Are you looking to join your local karate club or have you already taken the first step and signed up? If you haven’t visited your local martial arts school yet, you’re probably wondering what a typical karate class looks like. This article will break down the main elements of a good karate class.

Obviously, not all clubs will follow this format and within each martial arts school the weekly classes will change as well, but this is intended as a guide to what to expect in general.

Classes also vary in length, from short 30-minute classes for young children to classes of 1 hour or more for older children, teens, and adults. The following example is based on a one hour class and not all of these items will be covered in every lesson.

1. Formal etiquette Most karate schools adhere to some kind of formal etiquette at the beginning and end of each class. This practice can be attributed to traditional Asian culture, where bowing and formal singing are often used to begin and end any type of structured activity. Depending on your chosen karate school, you might see the full routine of formal etiquette that includes kneeling, bowing, and the verbal recital of the school’s creed to a more relaxed approach of informal applause followed by the words “Let’s get started.”

2. Warming up and stretching Before any type of physical activity it is highly recommended to warm up and stretch. It is often a good idea to end the activity with more stretching (sometimes called a warm-up). Karate is a very physical activity, so it should be obvious that a warm-up is an integral part of every lesson.

3. Practice of basic techniques Immediately after the warm-up is over, many karate classes begin with basic practice. This includes punching stances, punches, kicks, blocks and punches in place and up and down the floor with the focus on multiple repetitions of the main techniques required for each level of range.

4. Practice of forms The forms are predefined sequences of techniques that a practitioner must memorize. Forms are often a primary requirement for each test and help the practitioner understand how different techniques fit together and integrate into sets of techniques. There are many different ways and each has an established pattern with a central focus.

They are often compared to the martial arts equivalent of a dance routine, but most forms have application exercises that accompany them and show how each technique can be used against an opponent in a self-defense situation.

5. Short break Depending on the duration and intensity of each class, practitioners often have the opportunity for a short “water break.”

6. Pair Work Exercises These types of exercises are often one of the fun parts of a karate class because practitioners can practice their techniques with an opponent to see how they are used and exercise the appropriate reactions to different types of attacks. Pair work drills are not always limited to two people, but can often include multiple opponents or group training drills. This generally depends on the creativity of the instructor and the general level of the class.

7. Pads and targets An important part of karate training is practicing your techniques against different types of targets. These lenses include soft or hard focus lenses, body shields, hanging bags or the most popular freestanding Wavemasters, plastic sheeting, and even wooden planks from time to time. Pads and targets are usually a lot of fun for everyone involved and give you a real feel for what it feels like to hit a target.

8. Conditioning exercises This is really where your fitness level can dramatically improve. Conditioning exercises include running, jumping, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks, star jumps, squats, relays, and any number of resistance-focused activities. Depending on the level of the class and the age group, these exercises are not always for the happiest, but you wanted to get a good workout, didn’t you?

So simply put, a typical karate class will include some or all of these different elements.

Good luck and best wishes on your karate journey.