Frequently asked Questions and Answers

Q: If I have a free trial lesson, am I obliged to join the school?
A: No. The trial lesson is obligation-free and there are no charges for this introductory session.

Q: How long will the free trial lesson last?
A: Free trial lessons vary in length from school to school. If you would like to find out more about the school itself, you can either visit the school’s website or telephone the school direct. Contact details for the school can be found in the ‘find a school’ directory in the main menu.

Q: Will I have to pay anything on the day?
A: No. There should be no charge for the introductory lesson and there will be no hidden charges.

There will only be a fee if you choose to join a school, after your initial introductory lesson. Fee structures vary by school. Speak to the school direct if you would like to find out more about their class pricing or membership fees.

Q. What should I wear on the day?
A: We generally recommend that you wear loose comfortable sports clothing, such as a tracksuit for your trial lesson. There is no need for specialist martial arts clothing.

The special suits are only generally required if you choose to join a school. Schools often provide free suits when you join. Check with your school first if you have any queries.

Q: Do I need to bring anything on the day?
A: Apart from wearing the right clothes, there is nothing you particularly need to bring with you on the day. Changing and refreshment facilities vary by school and so we advise that you come prepared in case there are limited facilities avaiable. For example: bring a bottle of water.

Q. I’d like to bring a friend with me to the lesson. Can I do this and would they have to pay?
A: If you’d like to bring a friend, they will need to register on the website and make a separate lesson booking.

In many cases, several free trial lessons can be available in any one class. However, as free trial lessons are offered subject to availability, we cannot guarantee that there will always be space for extra attendees, within the same class.

If you would like to attend together with someone else, it is generally advisable to book your trial lessons at the same time.

Q. What happens if I need to cancel my booking?
A: If you need to cancel your booking, please let us know by calling 0115 9455030 quoting your booking reference number.

This is so we can offer your space to someone else as there is often limited availability for free trial lessons, in certain schools.

Q. What if there are no schools near me?
A: NEST have several hundred member schools across the UK and so in most cases, there is likely to be a school near you.

If however you are struggling to find a local school, contact us by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it telling us where you would like to train.

Sometimes, we have members who do not currently feature on our website we can put you in touch with.

Q. What if the school I have requested on a particular day is fully booked?
A: You have two choices. You can either choose another school to attend or make another booking with your original choice of school, on a different day.

Q. If I have a free trial lesson at a particular school and don’t like it, can I book another free trial lesson at another school?
A: Yes. The purpose of the free trial lesson is for you to find a martial art style and a school that you love.

In most cases, people choose the school they first try but if for whatever reason you would like to try another school, simply book another lesson through the booking system in the same way as you did with the first school.

Q. Will the school be appropriately insured if I am only going for a free trial lesson?
A: It is the school’s responsibility to ensure that anyone attending a class is adequately insured. If you would like to see evidence of a school’s insurance, ask to speak to the Chief Instructor who will happily make this available for you to see.

Q. If I would like to try another lesson after my initial free trial, can I do this without joining as a permanent member of the school?
A: Almost all schools require students to become members if they wish to continue lessons after the free trial lesson. However, all schools differ and your chosen local school may offer an extended introductory period.

When you attend your lesson, ask the instructor what the school’s membership policy is. They will be able to tell you about the different schemes that they run, for both adults and children.