With all the reasons people go into martial arts, getting the right martial arts school (or martial arts instructor) is one of the barriers to entry for the sport. Choosing the right martial arts school starts with some research that you should go through before signing the contract for classes. Here are some questions you should ask.
What Styles Do They Teach?
Not all martial arts styles are a good match for all practitioners, and the line between martial arts and high energy yoga exercises is something of a blurry one. Softer styles (such a Wing Chung) tend to be a bit harder to find schools for, largely because martial arts is marketed to a specific demographic. Think about what kind of martial art you want to learn, and what your goals are. Hard striking style, or a style that focuses on redirection and blocks? Do you have balance problems that will make high kicks dangerous, or any other physical constraints to run?
What Age Levels Do They Teach?
The bread and butter martial arts class, from the perspective of martial arts schools, is aimed at children between the ages of 10 and 14. Many many parents use martial arts schools as structured after school activity for their kids, where they'll learn something that gives them focus and self discipline, and maybe keeps them from being bullied. Talk to your martial arts instructor about this; there are differences between schools aimed for kids and martial arts schools aimed at adults.
Are You Comfortable With The Instructors?
Not all people who teach martial arts at a martial arts schools should be teaching them. Not because they aren't good martial artists, but because they're not exactly versed as teachers. Always ask to watch a few classes before you sign up, and look for things like who they focus on when they teach. You're looking for teachers that focus on the students who are having difficulty mastering the subject matter; it's always easier to teach to the interested. It's more challenging to teach to the students who are having some time learning the process.
How Well Maintained Are The Facilities?
Most martial arts schools are put into spaces in strip malls, or in other multi-use places. There should be a place where students can change into and out of their exercise gear, with lockers. It's unlikely that you'll find one that has showers that can be done. That said, you want to look for signs of ill repair - this is one of the handful of ongoing expenses of running a martial arts school, and there's no excuse for a dojo in poor repair.
What Styles Do They Teach?
Not all martial arts styles are a good match for all practitioners, and the line between martial arts and high energy yoga exercises is something of a blurry one. Softer styles (such a Wing Chung) tend to be a bit harder to find schools for, largely because martial arts is marketed to a specific demographic. Think about what kind of martial art you want to learn, and what your goals are. Hard striking style, or a style that focuses on redirection and blocks? Do you have balance problems that will make high kicks dangerous, or any other physical constraints to run?
What Age Levels Do They Teach?
The bread and butter martial arts class, from the perspective of martial arts schools, is aimed at children between the ages of 10 and 14. Many many parents use martial arts schools as structured after school activity for their kids, where they'll learn something that gives them focus and self discipline, and maybe keeps them from being bullied. Talk to your martial arts instructor about this; there are differences between schools aimed for kids and martial arts schools aimed at adults.
Are You Comfortable With The Instructors?
Not all people who teach martial arts at a martial arts schools should be teaching them. Not because they aren't good martial artists, but because they're not exactly versed as teachers. Always ask to watch a few classes before you sign up, and look for things like who they focus on when they teach. You're looking for teachers that focus on the students who are having difficulty mastering the subject matter; it's always easier to teach to the interested. It's more challenging to teach to the students who are having some time learning the process.
How Well Maintained Are The Facilities?
Most martial arts schools are put into spaces in strip malls, or in other multi-use places. There should be a place where students can change into and out of their exercise gear, with lockers. It's unlikely that you'll find one that has showers that can be done. That said, you want to look for signs of ill repair - this is one of the handful of ongoing expenses of running a martial arts school, and there's no excuse for a dojo in poor repair.
About the Author:
When you choose the right school and the right instructor, learning a martial art can be fun experience for the whole family. For more information on this subject and for self defense tips, you can visit our site.
Facilities is a good sign of a good martial arts school, since the boom of MMA, the fake martial arts school are established rampantly with low cost budget with the sole intent of cashing out on interested people.
ReplyDeleteYou are right with your points / tips on choosing the right Martial Arts School and I agree with you on that.
ReplyDeleteGreat information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat content and as well , useful resource! Cheers, it certainly is very much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteNice article. Finding the right fit for martial arts training can be daunting. If anyone's in the Houston area, the Lopez family (U.S. Olympic medalists) run a great outfit for children to adults.
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I think number 3 is the most important thing because I have trained with instructors whom were either WAY strict or not strict at all. It all comes down to whether or not the instructor can take you to where you want to go. Competition or just life lessons, what fits for you?
ReplyDeletethanks! great site btw.
Hi KALYNNA
ReplyDeleteIt is so right what you say about choosing the school,taekwondo rocks!!!
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Martial Art Training
I have a 3rd degree black belt in TKD ; it does rock; even more wth a 8th degree Grand Master instructed: in Pace Fl hwy 90 beside sonic: : great place 2 start
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If you have young children you want to train with then mixed classes will be in line with your interests. However, if intensity, focus, and dedication to hard training is your interest, I recommend you find a dojang that has classes for adults only. You don't want to be stuck in a class with six year olds that require the instructors full attention. Even if the kids are separated from the adults, there is still a degree of distraction from back ground noise that you may not want to listen to.
ReplyDeleteIdeally, the dojang will have family and adults only classes.
Physical limitations is also a real concern. If you have arthritis in your hands you may want to enroll in a school that utilized 75% kicks. If you have lower body limitations a school that places emphasis on hand techniques may be preferred.
Karate, kung-fu, and traditional taekwondo are all possibilities to be considered. Sport taekwondo can be hard on the joints and effect your ability to train in later years.
Don't get tied to a long term contract until you know you have found a home.
Another consideration in selecting a school is if it focuses on competition (sparring, forms, etc.) or the fitness and character-building aspects of the martial art. Either (or both) ways are just fine - it all depends on what you and your family are looking for.
ReplyDeleteOur school (Academy of Life and Leadership Taekwondo in Colorado Springs - www.family-taekwondo.com) has a large group of folks enjoying the martial arts training, while a smaller group focuses on competition. Students can pick either (or both) tracks as there are black belts that instruct in one or the other.
Just a thought from an "executive" black belt who is too slow to compete successfully, but still enjoys the other aspects of a martial art.
We've just recently changed schools. The new instructor we found does a great job of motivating and working with our two boys. Before the boys grumbled about going, but now they're asking to go and wanting to practice the moves more on their own. There is also less emphasis on competition and sparring and more on what we want from taekwondo, discipline and respect to name two.
ReplyDelete