| w what you’re probably thinking… | | | | me to #3… |
| “what am I suppose to ask or look for when | | | | 3. Enthusiasm – That’s right. Energy! |
| picking a Karate school for my child?” Not to | | | | Motivation! Great attitude! This is different from the |
| worry! This is a very common question parents ask | | | | Starbucks associate that has had 3 espressos and 4 |
| themselves when they are looking for a Karate school | | | | lattes before serving you. You should feel excited to |
| near by. And, I want to make sure you ask the right | | | | come to class. And, the instructor should be happy you |
| questions, but more importantly, find a studio that | | | | came in too – because you have choices. In |
| offers exactly what you want and makes you feel | | | | addition, the classes should be upbeat. Learning |
| comfortable. As the old saying goes: “Karate is | | | | discipline should be “cool” and the new |
| the best thing you can do for your child”. So | | | | “in”. From fun warm-ups to engaging |
| make sure you find a school that fits! | | | | teaching methods, martial arts lessons need to be |
| Before you start your research, you may want to | | | | rewarding. The best way to get a feel for the |
| evaluate what you or your child are looking for. | | | | instructor is to just drop by and watch them teach a |
| Increase self-confidence. Learn self-defense. Develop | | | | class. If you see kids and parents smiling, you know |
| self-discipline. Improve physical fitness. Demonstrate | | | | they are a great teacher. |
| respect. Learn to persevere. These are just some of | | | | 4. Is The School Clean? – Did their mom teach |
| the characteristics one will learn when training in the | | | | them how to clean correctly? I’m serious! |
| martial arts. | | | | I’ve seen some Karate schools that smelled, |
| Once you’ve determined this, evaluate whether | | | | the bathrooms were nasty, and kids were wearing |
| there will be time to attend Karate classes. Most | | | | soiled uniforms. The cleanliness of the business is an |
| schools require students to attend about 2-3 times per | | | | extension of their professionalism and quality of |
| week, in order to assure students learn the curriculum | | | | lessons they deliver. The instructor should lead by |
| to test to the next belt rank. Typically classes will be in | | | | example and promote acceptable hygiene by wearing |
| the late afternoon and early evenings, as it | | | | clean uniforms and requiring the same. Remember, you |
| accommodates both parents and children’s | | | | are paying for these classes, you should feel |
| schedule. | | | | comfortable walking in – not icky. This should be |
| Finally you want to make sure you have budgeted | | | | easy to find out. |
| enough money to pay for monthly tuition. Keep in mind | | | | 5. Free Karate Lessons – We all know there is |
| – what you pay is what you get. Now, | | | | no such thing as a free lunch, but most martial arts |
| I’m not saying you need to pay $250/month, | | | | studios offer (or should) some sort of free trial classes |
| but the national average for Karate lessons is about | | | | with no obligation. This gives you the opportunity to see |
| $135/month. Depending where you live, you should | | | | if you and/or your child will fit their program, ask |
| expect to spend about this much. Some schools may | | | | questions about the lessons taught, and more |
| be more because the cost of living is higher. Others | | | | important follow the above steps. You should be able |
| may be less to accommodate lower to middle income | | | | to “try it before you buy it”. If the head |
| families. | | | | instructor believes in his Karate program, they should |
| Now on to our top 5 list of things to look for when | | | | be willing to provide trial lessons in order for the end |
| selecting a martial arts school! | | | | consumer to make a sound decision. If they |
| 1. Location, location, location – Studies show that | | | | don’t offer it, then ask. If they hesitate, call |
| most consumers will drive about a 3-5 miles radius to | | | | another school. |
| reach their destination when shopping for products and | | | | You should approach your research as though you |
| or services. Plus, with gas prices on the rise, you want | | | | are buying a car. Shop around! Yes, it may be daunting, |
| to find something that is reasonably close to home. | | | | but it’s better than throwing money around. |
| Pick up the Yellow Pages, or browse the Internet. This | | | | One last thing I would like to point out to all consumers |
| way you can find out exactly where schools are | | | | searching for a Karate school. You need to make sure |
| located and how long it will take to get there. You | | | | you and/or your child are committed for a certain |
| don’t want to be late to your first appointment! | | | | period of time. There are many schools that require |
| 2. Professional service – Now I don’t | | | | 6-12 months of a commitment, and this is common, so |
| mean the Nordstrom type of service; rather the type | | | | don’t freak out. This is a good thing though. It |
| of service that gets you to continue to come back | | | | shows that the instructor is committed to help you |
| because the instructor(s) care. There are great martial | | | | meet your goals and staying in business, and that you |
| arts studios out there, but if the head instructor does | | | | are determined to show up to class to learn Karate. |
| not show they genuinely care about you and/or your | | | | Plus, if you follow the 5 tips above, you’ll make |
| child’s progress, I doubt they will teach some of | | | | a great decision. |
| the best Karate classes. You can get a feel for this | | | | So what are you waiting for! |
| when you call or show up to the studio. Which leads | | | | |