What should I look for in martial art schools?
What should I stay away from? And why are some martial art schools really expensive?
This is a GREAT QUESTION, and I write about it extensively on my web site. Here is my general answer:
Choosing a martial art is really a very personal choice. Here are some pointers for finding a good match:
1. Observe some classes: Drop in, unannounced, a few minutes before the regularly-scheduled beginners classes start and ask if you may just sit on the side and quietly watch. Observe how the instructor treats the students, and how the students behave and treat each other. Observe how he teaches them. Does he adapt to their abilities? Is he patient? Is the class as strict or casual as you desire? Do mid-level and advanced students have good techniques, or do they look sloppy?
2. Research the style: Each instructor has minor adaptations on set styles, but do some additional research to make sure that the style of martial art appeals to you. Arts vary significantly in terms of formality, aggression, practical application, fundamental philosophy, and technical emphasis (grappling, striking, grabbing, weapons, etc.). Is the style more for competition, demonstration, physical application, philosophical development? There are many different twists, and "one size doesn’t fit all."
3. Research and compare pricing: Costs vary greatly from region to region and instructor to instructor. Most martial arts quote a low-ball monthly tuition, but have additional costs like testing, annual membership, and equipment. Some push students to volunteer cleaning the gym (or performing other services for the club or instructor). Be sure to add up all of the costs when comparing pricing. Many clubs offer discounts for additional family members or longer term commitments. Recognize that the better the equipment and facilities, the more the classes are going to cost. A useful way to compare prices is to add up the time and all costs that it takes to go from beginner through black belt. You’ll find that the results are all over the map.
4. Avoid long term commitments and lump-sum payments: We urge you to avoid any martial art that requires you to sign an agreement that prohibits you from studying any other art, that locks you into long term financial commitments, or that asks for a large, up-front, lump sum payment. Your first martial art is rarely the one you end up sticking with (unless it is simply the only one available in your area). It is perfectly-reasonable for an art to require you to sign a waiver of liability and to agree not to copy or teach that art without permission. Anything more is not necessarily in your best interest.
5. Black Belt Contracts: Ask to see the testing agreement forms, if there are any, especially for the black belt exam. Many arts have questionable requirements that they don’t tell you about until you are beginning your test for black belt — that is, after you’ve spent years and thousands of dollars in training.
6. Ask to take some free, introductory classes: Even if everything else looks fine, it really isn’t until you’ve spent some time in the classes that you can begin to determine if the art is right for you. Equitable programs will allow you to withdraw from the classes within the first two weeks and receive a full refund of tuition, less any material costs for uniforms, texts, etc. Some might generously let you stay even longer, then pro-rate a refund.
Reasonable instructors will cooperate and welcome these requests and comparisons. If an instructor simply refuses to answer these questions or provide the information, you can rest assured that, even if it is a style you like, the program probably is not a good one.
well depends on what you are looking for , but i would stay away from places that charge alot for testing or even charge at all. Those are called mc dojos another thing is who you would be training with lil kids so on, but depending on how hard you want to train look at how hard everyone else there is training.
References :
they may seem expensive at first but look at what kind of classes they run see how the instructors treat the students and ask student s at the school what they think of the school ive been doing tae kwon do for nearly 3 years and at my school there r so many different opportunities to get involved with diffrent things
References :
i go to UTF black belt school in riverstone
Pick your martial art by the teacher rather than the style. If you have a good teacher you will learn good martial arts. If your teacher is not good the best style is ineffective.
My suggestion, shop around. Ask a lot of questions and visit a lot of schools. Take advantage of any trial classes that they may offer and then take your pick.
I would watch classes. Do the students know their techniques? Can you tell the difference in skill between their higher ranks and their lower ranks (don’t laugh. I have seen this)? How many high ranking students are there? If there are not a lot maybe there is a reason they don’t stick it out. Are the students respectful to each other? Do they get along with each other? How many women are there? How many high ranking women are there?
I would stay away from expensive schools and schools with very large classes. You won’t get as much attention in a large class and in expensive schools you tend to be a meal ticket.
References :
Liondancer pretty much said it all. Half a students skill comes from a good instructor and the other half comes from their own understanding and training. Smaller classes are better because instructors can notice and correct ur mistakes instead of having his attention everywhere. It also depends on what kind of student u are. What do u want from a class? Usually the tougher the instructor the more he wants his students to progress. At least the good ones ive met. Some people out there like McDojos because they dont like to work hard and like to get belts so they can tell people they are taking a MA. Good luck
References :
This is a GREAT QUESTION, and I write about it extensively on my web site. Here is my general answer:
Choosing a martial art is really a very personal choice. Here are some pointers for finding a good match:
1. Observe some classes: Drop in, unannounced, a few minutes before the regularly-scheduled beginners classes start and ask if you may just sit on the side and quietly watch. Observe how the instructor treats the students, and how the students behave and treat each other. Observe how he teaches them. Does he adapt to their abilities? Is he patient? Is the class as strict or casual as you desire? Do mid-level and advanced students have good techniques, or do they look sloppy?
2. Research the style: Each instructor has minor adaptations on set styles, but do some additional research to make sure that the style of martial art appeals to you. Arts vary significantly in terms of formality, aggression, practical application, fundamental philosophy, and technical emphasis (grappling, striking, grabbing, weapons, etc.). Is the style more for competition, demonstration, physical application, philosophical development? There are many different twists, and "one size doesn’t fit all."
3. Research and compare pricing: Costs vary greatly from region to region and instructor to instructor. Most martial arts quote a low-ball monthly tuition, but have additional costs like testing, annual membership, and equipment. Some push students to volunteer cleaning the gym (or performing other services for the club or instructor). Be sure to add up all of the costs when comparing pricing. Many clubs offer discounts for additional family members or longer term commitments. Recognize that the better the equipment and facilities, the more the classes are going to cost. A useful way to compare prices is to add up the time and all costs that it takes to go from beginner through black belt. You’ll find that the results are all over the map.
4. Avoid long term commitments and lump-sum payments: We urge you to avoid any martial art that requires you to sign an agreement that prohibits you from studying any other art, that locks you into long term financial commitments, or that asks for a large, up-front, lump sum payment. Your first martial art is rarely the one you end up sticking with (unless it is simply the only one available in your area). It is perfectly-reasonable for an art to require you to sign a waiver of liability and to agree not to copy or teach that art without permission. Anything more is not necessarily in your best interest.
5. Black Belt Contracts: Ask to see the testing agreement forms, if there are any, especially for the black belt exam. Many arts have questionable requirements that they don’t tell you about until you are beginning your test for black belt — that is, after you’ve spent years and thousands of dollars in training.
6. Ask to take some free, introductory classes: Even if everything else looks fine, it really isn’t until you’ve spent some time in the classes that you can begin to determine if the art is right for you. Equitable programs will allow you to withdraw from the classes within the first two weeks and receive a full refund of tuition, less any material costs for uniforms, texts, etc. Some might generously let you stay even longer, then pro-rate a refund.
Reasonable instructors will cooperate and welcome these requests and comparisons. If an instructor simply refuses to answer these questions or provide the information, you can rest assured that, even if it is a style you like, the program probably is not a good one.
References :
http://www.viapotentia.org/