F.A.Q.S
Q: How fit do I need to be to join?
A. People of all fitness levels are welcome. Kenpo Karate puts a high emphasis on physical fitness as we believe that if you are not fit, you will not be able to handle yourself in a situation should the need arise. **If you have any concerns about your health before joining, please consult your physician**.
Q: What specifics of fitness are emphasized?
A. Virtually everything! A typical warm up in class involves stretching, pushups, situps, free weights and cardio drills. Not to mention the fitness benefit from Kenpo itself ( lots of punches, kicks, etc )
Q: Will I be hit?
A: Yes. Our school is a semi contact club. In other words, when you spar, you will be hit. We are not going full contact and trying to hurt each other. But, when we fight, we do throw a respectable shot so students understand what it means to hit and be hit. Students are taught how to absord hits and how to protect themselsves in a controlled environment.
Q: What equipment do I need?
A: After you do a week for free, if you choose to sign up, you will need a gi ( Karate Uniform ) which can be purchased through us. You do not need to invest in sparring gear right away, but the sooner you do, the sooner you can spar. This includes head gear, hand pads, foot pads, groin protector and mouth guard.
Q: How much does gear cost?
A: You can usually get a good, full set of gear between $90 and $150 depending on how much you want to spend. See the links on our “Equipment page” at the top of the screen for more details!
Q: How old do I need to be to join?
A: You must be 16 years or older to join. Sorry, we no longer offer kids classes.
Q: I noticed you run your club out of a school gym. Why don’t you have your own space like some other clubs?
A: We run out of a school gym for several reasons. First of all, renting from the school board keeps our cost and overhead relatively low. This allows us to offer our product for a cheaper price than some schools that need to worry about keeping people in the doors in order to pay their rent.
Also, the amount of floorspace we get from renting out of a gym is far superior to the space offered by most clubs. Whether there are 2 or 22 students at class, there is plenty of room for everyone. Trust us, the advantages are far greater than the disadvantages.
Q: How many classes are offered each week?
A: See the “Location, Cost and Schedule” page our site for more details.
Q: How many belts are there?
A: There are Seven belts: White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown, Black
Q: How long does it take to reach Black Belt?
A: A Black belt can be obtained in 3 to 5 years, although, 5 to 8 years is more typical. The length of time it takes a person comes down to natural skill, fitness, effort and most importantly ATTENDANCE!
Q: I thought Karate students usually wear white uniforms. Why do you wear black?
A: The white gi ( gi is the name for a karate uniform ) in karate is usually a trademark of Japanese martial arts. Being that Kenpo has its roots mostly in China, Kenpo students wear black to symbolize our Chinese heritage.
Q: Most martial arts come from the far east. Are there any religious teachings such as Buddhism or any other religious aspects taught at your school?
A: No.