women are welcome to wear whatever attire makes them feel comfortable, including hijab-friendly options​.

Following the completion of the course, we will assist in helping you transition into a mixed gender environment if you feel comfortable. We can make accommodations for female only partnering, female only contact and modest clothing options.

Yes. A lot of children with behavioural or attention issues benefit from attending our camp. We build key skills and teach children to pay attention, respect themselves and others, and work toward achievable goals, all of which can help them in the classroom.

Many children do! Children of all ages attend our camps, and many of them start friendships that will last the rest of their lives.