Getting Started at Praetorian MMA

If you are reading this, there is a good chance you have already searched for us, looked through the website, and started wondering whether Praetorian MMA is the right place for you or your child.

That first step matters. It also means you already have something in common with every person who walks through our doors for the first time.

Almost everyone starts in the same place. They look online first. They wonder what the people will be like. They wonder whether they will fit in. They wonder whether they are fit enough, confident enough, experienced enough, young enough, old enough, or whether they are going to feel out of place.

That is normal.

This page is here to guide you through the first step, explain what happens next, and help you choose the right starting point at Praetorian MMA.

You Are Not Starting Alone

The most important thing to understand is this: every person training at Praetorian MMA was new once.

Every adult, every parent, every child, every teenager, every competitor, every coach and every member had a first day. They all had to walk in for the first time. They all had questions. Many of them felt nervous. Many of them were unsure.

That is why you should not feel alone at this point. You are not heading towards a room full of people who are different from you. You are heading towards a team of people who have already been where you are now.

This should hopefully start to create a little bit of comfort. If it does not, that is where we want you to reach out and speak to us.

If You Feel Nervous, Speak To Us First

You do not need to have everything worked out before you contact us. You do not need to know which class is right. You do not need to understand the difference between Gi, NoGi, MMA or Kickboxing. You do not need to know whether your child should start in Juniors, Teens or another programme.

That is what we are here for.

If you want the easiest first step, you can send us a text. If you prefer to write things down properly, you can email us or use the contact form on the website. If you want to speak to someone directly, you can call us.

When you call, we will answer if we can. If we cannot answer straight away, we will call you back.

You may speak with Kelly first. Kelly handles a large amount of the club admin and can answer most basic questions. If you need to speak to a coach, she can point you in the right direction or arrange for someone like Martyn to speak with you properly.

Martyn has been around martial arts for many years and can talk you through the classes, the pathways, the first session, the worries people normally have and what the best starting point is likely to be.

If needed, we can also arrange for you to come down and be met by a coach. You can visit the club when it is quiet, see where everything is, ask questions, and get comfortable before stepping into a class.

Some people need that. There is nothing wrong with it.

Choose The Right Starting Point

Once you are ready, the next step is choosing how you want to begin. Most people will start with either a free trial or one of our structured pathway offers.

The 7 Day Free Trial is a simple way to come in, try classes, meet the team and see whether Praetorian MMA feels right for you.

The Junior Pathway, Teen Pathway and Adult Pathway are more structured starting points for people who already feel ready to begin properly and want a clear route into training.

Find The Class That Fits You

You may already know what you want to train. You may have searched for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, Kickboxing or martial arts for children. You may also be unsure and simply know that you want to start something positive.

You can read more about each main training area here:

Gi BJJ is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu using the traditional jacket. It focuses on control, grips, pressure, escapes and submissions.

NoGi BJJ is grappling without the jacket. It is faster, more movement-based and links strongly into MMA.

MMA brings striking, wrestling, grappling and control together into one complete combat sport.

Kickboxing is a strong starting point for fitness, striking, confidence and learning how to move, defend and attack properly.

What Happens After You Sign Up?

Once you have chosen your starting point, you will fill out your basic details online. You may do this through the website, or we may send you the correct link after speaking with you.

After that, you will be guided to download the Gymdesk app. You can find it through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Once the app is downloaded, log in using the details you created when signing up. The app makes things much easier than using the website because your timetable, bookings and account details are all in one place.

At the bottom of the Gymdesk app, you will see the schedule section. Tap that, look through the timetable, choose the class you want to attend and book yourself in.

You can also view the full timetable here: Praetorian MMA Timetable.

Your Free Trial Starts When You Attend

One of the best parts of the way we set up the free trial is that your trial starts when you attend your first class.

That means if you complete the form on a Monday but your first class is not until Thursday, you do not lose those days. Your trial starts when you actually begin.

We want you to get the most out of the experience, not feel rushed before you have even stepped onto the mats.

What If You Still Feel Unsure?

If you still feel unsure, that is completely normal.

You may be wondering what to wear. You may be worried about walking in. You may be thinking about fitness, confidence, age, ability, previous injuries, your child’s behaviour, or whether everyone else will already know what they are doing.

These are the same worries people have had before you.

That is why this First Steps category exists. This article is the hub. From here, you will be able to read more about what to expect, what people normally feel, how the first session works, and how those first few weeks usually unfold.

It can sometimes sound patronising when a coach says, “We know how you are going to feel.” It is not because you are predictable. It is because we have listened to hundreds of people who have already gone through the same process.

When you feel nervous, unsure or overwhelmed, there is a very good chance someone before you felt the same way and still became part of the team.

The First Six To Twelve Weeks

The first few weeks are not about being perfect. They are about showing up, learning the environment, getting used to the people and slowly building confidence.

Most people start by feeling nervous. Then they begin recognising faces. Then they realise nobody is judging them. Then they start learning names, understanding the class structure and feeling more comfortable.

Over time, the gym stops feeling like somewhere new and starts feeling like somewhere you belong.

That is where the community starts to build. That is where the support becomes real. That is where people begin to understand what we mean by the Praetorian Way.

Support Beyond The First Class

Praetorian MMA is not just a place where you turn up, train and leave. For many people, it becomes part of their weekly routine, their confidence, their friendships and their personal development.

Our coaches and team are there to support you from day one. You can learn more about them here: Meet The Team.

If you are serving military, a veteran or part of the emergency services, you may also want to read about our connection with REORG: REORG at Praetorian MMA.

If you need training kit, club clothing or equipment, you can also visit the shop here: Praetorian MMA Shop.

Start Small, But Start Properly

You do not need to know everything before you begin.

You do not need to be fit before starting. You do not need to have martial arts experience. You do not need to walk in feeling confident.

You just need to take the first step.

Whether that means reading more, sending a text, booking a trial, speaking to Kelly, speaking to a coach, visiting the club quietly first, or coming straight into class, we will help you find the right way in.

From there, you become part of the team.