Mas Oyama Karate New ZealandNZ
Home › Start training

Start training

Nobody walks into a dojo for the first time feeling confident. Here's exactly what happens, so you know before you arrive.

Your first night

  1. Turn up ten minutes early. Tell whoever's at the door it's your first time. No booking needed.
  2. Wear shorts and a t-shirt. You'll train barefoot. Bring water. That's the whole list.
  3. Nobody hits you. Stances, blocks, and how we line up. Contact comes much later, and only when you're ready.

Common questions

Am I too old? Too unfit?

Our dojo have people training from five to sixty-five. You work at your own pace from the first night. We do build fitness deliberately — the first standard we work towards is twenty press-ups, twenty sit-ups and twenty squats. You are not expected to arrive able to do that. You are expected to keep turning up.

Isn't Kyokushin full contact?

It is, eventually, and only for those who want it. Beginners spend months on basics before any contact at all.

Do I need a gi?

Not for the first few weeks. Buy one once you know you're staying.

What does it cost?

Each dojo sets its own fees, so check your local dojo's page. Your first class is free everywhere.

Can I start mid-year?

Yes. There is no term to wait for and no intake date. Turn up on a training night and start.

Find your nearest dojo Karate for kids Learn Kyokushin