The Prep Cycle schedule (for the October 2025 Black Belt Grading) is published immediately following formal Induction testing.

Candidates who successfully pass their Induction test can expect to receive their Prep Cycle schedule, and get access to their Journals, during the week beginning August 11.

This schedule is subject to change, based on the number of candidates who successfully pass Induction, extreme weather events and Instructor availability.

PREP CYCLE SCHEDULE for Hornsby Dojo Karate Students

CBBs attend the twice-weekly CBB classes at Hornsby Dojo (these replace your previous regular classes), plus the weekly Prep Cycle sessions at Gosford Dojo, plus the weekly Fitness sessions on the Central Coast.

You may also be invited to attend the Sparring class at Hornsby Dojo. Sensei Josh will let you know if this applies to you. If you are attending Squad/Sparring classes, these must be attended IN ADDITION (not in place of) your Prep Cycle mandatory classes.

Please bring your sparring equipment to every CBB/CDG Prep Cycle class.

An indicative/draft schedule will be provided ASAP.

Candidates for Karate DAN GRADE upgrade

You will attend your REGULAR classes during Prep Cycle, in addition to:

The Prep Cycle sessions at BBMA Gosford
All the Weekly Fitness Sessions

Kickboxing Candidates

You will attend your REGULAR classes during Prep Cycle, in addition to:

the BBMA GOSFORD Prep Cycle Sessions in the schedule
All the Weekly Fitness Sessions

Fitness Sessions:

Are a mandatory part of your Preparation Cycle :)

Most sessions are held at Adcock Park, on the Central Coast.

Adcock Park sessions may include a High Intensity physical training session, or 5k run plus 100 sit ups, pushups and sit ups.

For target run times/distances, and the required number of situps/pushups etc for your age, please refer to the BBMA Fitness Requirements -see below.

Groupings:

Candidates have already been divided into groups:

Group 1: 15 years and under
Group 2: 16 years and over

Each group will either do a 5k run OR a 45-minute high intensity group training (HIIT) session.
This will rotate week by week. See your prep cycle schedule (the weekly calendar) for details.

Candidates over 50 years:

You may elect to do the HIIT session each and every time - ie you may choose not do the run. Choose this option if running 5k will be unsafe or unsuitable for you.

How to track and report your run times

Run and fitness times are tracked BY YOU, using the ‘Runkeeper’ or ‘Strava’ running app.

If using Strava (this is the app used by most CBBs at a Prep Cycle fitness event) please follow these instructions, to share your results with the BBMA teaching team:

Download Strava app to your phone or your fitness device. Available
on IOS and Google play.
Join BBMA Prep cycle Fitness group.
Here is the link to join the BBMA Prep Cycle Fitness group:
https://strava.app.link/03yXzaH2GRb
Start your Strava app on commencement of run. Stop at the end.
Start your Strava app on commencement of Fitness section. Stop at the
end.
You can hide the beginning of your activity or the whole thing for
privacy reasons.
Data is collected in Members, click on individual member, Activities

Please download and familiarise yourself with the running app prior to your first fitness session.

Note: If you prefer to use a different running app, OR, if you prefer not to use an app at all, and prefer to track your own run times using another method, that’s fine :) Please just email us your run and fitness times immediately after every fitness session.

What to Do:

Turn up 15 minutes before running start time, to get settled, get your name marked off, stretch and warm up properly
Do your best :)
Stop and speak to a staff member if you are unwell, in pain or injured

What to Bring:

A big bottle of water
A towel (or 2)
Optional - a Yoga Mat
(to do your fitness challenges on when the grass is wet/muddy)
Basic First aid kit - Instant ice pack and Band Aids, and any medication you may need (e.g. an inhaler for asthmatics)

Don’t wear anything valuable, and don’t bring anything you don’t want to get wet :)

Don’t wear your best Karategi!

What to Wear:

A BBMA branded T-shirt or BBMA branded Kickboxing singlet
YOUR KARATE/KB BELT (mandatory)
Any comfortable pants, shorts, track pants etc. Your Karate or KB pants are also a good choice
Running shoes
Socks
Sunscreen
A cap/hat in warm weather

If you do not yet have a BBMA-branded t-shirt, please wear your BBMA Gi.

The BBMA Black Belt Fitness Requirements

Note: Push ups must be completed on your TOES, with perfect form. See resources in the ‘workout’ section of your Dojo Mobile app for resource and helpful information.

Prep Cycle Journal

Please take your Journalling seriously. The self-reflections, essays, exercises and challenges within it are an important part of your Black Belt Test. Be sincere. Do your best.

Take care of your Journal. Print it out and place it in a folder with plastic ‘sleeves’ - something that will protect the pages and keep all your work in order.

Update your Journal Daily, including after every CBB class.
Review your assignments, challenges and deliverables in advance; some take a few minutes to do, and others require a week (or more) of action.
CBB/CDG students are fully accountable for submitting high quality work, on time (on or before the Due Date), to the designated person, in the requested format.
Completion of your journal, and all its challenges and deliverables, IS PART OF YOUR BLACK BELT TEST. Dire emergencies aside, If you fail to complete a section, or submit an item late, or your work does not meet the expected standard, you will be asked to leave Prep Cycle.
Bring your journal with you to every CBB class at Hornsby Dojo.

Daily, Weekly and Major Tasks

Weekly Tasks

These are clearly listed in your Journal, with forms/worksheets to complete.

They must be worked on DAILY, but are brought into the Dojo for review weekly.

For example, for a senior (18 years+) CBB, your Tasks include:

Living the Black Belt Principles - assignments must be submitted weekly via email (to hello@bbmahornsby.com.au) see assignment due dates below.

Weekly Fitness (including.at least 30 x sit ups, push ups and squats PER DAY). Your fitness logs will be reviewed weekly -in person at the Dojo
Candidate training diary - updated immediately after every CBB/Prep Cycle class. Your training diary and personal notes will be reviewed weekly - in person at the Dojo

Major Tasks

These will be worked on throughout your Prep Cycle

These must be submitted via EMAIL to Sensei Josh: hello@bbmahornsby.com.au

Your Major tasks will be clearly listed in your Journal. Tasks differ depending on the student age and grade. For example, for a senior (18 years+) CBB, your Major Tasks will be:

“My Goals after Black Belt”
Black Belt Contribution Essay
8 Hours of Community Service
Detox Week Challenge

Assignment Due Dates: TBA

More information about the Black Belt Grading Weekend -

The Black Belt Grading is held at an ‘away’ camp. The location is Point Wolstoncroft Sports and Recreation Centre. The journey from BBMA Hornsby Dojo, to Point Wolstoncroft Camp usually takes from approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes, to 1 hour and 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Check Google maps before setting your departure time.

Please allow additional time for traffic, and time to find your room, unpack and settle in before the first grading session starts (on the Friday afternoon).

All Candidates for Black Belt (CBBs) and all Candidates for Dan Grade (CDGs) MUST stay overnight at the Grading Camp. Candidates may not leave the camp for any reason, until the formal grading is complete.

Candidates under 16 years of age must have an appointed chaperone for the camp. This does not have to be a parent, but the allocated chaperone must be over the age of 21, must take full responsibility for supervision and care of the child, and must also stay overnight at the camp.

The cost for camp-style accommodation (a bunk bed in shared dorm-style rooms) is $150 per person - for 2 nights. Information on room allocations will be released just prior to the event.

If you have any ‘special requests’ please let us know.

What to bring to a Black Belt Grading

All the food and drinks you will need. Camp is ‘self-catered’.

A first aid kit including instant ice packs, band-aids, strapping tape and antiseptic wipes/cream/powder. Please bring your first aid kit WITH you to every training session (don’t leave it in your room) :)

Note: Every Candidate (including adult CBB/CDG Candidates) must be supported by an attending Coach/Parent/Partner - an adult who can assist you as needed. Among other things, your Coach/Parent is responsible for providing you with minor first aid - eg. cleaning minor cuts and scratches, finding and applying band-aids, finding and applying ice packs, strapping sore ankles, dispensing asprin, finding your ‘puffer’ etc. This is one of the reasons it is imperative a Coach/Parent/Partner is with you at all times - to assist you in case of minior injury, discomfort or illness.
Please take a few minutes, on arrival at camp, to take your coach through the contents and location of your personal first aid kit.
Any medication you may need e.g. asthma puffer, anti-inflammatories, asprin etc
Bedding and a pillow. Most campers bring a sleeping bag.
Towels
Antiseptic wipes and some tissues
Toiletries
Swimmers (there is a swimming pool at the venue which you may like to use)
A casual set of clothes to wear at night time once sessions finish
Your Karate/Kickboxing Belt
ALL your sparring gear, including a well fitting mouth-guard. Please ensure all your gear is clean, well fitting and non-smelly!
Note: body protectors are recommended for ALL candidates.
Headgear is mandatory for candidates ages 13 and under. Order EARLY as there is a wait time on orders. Hornsby students please place your order via our website here

Spare uniforms. Karate students should pack at least 2, and preferably 3 Gi’s (keep one clean, ironed and ready for your Kata performance)
Running shoes and socks
Sandals or shoes which can easily/quickly be slipped on and off.
We run some training sessions outside on the grass - the ground is a little rocky/sticky/sharp, and you’ll need to wear these shoes while performing your kata/forms. And you’ll aso do regular sessions on the mats (without shoes)
A BBMA-branded t-shirt
A hat & sunscreen
Night wear (something to wear to bed)
A warm jacket or hoodie
A notebook and pen

Black Belt Prep Cycle