Deciding you’d like to try a martial arts class is a great decision, but with so much choice how do you choose? Simple … go and see different clubs, talk to the coaches and try their classes! When you find the right one for you, you’ll know. Most importantly, don’t assume all clubs will feel the same, so take your time to find the right one. Becoming proficient in any martial art is a long term investment in time, money and effort so invest wisely.
Here’s some things to think about …
1. WHAT TYPE OF MARTIAL ART? If you’re not sure watch some videos of different types and go and try different things. There are so many, from grappling arts like judo and ju jitsu to fighting arts like karate, kickboxing and tae kwon do or something slower like tai chi. Although they have common elements, such as self-defence, they are also very diverse in their history, techniques and training methods. Even when you decide which type of martial art you would like to learn, you may find there are many different styles and associations within. Take karate as an example, you may hear people talk about styles such as Shotokan, Goju-ryu or Shitoryu alongside different governing and awarding bodies. Although it can be confusing, if someone tells you one is better than another that is solely based on their opinion, not fact. There will be differences so try them for yourself.
2. BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL- you will always have a martial arts class at a village hall near you. If that also happens to be the right one for you then congratulations, you struck gold! There are a lot of great clubs and instructors out there but they are not all the same. Who they are, what they teach, how they teach and who they teach will all have an impact on your learning experience.
3. INSTRUCTOR CREDENTIALS – please ask the coach about their credentials, both in terms of coaching (they should hold a recognised coaching qualification as well as required insurances, first aid training, dbs check etc) and their level of experience in their martial art. Some larger clubs will have multiple coaches of varying levels so find out who the lead coach is for the class you want to attend.
4. BUDGET – There will be a wide variety of prices and fee structures across different clubs, from 12 month contracts to pay as you go. Some clubs will have an annual membership fee and/or may require commitment in terms of purchasing equipment, courses and gradings. Try a class and find out the fee structure before you commit. Pricing structures should reflect the qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience of the coach(es) and any additional services or facilities the club offers.
5. CLASS VIBE – what kind of feel do you want from your club? Family friendly where kids and adults train together, or some ‘me time’ in an adults only class? Are you looking for something where the physical training will be more intense with harder contact sparring, or something non-contact? Do you want to train in a traditional style class which tends to be quite serious and formal, or something more casual and fun? There’s a real mix out there, with the right place for everyone, so look around to find your vibe.
6. FINALLY, WHAT’S YOUR GOAL? What sparked your interest in the first place and what would you like to get from your training? For example if you want to compete, ask if the club has a competition team. Are you a goal setter? Maybe a martial art with a grade or belt system would be good for you. Understanding your goal can help you find the right club for you.
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