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If you're considering taking up martial arts, you may be having difficulty deciding which style to learn and where to go for instruction. This guide is designed to advise you how to choose a martial arts school.
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If you're considering taking up martial arts, you may be having difficulty deciding which style to learn and where to go for instruction. This guide is designed to advise you how to choose a martial arts school.
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Introduction
- Martial arts can be an excellent way to get or stay in shape, learn how to defend yourself, gain confidence, develop concentration skills and just have fun. Whether you want to get involved in martial arts yourself, or want to sign your children up for lessons, you may be overwhelmed by the variety of martial arts schools in your area. Deciding on which school to patronize is easy if you do some research and continually narrow down your options until you find the school that best suits your needs.
Step 1: Consult Your Doctor
- Before starting any exercise program, consult with your doctor to ensure that it is safe for you to do so. Some martial arts can be strenuous and involve physical combat, so discuss your goals and options with your doctor before signing up for classes.
Step 2: Decide on a Style
- There are dozens of different martial arts styles. Some may focus more on hand to hand combat, while others are centered more around concentration and balance. Before you decide what type of martial arts classes you want to sign yourself or your children up for, ask yourself the following questions.
- Are you interested in competing in tournaments?
- Do you want to be able to advance through different belt levels?
- Are you interested in using weapons?
- Do you want to engage in hand-to-hand combat?
- Are you willing or able to purchase potentially expensive equipment?
- Are you taking classes for self defense purposes?
- What type of physical demands can you and your body handle?
- Do you want the experience to be strenuous or relaxing?
- Once you have determined your martial arts goals, do some research into what the different styles of martial arts have to offer. Be aware that some styles are more obscure than others so, depending on where you live, you may not be able to find instruction in every style.
Step 3: Research Schools
- Once you have decided on which style of martial arts you want to learn, make a list of all the martial arts schools in your area that offer instruction in that style. Then, do some research into the school and their instructors, either by visiting them directly, browsing their website, or calling them on the phone.
- Some questions you may want to ask include:
- How long has the school been in business?
- How long did the instructor or instructors study and how long have they been teaching?
- What are the class sizes?
- Is the school or instructor affiliated with a national or international martial arts organization or association?
- How much do classes cost?
- Are classes offered at times that are convenient for you?
Step 4: Visit Facilities
- After doing some preliminary research, make a short list of a few schools that you feel meet your budget and needs. Then, visit the schools in person if you haven't already done so. If possible:
- Take part in or observe a martial arts class
- Ask other students or students' parents for their opinions about the school and instructors
- Interview the instructor you or your children will be learning from. If you don't like or respect him or her, chances are your classes will not be a positive experience
- Have a look around the facility to see whether it is clean, safe, well maintained and stocked with the necessary equipment
- After your inspection, you should be able to single out the school of which you had the best impression and that you feel will be best suited for your or your child's instruction.
Conclusion
- Finding a martial arts school may take some research and legwork, but you'll be glad you put in the extra effort. Since martial arts courses can cost several hundred dollars and may last for several months, you don't want to be stuck wasting time and money on martial arts instruction you or your children don't enjoy. Follow the above recommendations and you should end up finding a martial arts school and instructor that fits your needs.
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