What should I bring to my first Aikido training?

For your first class, comfortable sportswear, water and a towel are enough. No special Aikido uniform is needed to start.

Can I come to my first Aikido class with no experience?

Yes. Beginners are taken in regularly. The first class is a calm introduction to dojo rules and basic exercises.

Is the first Aikido class in Gdynia free?

Yes. The first class at Sesshinkan Dojo Gdynia is free.

First Aikido Training

The biggest barrier before starting is rarely physical - it is practical: can I come with no experience, what should I bring, what does stepping onto the mat look like and will I manage. Below you will find calm, concrete answers.

A new season is a good moment for a first class, but you do not have to wait for it to begin — enrollment in the Polish Aikido Organization is open throughout the year.

This guide covers preparation for a first Aikido class at a Polish Aikido Organization dojo. Etiquette and practical advice are shared; confirm local arrangements with your chosen dojo.

First-training logistics in Gdynia

Monday and Friday, 8:00 PM–9:30 PM — ACS AMW, ul. Komandora Podporucznika Jana Grudzińskiego 1, 81-103 Gdynia
First class free at Sesshinkan Dojo Gdynia — arrive 15 minutes early in comfortable sportswear
Age at Sesshinkan Dojo Gdynia: around 12–13 years

Call: +48 608-019-078 Contact, schedule and directions Aikido training in Gdynia

Racibórz Dojo

Racibórz classes meet Wednesdays, 17:30–19:30, at Zespół Szkolno-Przedszkolny Nr 6, ul. Juliusza Słowackiego 48. Classes are led by Sensei Krzysztof Seget.

Call: +48 724 940 651 · More information about Racibórz dojo

For your first class, bring only what you need

Clothing

a comfortable sports T-shirt,
tracksuit bottoms or leggings with no hard elements,
a clean change of clothes.

You buy a keikogi only once you decide to train regularly.

💧 Small things

a bottle of water,
a towel,
a few minutes of spare time before class.

🧠 Mindset

you do not need to know any techniques,
you do not need to be flexible or "athletic",
at the start, calm and attention count - not pace.

What does the first class look like?

Entering the dojo

You arrive a little early, meet the instructor and get the essential organisational pointers.

Warm-up and basics

First come simple movement exercises, the basics of moving, and elements that prepare you for safe work on the mat.

Paired practice

Beginners practise with more experienced people or under the instructor's clear guidance. You are not left alone with it.

Check whether it is for you

After class you can calmly ask about further training, fees, clothing and training frequency.

Ranks in the Polish Aikido Organization

The student system runs from 7 kyu to 1 kyu. Practitioners wear white belts, and hakama is worn from 2 kyu. See the kyu requirements.

What do beginners fear most?

Do I need to be fit?

No. Fitness is built through regularity. The first classes are not an endurance test.

Is Aikido safe to start with?

Yes, if you practise in the controlled environment of the dojo and follow the guidance. Techniques are introduced gradually.

Am I too old to start?

There is no upper age limit. What matters most is common sense, regularity and adapting training to your capabilities.

What to do before your first visit?

check the dojo schedule and location,
read the page about Aikido training in Gdynia,
see who teaches and what Sesshinkan Dojo is,
if you prefer, write or call before your first visit,
arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Read before you start

If you want to ease into the subject calmly, also read: who is aikido for, is aikido worth practicing and aikido at every age. They complement the practical information before your first step onto the mat well.

Ready for the first step?

You need no special preparation. Just come and see what training looks like in practice.