How to Choose a Martial Arts School for You or Your Child

If you want to get into shape while having fun, plus learn something useful from it, you might want to choose a martial arts school that will allow you to do so. The trouble is, most people don't know much about martial arts and have no idea what style or school to choose.

After 15 years in the martial arts as both a student and a teacher, I have a way you can choose a martial arts school without having to know anything about the martial arts. Followed exactly, it's virtually fool-proof and works for both adults and for parents who want to choose a martial arts school for their children.

Determine What You Want to Get Out of a Martial Arts School

Everyone is looking to get something in particular when they choose a martial arts school in which to enroll. Generally speaking, adults want to get into shape and learn self-defense. Parents enrolling their children generally want them to get more self-confidence, self-discipline, and of course, self-defense.

If you can, you should have an idea of what you want to get out of your martial arts experience before you actually choose a martial arts school. But if you don't, don't worry about it. Once you do choose a martial arts school, you'll find what it is you really like about it and where your particular niche is.

Select A Few Martial Arts Schools

First, begin to choose a martial arts school by selecting a few schools located near you, in the phone directory, or best of all, by reputation. Make a list of all the ones you want to check out on a sheet of paper, along with their addresses and phone numbers, and call each one.

Call Each Martial Arts School on Your List

There is one primary thing you should find out when calling a martial arts school: do they have any free or inexpensive introductory courses? Regardless of anything the person who answers the phone tells you, there is no way you are going to be able to choose a martial arts school just by talking on the phone. Call each school you have written down on your list, schedule a trial class, and go take it.

Take a Trial or Introductory Class

This is going to take a little bit of time, but in the long run it will pay off. Set up a time in each school to go take a trial or introductory class. You can go to just observe, but you really won't be able to choose a martial arts school just by doing that. The only way you can really get a feel for the school is by taking a trial or introductory class.

A trial class will give you a number of insights into what the karate or martial arts school is like. Some things you should take note of when you choose a martial arts school are:

-- Can you understand the instructor clearly, or is it an effort to try to understand him or her?

-- Does the instructor break things down for you? Are techniques or moves broken down into parts so that it's easier to learn them?

-- Does the instructor run a disciplined yet fun class?

-- Do you like the class and would you like to take more from this instructor?

Notice the School Itself

When you do choose a martial arts school, notice what kind of shape the martial arts school is in. Is it clean? What kind of flooring does the school have? You may not think that when you choose a martial arts school, that the floor would have anything to do with whether or not the school is any good. But it does.

In a self-defense situation, you need to know not only how to defend yourself on your feet, but also on the ground. Usually within the first 15 seconds a fight will go to the ground. Defense on the ground falls under the category called "grappling".

That's why the floor is so important for you to notice. If a martial arts school has a wooden or merely carpeted floor, they probably don't teach grappling. Look for a school with a matted floor. Not only is a matted floor more comfortable to work out on, it is vital if you are going to ever learn effective grappling techniques.

Talk to the Instructor

After the class the instructor will probably want to talk to you. Usually this is where he or she will want to sign you up for classes. Be polite, but don't let them do all the talking, because there are a number of questions you should ask the instructor if he or she doesn't cover them in the conversation.

-- What kind of certification and training does the instructor have? This doesn't just mean his black belt rank. To become instructors, did they have to go through an extensive instructor training program that taught them both technique and how to teach? Are they required to continue their own training and learning?

-- Besides the fees to join that the instructor tells you about, be sure to ask if there are any extra fees for stripes, belts, testing fees, or anything else. Often instructors won't mention that. In some styles everything is included, which is best, and you may want to look for such a school.

After your conversation with the instructor, ask yourself: Do I like it here? Do I like the instructor? Can I see myself coming here at least twice a week for at least a year?

Finally, when you choose a martial arts school, watch a black belt class before signing up. It's a good idea to know what kind of black belts the school is turning out, because they are, after all, the end product of all that goes into a school.