I can't afford taekwondo?

Question

I was taking TKD for 50 a month but I could only make it once a week. We can't afford schools that pay 100 a month and I really want to learn TKD.

Does anyone have any idea's how I can learn tkd cheap or without classes?

Thanks

Answer 1

Sounds like McDojang.  Try and find a teacher at your local YMCA, Community Center, Rec Center, Church, etc.

Answer 2

Offer to clean the DoJang after each class as part of your payment... books and videos, will not help you without actual instruction from an actual (good) instructor.... good luck

Answer 3

Sounds like a McDojo to me!  Look around your area for a cheaper class.  If you are in Britain try this web-site www.martialartsregister.co.uk they have loads of classes on there.  If you live in a different country just google a few different variations of this, I a sure they will have one.

Hope this helps mate!

Answer 4

100? Bloody h**l that's expensive! I think you were being swindled there. You need to look around for schools and ask what they charge. All of them. The cost should be significantly less than that. Also, find out if there are extra charges for going up in rank, find out if there are organizational dues, tournament fees, mat fees, etc.

There are several options for those short on cash who still want to learn a martial art.

First, many school's will work with a student who truly wants to learn but is tight on cash. Talk to the head instructor. Frequently a deal can be struck that involves cleaning the school or some such.

Second is the option to find what I call "Garage Schools." These are instructors that teach out of their garages and basements. They almost always have a "day" job and teach simply for the love of the art at a vastly reduced price; Sometimes $20 a month or less. Sometimes these Garage Schools teach through your local Park and Rec. program at similar cost savings.

Third, for High school and college students, check with your Student Association or similar body. Schools and universities frequently have Martial Arts Clubs operating through the school. You can usually join these clubs at no or minimal cost if you are a student. Sometimes these clubs are open to non-students as well. Further, some progressive universities offer a Martial Arts class for credit as part of the physical fitness curriculum.

Naturally, there are sacrifices in each approach. To cut a deal with an instructor, you may have to eat humble pie by admitting that you're in a tight spot right now. It's something that many are loath to do. Finding a Garage School has it's own challenges as well. They usually don't advertise and so you only hear about them by word of mouth. You have to expend some effort looking for them to find them. Sometimes they are upper rank black belts in another school that they themselves travel some distance to train in. The advantage of a Garage School is that the instructor is interested in passing on the art, not making money, and the classes tend to be rather small. Thus, you typically get a very high level of instruction. Finding a Park and Rec. program is a bit easier, but you still have to contact the Park and Rec. program or admin. to find out. You can usually do this by contacting your local Civic Center or, for people entering a new area, check the contents of your Welcome Wagon basket. With both Garage Schools and Park and Rec. schools, you typically have a more limited selection and may not be able to find exactly the school you want. In the university and school programs, as with the Garage Schools, your selection is frequently more limited.