Faq's
Respectfully; ensuring that your child is clean for their class is not the responsibility of our instructors. As parents, please ensure that your child meets or exceeds the following guidelines:
Fresh Shower: Where possible, please make sure your child showers before attending the class. Cleanliness helps maintain a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.
Clean Exposed Skin: Ensure that your child's hands, feet, and face are thoroughly cleaned before arriving. This reduces the risk of spreading germs or infections.
Clipped Nails: Keep your child’s nails trimmed short to avoid any accidental scratches during training.
Clean Hair: Hair should be clean and tied back if long. This prevents any distractions or discomfort during physical activities.
Clean Uniform: Please ensure that your child’s uniform is freshly laundered. A clean uniform is a sign of respect and helps maintain a professional training environment.
No shoes on the mats.
Absolutely DO wear shoes to and from class, as this keeps your feet clean, and prevents bacteria from reaching our mats and causing skin infections.
To avoid embarassment, do not come to class with dirty feet, or without shoes.
Yes, we offer trial classes for those interested in experiencing our training before committing. However, before we begin, we'd like to understand your 'Why.'
Why do you want to train with us? Understanding your purpose and motivation for joining our community is vital to ensure a mutually beneficial experience. Are you seeking to expand your martial arts knowledge, embrace a new challenge, or find a supportive community to grow with?
We value students who approach their training with an 'empty cup,' ready to fill it with knowledge, rather than those looking to prove something to their ego.
Please contact us to discuss your goals and intentions, so we can ensure that our environment is the right fit for your martial arts journey.
Important for non-members: We kindly request that all interested individuals contact us in advance to schedule a trial session. Regrettably, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins at this time. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated.
Classes are closed sessions unless prior approval has been granted. This ensures safety and comfort for all our students. If you would like to come and watch a class please reach out to us.
We are located at 18A Comet Avenue, Atherton QLD 4883. You can find us behind Harvey Norman, right next to T-Hire. Look for our mascots on the windows!
There is plenty of street parking at that time of the evening as surrounding businesses are generally closed by 5pm. You may also park in the driveway down the side of the building. Please do not park directly in front of the gym sliding doors as this can present an access issue.
For your first class, comfortable workout clothing is fine. If you enjoy your class and wish to continue training with us we will guide you on specific equipment like gloves , rashguards, mouthguards or BJJ uniforms.
Not at all. You’ll find that our classes cater for most ages and experience levels and are the perfect way to build up your overall fitness level regardless of your physical condition.
Martial Arts are generally very safe when performed in accordance with the guidance of our instructors who can specifically tailor your training to your specific needs, if any. That said, we cannot eliminate all risk inherently present in combat sports and strongly recommend that you have private health insurance before you start training with us.
Junior students will be required wait inside for their parents, rather than leave the building on their own.
Why?
1. We have a legal duty of care while your child is with us
While your child is in class and on our premises, we have a legal duty of care to take reasonable steps to protect them from foreseeable harm. Requiring an adult to collect each child from the front door is one of the ways we meet that duty of care. It gives us a clear handover point where responsibility moves from us back to you.
2. We cannot supervise the car park or street
Our instructors can supervise the mats and the inside of the gym. We cannot properly supervise the car park, footpath, or road at the same time.
If children are allowed to walk out on their own, we cannot see:
Which car they are walking to
Whether cars are moving near them, or monitor children crossing the road where between classes there is higher than normal traffic, and there may be distracted drivers.
Keeping children inside until an adult comes to the door keeps supervision where we can actually do it.
In order to maintain a clean and respectful environment, we kindly request all members to follow our hygiene guidelines. These standards are vital for your safety and the well-being of our entire martial arts community.
If you turn up to training anything less than the highest standards of hygiene you will not be allowed to train. This includes; being dirty, smelly or have scrapes/cuts/sores uncovered. This includes uniforms, mouthguards and BJJ belts.
Freshly showered: Please arrive freshly showered, having washed with soap. Cleanliness helps prevent the spread of skin infections and contributes to a comfortable training atmosphere.
Washed and clean uniform: Ensure your training uniform (such as gi, shorts, etc.) is washed and clean for every session. Dirty or smelly clothing can be a distraction and is a clear sign of disrespect to fellow members.
Clean face, hands, and feet: Wash your face, hands, and feet thoroughly before each class. Special attention to these areas can prevent the spread of germs.
Nails clipped and filed: Keep fingernails and toenails clipped and clean to avoid scratching or injuring yourself or others during training.
No jewelry: Please remove all jewelry before training to prevent potential injuries.
Keep personal equipment clean: If you have personal training equipment like gloves, pads, or belts, ensure they are kept clean and in good condition.
Avoid training with infections: If you have a contagious skin condition (e.g., ringworm, staph), you must stay away from training and should note it to an instructor on your return. It would be highly regarded to provide a doctor’s clearance before returning although we recognise that medical conditions are a personal and private matter. If you are found to have been knowingly training with any contagious condition your membership will be immediately cancelled with no refund.
Report any hygiene issues: If you notice any hygiene problems within the gym, including the bathroom or training areas, please report them to staff immediately.
Consider others: Always be mindful of personal hygiene habits that may affect others. Use deodorant, avoid heavy perfumes, and cover open wounds.
At Sentinel Martial Arts, we take pride in maintaining a pristine training environment. Our commitment to cleanliness goes beyond personal hygiene standards; it extends to the very fabric of our gym.
Every day our mats and padded walls are hygienically sanitised using top-grade cleaning products. This meticulous practice ensures that every surface you come into contact with during training is free from bacteria and other potential contaminants.
In combination with our strict hygiene standards for members, which includes hand sanitising facilities on entry, this daily sanitization routine is crucial in ensuring that our gym keeps "nasties" at bay. Whether you are a beginner just starting your martial arts journey or an advanced student perfecting your craft, you can train with confidence, knowing that your health and safety are our top priorities.
Our adherence to these high standards reflects our belief that a clean gym is a symbol of respect, discipline, and excellence, values that lie at the core of our martial arts philosophy.
Your health and the health of our community is our top priority at Sentinel Martial Arts. While we appreciate your enthusiasm to get back to training, we must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure everyone's safety.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a clean and responsible training environment, we have implemented the following guidelines:
General Illnesses (e.g., Cold, Flu): If you have had any symptoms of a general illness, even if you "feel ok" or believe you "are probably fine," we ask that you DO NOT TRAIN until you are completely symptom-free.
Serious Infections (e.g., Ringworm, Staph): If you have been diagnosed with, or suspect that you have a more serious infection like ringworm or staph, we highly regard a clearance letter from your doctor before you return to training. This letter should confirm that you are no longer contagious and are fit to participate in class.
Although we cannot mandate sharing medical information with us, we can deny entry to our gym if we are concerned that you may still be affected by a contagious condition.
When in Doubt, Reach Out: If you're unsure whether you should attend class or need guidance on obtaining a clearance letter, please contact us. We'll assist you in making the right decision.
Our policy is in place to prevent the potential spread of illness and to maintain a clean and healthy environment for all members.
We understand that this can be frustrating, especially if you feel ready to return. However, this approach protects not only you but also your fellow students and instructors. If you're unsure whether you should attend class, please don't hesitate to contact us, and we'll be happy to assist you in making the right decision.
Your cooperation with our health and safety guidelines ensures that our gym remains a place where everyone can train with confidence. Thank you for your understanding and commitment to the well-being of our martial arts community.
Please inform us of any medical conditions or injuries prior to attending class. Our instructors will work with you to ensure a safe training experience.
Absolutely! We encourage students to explore different martial arts like Muay Thai, BJJ, and Kali. Speak with our instructors to plan a training schedule that aligns with your interests and goals.
Yes, our unisex toilet and changeroom is located behind our building. This is used and maintained by Sentinel Martial Arts staff and is unlocked before the start of the first evening class.
As the toilet is not located directly within our building we ask that Parents please ensure your child has used the bathroom before the start of class as it can impact the group if we are required to escort young students to the bathroom mid-class. Alternatively you are welcome to stay for the duration of the class and escort your child to the bathroom yourself if/when it is required.
You can contact us through our website contact form, emailing us directly or by using the facbook messenger. All contact methods are detailed bottom of this page. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all.