Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Is Zen Mixed Martial Arts open?

YES! Zen is open at our new location at 32 Colonnade Rd.  However, due to the changing COVID-19 situation and Government requirements, our facility may be subject to mandated temporary closures as directed by the Government and Public Health Units.

2. What is Zen Mixed Martial Arts doing to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission in its facility?

We take the pandemic very seriously and follow strict safety procedures to ensure our staff and students are always safe.  Our facility is focusing on three main areas: 

1. ensuring physical distancing, reducing capacity levels in our facility, and enhanced cleaning practices.

2. All students are required to have their temperature checked and hand sanitize as they enter the facility. 

3. There is a 15-minute time slot between each class to clean high-touch surfaces and mop the mats before the next class begins.

We have brought all three of these important considerations together to create a clean and safe environment. 

3. Despite all the safety measures you have put in place, I still don’t feel ready to come back and train. What are my options?
Even with our robust investments in safety, we recognize that these are unique and challenging times and that everyone’s personal situations are different. You trust us with your health and fitness goals, and if you aren’t ready to come back to ZEN just yet we understand. That is why we are offering a Membership hold with no fee to any Member who requests it.

We highly recommend trying out the classes and experience before you place a hold on your Membership. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised! But if you’re just not ready, that’s okay too.

4. Do I have to pre book or reserve a spot before coming?

YES, you have to reserve online before coming to class. We have a capacity of 6 students to 1 instructor for each class which helps facilitate physical distancing while also guaranteeing an enjoyable class.  We have an online phone app to make your reservations quick and easy.

5. Are you running all three programs, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, and Muay Thai?

Yes, all our programs are running smoothly with the safety procedures we have put in place. Our BJJ classes have now shifted to “Family" Brazilian jiu-jitsu momentarily for the purpose of partnering with someone from your household or same bubble. 

6. Is it mandatory for members to wear a mask?

For the safety of our members, staff and community, we have implemented a mandatory mask protocol. Temporary removal of masks is permitted in limited situations.  Masks may be removed, if desired,  while performing cardio-based exercise during class and drinking water.

7. What will you do if you find out someone with Covid-19 was in the facility?

We have been open and closed many times since March 16th 2020, and we have operated without incident so far.  In the event an employee or member tests positive for COVID-19, the local Public Health facility manages contact tracing and will inform those individuals who may have been exposed to the person who has tested positive.   The club will follow the guidelines of the local public health unit.

Yes, our memberships allow you to come to as many classes as you would like in as many programs as you like.

Yes, we offer a free class to anyone who would like to try our programs before becoming a member.

This is a frequently asked question.  Everyone starts from somewhere and it’s a different place for all of us.   What’s important is that you start a program and work slowly towards your own personal goals.  Our classes are taught in such a way that each person can begin training at their own pace.  We always have lots of beginner students in each class.

No.  Almost everyone who starts our programs has no martial arts  experience.  Our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Karate programs use an internationally recognized coloured belt ranking system.  Our kickboxing  program is broken up into level I, level II, sparring and fight team classes, so that everyone is in the right place based on experience and  ability.

Our classes are 45 minutes or an hour long.  Regardless of the program(s) you  choose, you can expect about a 15 minute warm up that will include cardio and strength conditioning followed by stretching.  After the  conditioning, the instructor will review past class material and teach some new techniques and everyone will practice.

Yes.  Martial arts classes are taught by professional instructors with many years of experience teaching and competing in their respective art.   Safety is always a high priority and it is rare for anyone to get hurt in class.  Our facilities have been designed to ensure the safety of each student and include high quality mma mats on the floor and mats on the walls.

Not very much, but It depends on the program.  For Karate and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu you just need a gi,  which you can purchase when you enroll.  For kickboxing you will need hand wraps, boxing gloves and shin guards, all of which we can also provide you with when you enroll.

We have open training times for both our Brazilian jiu-jitsu and kickboxing programs where you can practice your art on your own or with other students.

Yes.  Our female students understand the importance of learning how to defend oneself while getting fit and having fun all at the same time.  Women currently make up about 50% of our kickboxing and karate programs, and 20% of our Jiu-jitsu program.

We take pride in how clean we keep Zen.  Zen Mixed Martial Arts is professionally cleaned on a regularly scheduled basis.  Our staff and  instructors spend a lot of time on the mats, so cleanliness is very  important to us. Our training mats are cleaned every day with a neutral  disinfectant cleaner that is used widely in hospitals and other medical facilities.  The solution we use is both a virucide and a fungicide to ensure we are able to train with out worry.