- When and where is training?
- How much does it cost?
- Do I have to become a member?
- Why are there restrictions?
- Am I too young / too old / too unfit to train?
- Do I have to come to every session?
- What do I have to wear?
- Do I have to have experience of Martial Arts or of Aikido?
- Will I have to / get to fight anyone?
- Will I have to / get to use weapons?
Frequenly Asked Questions
Hopefully, any questions you might have will be raised here but please don't hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions.
| Town Club | Mondays 19.30-21.30 | Beach Leisure Centre | Everyone is welcome to attend |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU Club | Wednesdays 20.30-22.30 | Aberdeen Sports Village | AU staff / students only (term time) |
| RGU Club | Wednesdays 20.30 - 22.00 | Studio 1 RGU sports facility | RGU staff / student only (term time) |
| Town Club | Thursdays 19.45-21.45 | Beach Leisure Centre | Everyone is welcome to attend |
| AU Club | Sundays 17.00-19.30 | Aberdeen Sports Village | AU staff / students only (term time) |
Town Club: 2 hour training sessions are 6GBP, or 5GBP for students/unemployed.
You will be entitled to discounted rates once you become a member.
AU Club: All training sessions are 2.50GBP for staff . students.
RGU Club: All training sessions are 2.50GBP for staff / students.
Yes, for insurance purposes after you have decided that you'd like to continue aikido you need to become a member of our association which is affiliated with Aikido Yuishinkai, membership currently costs 30GBP per year; ask the instructor for a form.
These are not our doing but are due to university regulations. Only the respective staff, students and alumni of AU / RGU may train at the AU / RGU university clubs during their respective term times, this is why the town club was founded; so that everyone may practice Aikido Yuishinkai throughout the year.
Whilst we'd like to say "No" again, for insurace and safety reasons we cannot accept children as students.
As a rule of thumb, if you are over 15/16 you can join in but we do not run a class for children exclusively.
And too old or unfit, if you are able bodied enough to withstand the rigours of everyday life then you can train in aikido.
You decide the pace you want to train at.
No, practice is always done at your own individual level, the more you attend, the quicker you'll progress. However you shouldn't feel like you need to progress at the same rate as everyone else, your development is what's important, not other peoples. You will always be taught at your own individual level and encouraged to learn in whatever way is most appropriate for you, the student.
Loose fitting clothing and no jewellery, Aikido is practiced in bare feet. Later on (usually because you'll be tired of getting your t-shirts stretched into odd shapes) Aikido training is done in a uniform called a keikogi or 'gi' for short. The club has discounts with the main martial arts suppliers in the UK so please ask your instructor to order any aikido apparel.
No, beginners are always welcome at any time of year.
No, aikido is not a fighting art.
Eventually, yes. Common practice weapons in aikido include: the jo (staff), bokuto (wooden sword) and bokutanto (wooden knife).
If you have any questions not addressed here, please get in touch. We'd love to have you come join in.