Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I am not very flexible. Will I still be able to do Savate?
A: Yes. Most people start off without great flexibility, but improve as they train. We incorporate stretches and strength exercises into our classes and, before you know it, your range of motion will have improved.

Q: Do I have to be young to practice?
A: No. Anyone 18 years or above can come and learn Savate.

Q: Do you teach children?
A: The minimum age to train at London Savate is 18 - sorry, we don't have a kids class yet.

Q: Do women practice Savate?
A: Many women train with us and Savate is practised by both men and women all over the world. As we train for Assaut Savate - a game of touch in which brute force is not a factor - a lot of women like this style of fighting.

Q: Where and when do you train?
A: We train on Monday nights at Bankside and Thursday nights in Waterloo (see timetable).

Q: Why do you wear shoes?
A: Savate started from two French kicking styles that each used shoes. On the streets, or out and about it is more normal to wear shoes, so it is practical for an art to have developed around that. It means in Savate we can be more accurate with our kicks, using the toes, and still protect the foot whilst doing so. If you are not sure about that, think whether an ice-pick or a cricket bat would be a more effective weapon.

Q: How long will it take me to get really good?
A: A young man approached a master and asked:
"I want you to train me and I want to become the best. How long will it take me to master this art?"
"Ten years" said the master.
"That’s a long time," said the young man, "what if I studied really hard and trained every day with all my effort?”
"Twenty years" replied the Master.
(Zen koan)

If you have any other questions, please contact me. If not, then start training now!