We’re often asked if BMABA instructor or student insurance will work for those who are personal trainers, boxercise coaches or fitness instructors, to combine the two when teaching a client or class. Unfortunately, like most things insurance, it isn’t black and white.

We cover Martial Arts Based Fitness, as well as style based variations – such as Fitness Kickboxing etc. You need to ask us to endorse this to your approved discipline list and/or insurance before you teach. There’s no set definition for martial arts based fitness, so we phrase it as;

"exercises and fitness training conducive to a wider martial arts programme, that utilises body-weight exercises only (press-ups, situps etc) with the exception of basic fitness equipment, as per the equipment available from BlitzSport, Bytomic etc. This isn’t clearly defined, but would include skipping ropes, medicine balls and so on. It would not include any freeweights, machines, rowers etc."

The general principle is that the exercises taught are largely body based, and don’t require or involve specific long-term fitness planning. For example, asking students to undertake laps of the hall, do some press ups and then do 60 second bursts on the pads with a focus on cardiovascular performance is absolutely part of a martial arts training programme. The equipment used is minimal and acceptable. You’re also providing a ‘generic fitness’ session.

The opposite would be to work out a set of specific techniques, routines and sets for a client on a one to one basis to target stomach fat, and to improve lean muscle mass.

We hope the distinction between the two in terms of relevance to martial arts and expertise needed is obvious.

Some examples of body based exercises include;

Some basic accessory based training might include;

Where it would become unsuitable might be;

It’s important to ensure you are properly trained or experienced in the exercises you are delivering as part of your class. Remember to ensure no weight bearing exercises are taught to students under 16 years of age, and ensure everyone has plenty of time to rest and take on water, working only to their own ‘maximum rate’.

Whilst the insurer does not break down the explicit expectations around stretching, we employ the term 'Martial Arts Based Stretching' to be defined as "any teaching - whether component within a class or standalone - that works to develop core, static or dynamic flexibility throughout a full or partial range of motion, in the general furtherance of fitness, conditioning and health constructive to further martial arts endeavour." Instructors delivering dedicated stretching would be expected to have a dedicated qualification or training in Stretching specifically, otherwise martial arts generic stretching would be broadly appropriate for all sessions.

If you’re teaching personal training, PT, HIIT training or any other type of dedicated fitness training or personal training which incorporates martial arts, our cover can apply to the martial arts element but not the personal training and it must stay within the remit specified above. For example, if you’re working as a PT with a client who is injured whilst lifting kettlebells as part of a personalised weight lifting programme, your martial arts insurance is not going to be covering that. If, however, during their PT session they are injured doing low kicks on a kicking shield – and – crucially – they are a ‘proper martial artist’ (as in, on-going training and not just being allowed to throw low kicks without training) the insurance should step in however we would still recommend you take out separate personal trainer’s insurance. A big part of personal trainer’s insurance is cover for the advice you’re giving, as well as the direct supervision.

We believe martial arts based fitness includes a number of training aides. This can include kettlebells (within reason), weighted balls, skipping ropes, paddles and so on. Think what you could find in the accessory section of a martial arts retailer, and it’s probably fine. If you’re including any non-body based equipment (skipping ropes, balls etc) you must ensure a thorough induction session is undertaken and you need to have clients sign this off.

Full equipment, such as weights, dumbbells, battle ropes etc, would not be.