| To reap the best benefits from martial arts, they | | | | are factors. In addition to asking instructors, also ask |
| should be taken as long term activities rather than | | | | other students about injury rates and their general |
| short term. Given this suggestion, one should not just | | | | feedback about the classes (ideally when they are |
| simply walk into the closest martial arts studio and | | | | outside of their schools). Another point on the |
| sign up right away without doing some research. Not | | | | students is that some schools attract a certain type |
| all martial arts are alike and not all schools or studios | | | | of student profile. Observe the other students and |
| are alike either. Therefore, it is important to really | | | | decide whether these are people you would like to |
| think about what your own needs are with respect | | | | train with. |
| to martial arts training. | | | | Some schools are very much into competition with |
| The discussion of which martial art style to take is | | | | active encouragement of students to participate in |
| too extensive for this article. So what I will say here | | | | tournaments. In fact, some schools even make this a |
| is that there are differences in the various styles of | | | | requirement in order to advance through the |
| martial arts which may result in some being more | | | | different levels. Other schools have been known to |
| suitable for certain individuals compared to others. Do | | | | restrict competition only within a particular circuit. For |
| some research on the different styles and do visit | | | | example, many tae know do clubs only participate in |
| the classes of different studios that teach different | | | | tournaments that are strictly Olympic style tae kwon |
| martial arts if possible. But more important is each | | | | do and never go to events that are open to all |
| individual school's approach to teaching their martial | | | | martial arts styles. There are schools in the complete |
| arts. Many martial arts schools teach only techniques | | | | opposite end where they do not believe in |
| and forms (set routines) that are specific to a | | | | competition at all and pretty well keep to themselves |
| traditional style. These schools follow the ways that | | | | without any interaction with other martial arts clubs. |
| the original founders of each martial art style | | | | Many Chinese kung fu clubs do not compete and |
| developed and they have continued with minimal | | | | some styles of martial arts such as aikido do not |
| variance over the years. Other studios like to borrow | | | | offer any competitive outlet. Many martial arts |
| techniques from a variety of martial art disciplines and | | | | schools choose to have a relaxed position towards |
| integrate a mix into their programs. Some schools are | | | | competition where they leave it up to individual |
| non-traditional and adopt a more open free style | | | | students to choose whether they want to participate |
| system which incorporates traditional martial art | | | | in tournaments or not. Some schools have special |
| techniques with gymnastics and open choreography | | | | competition teams where additional training is available |
| of forms. There are many clubs that do both | | | | for those students who wish to compete. So as a |
| traditional and open styles. Each school will claim that | | | | prospective student, you should consider what |
| their martial art style and method of teaching is | | | | involvement you would like in competition if any. If |
| superior to others. Prospective students must not | | | | you know that you never want to compete, you |
| take these claims too seriously and choose an | | | | should not get locked into a school that requires |
| approach that would be best suited for them on an | | | | tournament competition. If you have a desire for |
| individual basis. | | | | competition, don't join a studio that shuns |
| Many advertisements for martial arts schools push | | | | competition. |
| the backgrounds of their higher ranking instructors as | | | | Some martial arts schools teach in community |
| a way to attract students. It is important to realize | | | | centers, school gyms and even church basements. |
| that the more degrees (or dans) a particular black | | | | Some have bare bones studios with outdated |
| belt has don't always mean that the individual is a | | | | equipment. Some schools have the latest martial arts |
| better instructor. This is the same with instructors | | | | and fitness equipment with sparkling clean change |
| who have very successful competition records. There | | | | rooms and facilities. All of these will factor into the |
| is no correlation to the number of world championship | | | | membership fee of each school. You have to |
| titles won with how good an instructor is. The term | | | | determine what you are willing to pay for and what |
| 'master' should also be taken with caution. A master | | | | type of environment you will feel comfortable training |
| doesn't always make an excellent instructor. The | | | | in. |
| teaching style of different instructors can vary. Some | | | | Many schools require annual contracts while some are |
| use the old Asian masters' approach where discipline | | | | on a month to month basis. There could be initiation |
| is strictly enforced much like in the military. While | | | | fees. There could also be testing or grading fees for |
| general discipline is actually a good attribute to learn | | | | advancement. All of these extra costs will add up. |
| from martial arts training, some of the old ways of | | | | Ask what happens if you have to freeze your |
| teaching, particularly reprimanding students vocally or | | | | membership due to extended illness or injury. |
| physically for incorrect techniques may be considered | | | | If one doesn't really know whether martial arts is an |
| a bit harsh for today's society. This is why it is | | | | activity for them in the long run, the option of taking |
| important to watch classes of prospective martial | | | | short term courses such as those offered by |
| arts schools you are interested in. You want to see | | | | community centers may be a viable alternative to |
| the teaching style of an instructor to determine if it's | | | | making a full commitment to a dedicated martial arts |
| a style that would be compatible with you or not. | | | | club with its own studio space. But do be aware that |
| Ask questions after instructors have finished | | | | although martial arts can be very enjoyable from the |
| teaching. If you have the gut feeling that certain | | | | first day you put on a karate uniform, it is a long |
| instructors will not be right for you, move on to find | | | | term activity and one must have patience in order to |
| another club. Most legitimate schools will allow | | | | benefit the most from martial arts. Fortunately, there |
| prospective students to witness or even try out a | | | | are many options in the form of different martial art |
| class for free before joining. | | | | styles and schools to choose from in the market |
| Related to teaching styles, some instructors | | | | today. Just make sure that you do some preliminary |
| emphasize safety more than others. The use of | | | | research before committing to any particular club. |
| protective equipment and certain rules while sparring | | | | |