Is karate classes for a child costly?

Question

I am thinking of entering my 9 year old son into karate or tae kwon do classes. I was just wondering how expensive it is before I take the leap. Are the uniforms expensive? What about equipment or safety gear? I heard it costs for the level tests and how much are we talking. I don't want to get myself into something that is going to burn a hole in my pockets. If it is going to require a lot of money then I will look at other options.

Answer 1

well i used to do tae kwon do and i paid ~$30 a month and i do karate now its $10 a week. the Gi(uniform) costs about $50 for a normal uniform or up to $85 but the prices can change a lot it also depends on the material of the GI. for the protection i got mouthguard, groin guard, shin/instep and gloves for ~$50. then gradings can change a lot depending on your school and your rank. i have heard of a black belt costing $1000 but in all the different styles i have done it has been $50 for the grading. then some places will make you sign up with the karate or tae kwon do federation, membeship and insurance etc. so up front it can be reasonably expensive but after you have paid for most of these things you dont need to get more like the Gi and the protection you wont need to replace for a while and after paying membership etc you u dont need to do that for another year(or at some placeses you wont need to pay it ever again) and gradings dont come so often maybe once every 3 months max and as you go up ranks there will be a bigger break between gradings.

Answer 2

Talk to several schools and ask them what the costs are for everything.  There are schools that will run in excess of $200/mth and charge for tests, uniforms, and everything.  Some charge that much, but everything is included.  

By comparison, my school is in the middle cost-wise.  You can get away as cheap as about $950 for the entire year including a uniform.  However, most students get sparring gear and enter a few tournaments so it's usually closer to $1200-1300 for a year.  So about $100 per month.  

For a cheaper option, try your local YMCA or city recreation program.  We teach those programs in our area and it's closer to $300-400 per year altough it's only one day a week.

Answer 3

Right up my ally.

First, find a school and a sensei that seems to suit you and sit in on a class. Watch the student and how they interact with the instructor.

Ask questions such as start up cost. Sometimes the gi (uniform) is included. Also at this time you will be able to see if it fits in your budget.

I always have disapproved of paying for belt test, although it seems like everyone is doing it. I always tested the individual and not in a group. The problem with group test on a payment program is that everyone passes. I know that sounds like; so what isn't that the point. Yes, but many will pass who don't deserve it. When you test as an individual not on a schedule, the instructor knows your ready and will not test until then.

If your looking for safety gear or gi's check out a "Play It Again Sports" if there is one near you or some other second hand sporting good store. A lot of kids and adults start it then drop out quickly.

In saying all this, try to find a school that maybe has smaller classes or gives a short private lessons along with group classes. American Karate Studios use to do this. I have no clue if that is the case anymore.

My recommendations for the style of martial arts would be the following:

American Kenpo - Ed Parker's version

American Karate Studios - teach Kenpo as a base style with a little of

Shotokan and Tae Kwon Do.

Tang Soo DO - Chuck Norris's version

Jubushikido - Clint Colbert grand master

If you lived in Phoenix I would say see me, I'll work with individual budgets and maybe some other studios will do the same.

I was never a big fan of Tae Kwon Do, it seemed to have too much emphasis on kicks. It's important to be well balanced.

Good luck and be involved with your child's training. I always hated just feeling like a babysitter for an hour. Know about what is being taught.

Answer 4

it would depend on where u live and what school ur son will be going to, how many times a week he will be going, and other factors (like travel time, and weird school fees), the gi/or whatever uniform ur kid will be wearing is gona be usually from $40-$100(max), if u get a price form the school for more then $60 for a kids uniform be cautious something is not right...



safety gear for competition will depend on what ur buying but it shouldn't total more then $150 and it will probably last a couple years, the monthely bill could be any where from $60-$150, that will depend on the school u sign up for and how many times a week he will be going, some schools do charge for belt testing, some have it weaved into there monthly bill and only charge for black belt test, the best thing is just to ask at ur individual school,

there may also be random fees that the school will charge like for "accounting" , "a small $250 one time fee for our booking needs"  i have been to several schools that charge anyone new who wants to take classes some sort of fee bc most schools dont do there own bill collection instead they have another company do it for them, I would highly recommended u refuse to pay any school that makes such a gimic and instead just walk away bc it most likely u have walked into a McDojo ( a place consumed with making profit then with teaching martial arts) , most schools do wave that fee when they see they might loss ur membership but its not for certain

just for ur refernace on how much u should pay... i am 18 and i have been going to my current school for about a year, i used to pay $115 for 2 classes a week, now i pay $150 monthly for unlimited classes which ( i go to about 9-10 classes ( 1 hour aprox.) a week) , my safety gear was about $300= light and heavy shin pads, head gear mouth guard, gloves, chest pad, and training gi, mma gloves,

ur cost will vary but its not gona be cheap best thing to do is go to some local schools and find out in person how much

best of luck