I enquired at a local Martial Arts school and they offered classes for as young as 4, and separate classes for teens and adults. The school grounds looked really flash, like a new gymnasium. The students there all seemed really keen and enthused - even the very young little kiddies - all shouting very loudly, doing their moves, etc. I saw the instructors and no doubt they are good teachers. However, when I was told the price, it almost bowled me over. £599 for a 6-month contract - you can take your kid as often as you like - they are open 6 days a week and do classes for every age group everyday. I suppose that's how they justify the cost of the class. They offered a free month's trial, and offered free uniform and kickboxing gloves. I have no doubt martial arts would be beneficial for my daughter - she's normally shy, needs to learn to be a bit more assertive. What's more, she saw the classes and LOVES it - kept asking me to put her in the class. The cost would mean that my husband or I may have to look for a part-time job during the weekend to help make ends meet if we put her in that school. They teach a variety of different styles in every children's class - includes thai kickboxing, karate, jujitsu, judo, taek kwon do, etc. They seem to be very professional about the way they do things. There is only one other Martial Arts school within 20 minutes' drive of our residence and I am going to call them up later, but not sure if they are as good as this one - this one does seem impressive! Both my siblings were sent off to do taekwondo since they were little, and they went to very cheap classes conducted in their local community centre (I've moved out of that area long ago so that can't even be considered!). I'm not even sure if they got as good one-to-one attention and training as they give in this very expensive martial arts school I've just seen. I looked through the yellow pages and it seems the other martial arts schools are all about half an hour's drive or more away and we think it wouldn't be very practical for us to have to travel that far for a class?? Anyway, do you think its worth paying for my daughter's tuition at this expensive one? Also, I read somewhere - some online advice on choosing a martial arts school at http://www.easternmartialarts.com/top5.htm - and the author's opinion was that children should be at least 6 before they learn a martial art. Is this an opinion shared by many?? If so, might it be better for us to wait until our daughter is 6 (i.e. next year) before putting her into martial arts school?? Thanks! P.S. Both my siblings got their black belts in taekwondo eventually, at around the age of 15 or 16. After attending those cheap evening taekwondo classes at their local community centre for nearly 10 years. So I think its possible I may not have to pay a lot of money to put my child through an expensive martial arts training school in order to get her to learn the skill???
Martial Arts - 4 Answers
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1 :
If the school is as good as you describe, no the fee is not high. If I'm doing my math right, it would come to about $125 or so per month, which is becomming an industry standard. You have to weigh out the options (check out the other school). Also check into those schools 30 minutes away. That is not too far - I have traveled an hour each direction for classes twice a week. You may also want to check the local community centers anyway, because some schools (like mine) don't/can't put an add in the phone book. As for the age limit, you have to look at the curriculum being used. If they are really teaching martial arts to the 4-5 year olds, then it is a good program. If they are only teaching "organized chaos", it becomes a very expensive day care facility because your child won't be learning anything.
2 :
It is absolutely too expensive to pay this sum in advance. You should not pay more than £80 / month for even the most professional facility in London, everywhere else it ought to be less than that.
3 :
It does sound pretty expensive, but what worries me more is the 6-month contract. What if your kid gets fed up with it after a couple of weeks? Then you're out £600. Find somewhere that doesn't do it for the money - chances are they don't advertise in the yellow pages if they're not a commercial school, so look around local church halls or community centres. You'll probably find somewhere a hell of a lot cheaper that won't want 6 months money up front and won't make you sign a contract. You don't say where you are, but unless you are stuck in the back-end of nowhere there's bound to be something nearby. Half an hours drive to a class is no biggie, especially if you take up training too ;) 4 years old seems a little young, but if your main drive is to find something she enjoys, that gives her exercise and makes her a bit more outgoing then why not? To her it may just be a bit of fun, and as long as everyone is happy with that arrangement then go for it.
4 :
Let's see 559 pounds for 6 months works out to about 1200.00 US.The fact they teach such a variety of styles makes me think MCDOJO big time.She will learn something but what that is will be debatable. Ask them how long it takes to get a black belt if they say anything less than 3 years and that is based on 4 lessons a week in one system save your money and run.
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