How to Choose a Good Martial Arts School
How do you choose a martial arts school that meets your needs and is one of which you can feel proud? These steps show you how.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Martial Arts Encyclopedias
- Martial Arts Supplies
- Martial Arts Videos
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1
Check your telephone directory to see what kinds of schools are listed within a reasonable distance.
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2
Phone the schools and ask whether they're affiliated with a larger organization, such as the International Tae Kwon Do Federation or the World Karate Association. If not, standards and methods for advancement may be inconsistent.
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3
Determine your martial arts goals. Are you interested in tournament forms or self-defense? Do you want to become a black belt or to attend classes simply for the exercise?
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4
Stop by several training halls to watch classes. Many schools have an observation area, so you can watch during class. Ask permission first.
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5
Ask for permission to talk with students and instructors. Find out how students' experiences have been with the school and whether the instructors' styles will support your goals.
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6
Assess the quality of teaching. What is your impression of the head instructor? Do instructors expect and show respect and courtesy? What is their experience?
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7
Determine the school's emphasis. Does it advocate control or heavy contact? Does it stress tournament competition? How formal or informal are the classes?
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8
Ask friends and work associates whether they've heard anything about a martial arts school you're interested in joining. Also check with the Better Business Bureau and your local chamber of commerce.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Consider a month-to-month payment option when you first join a school. It becomes a probationary period you can use to assess the school as a student.
Consult your physician before beginning any exercise regimen. Also, remember that the practice of martial arts can be dangerous. Exercise caution at all times.
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Comments
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bmonkey
Jun 28, 2010
If you live in the Boston area, check out Jae Kim Taekwon-do Institute. Grand Master Kim has been teaching Traditional Taekwondo for over 35 years. His instruction is exceptional. They were voted Best Taekwon-do school in the world by Mookas Media in 2009. -
BigSurf
Sep 15, 2008
Yellow pages? Telephone? Membership in some larger parent organization? Watch a beginners class? These are the kind of things that you should not do when looking for a good martial arts school! Any school that uses Yellow Pages only with no Web presence shows that they are not a serious school or serious about their own future. Big Red Flag. Telephone, well it's much better to stop by and see for yourself. Talk to any martial arts instructor over the phone and he or she will tell you how great their school is! What good is that? Membership in some self promoting obscure organization means absolutely nothing. There are plenty of independent schools that teach great martial arts! Watching a beginners class will do nothing for you! Imagine being a beginning student who is having a hard time figuring out your right foot from your left and having a bunch of strangers watch you do
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BigSurf
Sep 15, 2008
Yellow pages? Telephone? Membership in some larger parent organization? Watch a beginners class? These are the kind of things that you should not do when looking for a good martial arts school! Any school that uses Yellow Pages only with no Web presence shows that they are not a serious school or serious about their own future. Big Red Flag. Telephone, well it's much better to stop by and see for yourself. Talk to any martial arts instructor over the phone and he or she will tell you how great their school is! What good is that? Membership in some self promoting obscure organization means absolutely nothing. There are plenty of independent schools that teach great martial arts! Watching a beginners class will do nothing for you! Imagine being a beginning student who is having a hard time figuring out your right foot from your left and having a bunch of strangers watch you do
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Lance
Jan 24, 2007
Interesting opinion, considering the FOUNDER of XMA, Mike Chat, just received his 4th degree black belt in TaeKwonDo at ATA.
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Jun 30, 2006
Look at the history and practical usage of the martial arts you are researching. If you are looking for a sport and not self defense, then any school that offers XMA is right for you. If you want to be safe and well trained in Practical Self Defense then Tai Kwon Do is not for you, just watch a Tai Kwon Do match and see for yourself.
