This is one part of the series, Get Started In The Martial Arts: A Beginner’s Guide.
Armed with a list of goals for your martial arts training, and a list of schools to consider, your search can begin in earnest.
We know that visiting a half-dozen different schools is a hassle. But it is far better to invest these first hours in finding a great dojo, rather than in studying at a mediocre one. When you visit each school, be sure to ask these essential questions.
Are the classes compatible with my schedule and budget?
Some schools offer only two or three hours of instruction per week, and others are open all day long. Talk to the instructor, and discuss how many hours of daily or weekly attendance would be appropriate to meet your goals. Consider whether you are both willing and able to accommodate that training schedule, on an ongoing basis.
The costs of martial arts training can add up quickly. Find out if you would be required to pay for yearly association membership dues, uniform and equipment fees, testing and belt promotion fees, tournament entrance fees, or seminar attendance fees, in addition to monthly tuition. If the school asks students to sign a long-term contract, check the fine print for an early termination penalty, or other nasty surprises.
Am I allowed to observe a class?
Any good school will allow you to either observe, or participate in a trial class before signing up. Given a choice between the two, we recommend that you sit quietly and watch the teacher and students, rather than following along with them. For now, it is best to give your undivided attention to the instructor, the students, and the training environment, rather than focusing on the technical details of the lesson itself.
If you decide to participate, you may be asked to sign a liability waiver first. This is a standard legal formality, but do take it seriously. If you are uncomfortable with the risks outlined in the waiver, discuss your concerns with the instructor.
There may be a small participation fee for your trial class. This is normal, and it is fair. Such policies are meant to discourage flighty visitors from wasting class time, and when you eventually become a regular student yourself, you will be grateful for them.
What is the instructor’s teaching style?
Few martial arts instructors have any formal education training, and teaching strategies vary in style and effectiveness. Are you comfortable with the amount of positive and negative feedback given by the instructor, and the attitude with which it is delivered? How about the amount of physical contact, and the level of personal attention given to each individual student? This may represent an opportunity to expand your comfort zone, or it may just be a signal to move on.
What can I learn from the student body?
Observe how the junior, least experienced, or worst students in class are treated by everyone else. If you decide to join, you will be the new junior student.
Look at the senior students too. Perhaps even more than the lead instructor, they exemplify the quality of the school. If you are not impressed by the performance and behavior of the best students, then don’t bother signing up to become one.
Do you see a healthy balance between competition and cooperation? Between formality and fun? Education and entertainment?
Does the class meet my requirements and expectations?
It is difficult to evaluate the breadth and depth of a school’s offerings over the span of a single class. You probably have questions about what you have seen, and have not seen. Now is the time to ask them! If the curriculum seems in conflict with something you read or heard elsewhere, bring the issue up directly with the teacher. Don’t assume your prior information was correct.
There are some questions that the average martial arts teacher is unwilling or unable to answer. We will cover those in the next section.