• How much does it cost?

Town Club: 2 hour training sessions are 5 GBP, or 2.50 GBP for students / unemployed. Members have the option of paying by standing order with rates of 25 GBP per month or 15 GBP per month for students / concession.

AU Club: All training sessions are 2 GBP for staff / students.

Membership to the club / association is an additional 36 GBP per year or 20 GBP students / concession

• Do I have to become a member?

Eventually, yes, for insurance purposes after you have decided that you'd like to continue aikido you need to become a member of our club and association which is affiliated with Aikido Yuishinkai and a member of The British Aikido Board, membership currently costs 36 GBP / 20 GBP concession per year; ask the instructor for a form.

• Do you run kids' classes?

Apologies but no. We only run classes for adults (over 18).

• Am I too young / too old / too unfit to train?

Whilst we'd like to say "No" again, for insurace and safety reasons we cannot accept children (under 18) as students.
And too old or unfit, if you are able bodied enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life then you can train in aikido.
You decide the pace you want to train at.

• What qualifications do your instructors have?

All instructors have "Coaching Level 1" certification from The British Aikido Board.

• What do I have to wear?

Loose fitting clothing and no jewellery, Aikido is practiced in bare feet. Later on (usually because you'll be tired of getting your t-shirts stretched into odd shapes) Aikido training is done in a uniform called a keikogi or 'gi' for short. The club has discounts with the main martial arts suppliers in the UK so please ask your instructor to order any aikido apparel.

• Do I have to have experience of Martial Arts or of Aikido?

No, beginners are always welcome at any time of year.

• Will I have to / get to fight anyone?

No, aikido is not a fighting art.

• Will I have to / get to use weapons?

Eventually, yes. Common practice weapons in aikido include: the jo (staff), bokuto (wooden sword) and bokutanto (wooden knife).

• I'm not sure, can I come along just to watch?

Of course you can! However, please be aware that the instructor might not be able to talk with you for long as they will be teaching a class. Also, Aikido is an art that is appreciated by feel and not by appearances; so you'll get a lot more out of it by stepping on the mat to try it out.

If you have any questions not addressed here, please get in touch. We'd love to have you come join in.