More and more people have learned that a modern, effective and enjoyable approach to health, fitness and personal protection is the traditional Martial Art School. Try it today! But, know what to look for. Accept only the best. Keep looking until you are satisfied.
At United Martial Arts, Phoenix, prospective students are never discouraged from looking at other schools, because even though we are Arizona's martial arts leader, we do not try to be all things to all people.
Should you choose to look around, we suggest using the following list as a guide. Remember, at every school, they will tell you they are the best. So don't be embarrassed to pursue these issues or ask these questions. Any reputable instructor will be glad you asked!
Cleanliness - You are the customer! Does the school look and smell like a gym? Are the restrooms filthy? Instructors take no more pride in their instruction than they take in their school's appearance.
Business Integrity - Check with the Better Business Bureau (In the Phoenix metro area: www.Phoenix.bbb.org) to see if there have been complaints. Better yet, see if they are members of the Better Business Bureau.
Black Belt Mills - A recent marketing ploy is for schools to promise you a Black Belt in two years. All you have to do is sign a contract and pay the money. Don't be fooled. It is no easier to develop the all-around attributes of a legitimate Black Belt in two years than it is to earn a Bachelor's Degree from a reputable college in two years. Both can be done, but, both are extremely rare exceptions, not the rule.
Contracts - Watch out for slick sales pitches that try to con you into a long-term contract (six-months or more), or want you to pay a huge down payment up front. A reputable school does not need contracts to keep students! Some schools will even say they "offer" contracts optionally to keep your costs down. Don't believe it! What that means is they charge you more if you do not sign a contract, or that they will, sooner or later, deprive you of their full training program unless you sign the contract.
Hidden costs - Ask about additional charges for uniforms, belt-testing, belts, "mandatory" seminars, "required" videos, etc. Good schools do not hide costs. Some schools even hide the number of belt-tests until you have signed a contract, then surprise you with charges of $35 or more per month for testing.
School Professionalism - Is the school professional, or just a hobby open just a few hours a week? Is the equipment worn out? Will the school be around tomorrow?
Instructor Professionalism - Are the instructors still learning? Ask them. If they are not, you will never reach their current level. Wearing a Black Belt is no assurance of ability or teaching skills. Ask to see a rank certificate and a teaching certificate from a recognized national certifying body which is independent of the school itself (some schools actually create their own "association" and "promote" themselves in belt-rank, or publish fictitious rank and teaching certificates).
How do they treat each other? - Observe how instructors treat students, and how students treat each other. Be sure that is how you want to be treated.
Is there A published Curriculum? - You should be able to see what you will be learning. More importantly, a published curriculum assures you that the instructor has a plan for what you will be taught. Be sure there is a separate curriculum for each age group.
Classes by Age Group - Are wide-ranging age groups combined? Do kids train with adults? Do not accept this. How can an 8-year old student learn all the same skills as an adult?
Are the instructors in shape? - If the instructors are fat and out-of-shape, or if they smoke, they cannot credibly teach you about health and fitness or correctly demonstrate movements. Can you aspire to be like them?
Observe a class. Talk to students and families - It is the only way to find out what a school is really like. If they will not let you do both of these, walk away fast. Do not listen to any excuses.
Classes for you! - Want health and fitness? Choose a traditional style with time-tested exercise forms. Want to be able to train for the rest of your life? Choose a school with circular, flowing styles, which strengthen your joints, rather than destroying them. Want real self-defense? Choose a school which teaches a complete self-defense system, and skip the "sport" schools which overly emphasize recreational sparring and tournament competition.
Stability - How long have they been around? Many new schools close within two years. This does not mean a new school is bad. Just be sure you are satisfied with the answers to the above issues. And certainly don't let a new school soak you for a huge down payment or a contract.
Fads - Watch out for fads. A recent fad is for schools to mash together two or more skill-sets and call it mixed martial arts (MMA). This is just an imitation of the complete system traditional Kung Fu schools have been teaching for centuries.
Internet Training - This is such a ludicrous scam that it barely deserves mention. Some "teachers" are now offering martial art training via the Internet! Send them money and they will send you DVD's or allow you access to downloadable videos. We have generally referred to this approach as training under "Master Sony". Don't fall for this. There are many things you cannot learn over the internet. These include such things as driving a car, piloting an aircraft, swimming, martial arts and many more.
