What I should be looking for in a martial arts studio or school?

Question

I want to take a form of martial arts, and I'm currently leaning towards tae kwon do. I've done a bit of research, and I guess there are quite a few of "McDojo's" or Black Belt Mills out there. What should I be looking for in a good school, and what are some good questions to ask? Thanks!

Answer 1

Talk to the instructors and some of the students and get their impressions. Take a few free lessons and find out if you like the style, the instructor and his teaching methods, and the class itself.

Find out:

What is the history of the style? Where did it come from? How does your school fit into the lineage of the style?

What are the instructor's training history and instructor qualifications/authorizations? Does he have a regular job and teaches martial arts because he loves his art, or is teaching the art how he makes his living (this can be a sign to be wary of)?

Who does the head instructor study under (unless he is the venerable grandmaster, unlikely, then he should still be studying too)?

What national and/or international organizations (such as the All Japan Karate Federation, or World Tae Kwon Do Federation) for that style does the school belong to (some small schools may not and still be good schools, but be wary of one-of-a-kind styles with no affiliation to an organization that regulates the style and its instructors)?

Beware schools that require long-term contracts and lots of up-front money, as that is a sign of a scam artist. Beware of schools that charge fees for testing (nominal fees for supplies, like boards to break or your new belt are not unwarranted, but hundreds of dollars to gain your new rank could be a scam. In the black belt range, sometimes there are higher fees associated with registration of your rank with the national/international organization or to help pay for bringing a high ranking instructor from overseas to perform the testing).

Answer 2

Do some research and sit in on some classes you will see the difference between schools trust me just watch their hire ranking students and the instructors. I think that tells you almost every thing about a school.

Answer 3

You do not say if you are looking for sport of self-defense arts? If you are looking for self-defense arts watch out for any of these:

1) Contracts required.

2) little kids wearing black belts

3) black belt clubs

4) promotion test held often.

5) instructors that are supposed to be masters that are not at least in their 30's.  with at least 12-15 years of training or more.

6) watch out for any school that claims to be better than other arts.

7) They schools are dojo, dojang, kwoon, or something else, but a real martial arts school would not get caught dead calling themselves a "Studio"

Answer 4

I think you should examine all the resources in your area, visit the facilities that interest you and see if you can participate in a few classes, I give my students a week for free.

In a good school, you will see lots of interaction between junior and senior students, as every student is a potential teacher.  You will see the school master instructor paying attention to all the students.

A good school will allow you to try before you buy, and in the case of many schools you should see students undergoing brief periods of instruction followed by a majority of time in implementation.

Don't be afraid to assess your teacher, after all he is assessing you, if for nothing else, than your ability to pay.  Ask questions, see what the trial period is, find out how long the person has been teaching.  Watch the students, how they interact with each other and how the teacher interacts with them.  Take a look at the schedule, see if it fits your schedule.

There are many quality instructors out there, and you may find an art without belts will work better for you, in Krav Maga we have no belts, we have levels.  In some Taijiquan schools there are no belts, but chevrons indicating rank.

As with anything you buy, see if you are comfortable in it.  The best schools train students to instruct other students as well, by instructing you are learning as well.  Watch to see how the instructors interact with the students.  See how the instructor and other students interact with you.