Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions we have been asked about the club and our martial art. If you cannot find what you are looking for, click on Contact Us.
Q. What age can children start training?
A. We accept junior members aged 5 and over.
A. We accept junior members aged 5 and over.
Q. Am I too old to start?
A. You are never too old! Our club has members who have started training in their teens, 20s, 30s and 40s whilst the Shoto Budo organisation has members in their 70s that train regularly.
A. You are never too old! Our club has members who have started training in their teens, 20s, 30s and 40s whilst the Shoto Budo organisation has members in their 70s that train regularly.
Q. What is Shoto Budo?
A. Shoto Budo is the parent organisation for our club. The organisation has clubs around Scotland, England and Ireland. It is also the name of our martial art.
A. Shoto Budo is the parent organisation for our club. The organisation has clubs around Scotland, England and Ireland. It is also the name of our martial art.
Q. What is your martial art?
A. Shoto Budo is based on the principle of self defence. Although it has it's roots in Shoto Kai karate, it incorporates elements of many arts such as judo, jiu jitsu and aikido to teach as wide a range of self defence aspects as possible.
A. Shoto Budo is based on the principle of self defence. Although it has it's roots in Shoto Kai karate, it incorporates elements of many arts such as judo, jiu jitsu and aikido to teach as wide a range of self defence aspects as possible.
Q. Do you have competitions?
A. No, the emphasis is on self defence and all club members achieving their potential rather than rating against each other.
A. No, the emphasis is on self defence and all club members achieving their potential rather than rating against each other.
Q. How do I get a black belt?
A. The easiest way is to go to Greaves Sports and hand over £5. In training, there is no set timescale for getting from white to black belt. Some people in the club have taken three years, others have taken five or 10 years. It depends on how often you can train and when you can attend courses to grade.
A. The easiest way is to go to Greaves Sports and hand over £5. In training, there is no set timescale for getting from white to black belt. Some people in the club have taken three years, others have taken five or 10 years. It depends on how often you can train and when you can attend courses to grade.
Q. What equipment do I need?
A. For the first month, you can train in shorts / tracksuit trouses and t-shirt. After one month, you can purchase a karate suit (gi).
After this time, we also recommend boxing gloves, MMA mitts, shinguards and mouthguards. Speak to any of the instructors who can advise on the equipment and sizing.
For junior members, we recommend getting a gum shield once the grade of Orange belt has been achieved. This will provide protection against any accidents (usually when we practice ground work!).
The club gets discounts on equipment from Blitz sport so talk to either Hugh or Eric.
A. For the first month, you can train in shorts / tracksuit trouses and t-shirt. After one month, you can purchase a karate suit (gi).
After this time, we also recommend boxing gloves, MMA mitts, shinguards and mouthguards. Speak to any of the instructors who can advise on the equipment and sizing.
For junior members, we recommend getting a gum shield once the grade of Orange belt has been achieved. This will provide protection against any accidents (usually when we practice ground work!).
The club gets discounts on equipment from Blitz sport so talk to either Hugh or Eric.
Q. Is Shoto Budo eligible for my Duke of Edinburgh Award?
A. Yes it is. We have had many members over the years who have included Shoto Budo in their DofE programme as not only is it a physical activity but you can also volunteer to coach our junior members and participate in club demonstrations. Come along and talk to any of our instructors and they can help you put together a programme. You can also find out more at www.dofe.org_
A. Yes it is. We have had many members over the years who have included Shoto Budo in their DofE programme as not only is it a physical activity but you can also volunteer to coach our junior members and participate in club demonstrations. Come along and talk to any of our instructors and they can help you put together a programme. You can also find out more at www.dofe.org_