Martial arts are an excellent addition to your life skills as they provide exciting mental and physical rewards. If you want to enroll yourself or your child, there are numerous considerations you should make.
Like all life-changing decisions, you must research thoroughly to find the ideal martial arts school. After all, if you are going to take it seriously, it is a lifetime commitment and should meet your ultimate needs and goals.
Before settling on the cheapest regrettable institution, here are seven things to look at when choosing a martial arts school.
Why join a martial arts school?
Before settling on one martial arts school, remember it is a long-term commitment. It can be challenging to commit to something new. You want to avoid picking the first school you come across and later regret spending thousands of hours and money.
Consider the reasons for your interest in joining a martial arts school. Some of the common reasons people give include the following:
- To acquire self-defense skills.
- Improve social skills, and self-discipline, especially for children.
- Increase confidence and mental stamina.
- For flexibility, better coordination, and stress relief.
- Exercise.
Different schools focus on particular forms of martial arts, with daily or once-a-week classes. Although the schools may have the best instructors, compare their reviews to get a detailed insight from other participants.
Benefits of Joining a Martial Arts School
One of the primary benefits of joining a martial arts school is the opportunity to learn valuable skills and techniques from experienced instructors. The classes typically focus on teaching practical techniques that can be used for personal protection as well as exploring the philosophy and principles behind different martial arts styles. This provides students with a chance to deepen their understanding of martial arts, making them well-rounded practitioners.
In addition to learning self-defense skills, training at a martial arts center can help you become fitter, develop confidence in your abilities, and enhance discipline in both mental and physical aspects. As you progress through your training program, your instructor will be able to tailor it to your needs, helping you achieve greater physical ability and form as well as greater mental focus and determination.
Training at a martial arts school also offers numerous social benefits. You will often find yourself surrounded by people who share similar goals or interests in the art form. This creates an environment where everyone is striving for a common purpose and supporting each other as they reach higher levels of proficiency. Furthermore, joining an organized group such as this helps create positive relationships with others that can last beyond the dojo walls, keeping these relationships even after graduation from class or when the need arises to move on from the school itself.
What to consider when choosing a martial arts school
Choosing a martial arts school is similar to selecting a regular one. You want one with the best facilities, but the most expensive one may not be it.
Type of martial art
There are numerous types of martial arts, the most popular being Karate, Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Taekwondo. The style you pick depends on your goals and need
1. Instructors
A good martial arts instructor must have over ten years of experience in their field. Look out for long-term evidence, either through old trophies or photographs.
However, a person who practices martial arts may not qualify as a teacher, so ensure the instructor is a qualified trainer. Settle for one who is friendly, has no criminal history, and still works towards improving his skills.
A qualified instructor should be able to listen to you and advise what is suitable for you. You may do several styles simultaneously, especially if you have extensive goals.
2. Facilities
Professionalism is critical to performance. Choose a clean martial arts school with excellent customer service and organization.
3. Current Students
One of the key indicators that a martial arts school is significant is the current long-term students. People invest long-term where there is value for their money and time.
4. Pricing
An excellent martial arts school should be something other than the most expensive or the cheapest. A quality program is appropriately priced, focusing on providing quality services.
5. Contract Terms
A martial arts school that offers its students contract cancellation flexibility is great. It proves that they are confident of their services and are sure you will commit long-term.
6. Safety
Personal safety is vital when enrolling in a martial arts school. The facilities should have first-aid instructors and the necessary equipment readily available.
Different Types of Martial Arts
When it comes to choosing the right martial arts school for you, it’s important to understand the differences between the disciplines. Some of the more popular styles include karate, judo, aikido, tae kwon do, and hapkido. Although there are similarities between these martial arts styles, each has its own unique background and techniques which focus on different aspects of self-defense.
Karate is among the oldest martial arts in existence and focuses primarily on striking and blocking the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. It also stresses traditional values such as respect and courtesy.
Judo is a grappling style of martial art that promotes physical fitness along with being able to defend one’s self in a practical manner by using leverage rather than strength or force.
Aikido is also considered a peaceful form of martial art that uses circular movements to redirect an attacker’s energy rather than resisting with greater force.
Tae Kwon Do consists mostly of kicking techniques and incorporates throwing maneuvers along with hand strikes for increased effectiveness in self-defense situations.
Hapkido includes joint locks and throws combined with strikes for attack or defensive responding purposes.
Understanding these differences will allow you to make an informed decision when selecting a particular style or school that best suits your individual needs or interests.
Conclusion
Although the above key things to consider when choosing a martial arts school are necessary, trust your instincts. If you visit an institution and it does not feel right, move on to the next one. Once you find one that seems perfect, take a short trial membership session before you commit.
