Tips for Finding a Good Martial Arts School
Being in the martial arts can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. However, as with all things, it can be difficult to find a professional, qualified school. Don’t be mislead into believing that just because someone has a Black Belt and own a school, that they are necessarily qualified to be teaching or running a business.
Beware of using only location and cost when choosing a martial art school – usually they aren’t the best indicators. Here are some important questions to ask before signing the dotted line.
What style should I study? It really doesn’t matter – all the styles have benefits. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable with the instructors, teaching style and the atmosphere of the school. Check out at least two schools to compare.
How can I determine if the school and instructors are right for me? At the very least, ask to view an actual class. Beware of schools that only offer private or semiprivate trial classes. You need to see an actual class to see how the instructor interacts with the students. The best would be about a 1-month trial program. Make sure you participate in the regular class taught by the regular instructor.
What credentials should an instructor have? An instructor’s impressive credentials may not tell the whole story. People can get awesome looking credentials through the mail or from organizations only interested in making money, not promoting qualified instructors. Ask for referrals and watch how the instructor teaches their class.
How much should classes cost? Tuition fees can range from about $50 to $125 per month. When comparing prices, look for down payments, insurance fees, testing fees, and registration fees. Once you add everything up, you can start comparing apples to apples. Also, find out how many classes per week a student can attend. Can missed classes be made up? Are the classes 30 minutes, 45 or a full hour?
What about so called “Black Belt” programs? Beware of schools that guarantee a black belt in a pre-defined time for a large sum of money up front. How can they guarantee an individuals growth? It all comes down to whether you want to be a black belt or just get a black belt.
Location is not so important. Don’t choose the school that is most convenient for you necessarily. A good martial arts school is worth some travel time.