How To Choose A Martial Arts School

Decide in advance what benefits you want from martial arts training.

Do you simply want to try martial arts? Do you want a unique fitness activity? Do you want to develop more discipline and focus? Do you want a social outlet? Maybe you want to test yourself in eventual competition? Or you might simply want to have fun.

Whatever you primary outcome, decide before you set foot in any martial arts facility. This will immediately help you narrow your search and know what questions to ask.

Look for a professional, well equipped facility.

Although martial arts schools will come in a variety of sizes, and layout and equipment will vary as much as the variety of martial art styles, there are some key features that are a must.

Avoid “basement dungeons” when possible. A bright, pleasant, atmosphere with lots of windows will make a big difference over the long run in your martial arts training enjoyment and the quality of the experience.

Both basement and 2nd floor locations may also indicate the owners did not have the financial solvency to be granted a ground floor prime location. Something to be considered before investing your money with such a establishment.

Absolutely do not settle for anything but a fully matted training area. Hard floors are especially hard on the joints while carpet is a serious hygiene concern as every bacteria and germ will remain in the fibers. Safety is also of course a major concern in all physical activities and a martial arts school that did not invest in proper matted flooring throughout should be avoided.

The instructor check list.

Do they look the part? Martial arts are meant to develop disciplined athletes. An great instructor leads by example in his or her training and lifestyle. Seeing an instructor that is overtly obese or a smoker for example should certainly raise questions as to their personal standards, and therefore their ability to lead you to excel.

Are they professional, courteous, friendly, with a genuine interest in you? You are potentially going to spend the next few years in contact with these individuals. Make sure you are setting yourself up for success with good coaches.

Are they good martial artists? You may not be an expert at making that distinction at this time, but aside from external factors such as old age, a good instructor needs to be at the very least a good practitioner of their craft. Be aware however that a belt rank may not be an indication of their actual skills or knowledge. Most martial arts organization hand out the higher black belt ranks and titles as patronage promotions for “good service”. That is unfortunately why the industry is full of paper tigers 7th 8th and 9th degree black belts that have not thrown a punch in decades.

Only consider martial arts schools that offer a very comprehensive trial process.

A martial arts school that does not offer a trial should definitely be suspect, but more importantly that trial should include some private lessons.