Welcome to Martial Art Fitness!

Are you interested in finding out how you can develop into the best person you can be? Well then - look no further! Martial Art Fitness is the place for you.

Come and join me for the first step along the road towards self-discovery with the added bonus of improving your physical and mental fitness.

Martial Art Fitness teaches much more than a few punches or kicks - I teach karate as a complete system of personal development, and the disciplines learned can be the basis of a whole new way of life.

Freestyle martial arts is a combination of Taekwondo, Chinese kickboxing, karate, wrestling, boxing and judo and is another exciting way to increase overall fitness levels and to improve balance, co-ordination, body condition and strength.

If you prefer a 1 to 1 approach then I can offer Personal Training sessions at your home or gym. These sessions will be personalised to suit you and to provide the best method of improving your fitness.

You do not need to be super fit or a certain age to benefit from the Martial Art Fitness experience. I welcome all ages, shapes and sizes, believing that anyone, whatever their fitness level or age, has the potential to make that positive step towards a healthier lifestyle through the fun and enjoyment which I bring to my classes.

My objectives are quite simple. I want to help my students obtain real excellence in all areas of their lives. Training with Martial Art Fitness will help you with your general fitness and range of mobility and you may even lose some weight along the way! However, it has important added benefits such as improving your discipline, your self-confidence, and your self-respect.

Please come and join us and transform your life!

"One of the most striking features of karate is that it may be engaged in by anybody, young or old, strong or weak, male or female." - Gichin Funakoshi

The Black Belt is an extremely important achievement in Karate. It represents more than simply a physical skill. It is a symbol of maturity, experience, alertness, and knowledge. I can coach people who want to achieve 'Black Belt Excellence' and take part in competitions. However, I am also very happy to put as much effort into coaching those students who wish to take part in the classes to improve their general fitness and mobility without the pressure of passing belt grades.

I will do everything in my power to assist and encourage you if you are committed to this goal yourself. From years of experience I know that the best way to get someone to achieve black belt status is to set a series of realistic, short term goals. These are the various belt promotions or gradings you will take on your journey towards your black belt.

The gap between a beginner and a black belt is immense and the goal can seem very far away. However, the jump to the first belt, yellow, is within reach for most students and is the first step on the journey. By constantly setting and reaching these smaller goals we develop as martial artists and as human beings.

I emphasise the development of discipline and courtesy in the young students. Respect is one of the core values of martial arts training - we bow to each other and learn to obey the instructions of our teacher.

Karate helps to develop confidence and character by providing the necessary skills to stand up to peer pressure and other intimidating situations in a non-aggressive way.

The movements of karate help to develop coordination, strength, and flexibility.

A positive sense of achievement and accomplishment is developed as each student moves to a higher level of belt. Training for these tests and passing them enhances the ability to concentrate, and overcome any learning hurdles. This is an excellent reinforcement to their study at school.

My programme also includes free-sparring - the sport side of karate. This helps to develop a keen sense of fair play and sportsmanship in a controlled competitive situation.

Karate is an excellent method of self-defence. However, I am very careful to teach my students to be non-aggressive and not to use their skills outside of their martial arts lessons other than in true self defence. The result is a self-confident child, who does not need to bully or show off to other children.

Finally, karate is great fun for kids and a fantastic way to burn off extra energy!

Sensei Hatem 6th Dan
Karate Academic of Shotokan