Burton Kickboxing Academy (BKA) is a Kickboxing club based in the centre of Burton on Trent. Founded by head coach Chris Squirrell in 2006. All instructors are CRB checked and first aid trained. Our members are both male and female and range from 4 to 64 years of age. We cater for all abilities and encourage our members to improve their fitness as well as their kickboxing skills. We promote kickboxing as a sport and train for light and full contact kickboxing.
Key benefits of training at Burton Kickboxing Academy include:
BKA offers kids classes in Burton! BKA’s kids class is all about “practice makes perfect”. In a class your kid will execute a single movement or series of related movements, hundreds of times. This teaches kids that the progress always happens during small improvements
Hello, my name is Chris Squirrell I am the head coach and founder of Burton Kickboxing Academy. My students call me coach and I am a 4th degree blackbelt in kickboxing.
(My history)
I started my kickboxing journey 30 years ago and soon after started competing. Being a fighter became my passion and focus for 12 years, within that time I was fortunate enough to win a ISKA world title and ICO title as well as a European and British honours.
After retiring from competition, I started BKA and I have been coaching ever since (nearly 16years). In that time my students have won many honours and keep the tradition of our academy alive. We are not just a fighting gym – far from it. We are a place where you will feel welcome, make friends and have fun. We are a place where all members needs are met, targets set and a clear strategy to improve each student.
At my academy, all are welcome and pushed to there limits.
A student of B.K.A must learn courtesy and respect for their fellow students and instructors. A student who only thinks of themselves and is inconsiderate is not worthy of martial arts training. Generally a considerate and courteous student will be positive in their outlook.
In a training hall every member and instructor alike must show courtesy to one another. This courtesy is not just limited to the training hall, it should be part of the students nature. Martial arts is not just a mastering the skills that you are taught, it will develop you into a good member of society. A courteous person will find it easy to make friends and difficult to make enemies.
Martial arts is very disciplined in the way a student has to bow when entering and leaving the training area. You must address your instructor by calling them coach or by their christian name, and show no ill feeling or bad temper whilst practicing their art. A student must be disciplined in the skills that they are taught as many of the striking techniques can be extremely dangerous. Discipline has to be instilled to prevent injury occurring to a training partner in executing these techniques, it is through the disciplined training that a student learns not to show off or brag about their abilities, these are qualities that a true martial artist does not have.
A martial art student will undoubtedly develop in time a stronger body and a more positive frame of mind. A student who starts training who is physically weak will gradually become stronger, braver and more confident and it will be quite obvious that in the students mind a great deal will have been accomplished. Co-ordination through the physical training will also be improved especially as some of the techniques at first seem quite complicated, but with diligent practice they become much easier. As the student becomes fitter and stronger concentration levels will improve which will add benefits in school for children, or in the work place for adults.
Martial arts does not need to use weapons, men and women of any age can apply it and can protect themselves effectively with little natural strength.