A BASILDON martial arts academy is celebrating 10 successful years and is now looking to broaden its appeal in the years to come.

Five Elements Martial Arts, based on Cranes Farm Road, offers a host of martial arts to beginners and experts from as young as three-years-old.

Kickboxing, MMA, boxing and Kung Fu are just some of the disciplines taught by founder and Head Coach Tony Willis and his fellow instructors.

But Willis says learning a martial art is much more than just learning to fight.

“We want to help people gain confidence and show them how much they can do through martial arts,” said Willis, 55, who has been in martial arts for the last 43 years. “And it keeps working. It is not just a gym.

“We have been in these premises 10 years and have grown every year.

“We add classes and have been able to expand the age groups. We can do sessions for three-five year olds while the higher end tai-chi sessions sees some people well into their 80s taking part.

“It has never been just about learning a new sport.”

The club has gathered around 300 members in the last 10 years, with beginners classes held throughout the year in a bid to welcome new members.

Five Elements also has an academy in Felixstowe, with another opening in Braintree next month.

Instructor Wes Scott, 29, says the schedule, while demanding, is hugely enjoyable for all involved.

“I’ve been here eight years and the last three as an instructor,” he said. “It is not a big place but everyone here loves what they do. There is a common goal.

“One of the most significant things about us is it is not all about competing. It gives you self confidence. Most people are scared of confrontation in many situations but if you take that away your confidence soars as you are not worried about the physical element of confrontation.

“Not just that, it is good socially as well. It’s a blank slate as you get to know people in that environment and that environment alone.

“You work hard and you get somewhere. After school and university you can stop learning and it is good to keep learning and it is humbling as well. And there is nothing more humbling than getting kicked in the head!”

The Basildon academy offers a number of different sessions - with more than 30 classes a week across a number of disciplines.

For full details or to sign up to the five week boxing course, beginning on Thursday, March 2, visit 5-elements.co.uk.

MY VIEW - By LUKE LAMBERT

I HAVE never been much of a fighter.

And by that I mean I have never been in a fight of any kind and don’t relish any sort of confrontation.

I am sure there have been plenty that have felt like giving me a clump, especially since I became a journalist, but it is not for this reason I decided to try my hand at kickboxing at 5 Elements Martial Arts Academy.

I have always thought everyone should receive some form of basic martial arts training and this feeling has increased since I took part in the five-week beginners course.

Echo:

I was slightly apprehensive on arrival - a feeling that intensified after watching the final moments of the full-time class - although this was short-lived.

Instructor Wes, helpful and patient throughout, outlined the course before the group got straight into it. The first hour-long session revolved around footwork, positioning and basic pad work - including jabs, knee raises and front kicks.

I partnered up with Connor and I was amazed at a) how much we learnt and b) how quickly the session went. After some sprints and stretches that was it for week one.

The following weeks followed a similar pattern albeit at a higher tempo and with added moves thrown into the mix.

I learned quad kicking was one of the best ways to stop an opponent in their tracks, while we began to incorporate punches - with the jab, jab cross, hook, upper cut combo a particular focus.

I think I can speak for most of the class in saying we learned a great deal in a short space of time. And enjoyed ourselves too.

I for one will be going back.