No. In addition to the Introductory Training you will undergo (in which you will learn/refine our basic curriculum of movements) we actually teach our Strength & Conditioning classes. You will be given instruction and direction every day, and will catch on quickly.

No. In fact, sometimes less experience equals fewer bad habits! We train all levels of strong-minded individual, and we would rather train those that need it than those that already have it.

Once you complete your Introductory Training (usually 3, 1-hour sessions), we’ll ‘clear you for action’. At that point, you can jump into classes! Once we clear you, we are confident that you will be able to participate safely and progressively in our group classes.

Down the line, it will depend on your goals and needs, as well as other factors. A great quote from Mark Twight is, “Don’t do the work if you don’t have the balls to rest.” Contrary to much of the current functional fitness mindset, more is not always more. For new trainees, 3 days a week is a great start. Once you are moving well, recovering properly, and making progress, add a 4th day!

You will start making progress the minute you begin training. You’ll start seeing it in your life shortly after, provided you’re eating like an athlete and not a high-school student.

No. If you lift nothing but 10lb. kettlebells, all you will accomplish is not getting stronger. ‘Bulking up’ happens with LOTS of training, LOTS of food, and LOTS of weight. It’s not usually something that just sneaks up on you. You WILL look strong, have more muscle/tone, and your clothes will fit differently.

Bigger? Yes. Bulk? No. We lift, carry, and swing enough weight for you to get bigger and stronger. We also do enough smart bodyweight training for you to retain flexibility and range of motion. In our version of fitness, one without the other is a half-empty glass.

NO! (Are there bigger capital letters than that?!) If you haven’t been training, there is no reason to start doing long, slow runs or unenthusiastic time on an elliptical prior to starting with us. Come in, learn to move properly, work hard, and the rest will sort itself out.

No, and don’t allow yourself to. Everyone starts somewhere, and a majority of our members began exactly where you are. The group is supportive (but not patronizing), no one will ever look sideways at you for taking your time to learn, and effort is always king. Output will come, but working as hard as you can starts from day one.

Yes. For lack of a better way of putting it, we more closely resemble “old-school” CrossFit, with more basic weightlifting and more kettlebell lifting. We hammer the details, actually teach classes, don’t give a shit about your outfit, promote competition with yourself and much less with the clock or a training partner, and we know that “more” is not simply “more”. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and we know how to make people strong, fast, powerful, empowered, and mentally strong, without throwing you into the fire and simply screaming louder.

While that very seldom happens, if it does it is addressed on a case-by-case basis. If an injury or a positional problem is the issue, it is addressed immediately and specifically. If desire to completed the designated task is the issue, then we expect someone to take a quick re-set and get back to work. Safety considered, once you walk in for the day, you’re in.

Yes. Not only will our brand of Strength & Conditioning improve your ability to perform, endure, and excel in your martial art, but many of our movements are based on positions found in combat sports, striking, and grappling applications.

Yes. Based on goals/needs, equipment available, training alone/with a partner/in a group/ on tour with a band, recovering from injury- you name it, and we can specifically address it. Contact us if you have questions.

Yes. Not all – but many – flexibility/positional limitations can be improved by performing basic movements at full range of motion, and spending the time on the accompanying mobility drills. We are very specific on both position and range, and are always happy to help people improve their performance.

If our style training is interesting to you, and the results seem appealing, you can. Putting forth the effort and attention needed to do things correctly will come naturally, and working in our great group will help you along. We are specific, much of the training is hard, and we are also among the best in the world at instructing, programming, and scaling all that we expect people to perform.

If done correctly, it never gets “easy”. As your strength and capacity increase, you become more confident, and less overwhelmed. The focus needed to make progress becomes a motivator, and not a fear. Just like martial arts, there is progress to be made forever. Who the hell wants “easy”?

No there is not, and no, you are not.

Please be punctual, clean, hydrated, ready to learn, and excited about the progress you are about to make. A strong mind and a desire to progress will take you as far as you want to go at AAAC.