KB CHEERS & CAMARADERIE

Walk into a KB Fitness class in London and you’ll see people training hard. There are punches and kicks, pad work, partner drills, self-defence techniques, KB Kung Fu forms and plenty of sweat. But look a little closer and you’ll see something more: people encouraging, supporting and looking out for one another.

That’s a big part of what makes training at KB special.

Whether members are taking part in KB Kickboxing, KB Self Defence or KB Kung Fu, they train alongside people with different backgrounds, abilities and goals. There is no expectation that everyone should be at the same level. Instead, members use each other’s progress as encouragement for their own.

A high five after a challenging drill, a “keep going” during partner work or a “you’ve got this” at just the right moment can make a difference. Even the stretch time has become an opportunity to get to know the people behind the training, with instructors introducing informal conversations about everything from favourite cakes and recent holidays to how long members have been part of KB.

The support extends beyond the dojo, too. On the morning of a grading, members often use the KB WhatsApp group to encourage each other:

“Good luck Graders! Looking forward to seeing how all your hard work has paid off! You’ll smash it!” – Phoebe

“Good luck graders! Looking forward to cheering you on” – Eva

And those messages are backed up by action. Members come along to train alongside the graders and support them through the experience.

These messages are followed by members being there in person to train alongside the graders and support them through the experience. Once the grading is over, congratulatory messages start to flow, with members celebrating each other’s achievements:

“So nice to see all of the brand new sashes on display! Well done everyone.” – Ryan

“Congratulations, Graders!!! Enjoy wearing your shiny new sashes” – Fredi

The graders themselves also take part in that celebration, congratulating their fellow graders and sharing their appreciation for the experience. Surbhi wrote about “a special feeling being part of the heritage” of KB Kung Fu, while Shreya thanked Kelly and the teaching team for the preparation and support that helped the graders reach their goal.

After every grading, it’s time to celebrate everyone’s achievements. KB holds their social gatherings at a local pub, where all KB members are welcome to join. It’s a chance to spend time together away from training and get to know other members and the teaching team.

KB has its own traditions for celebrating new belts and sashes. During the social after KB Kickboxing gradings, members take a shot in the colour of their new belt – a non-alcoholic shot for those who prefer it, of course.

For Kung Fu gradings, the tradition is rather creative. While KB Kickboxing graders wear their new belts around the waist in the traditional way during the social (another tradition), KB Kung Fu sashes can be worn in all sorts of inventive ways. Over the years, members have created saris, hats and bows around the head or neck, among many other designs. There is plenty of creativity and laughter, and sometimes a little friendly competition to see who can come up with the most inventive idea.

But the social side of KB isn’t limited to grading days or organised socials. KB members regularly thank their instructors in the WhatsApp group after class, recognising the time and effort that goes into their training. They also thank Kelly for creating the school and for the dedication she continues to give to helping members develop.

“The community aspect is one of the things my friends who have never trained in martial arts find difficult to understand. At my former conventional gym, I would arrive, complete a workout and leave without ever speaking to the person exercising next to me.” – Tina

Tina’s experience highlights a big aspect of training at KB. Members work with one another. They learn together, support each other and share the ups and downs of progressing in a discipline that takes time, effort and commitment.

KB members aren’t competing to see who is best. Someone else’s achievement isn’t a reason to feel behind; it can be the motivation to keep working towards the next goal. The aim is not to bring someone else down, but to help each other become better.

That shared experience creates connections. People who might never have met outside the dojo find themselves training together, celebrating together and, sometimes, forming friendships that last for years.

KB is a martial arts school, but it’s also a community.

If you’re looking for martial arts training in London and want to be part of a supportive community, come and experience KB for yourself. Join KB Fitness and become part of the KB Family.