Karate price for my son. Am I being ripped off?

a_confused_mum

My son has started kickboxing, been going for about 2 months now. I just just our local website and it states this
1. Do I have to pay up front/on a contract?

No, some martial arts clubs do that because they're either out to rip you off or just because they can't hold onto their students.

So I wouldn't pay up front, especially that amount.

MrsTinks

I'd say most martial arts are suitable for young children - IF taught correctly... The point of martial arts IS to start young (not saying you can't start later in life!) and just as an example look at the monks who start extreemly young - it's all about tempering the training to fit the childs age and ability so they do not over do it or injure themselves (too much).
I personally cringe when I see kids of under 8 getting an alledged "black" belt... Sorry but it's NOT a black belt! There is no way on earth a child of that age has been alive long enough to understand the philosophy behind the belt or be proficient enough at the sport to have really earnt it.

As for which martial art to choose... all are slightly different - Karate is obviously well known thanks to Hollywood, but each differs - some are more fist based, others more leg based, others are an equal mix, then some are throwing and some are all 3 and so on... Some include "weapons" - other branches don't. I did Taekwondo to start with and later Kio shin taijitsu (forgive my spelling) - very different branches. My DH did Taekwondo and at one stage did Karate as well, my father was a 4th Dan in Karate... it's horses for courses...
And sometimes it's down to if you feel happy with the training place and trainers... Any martial arts Dojo - be it in a gym hall or a dedicated Dojo should teach respect from day one - If the first thing they are taught isn't to show respect when entering the Dojo by bowing I wouldn't set foot inside to be honest...

HelzBelz

exup wrote: »

from what I have been told by my brother who is an assistant instructor . if you have a black belt before 18 - you lose it when you turn 18 and have to be graded for it again anyway

My brother's an instructor I don't think it's a strict 18 rule, I't more being able to do the adult black belt exam instead of the child's one as my nephew waited to do his black belt until he was big enough to do the adult one (13 years old and 5'10")

Ms_Chocaholic

My DS started karate when he was 10/11 and his self confidence increased dramatically. He started at a local class which charged somewhere in the region of £3 and I found the details of a local club near us through the local library so give that a try.

My DS has gone on to become a black belt and now runs his own club and loves it.

BrokeBrunette

I totally agree with all the posts above that you are being ripped off. Don't even consider paying such a ridiculous sum of money in advance.

I have 2 daughters aged 14 and 16, who have both been doing karate for the last 3-4 years. Our club charges £5 per lesson for a single person, £4 pp if 2 or more in a family and £3 pp if 3 or more.

We choose to buy our equipment from the club as it's reasonably priced and I know it will be the correct sort. Gradings are £20pp, which includes the belt and this is an important part of the grading, as if the student is successful they are presented with their belt by the chief instructor.

Discipline and respect are big parts of their karate regime, and any decent club would be the same. Bowing before entering the dojo and removing shoes are just a small part of it. All teachers have to be addressed correctly by the students at all times and I personally think it's a great hobby to teach the children many different skills, not just the physical aspect of learning to look after themselves. The youngsters totally look up to and respect their individual teachers.

Nobody can achieve the standard required for a 'proper' black belt in 3 years, let alone a young child. My daughter has 2 more belts to go before she can go for her black belt and there will probably be a year between each of these gradings.

Also, any decent club would let you wear comfy gym clothes for the first few lessons to see if you actually like it. My girls were hooked from day one and pestered me to get them a gi straightaway but I've also seen children (and adults) attend a few lessons then say it's not for them, and they leave. All it has cost them is the price of the lesson.

Good luck with finding a decent club near you. I'm sure there will be one or more, but don't feel embarassed about asking to go and watch a lesson first. This will give you a good feel for the club and the type of teaching involved.

ukjoel

Hi
Be very careful.
I have seen a couple of adverts recently for Karate franchises and this looks like that sort of operation.

Most martial arts clubs in this country are compiled of enthusiasts and fees vary but are usually less than £5 a session paid on the day.

This operation is purely about the money. The problem is once 20 of you have paid your 2.5K each how do you know matey will stick about and not dissapear to set up somewhere else or more likely pass his class on to a junior instructor.

Get in touch with the national association and see if they are registered with any of the major uk karate orgs. Also contact your leisure centre as I bet they offer some sort of martial art.

DO NOT HAND OVER £2500.

cannyscot_2

Our Instructor is a bit of a money making expert but he charges £50 for 8 lessons. £20 for a grading which includes the belt. £15 for the extra lesson before the grading. You can buy your own suit but he charges £5 for club badge and and another fee , a badge fee I think of £10. I think it is dear and we oay the £50 in advance but no way would I pay that kind of money and so far in advance. I think he is taking advantage.

custardy

be wary of clubs that give a time scale to reach black belt
its not the way they should be teaching. they should be looking at developing the students skills rather than pushing to reach X level

mutley74

custardy wrote: »

be wary of clubs that give a time scale to reach black belt
its not the way they should be teaching. they should be looking at developing the students skills rather than pushing to reach X level

i have heard o fmany clubs that really just keep promoting their students at gradings to the next belt level regardless of their ability at each grading. For some clubs its the norm. In my aikido club to get a black belt you need to be invited by the Sensei to grade.

At my son's karate we pay £3.25/session and £25 per grading (inc belt). I think anything above £15 is steep for a grading IMHO. Also pay £20 each for membership but after 6mths still received no passbook. I think some instructors/clubs charge just for running costs, and some charge to make an income. When joining a new club always ask if you can train for several sessions as a trial before forking out membership fees.

I have come acrorss some karate clubs that want from £6/session for kids to a cheap £2/session! Like anything best to shop aroound.

meester

I can't believe anone would pay that much.

This site says £12/month or £3/week

http://www.gloucesterkarate.co.uk/about.html

£6 for an hour is about tops I reckon, so if it's term-time only, that's about £228/year.