The article "Martial Arts - 9 Questions To Ask When Looking For A School" talks about fitness, it has been created by Mr. Robert L. Jones.
Thinking of taking Martial Arts? Choosing a Martial Arts school
can be intimidating, but not if you do some research first.
Knowing these nine questions to ask before you pick any school
for yourself or your child will ensure a positive experience.
1. Do you have belt test fees?
And if so, how much are they? If
they do, make sure you ask what they charge for each belt, so
you know your true costs.
2. Do they mix adults with kids when training?
Most schools
consider an audlt to be 12 or 13. You do not want to pair up
with a youth if you are an adult.
It solws down your training.
3. Do they do tournaments? Many places will say yes, but you
don't have to participate.
Well let me tell you, the four weeks
before the tournament, most schools are so busy getting ready
for it, you will be a punching bag until the tournament is over.
4. Do they allow the public to watch the classes? I really
dislike being watched while I teach or practice.
Do you really
want to be trying to learn an advance move that looks real
funny, with human being on the side lines laugihng at you?
Most of my
students don't, so we do NOT allow it, except during the kid's
class. All parents are allowed to wacth their kids if they want
to. If the school doesn't allow that - wacth out.
5. What style do they teach? I am a traditionalist.
I like to
teach and learn only one style.
Many incomplete styles have to
bring in different systems to complete their stlye.
Not a good
thing. Imagine speaking a quarter English, a quarter French, a
quarter Spanish, and a qaurter Russian. You would never learn to
write. Try to stick to a complete system that isn't just the
flavor of the month.
6. What type of screening process do they have? Can just anybody
train? Remember, you will be learning a martial art, and in the
course of things, somebody will be punching and kicking at you.
It's nice to know that the instructor screened his students (All
my students go through an ongoing screening process, starting
with the very first interview and first lesson).
7. How often can I come in?
I allow my students full access to
the training hall all day long, five days a week. If you can
only come down twice a week, that's ok if that wokrs for you.
I
just know that working with adults, tehir schedule is always
changing, so we have to change with them. Just be aware of what
you can and can't do. If all the sudden you cannot make your
seven o'clock lesson, do they have a sceond time for you?
8. Who teaches the class? Are they paid instructors or just
teenage helpers trying to get their next belt? A paid instructor
usually knows that they are being paid by the student. The
unpaid teenager often doesn't care if you stay or go, learn or
not.
9. Do they have contracts? I love that one.
I have done it both
ways.
I have signed contracts and I have not signed them. Let me
tell you, the person that does not have a contract is no
professional. They usually are the wrost run schools.
You must
absolutely know up front what is expected from you, the student,
and what you can exepct from the school. How many tmies have you
heard "get it in writing"?
Well do it. The only reason not to
sign a contract is the length of time you are committing to.
Remember, they are committing to you as well. Contracts are not
one sided. If you are not going to be in the area for the term
of the contract, don't sign it.
All my agreements have a clause
allowing you out if you get sick or move.
One last thing, would
you buy a house, rent an apartment, purchase a car, or sell a
house wihtout some sort of contract? I think not.
So don't fall
for "we don't have contracts here".
A month to month club is
just that, a mnoth to month club. It takes two to commit.
If the
school is willing to commit, so should the student.
There are many other tihngs to be aware of, but I believe these are
the most critical. If you have any questions about a school in
your area or want some advice, believe free to email me at the
contact address below.
I will be fortuante to help you make the
right decision.
Mr. Robert Jones Master Instructor Temple Kung-Fu Studios
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