FAQ

There is no single best martial art: to really defend yourself you need to handle every range, from kicks to clinch fighting, down to the ground and against a weapon. That is why at Black Bull Academy in Desenzano del Garda we train Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Silat, Muay Thai and MMA together: each discipline covers one part of the fight, and together they form a complete method built for real-life self-defence.

No. Our classes require no previous experience and no particular fitness: you start from the basics and progress step by step. Your fitness improves within the first weeks of training.

Yes. The adult class is open from age 13 upwards, and determination matters more than age: training is adapted to each person’s level and condition. You can start even if you are out of shape or overweight, because improving fitness is one of the first goals of training.

The risk is comparable to any amateur sport. Contact is introduced gradually, with protective gear, and intensity increases only when your skills allow it.

In the adult class the first two trial lessons are free; in the Key Boxe kids class the first lesson is free. You can book them from the Trial lesson page or on WhatsApp. Private lessons are always paid and do not include a free trial.

A T-shirt, comfortable shorts or trousers, and clean-soled trainers used only indoors. The instructor will tell you about any specific equipment.

Jeet Kune Do, “the way of the intercepting fist”, is the fighting method created by Bruce Lee: simple, direct and effective at every range, from kicks and punches to trapping and grappling. At Black Bull Academy it is trained on Mondays from 7 to 9 pm at the Liceo Bagatta in Desenzano del Garda, in the province of Brescia. Sifu Maximo has practised it since 1991.

Yes, within Jeet Kune Do. American kickboxing grew out of Jeet Kune Do: Joe Lewis, who trained with Bruce Lee, won what is considered the first kickboxing bout in North America in 1970. That is why the Jeet Kune Do lesson on Mondays from 7 to 9 pm, at the Liceo Bagatta in Desenzano del Garda, also includes combined punches and kicks and sparring with protective gear, together with Muay Thai. It is all included in the adult-class membership.

Kali, also called Eskrima or Arnis, is the martial art of the Philippines: it teaches stick, knife and empty-hand work with the same principles of angles, flow and coordination, and how to defend against an armed attack. At Black Bull Academy it is trained on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm at the Liceo Bagatta in Desenzano del Garda.

Pentjak Silat is the Indonesian martial art of close range: off-balancing, locks, throws and ground control. At Black Bull Academy it is practised in the Buka Jalan style, “The Open Way”, on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm, together with Kali.

Yes. Muay Thai, the science of eight limbs, is part of Black Bull Academy’s adult class and is integrated into the Monday evening Jeet Kune Do lesson, 7 to 9 pm, at the Liceo Bagatta. It is included in the membership and no previous experience is needed.

Yes. At Black Bull Academy, MMA (integrated martial arts) combines striking, weapons, clinch and ground work in a single system trained for self-defence. It is trained on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9 pm at the Liceo Bagatta, as part of the adult class.

No. A single adult-class membership covers Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Silat, Muay Thai and MMA. End-of-year gradings are reserved for those who train in all of them.

At Black Bull Academy children can start at age 7 with the Key Boxe class, for kids aged 7 to 12. From 13 they join the adult class. No previous experience is needed.

Key Boxe is the martial arts class for children aged 7 to 12: it builds discipline, concentration, fitness, self-defence skills and self-confidence. It is not a competitive class. It runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7 pm at the Genesis B gym, Via Montebaldo 119, Desenzano del Garda. The first trial lesson is free.

Yes. Sifu Maximo regularly runs self-defence courses for women: prevention, awareness and simple, effective techniques chosen to work under stress, with realistic but always safe scenarios. Days, times and format, ongoing course or workshop, are published once confirmed; you can request a trial lesson.

Yes, by appointment with instructor Massimo Mitola, one-to-one or in small groups such as couples, friends or colleagues. The programme is built around you: goals, starting level and available time. Private lessons are always paid, including the first one: prices and availability are given directly by the school.

Yes. Sifu Maximo teaches seminars on request in Italy and abroad, brings self-defence into secondary schools through educational projects, and trains security staff and venue personnel. To find out more, message us on WhatsApp or use the contact form.

The adult class, covering Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Silat, Muay Thai and MMA, costs €70 for 1 month, €245 for 4 months, €340 for 6 months and €530 for 12 months, plus the €45 annual membership fee, which includes insurance. The official association T-shirt is sold separately. Prices for the other classes are given by the school.

Adult class, age 13+: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 to 9 pm at the Liceo Bagatta. Key Boxe kids, age 7–12: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 to 7 pm at the Genesis B gym. Private lessons are by appointment.

The adult class is held inside the Liceo Bagatta, Piazzale G. Bagatta (Via Carducci), 25015 Desenzano del Garda (BS). The Key Boxe kids class is held at the Genesis B gym, Via Montebaldo 119, also in Desenzano del Garda, on the southern shore of Lake Garda.

The programme is organised in levels. Taking the gradings is not compulsory: the instructor prepares you and the choice is yours. Format and timing are announced at the gym.

You can book a trial lesson on the website, message Sifu Maximo on WhatsApp at +39 338 919 6530, or email info@blackbullacademy.com.

Sifu Maximo is Massimo Mitola, founder and instructor of Black Bull Academy. He has practised martial arts for over thirty years: karate from age 12, Jeet Kune Do since 1991, Pentjak Silat since 1993 and Filipino Kali since 1995, under Sifu Guru Serafino Fontana. He has taught since 2007 and trains regularly with Sifu Guru Cass Magda of the Magda Institute in Los Angeles.

Yes. It is an amateur sports association (ASD) founded in 2009 in Desenzano del Garda, affiliated with ASI and recognised by CONI, the Italian Olympic Committee. Since 2011 it has been recognised as a Desenzano sports association and holds its adult classes in the municipal gym of the Liceo Bagatta.