6 Steps to Selecting a Martial Arts School
Just as you would pour over the details of a school you were considering for your child, so should you consider all the details of a martial arts school for yourself. Even though the curriculum is made of up kicks and punches instead of English and science, doesn’t mean that the scrutiny of professionalism, teachers, and facilities do not apply. Being a black belt or a championship fighter doesn’t guarantee a good teacher or sound business acumen, and just because someone has achieved a high level of ability, doesn’t mean you will definitely get your money’s worth.
As such, here are the 6 things you should scrutinise when choosing a martial arts school.
- Facilities
The martial art school’s facilities should be clean and organised. If they don’t look professional on the surface, their services probably won’t be either once you start to dig beneath the surface. You should also make sure that they have a fully stocked first aid kit and someone on hand at all times with basic medical training in case of injury. If all they have is a box of plasters, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
- Instructors
A good instructor will take interest in why you are interested in joining their school and will help you achieve your goals – find the right teacher and you’ll love your training. The instructors and staff should be personable, courteous, professional, and patient. Be warned, not all instructors are honest about their training backgrounds, so try to verify all the information you’re given just as you would when choosing betting sites in Australia!
- Attitude
If you pick up a bad feeling from the instructors, staff, other students, or something just doesn’t feel right, be sure to trust your instincts! If they consistently demonstrate a good, positive attitude that makes you feel comfortable and welcome, then you can feel comfortable giving the school a second look.
- Style
Style should be a secondary consideration to who is teaching and how the classes are taught, but having said that, be sure to ask a few questions about the physical skills that are taught in the martial art you’re considering. For example, if self-defence is important to you, make sure that the school’s offerings reflect that. If you’re not too bothered with style specifics, be sure to search for the best teacher instead.
- Students
Ask whether the school has a number of intermediate or advanced students, as if they do then you can be sure that the instructors know how to keep students motivated and invested in the school and training programme. Some schools prefer to maintain smaller class sizes in order to provide more focused, individual attention. Talk to a few students about their experience with the school, how long they’ve been there, and what they enjoy about it.
- Finances
Many martial art schools will request that you sign a contract for a certain period of time and you should only go ahead with this if you feel entirely comfortable with the club. However, before committing to an extended period of time, request whether you can do a month on a class-to-class basis to ensure that you’re entirely happy.
Good luck and we hope you find a suitable school!