Question 1

How do I get started?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way is to claim your free trial. Go to warriorstrengthmartialarts.gymdesk.com/signup to create your account. Once you're set up, log in, select 'Visitor' as your visit type, and book a class labeled 'FREE TRIAL | 1 DAY PASS'. Show up and we'll take care of the rest.

Question 2

Is the free trial really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. No setup fee, no credit card, no strings. Come try a class, meet the coaches, feel the environment. If it's right for you, we'll talk about membership after your visit.

Question 3

How much does membership cost?

Accepted Answer

Membership pricing is available on our Membership page. All prices listed are before tax. There is no setup fee.

Question 4

Is there parking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, free parking is available at our facility. Please respect neighboring businesses and use designated spaces only.

Question 5

How do I check in for class?

Accepted Answer

Check-in is done through the GymDesk app before you arrive or at the front desk when you get there. Walk-ins are not guaranteed a spot — we recommend booking ahead to secure your place.

Question 6

Do I need my own gear to start?

Accepted Answer

Not for your first sessions. We have loaner gear available. As you continue training, your coaches will help you identify what to purchase for your specific discipline.

Question 7

What should I wear to my first class?

Accepted Answer

Comfortable athletic clothing. For Muay Thai or Boxing, shorts and a t-shirt work fine. For BJJ, wear athletic wear that covers your knees and elbows. No shoes on the mats.

Question 8

Can children train here?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer Youth Muay Thai and Youth BJJ for younger athletes. These programs are built around age-appropriate development — discipline, coordination, respect, and confidence.

Question 9

Is Muay Thai good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Completely. Our fundamentals track is built for people with zero experience. You learn stance, guard, footwork, and basic combinations before anything else. The pace is structured — not overwhelming.

Question 10

Do I need to be in shape before I start?

Accepted Answer

No. Muay Thai will get you into shape. Show up where you are. The conditioning develops as part of the training — not as a prerequisite for it.

Question 11

What makes your Muay Thai different?

Accepted Answer

Lineage. Our program traces directly through Kru Yai Belton Lubas to Ajarn Suchart of Siam No. 1 in Thailand. That means the curriculum reflects traditional Muay Thai methodology — timing, rhythm, clinch, and the full use of all eight weapons — not a commercialized version of it.

Question 12

Who is Kru Yai Belton Lubas?

Accepted Answer

Kru Yai Belton Lubas is the head of our Muay Thai lineage. His training traces to Ajarn Suchart and Siam No. 1 — one of Thailand's most respected Muay Thai schools. His influence directly shapes how we teach the art here in Bellevue.

Question 13

What lineage does your Muay Thai come from?

Accepted Answer

Our lineage runs through Kru Yai Belton Lubas → Ajarn Suchart → Siam No. 1, Thailand. This is a direct, verifiable line of transmission — not an assembled curriculum.

Question 14

Is sparring required?

Accepted Answer

No. Sparring is an option for those who want it, not a requirement. Many students train long-term for fitness, technique, and discipline without ever sparring.

Question 15

Is BJJ good for self-defense?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and arguably one of the most practical systems available. BJJ teaches you to control a situation on the ground using leverage rather than damage. The ability to manage, neutralize, and safely exit a physical altercation is a real and functional skill.

Question 16

What's the difference between Gi and No-Gi?

Accepted Answer

Gi BJJ uses the traditional uniform — the collar and sleeves become grips, adding a layer of technical complexity. No-Gi uses shorts and a rash guard and focuses on body control without fabric grips. Both develop important skills. We offer both formats.

Question 17

How long does it take to progress in BJJ?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your consistency and how you train. Most practitioners see meaningful functional improvement within 6–12 months of regular training. BJJ is a long-term discipline — blue belt typically takes 1–2 years. The journey is the point.

Question 18

Is BJJ beginner-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our fundamentals track is specifically designed for those new to grappling. You won't be thrown into advanced rolling sessions before you have a foundation. We take the development seriously.

Question 19

Do I need to be strong or athletic?

Accepted Answer

No. BJJ is built on leverage and position — not strength. Smaller, less athletic practitioners regularly outperform larger, stronger ones when the technique is sound. That's the point of the art.

Question 20

What is Balintawak?

Accepted Answer

Balintawak is a close-range weapon-based system from Cebu, Philippines, developed by Grandmaster Venancio 'Anciong' Bacon. It's characterized by its one-on-one responsive training method (cuentada) and emphasis on economy of motion, timing, and reaction at close quarters.

Question 21

Who is Bobby Taboada?

Accepted Answer

Grand Master Bobby Taboada is one of the foremost international representatives of Balintawak Eskrima. A direct student of the Balintawak system, he has spent decades teaching and preserving its authentic methodology outside the Philippines. Our FMA program operates under his lineage.

Question 22

Do you train with actual weapons?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Balintawak training uses the rattan stick as the primary training tool. Students progress through single stick, followed by empty-hand applications derived from weapon principles. Knife defense concepts are also addressed within the curriculum.

Question 23

Is FMA practical for real-world situations?

Accepted Answer

Balintawak is built on practical principles — not patterns or choreography. The cuentada training method develops real-time reactivity under unpredictable conditions. The empty-hand applications are direct extensions of weapon mechanics, making the system applicable beyond the training floor.

Question 24

Do I need prior martial arts experience for FMA?

Accepted Answer

No prior experience is required. Balintawak is taught progressively, beginning with basic footwork, grip, and striking mechanics. Prior martial arts experience can be helpful but is not a prerequisite.

Question 25

Do you teach real boxing — or is it boxing-fitness?

Accepted Answer

Real boxing. We focus on technical fundamentals: stance, footwork, guard, combination mechanics, and defense. It's not a cardio class with boxing movements — it's structured boxing instruction that happens to also get you into excellent shape.

Question 26

Is sparring required?

Accepted Answer

No. Sparring is available for those who want it and are ready for it — but it is never mandatory. You can develop strong technical skills and excellent conditioning through pad work, bag work, and partner drills without sparring.

Question 27

Can complete beginners join?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every session accommodates beginners. The curriculum is progressive — you start with the fundamentals and build from there. There's no assumed knowledge.

Question 28

How is your Boxing different from a regular gym?

Accepted Answer

Structure and attention to technique. Most commercial gym boxing classes focus on conditioning using boxing-shaped movements. Our program teaches boxing as a skill — footwork, angles, timing, and the mechanics of each punch — with the conditioning as a byproduct.

Questions. Answered.

General Questions

Muay Thai

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Filipino Martial Arts

Boxing