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04-19-2010, 07:51 PM | #11 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
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What should I expect for a novice?:
Most schools I know of try to build you up to the rigers of Martial Arts, they generally tell new people to work at thier own pace and to not tax themselves the first few classes. Even if you are very physical, the type of exersizing is different and sore muscles will occur. You should also expect some confusion if you never have done this stuff before, its a new way of thinking in relation to fighting, they are trying to build muscle memory (so you don't actually think about if you ever have to use it) and thus repition is very key. It's like that throughout the belts and the basic fundementals build on themselves. How should I judge an instructor's teaching ability?: You should expect him or her to be good. Obviously they should be a black belt in whatever martial art they are teaching, but beyond that they should be knowledgeable about body mechanics and self defence. All people have different levels of competence but as a black belt they should have a certain level. The danger is there are tons of schools that become "belt factories" and just hand out belts. At your level this will be very hard to desern. Best thing is to talk to the students and ask for some exprences from thier perpectives. That will help you deside if the instructor is the style you would like to be under. Just as techers have differnt styles so do martial arts instructors. How much should it cost?: Depends on where you live, the economy, ect ect. Some areas are as high as $250 a month, some are as cheap as $60. Its very dependant on what the market of the area will hold and the overhead (rent ect) for the instructor. What amenities should it have?: Some equipment at the least (Kicking targets, maybe some punching bags ect). I wouldn't expect a full gym but bare would be somewhat suspicious (unless the equipment is held in a side room or something). Of course some kind of padding on the floor is a must. What should I get out of it mentally, physically, spiritually?: Its different for different people. I got a boost of confidence (Note: Not arrogance that I can take anyone, in fact I tend to be rather humble about my abilities that I have learned, but more along the lines of "I can do this, so I bet i can do other things too"), I lost 25 lbs my first year in the program, am still loseing 3 years later. Spiritually is questionable since some teach on a spiritual level and some do not. My teacher does not and yet I feel my spirit is stronger than when I started. Does the owner teach?: Absolutly unless there is some weird thing going on with the teacher's life or something. The only other way I would think an owner wouldn't teach is some kind of partnership where one guy teaches while the other does the books (and book guy has no Martial Arts skills) but that is it. Now the owner might have assistants to help teach some aspects but generally the owner should be the driving force in the studio. The leader, the guide and of course the teacher. I am not sure I could trust an owner who didn't teach. Any other questions I should ask?: Well you have covered alot of it already. Ask maybe about testing for belts and advancement (that will give you clues into if the school is a belt factory or not). Also try to get reactions from the other students as that will help you deside if the school is right for you. Of course most students will talk good about the instructor, but there are obvious signs of if this will not work for you in relation to how they convey things. Any more questions ask away, I try to check the boards at least once a day. |
04-19-2010, 07:56 PM | #12 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: California
Posts: 3,831
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Oh and let's not forget that chicks dig dudes that know martial arts.
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04-19-2010, 07:57 PM | #13 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,161
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04-19-2010, 07:58 PM | #14 |
Luminous being
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Northern California
Posts: 5,702
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Oh man. Cracking up. kneroh wins on the first draw!
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04-19-2010, 08:05 PM | #15 |
Iron Grenadier
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 697
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Your kinda hosed... Schools usually only give you a few free classes. That is not near enough to come to a real conclusion. Your gonna have to pick one and try it for awhile. It shouldn't take too long to figure out if you like the instructors or not. Feel free to try any style too, there are some differences, but the more you drill down you'll always find common threads. You want something that is going to challenge you without scaring you off that has good people. Just go out and try to have fun and get a width exposure.
Also, be mindful of price structures. TKD is notorious for belt purchasing. That's not to say it occurs at all schools, but there is that reputatuion.
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04-19-2010, 08:13 PM | #16 |
I.O. SpecOps
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In a secret underground bunker.
Posts: 4,404
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The actual article: Finding a good martial arts school - No BS MMA and Martial Arts
http://www.24fightingchickens.com/20...d-karate-club/ http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com...alschools.html
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Dr. Venture: Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery? http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...r1s-b-s-t.html Last edited by blackrazor1; 04-19-2010 at 08:19 PM.. |
04-19-2010, 08:26 PM | #17 |
Iron Grenadier
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Portland, Or
Posts: 697
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You know, it might also be worthwhile to mention Western Martial Arts as an option. Bartitsu is making a coming, plus it's pretty cool!
http://www.bartitsu.org/
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04-19-2010, 08:28 PM | #18 |
Mad Scientist at Large
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 14,793
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Quote:
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04-19-2010, 10:41 PM | #19 |
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 10,454
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Great thread, I have studied, trained and fought quite a few styles and will try to add to the help you are already getting here.
Expect to learn--right now your only concern should be that you are in comfortable enviroment and have chosen the right martial art for you. Expect to BE a novice, you may not catch on to some things as quick as you think and feel silly doing it--don't be hard on yourself and the right instructor wont either. How should I judge an instructor's teaching ability? [/QUOTE] 1st thing, take advantage of every single free class in every single art and style that is available to you. Leave no stone unturned. In fact I would view several schools that teach the same style and compare and contrast in what you saw in each school. Depending on the style you are more than likely going to see trophies, certifications--look up your teacher. Don not be afraid to ask questions. And again, find someone you are comfortable with. I have had the pleasure, and DIS-pleasure of training with a multitude of instructors. Some of them were great people and great intructors--some of them were great instructors and I couldnt wait to leave the class--follow me? How much should it cost? [/QUOTE] Prices will vary depending on school and of course style--add in for gear. If you were gonna train in what's "hot" right now--MMA/Muay Thai-Brazillian Jiu Jitsu--you are probably looking at classes 3-4 times a week $100.00-$150.00 a month. More traditional styles-seem to a bit less than that. Also, allow expense for gear. My Escrima gear is close to $1000.00 when all is said and done--gear for my JKD class is probably close to $15.00--different styles will dicate the gear. Uniform, armor, weapons etc. What amenities should it have? [/QUOTE] That will solely depend on your personal experiance. I have found that if I wasn't having a "great" experiance the 1st week, it is probably not for me--after 15+ years of training I pretty much know where I will and wont have a good time--you will learn this too. What should I get out of it mentally, physically, spiritually? [/QUOTE] I would say this is personal and various--for me, and this may sound cliche..but in a nutshell here is what I got. 1. Balls, Martial Arts gave me backbone. Focus..it help me put social anxieties aside and contributed to my social well being. I have used so much of what I got mentally from martial arts in other aspects of my life. 2. Physically--Martial Arts combined with weight training and proper diet has done more for me than any thing else in this world. 3. Spiritually--combine my 1st two reasons--meditate on that Does the owner teach? [/QUOTE] Most times, in my case, yes. However most schools that offer various classes will have other instructors under the highest belt or ranking. Even the owner of my last school was a student under someone else. Any other questions I should ask?[/QUOTE] Everything and anything that comes to mind. Do not be bashfull in taking the "free course"--be prepared that as much as it is an art, it is also a business, be clear and vocal about it in the begining "I am going to be trying out alot of schools in the next month"--one last thing that I've noticed--just like gyms--if the sales tactics are incredbily pushy and comming on too strong--beware. Let the class sell it to you. |
04-19-2010, 11:29 PM | #20 |
Hisstank.Com General
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