A NEW martial arts academy has opened its doors in Leigh.

The MAXT Academy (Martial Arts Cross training) is situated at Unit 5 on the Victoria Industrial Estate, off Kirkhall Lane next to ASDA.

The academy has only been open a couple of weeks and has a thriving adult section.

A junior section has now started and any parents who would like their child to reap the benefits of training there can take them along to the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday classes.

All classes are taken by academy owner Mike Gregory, who has been training for over 25 years and has taught and competed all over the world.

His MAXT Academy in Leigh gives adults and juniors of all ages the chance to develop self-confidence, self-discipline, overall fitness and realistic and effective martial arts training.

Mike teaches four primary arts at the academy although he has trained in many more.

The methods taught at the MAXT Academy are a modern progressive approach to the fighting arts covering all possible ranges of combat. These include kicking range, punching range, close quarter range and the grappling range. Comprehensive training is given in all the ranges, both unarmed and with a variety of weapons, so should it be necessary, the student should be able to fit in with any combative situation.

Mike says "Regardless of its origins, the practice of any martial art is still basically an athletic endeavour in that it requires body movement. As such, martial arts follow similar principles in developing such qualities as skill, speed and co-ordination."