Xen-Do Martial Arts
BEST FOR
Ages 4-15
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Kickboxing classes for ages 4 to 15, split by age and belt, with a free trial class to try before you join.
Kickboxing for kids, taught in age bands: Little Champs for 4 to 6, Junior Champs for 7 to 10, and a separate class for 11 to 15s. They learn basic kicks, punches and combinations, and the classes are non-contact, so nobody's getting thumped on a first visit. There's a "Learn to Spar" class too, which is controlled light continuous sparring for those further along.
Classes run about an hour, which is about right for a four-year-old's attention span and still a proper session for a teenager. It's a dojo rather than a drop-in, so everything's booked through your login and grouped by age and belt level. That's the faff: you can't just turn up to any class that suits your Tuesday. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian along for the first lesson.
Money-wise, group membership works out between £10 and £22 a lesson depending on the type of membership, how many sessions a week and which dojo you join. Memberships are minimum-term contracts and any closures get added to the end of the term rather than refunded, which is worth knowing before you sign. There's a free trial class to book first, and the first month is free on a Personal membership.
Come in loose clothing, tracksuit trousers or leggings and a t-shirt, plus a clean pair of socks, and bring a towel and water. Birthday parties and team building sessions can be held at the dojo. The Baker Street dojo is in a basement.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 4 to 15, grouped by age and belt level
- Booking
- Free trial class to book before you join
- How long to allow
- Approximately 1 hour per class
- Wheelchairs
- Dojo is in a basement (73 Baker St address)
- Parties
- Birthday parties and team building events can be held at Xen-Do
- Worth knowing
- Get the first month free on a Personal membership
- Classes are grouped by age and belt level, so your child's slot depends on both
- Members book each class through their login, not by turning up
- A parent or guardian has to be there for an under-18's first lesson
- Memberships are minimum-term contracts and closures are added to the end of the term
- First month free on a Personal membership
Plan your visit
How do we try it without committing?
There's a free trial class you book before joining. Do that first, then decide on a membership.
What ages do the classes cover?
4 to 6 in Little Champs, 7 to 10 in Junior Champs, and a separate class for 11 to 15s. Children are grouped by age and belt level.
How much does it cost?
Group membership runs between £10 and £22 per lesson, depending on the membership type, how many sessions a week you take, the length of membership and which dojo you join.
Do we have to book each class?
Members book in via their login on a fixed dojo timetable. You're not walking into any class you fancy.
Do I need to stay for the lesson?
Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for their first lesson. After that it's a normal class drop-off.
What should they wear and bring?
Loose clothing such as tracksuit trousers or leggings and a t-shirt, plus a clean pair of socks. Bring a towel and a bottle of water.
Is it contact sparring?
Classes are non-contact, built around kicks, punches and combinations practised with a partner. The Learn to Spar class is controlled light continuous sparring for those further on.
Can they do a birthday party there?
Xen-Do hosts birthday parties as well as team building events, so it's worth asking about dates.
What if they're ill and miss a class?
Call the dojo within 8 hours of the class start and you won't lose the class. Otherwise standard late cancel rules apply.
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