| Martial Arts training can be a positive life changing | | | | however that a belt rank may not be an indication |
| experience. It can also unfortunately be a | | | | of their actual skills or knowledge. Most martial |
| mediocre one. These tips will help with what you | | | | arts organization hand out the higher black belt |
| need to be aware of so that you can set | | | | ranks and titles as patronage promotions for |
| yourself up on an exciting journey by choosing | | | | "good service". That is unfortunately why the |
| the right school from day one. | | | | industry is full of paper tigers - 7th 8th and 9th |
| Decide in advance what benefits you want from | | | | degree black belts that have not thrown a punch |
| martial arts training. | | | | in decades. |
| Do you simply want a unique fitness activity? Do | | | | Only consider martial arts schools that offer a |
| you want to develop more discipline and focus? | | | | very comprehensive trial process. |
| Do you want a social outlet? Maybe you want to | | | | A school that does not offer a trial should |
| test yourself in eventual competition? Or you | | | | definitely be suspect, but more importantly that |
| might simply want to have fun. | | | | trial should include some private lessons. |
| Whatever you primary outcome, decide before | | | | Your needs and goals are unique. The only way |
| you set foot in any martial arts facility. This will | | | | for the instructors to really get to know you is in |
| immediately help you narrow your search and | | | | a private setting. If a school just wants to throw |
| know what questions to ask. | | | | you into a class from day one without taking the |
| Look for a professional, well equipped facility. | | | | proper time and effort to discover more about |
| Although the variety in size, layout and equipment | | | | you then you really should avoid them. Do they |
| will vary as much as the variety of martial art | | | | care so little about your individuality? Or do they |
| styles, there are some key features that are a | | | | only have a "one size fits all program"?. |
| must. | | | | A martial arts school with a sink or swim |
| Avoid "basement dungeons" when possible. A | | | | mentality when it comes to your first few classes |
| bright, pleasant, atmosphere with lots of windows | | | | demonstrates a clear disregard not just for your |
| will make a big difference over the long run in | | | | progress, but potentially for your safety as well. |
| your martial arts training enjoyment and the | | | | How much should you pay? |
| quality of the experience. Both basement and 2nd | | | | No two martial arts schools will offer the same |
| floor locations may also indicate the owners did | | | | experience and therefore the question is not what |
| not have the financial solvency to be granted a | | | | one charges in comparison to the other, but what |
| ground floor prime location. Something to be | | | | are you getting for the price? |
| considered before investing your money with | | | | Achieving your goals and passionately enjoying |
| such a establishment. | | | | your training is certainly more valuable than |
| Look for a fully matted training area. Hard floors | | | | wasting your time in a cheap activity with |
| are especially hard on the joints while carpet is a | | | | mediocre results. You absolutely want to get good |
| serious hygiene concern as every bacteria and | | | | value, but looking exclusively at price gives you |
| germ will remain in the fibers. Safety is also of | | | | zero indication of the value you will actually be |
| course a major concern in all physical activities | | | | getting. |
| and a martial arts school that did not invest in | | | | If you saw an advertisement that stated only: |
| proper matted flooring throughout should be | | | | "Car. $5000" and another "Car. $25,000" it does |
| avoided. | | | | not give you enough information to make the |
| The instructor check list. | | | | right purchase decision. You could be buying a |
| Do they look the part? Martial arts are meant to | | | | lemon that will break down in a few months, in |
| develop disciplined athletes. An great instructor | | | | which case you actually lost $5000. On the other |
| leads by example in his or her training and lifestyle. | | | | hand $25,000 amortized over many years of |
| Seeing an instructor that is overtly obese or a | | | | reliable service may very well be a much better |
| smoker for example should certainly raise | | | | deal and genuinely serve your needs. Until you get |
| questions as to their personal standards, and | | | | more information, you cannot make an intelligent |
| therefore their ability to lead you to excel. | | | | decision. |
| Are they professional, courteous, friendly, with a | | | | Any martial arts school that tries to use their low |
| genuine interest in you? You are potentially going | | | | price as a means of attracting customer is in fact |
| to spend the next few years in contact with | | | | saying that they have so little that is unique or |
| these individuals. Make sure you are setting | | | | valuable to offer that they can only offer low |
| yourself up for success with good coaches. | | | | cost as a reason to join. Martial arts is not a |
| Are they good martial artists? You may not be | | | | commodity, which is why choosing the right |
| an expert at making that distinction at this time, | | | | school is so important. Remember, you get what |
| but aside from external factors such as old age, a | | | | you pay for. |
| good instructor needs to be at the very least a | | | | There are of course other factors in choosing a |
| good practitioner of their craft. Be aware | | | | martial arts school. |