Six tips to choosing a martial arts school
We all know that finding a martial arts school can be a large and daunting step towards starting to train. That is why we want to make it easier for you! Here are six tips to help you choose a martial arts school that works for you:
- Find a team of instructors that you really like. Let’s face it, for most people starting a journey in the martial arts is not a short-term thing. However, it can become a very short-term experience if you end up with instructors that you don’t care for. Observe a class and notice if the instructors are liked by their students. Are the students engaged and having fun? Are the classes structured, or is it chaotic? Are there male and female instructors? Do the instructors all seem to be working together? Are they friendly when you walk in the door? Do they listen to your questions, or does it seem like they are trying to “sell” you? Trust your gut, if you don’t feel that the instructors are people you would want to spend time with, or want your children spending time with, then move on!
- Is the school well-maintained? Ask for a tour or to use the restroom and then look around. A good school owner will take pride in the appearance of their school and how it looks. This will reflect the care and attention they offer to their students.
- Does the schedule work for you? Ask questions. Find out if they have thetimes/types of classes you are looking for. Are the children separated by age, or can they attend together? If you are looking for yourself, do they mostly have kids’ classes, or are there adult or family classes? Is there a wide variety of days and times available to you?
- Do they have beginner classes? It might seem like an odd idea at first, but beginner classes will allow the instructors to focus solely on the foundations of martial arts, which will greatly benefit you or your children in the long run. Also, you won’t run into anyone that has been practicing for a couple of years and thinks they know everything. Every school has people like this. Practicing in a group class of beginners can offer a great sense of community and friendship. Everyone is working on the same material with the same skill level and no one should be there to judge or make you or your children feel uncomfortable.
- Cost. This is a very important question! Make sure you can afford the school you are looking at. Ask about monthly tuition. How do the contracts work, are they month-to-month, 6-months, or 12-months? Are there belt testing fees? If so, are they a reasonable price, or an extra $100 or $200 every time you are up for a belt promotion? If something changes in your life, such as relocating, or losing a job, does the contract offer a reasonable way out of it, or are you stuck paying for a service you cannot use? When you inquire about the cost, is the person you are talking to up front about it, or do they try to dodge your questions, or give you an answer that isn’t really an answer?
- Lastly, no question is a bad one. If you get a stiff response from your inquiries it may not be a good sign. Remember that this is a large investment of time and money. You will be spending at least a few hours a week in this school. Make sure it has the atmosphere, sense of community, and welcoming feeling you are looking for, either for yourself or your children, or both!
We hope this information is helpful in choosing a school that is right for you or your family. Feel free to put our advice to the test by contacting us or setting up a free trial class! When you do, we know you will be happy with what we have to offer here at AKKA – Northland. .