Information about Roche Martial Academy
LS26 8JA, Castleford
Opening hours
- sunday: (closed)
- monday: 9h-21:30
- tuesday: 9h-20:30
- wednesday: 9h-21:30
- thursday: 9h-20:30
- friday: 9h-20h
- saturday: 9h-13h
Our comment from FitFit UK about Roche Martial Academy:
Welcome to Roche Martial Academy, a fantastic family-run center located in the United Kingdom, highly regarded for its friendly atmosphere and expert instruction. Here are some highlights that make our academy stand out:
- Inclusive Environment: We pride ourselves on being welcoming to all ages and abilities, ensuring everyone feels like part of the family.
- Expert Instruction: Our dedicated instructors, Graham and Carol Roche, bring years of experience and a passion for martial arts, helping students not only build skills but also confidence.
- Variety of Classes: We offer a range of classes including kickboxing, boxercise, and karate tailored to meet the needs of both beginners and advanced practitioners.
- Community Focus: Roche Martial Academy is committed to the community, organizing events and supporting students in competitions both locally and internationally.
- Positive Experiences: Many parents share that their children have gained not just physical skills but also life lessons such as discipline and respect.
While most reviews are glowing, a few users noted the initial transition into kickboxing for beginners can be challenging. However, our instructors are committed to helping every student thrive regardless of their starting point. Join us at Roche Martial Academy, where martial arts training is a fun and fulfilling journey!
Roche Martial Academy: Opinions
Fantastic experience: Excellent place for kids to learn new skills, friendly a nice atmosphere to train
Thank you for the great review Stephen
Fantastic experience: Fantastic fun, friendly atmosphere for all ages. My 2 children attend once a week and they love it. Gives me great confidence my kids are learning great skills to protect themselves. They are being taught by the best Graham and Carol Roche.
That's a brilliant review, thank you so much
Fantastic experience: Great family run Academy that has taught my son for near on 10 years. The self discipline, respect and Black Belt status achieved in this time has been very rewarding.
Wow that's a great review, we are happy to see the students developing in confidence and ability. Your young man is a credit to you and a respected black belt member of the club.
Fantastic experience: My son has been been coming for the last 8 months and loves the sessions at Roche. His fitness has really come on Having been sat watching I decided to take the plunge myself in January and do the ladies kickboxing sessions which I ador3. They are paced for anyone. Carol and Graham do a fantastic job and I would recommend Roche.
Thank you for the great review Michelle
Fantastic experience: I have been doing PT with Graham and Carol for almost a year now. I enjoyed the training and it really helps me stay healthy and motivated. I always feel soo refreshed after a good session with them. They are the nicest and hardworking people you will ever meet and it’s great to be part of their little community!!!
Thank you Amy for your wonderful review
Fantastic experience: I cannot recommend Carol and Graham enough! My daughter attends (7) the kickboxing classes and is neuro-diverse. She has been welcomed, the other students are so great and it already feels like a little family with great understanding and support. I love Carol and Grahams no nonsense approach along with bucket loads of humour that would make anyone feel welcome. She is coming along so well and has even got more involved in learning now! 5 stars!
Oh wow Michelle, that's a great review, she is a lovely girl and we are pleased she and you are enjoying the classes and how the club runs...
Carol
Fantastic experience: Great club, friendly atmosphere, excellent training for all ages - a credit to themselves and the whole community
Thank you so much much for your kind words
Fantastic experience: Great place run by great people
Thank you Mark
Fantastic experience: If you want enthusiastic, supportive and knowledgeable coaches this is where you need to be !! Family friendly, lots of laughs and a great group of people to train with and reach your goals. Had the best 2 years thanks C & G x
Thank you for the fab review Rebecca
Fantastic experience: Carol and Graham are great and very skilled and knowledgeable.They have helped my sons development both physically and socially. Sessions are focused on building skill and improving fitness, all tailored to the individual needs of the student. Honestly couldn't recommend them enough!
Thank you for your great review, your young man has really ce on heaps and bounds..
Carol
Fantastic experience: Went for my first boxercise class, which was absolutely brilliant. Great atmosphere and group of people who are so friendly and don't take things too seriously. Was a really good workout, and I will definitely be going again!
Thank you for the great review, lovely to meet you and we will see you in class very soon.
C
Fantastic experience: Such wonderful people! My son learns a lot and enjoys his sessions. So much so I joined up too.
Hi Sarah, thank you so much for your review. Graham and I are so pleased he's enjoying his lessons and benefitting from our lessons
Fantastic experience: Started Boxercise over 3 years ago twice a week Carol gives a great friendly workout , fitness has improved greatly and met new friends. Thank you Carol & Graham.
Great review Elaine thank you.
I'm really impressed with your grit and determination to be fit in your retirement. There's no exercise you won't give your best effort to.
Fantastic experience: Carol and graham are amazing with the children. Would highly recommend. My son absolutely loves going and enjoys it very much.
Thank you so much for your great review, we do enjoy teaching the kids and are proud of how far they have come with abilities
Fantastic experience: Roche Black Belt Academy is a well organised club run by Carole and Graham who have welcomed us into their establishment. Everyone is really friendly and we would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants to learn a martial art or who just wants something different than their regular gym classes.
Thank you for your great review..
Fantastic experience: Started Boxercise 3 weeks ago twice a week Carol gives a great work out and love that I keep meeting new ladies who are all lovely. Thank you Carol
Thank you so much for your great review Jessie x
Fantastic experience: Graham and Carol are brilliant with the kids, the lessons are fun and engaging . My son thoroughly enjoys his classes and looks forward to them every week.
Thank you so much for your great review N is a really nice young man, he always works hard.
C&G
Fantastic experience: My son loves going and both Carol n Graham are amazing with him he has A.S.D / A.D.H.D and can melt down but there brilliant with him thank you guys
K is a nice kid, we never treat anyone different we are all equals and deserve respect, this is one of the core values we instill into all the students..Graham and I pride ourselves on these values..Thank you for your fabulous review..
Fantastic experience: Fitness, skills, techniques, friendships, confidence ... Roche Blackbelt Academy has it all.
You have become a great instructor and member of the team.
Fantastic experience: I have known sensei Graham for the best part of 25 years. I trained with him many years ago and it was an honour to attain my black belt with him. I went back today after all those years and it was like I’d never been away. Graham and Carole are just amazing. I’ll definitely be taking the sport up again. Thank you so much guys xx
It was brilliant to see you back Kickboxing Maxine. You always did give 100% with your training. Thank you for the great review
Fantastic experience: Absolutely brilliant academy, Graham and Carol are expert trainers and have helped my son come on leaps and bounds for over a year now, who is doing great and really enjoys his kickboxing lessons. Would highly recommend this academy to anybody interested.
Thank you for your fabulous review. Really pleased your son is benefiting from the classes.
Fantastic experience: Great club fab classes, fab people. Would highly recommend!
Thank you Kirsty for your great review
Fantastic experience: My son has been kickboxing with R.B.A for 4 years. Graham and Carol are brilliant with all the kids, they have an all in learning technique that quickly makes everyone feel they are achieving. It has helped boost his confidence and self control. Learning life skills along the way. Thank you to all his kickboxing family. Highly recommend.
Thank you Craig for your fabulous review, we are really pleased that Alistair has achieved so much from learning Kickboxing with RBA...
Fantastic experience: I started PT with Carol about 6 weeks ago. Really loving the sessions, they are a good mix of cardio and strength and she always brings something new to the session to try! Very flexible around hours and sets the work out to what you want to achieve! Going to try some of the group classes next!
Thanks for your great review, Grace!
Fantastic experience: I joined Bootcamp over a year ago, expecting to just do one month. I never thought I'd get the exercise bug but I feel so much better physically and mentally when I attend regularly. It's a great group and Carol is a fab motivator. Would definitely recommend... no experience necessary.
Really appreciate your fabulous review Laura, you have fitted in with the group from day one, we are glad you are still enjoying the classes.
Carol
Fantastic experience: Roche Blackbelt Academy is fantastic. Really nice, professional, talented staff. Well run Academy
Thanks, I have only just seen this review
Fantastic experience: I have been going to this club for years and love it. Friendly owners, welcoming members. Everyone has a laugh but works hard. Always walk out sweating!
Thanks Will. Only just spotted this
Fantastic experience: Excellent class for the kids today with new rules and keeping covid safe. A fabulous family run business. Let's keep supporting them
Thank you Debbie, we really appreciate your feedback
Fantastic experience: Great club with amazing lessons and a fun atmosphere. Everyone is made to feel welcome and the competitive success of the students is a testament to the high quality of teaching. Would highly recommend.
Cheers Jacob, we appreciate your support
Fantastic experience: Another fab workout out this evening Carol. Introduced some new workouts...hard but also fun.Highly recommend great bunch of girls
Cheers Adele, we like to keep things interesting and motivated x
Fantastic experience: Just recently started kickboxing classes with Graham and Carol. Have enjoyed some really good work - outs and building up a few skills in a relaxed and positive atmosphere where everyone is accepted regardless of ability or experience.
Thank you for the review Lee. Our belief is that martial arts should be inclusive to all, no matter age, ability or experience.
Fantastic experience: Another fantastic workout with Carol this morning! Totally love Tuesday and Thursday mornings Boxercise class. It puts a smile on my face for the day Wish I’d started coming years ago. Thanks Carol
Thank you Jane, another great session today.
Fantastic experience: Fantastic workout at the ladies boxercise class! Such a great group who all spur you on and its an excellent all over body workout. Carol keeps it really interesting each week with variety of workouts!
Thank you Georgia
Fantastic experience: Just been to my first Boxercise class with Carol this morning. Great instruction and workout and would I would recommend it to anyone looking for a class. A friendly group of ladies who made me feel really welcome. Will definitely be visiting regularly.
Cheers Joanne
Fantastic experience: Go every Tuesday to boxersise, its a fab work out and Carol makes it fun.
You always train hard, and help motivate the other ladies
Fantastic experience: Friendly club with highly experienced and amazing instructors. Everything you want regardless if you're a beginner or at a more advanced level. Roche Blackbelt Academy offers multiple classes, mixed or women only: Kickboxing, Boxersize, Karate and more.... 5+ stars!!!!
Thanks for your great review James, we appreciate your feedback
Fantastic experience: Been training with Carol and Graham for 3 years now and they are fantastic. Great instructors who work you hard. Always willing to give you advice on diet and exercise. You feel part of there family as you are made to feel so welcome and included in the club. Would definitely recommend their club
Thank you for kind words June. We believe in treating people the way we'd like to be treated. Carol Roche
Fantastic experience: Brilliant academy would highly recommend. My daughter attends and they’re fabulous with her.
Thank you Nichola. Ava is shy but she still tries her best. Lots of encouragement needed and she'll get there.
Fantastic experience: Brilliant ladies boxercise class. Best workout ever! Everytime!
You work hard Sarah
Fantastic experience: Great club run by friendly people.
Cheers Robert
Fantastic experience: Love training here. Great bunch of fighters. Fantastic trainers willing to impart their wisdom.
Cheers James.
Fantastic experience: I do kickboxing here I love it ,very professional ,teach you well, work you hard, make you feel comfortable and have a laugh with you It's worth every penny
Thank you carly
Fantastic experience: I attended for the first time today and the work out was hard for some one like me,but worth it and the people were very friendly and the owner was fun and made the class seem less daunting for a first timer with little to no exercise experinece well worth the time and money would definitely recommend and will be going back too.
Thank you. You gave it your all which I though was great but you can take it a a steadier pace until you feel you can pick up the anti
Fantastic experience: Kids have been going 9 month and they love it. They train hard but also have a bit of fun. Brilliant
You have a couple of hard working kids there Anthony.
Fantastic experience: My boyfriend and I do martial arts personal training 3 times a week with one of the clubs young instructors and really enjoy the sessions. They are hard work, but diverse and enjoyable as well. I would recommend the club to anybody who wants hard working sessions that are fun and enjoyable.
Glad you are benefiting from the instructors knowledge. He may be only 17 bi he has been training up to 5 times a wk since he was 6 year's old.
Fantastic experience: I came to the Ladies only Boxercise Plus class the first time with a friend so she could try it without going alone but thinking it wouldn't be my kind of thing. Couldn't have been more wrong and I'm truly converted! I've been coming here twice a week every week for the last year now. Carol who runs the class is so welcoming and makes sure you get a full body workout while keeping it fun and mixing up the routines etc. It's made a massive difference to my shape and strength (for the better!). The girls are all fab and I get a really good workout while having a laugh!
Kylie you have worked hard and your fitness has come on fantastically
Fantastic experience: Been attending roche blackbelt academy with my 6 year old boy and he loves it. Graham and carole are both grwat with kids and would recommend it to all.
Great to have you on the team guys
Fantastic experience: Me and my 2 children, a boy and a girl, attend Roche Blackelt Academy for kickboxing and sometimes I also attend the ladies only boxfit. We all thoroughly enjoy the classes. We moved to the area a few years ago and were made to feel part of the community through the great family atmosphere of this club. Carol and Graham are excellent instructors and have helped us all gain confidence and good kickboxing skills. I recommend this club very highly.
Thank you Jayne. Much appreciated
Fantastic experience: I have known Graham Roche for twenty years. He gave me my first true start in Martial Arts and took me from a complete unfit novice to a confident black belt and competitor. His quality coaching gave me the confidence to train with many other well respected coaches as I have moved around. Graham is one of the most well respected coaches in the region and the knowledge and support he gives his students is second to none. What Graham and Carol have created is a well equipped club with a friendly and nurturing environment. If you want to give martial arts a try you seriously could do no worse than a friendly and authentic place like this.
cheers Paul
Fantastic experience: Awesome trainers. Very professional and very friendly. Good events. And all are welcomed.
Thanks Dean
Fantastic experience: RBA is amazing MY BROTHER IS A TEACHER!
Fantastic experience: I LOVE this club. Started at ladies only Boxercise in January 2016 continue to go to these which are friendly and a great workout. Then took my son for a Kickboxing trial and we havent looked back his confidence has grown the instructors are patient friendly and supportive. It's a real family atmosphere but remains professional. So glad I found this club.
Family friendly is one of our main goals
Fantastic experience: Roche blackbelt academy is an excellent club to be part of. The instructors, Graham &Carol are welcoming to all and have the experience, knowledge and proven track record to push their students to the top. In the three years I was at the club, I witnessed a number of students achieving great things (various belt gradings, world championship status, success at local, national and international competitions etc...) There is great team spirit within the club. A good example of this was seen when some of the students were invited to compete in the world championships in the USA. The club. Ran a number of fundraising events to support the students financially. The club also created amazing opportunities by inviting world class fighters (such as Raymond Daniels) to give seminars. The club gives a lot and is a real assert to the local community. Highly recommended to anyone that wants to learn martial arts, keep fit (body &mind) and be part of a positive thinking group of people.
thanks James
Fantastic experience: 13 years ago at the grand old age of32 I decided I had to make some lifestyle choices and get fit, my son in law invited me to a kickboxing class he raved about, telling me how brutal the training was and how there was no better way to get fit. Home from the lesson and finally stopped sweating I was hooked In the years that followed I have progressed to first Dan, achieved all my drams and goals from multiple English/ British titles to twice winning world titles in continuous All this has been possible thanks to the drive, belief and coaching of Graham Roche who I now.have the privilege to of classing as a friend and coach Not only has he provided me with the skills to be the best I can be on the mats but also in life From that first lesson long ago to sharing a room for this years world championships in Ireland Graham has continued to push me to develop in martial arts Thank you sir.
Your still a young man as you have proved in the 2016 world Championships
Fantastic experience: Great club run by friendly people. I started training because my 10 year old son started training and I was bored with sitting watching him. Sensei Graham encouraged and coached me to my blackbelt, resulting in me losing 2 stone and gaining a load of self confidence. Highly recommended !!!
Your fitness and abilities have grown hugely over the years and a well deserved black belt grading pass last year. 5 years well spent Steve
Fantastic experience: I have trained with sensai Graham Roche for over twenty years he has taught me the true principals of martial arts. Both sensai Carol and Graham encourage and drive each student to better themselves. The skills I have learned there have proved invaluable both in competitions but more importantly in life.
Thank you Chris and in return you have always been a great student, teacher, competitor and friend.
Fantastic experience: My brother and I have been attending RBA for the last 7 years. From the start, our strengths were honed and weaknesses improved thanks to the fantastic tutelage of Sensei Graham and Carol Roche. The club has a great, family orientated, atmosphere which means whether you are a novice or maverick you enjoy each training experience and feel part of the team. Progression has instilled self-confidence in me and improved both mental and physical capabilities. My brother and I cannot sing enough praises or thank Sensei Graham, Carol and other members of the team enough for what they have done for us. I consider achieving my first Dan (black-belt) one of my greatest achievements; the first-hand experiences of training with Sensei Graham show the passion and knowledge he has for the sport and prepared me to the greatest extent. Whether you want to train for catharsis, or to compete, you will always be happy and grateful at RBA.
Thanks Ibi, we look forward to seeing you both back in training once you have finished your studies.
Fantastic experience: my girls have been coming here for the past 6 months and they love it and one of my girls has autism and she is excepted as one of the team which is brilliant
Thank you Kerry you girls a polite and friendly and a real credit to you and the club.
Fantastic experience: A big thank to Carol and Graham Roche for the experience that my little man has developed confidence and disaplin will highly recommended to anyone
Thank you Brent Liams a good kid and he's really started to come out of his shell, he always works hard and tries hi best.
Fantastic experience: I have been going to Roche blackbelt academy for ten years now and have been treated with respect since day one. The chief instructors sensei Graham Roche and sensei Carol Roche have both pushed me to my limits to improve my physical abilities in kickboxing because of this academy I have become British champion 3 times and am going to the world championships next year to represent Roche blackbelt academy. This club definitely deserves five stars and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to start kickboxing or karate.
Thank you Tommy, you have been a fantastic ambassador for the club and an inspiration to the young students who look up to you.
Fantastic experience: We joined Roche around 3 years ago from another quite large Karate/Kickboxing organisation in Wakefield where we were for around 18 months/2 years. I have to say the other organisation did the job it was there for which basically gave my daughter some confidence with a school bully so in that respect it was job done and I wouldnt class it as money not well spent. What started to worry me at the time was the speed in which my daughter was graduating through the belts elsewhere, every 6 weeks she was grading at £30-£35 a time. At first I didn't mind this but started to wonder if this was really done as my daughter was fast tracking and was a natural or they had put extra stripes in to justify extra gradings. Wondering for myself . The next thing that concerned me was a club event which was run by the club and my daughter fought in a competition that saw her beat Black & Brown belts with considerable ease and whilst I wanted to believe this was due to my daughters natural skill and fantastic gene pool ( which parent wouldn't? ) I couldn't help but feel these kids holding the higher belts potentially weren't at the level their belt would have them believe. I visited Roche for the first time and was greeted by Carol and Graham themselves who run the gym and some of their assistants who certainly made my son, daughter and even myself welcome. After the first night my daughter didn't want to attend again, she was upset and adamant she wanted to go back to the other Gym. When I actually got to the crux of why this was having seen how she had enjoyed the class so much I was shocked when she said, as 9/10 year old girl "their purple belts were much better than me Dad and I can't do what they can!!" It was at this point I realised two things, the first was that my daughter was being graded too often and too frequently at the original gym just to make money and secondly the equivalent belts at Roche had achieved those belts down to merit, not just making £35 a grading!! Eventually I persuaded my daughter this was the club we should choose and upon discussions with Carol and Graham we decided not to demote her from her belt but take at least 6 months and get her to the purple belt but properly. We did this and it was structured properly and when she next graded she knew she was on a par with the other students. Fast forward to where we are now, my daughter is now a fully fledged kickboxing Black Belt which was brutal early this year. She holds numerous national and international titles and has competed for the GB team and selected for the England team also. More importantly she is a determined, healthy and disciplined young girl that has massively been helped by the team at Roche including other students. I cannot thank Roche enough for their patience, support or effort they have put into my two children ( and even putting up with me as a competitive Dad) but whether your child wants to compete, gain confidence and stay healthy or just have a hobby I couldn't recommend Roche enough. As a rule of thumb I don't do reviews but having had time to reflect over recent weeks I couldn't help but feel this was hugely important as if another parent makes the same decision I did then it can only put their kids in good stead for future years. Thanks all
Thank you so much for this outstanding review, Graham and I are so proud of how well Beth has come on with her martial arts since being a member of R-B-A. Beth and Mikey are both really well liked and respectful students within the club, Beth especially always helps out with the young students. We are really proud of how hard she has worked to get her standards so extremely high..
Leave your opinion about Roche Martial Academy:
Other gyms that may interest you
Mama & Me Fitness
Rothwell Leisure Centre
Jetts 24HR Gym Rothwell
Fitness Success Obstacle Gym
Publish your gym in our directory for free
If you manage a gym and you want to appear in our website, send us the information about your gym so we can include you in our directory.Appearing in our directory is free!