A practical guide for complete beginners, parents and families who want to train together, build confidence and learn useful skills in a supportive community.
Published: 29 September 2026
Author: Sensei Rebecca Kane
Starting martial arts as a family can feel like a big step. You may be wondering whether your child is old enough, whether you are fit enough, or whether everyone in your family needs to begin at the same level.
The good news is that you do not need previous experience to get started. At British Kempo Society, adults and children can begin their martial arts journey in a welcoming training environment, learning at a pace that suits their age, ability and goals.
Whether you are interested in Kempo Ju Jitsu, self-defence, kickboxing or simply becoming more active, training together can give your family something valuable: time, movement and progress that you can share.
One training space, different personal goals
One of the benefits of a family-friendly martial arts club is that every person can work towards something different.
Your child may want to improve focus, make friends or prepare for their next grading. You may want to build fitness, learn practical self-defence skills or enjoy a regular activity away from work and home responsibilities. Another family member may be interested in the fast pace of kickboxing training.
You can all train within the same wider community while developing at your own level.
British Kempo Society has been promoting Kempo martial arts since around 2001. Its approach respects the traditional values of martial arts while also welcoming modern training methods. That means your family can learn discipline, respect and good training habits without feeling that you need to understand every tradition before you begin.
The aim is not to turn every student into a competitor. It is to help each person become more capable, confident and consistent.
What does a typical family martial arts session look like?
Every club and instructor will structure sessions slightly differently, but a beginner-friendly class often follows a clear pattern.
1. Warm-up and movement
The class normally begins with simple movement, mobility and fitness exercises. This prepares the body and helps everyone settle into the session.
For children, the warm-up may include games and coordination activities. For adults, it can include light cardio, stretching and exercises that improve balance and body control.
You do not need to arrive already fit. Your fitness can develop gradually through regular attendance.
2. Basic technique
The instructor will introduce one or two techniques and explain how they work. This may include movement, blocking, striking, pad work, escapes or controlled partner exercises.
In Kempo Ju Jitsu, you may learn a mixture of striking and defensive skills, along with ways to move safely and respond to common situations. In kickboxing, you may practise punches, kicks and combinations using pads or other equipment.
Beginners are not expected to remember everything immediately. A good class gives you time to watch, practise and ask questions.
3. Partner practice
Partner work is an important part of martial arts. It teaches you how to move with another person, listen carefully and apply techniques in a controlled way.
Parents and children may be able to train side by side, depending on the session and age group. This can be a powerful experience. Your child sees that adults make mistakes too, while you both learn how to encourage each other.
The focus should always be on safe, respectful practice. Martial arts training is not about trying to hurt your training partner. It is about learning together.
4. Fitness or pad work
A class may finish with a short fitness circuit, pad-work combination or conditioning exercise. This is where kickboxing training can add energy and variety to your week.
If you have been searching for beginners kickboxing, a kickboxing class for beginners or adult kickboxing classes, the most important thing is to find a session where the instructor can explain the basics clearly and adapt exercises when needed.
5. Cool-down and review
The session usually ends with a cool-down and a short review. You may leave with one technique to practise, one question to think about or one small improvement to work towards next time.
That steady progress is what makes martial arts rewarding.
Martial arts for kids: confidence through consistency
For children, martial arts is about much more than physical movement.
A structured class can help your child practise listening, patience, balance and concentration. They learn that improvement comes from repetition and that finding something difficult does not mean they should give up.
Grading can also give children clear milestones. Earning a new belt or moving towards the next level is a reminder that regular effort makes a difference.
Self-defence training for children should never be presented as an invitation to fight. Instead, martial arts for kids should help them understand awareness, boundaries, confidence and when to ask for help. They can learn to use their voice, move away from unsafe situations and treat other people with respect.
Parents often value the wider benefits too: a positive routine, new friendships and a community where children are encouraged to grow.
Martial arts for adults: strength, fitness and practical skills
It is never too late to start.
Many adults begin because they want a new challenge, better fitness or greater confidence. Others are looking for self defence classes that teach more than a few isolated techniques.
Kempo Ju Jitsu can offer a broad training experience, combining movement, striking, defensive skills and controlled partner work. The emphasis is on learning progressively rather than trying to master everything in one session.
For adults, regular training can also create space to focus. You have to pay attention to your movement, breathing and timing, which can help you switch off from the pressures of the day.
You may also find that confidence grows away from the training floor. Standing with better posture, speaking more clearly and feeling comfortable trying something new are all valuable parts of personal development.
Kickboxing for families and beginners
Kickboxing is a popular choice for people who want energetic training with a clear fitness element.
A beginner session may include:
- Basic stance and movement
- Punch and kick combinations
- Focus-pad drills
- Cardio exercises
- Core and balance work
- Controlled partner practice
- Stretching and recovery
You do not need to be powerful or flexible before you begin. The purpose of a kickboxing class for beginners is to help you build those qualities safely over time.
Parents may choose kickboxing for fitness, while teenagers may enjoy the challenge and rhythm of pad work. Some families combine kickboxing with ju jitsu classes so they can experience different parts of martial arts training.
If you are looking online for karate huddersfield, it is also worth exploring the wider Kempo Ju Jitsu and Filipino Martial Arts community in the area. British Kempo Society instructor Stephen Walker teaches Kempo Ju Jitsu and Filipino Martial Arts in Huddersfield, giving local students another route into martial arts and self defense.
Meet the instructors behind the community
Families need to feel confident about who is teaching them. British Kempo Society is supported by experienced instructors with backgrounds across Kempo, Ju Jitsu, kickboxing, weapons training and other martial arts.
Shihan Ben Ledwick, Head of Kempo Ju Jitsu, plays an important role in developing the art and supporting its wider community. His experience helps students understand both the technical and personal sides of Kempo Ju Jitsu.
Sensei Rebecca Kane is a World Champion and Head of Weapons Training for the UK and Europe. Her work focuses strongly on confidence, resilience and practical training for women, children and communities.
You can learn more about the team on the British Kempo Society Instructors page.
Rebecca also provides training and empowerment work through The Dancing Fighter, offering both online and in-person training. Her wider work includes self-defence sessions, community programmes and training designed to help people become more resilient and confident.
How to take the first step
Starting is usually easier when you keep it simple.
Before your first session
- Contact the club and ask which class suits your age and experience.
- Explain whether you are asking about one student or several family members.
- Wear comfortable sports clothing.
- Bring water and arrive a little early.
- Tell the instructor about any injuries, health conditions or concerns.
- Be ready to learn, not to perform.
You do not need to buy a uniform or specialist equipment before speaking to the club. The instructor can explain what you need once you know which sessions are suitable.
It is also helpful to ask how children and adults are grouped. Some sessions may bring families together in one training space, while others may divide students by age or experience. Both approaches can work well.
The most important thing is finding a supportive community where your family feels welcome.
You can read more about the society’s history, values and mission on the British Kempo Society About page.
Build your family’s next routine
Martial arts can become more than another activity in the calendar. It can become a shared routine where your family learns to encourage one another, celebrate progress and keep going when something feels difficult.
Your child may remember the first time you trained together. You may discover that your child is more patient than you expected, or that they are very happy to correct your stance.
Those small moments create connection.
If you are ready to explore Kempo Ju Jitsu, kickboxing training, martial arts for adults, martial arts for kids or practical self-defence, get in touch with British Kempo Society and ask about the best way to begin.
Contact us today, learn more and take your first step towards a fitter, more confident family.
Join the British Kempo Society community and sign up through our Contact page for news about training sessions, workshops, events and future gradings.