Frequently Asked Questions

White Belt FAQ’S

The following are a number of Frequently Asked Questions that new GKR members most often ask.

• What should I bring with me to my first class?
  Things to remember are:

  • Your training pass(QR code).
  • A drink (water or a sports drink)
• What should I do or who should I see when I first enter the venue?

  Its recommended that you arrive at your first class 20 minutes early. Your instructor (sensei) will be there to welcome you and they will take you, and any other beginners through a short introductory talk to get you ready for your first class. They will also be able to answer any questions or concerns you have about training.

• What should I wear?

  You can train in comfortable clothes suitable for exercise. It’s not compulsory for a student to purchase a karate uniform (known as a Gi) immediately.  But should you want to purchase one, uniforms can be ordered through your instructor.

• Why do karate people wear pyjamas?
  Karate students train in uniforms known as a ‘Gi’.

  • They are loose, allowing full range of motion.
  • They breathe, preventing a student from overheating.
• Character Development

  Karate is as much about character development as it is about fitness and self-defence. The karate Gi also keeps this in mind. Most people are aware of the saying that “Clothes do not maketh the man, character maketh the man”.  Unlike many sports where it can become a fashion show, inside the karate dojo, every student looks the same.

  The white uniform symbolises a blank canvas whereby we are judged only by our character and our actions (rather than the clothes we wear)

• How often can I train?

  You can train as often as you like. You will find a Class Timetable in your information kit and you are more than welcome to attend any of these classes. You may also attend classes outside of your Region, in fact in any GKR class in the world!

  While we don’t recommend that you over-exert yourself, like anything, the more you practise the quicker you develop and more benefits you receive.

• I felt really sore after my first class?

  Any time you exercise muscle groups that have not been exercised in some time you are going to experience muscle soreness. Muscle soreness the follow day or even following days is perfectly normal. You will find that the more you train, your muscles will condition themselves to the training and you will no longer experience this.

  You can minimise muscle soreness by eating well and keeping your muscles well-hydrated, ideally by drinking plenty of water. Note that drinking sugary drinks such as cordials, soft drinks, juices, coffee or beer will actually dehydrate your muscles.

• I was very slow to pick things up?

  Everyone will pick things up at their own pace. As with all things, practise is the name of the game. To speed up your coordination, practise at home. Most of all, be patient with yourself.