What is a "fast food" Martial Arts studio?
Is the one that costs the most the best?
What makes a good Martial Arts studio?
How long does is take to become a Black Belt?
What is a "competition" Martial Art Studio?
How to find a quality Tae Kwon Do studio?
Tae Kwon Do, Martial Art studios are popping up everywhere. Many proclaim that their style or curriculum is the best or they advertise many credentials they do not have. I have been around 31 years and seen many studios come and go in the Midwest, and on the East coast.
Studios have adopted a "fast money" approach (get money from members quickly), yet ignore the quality approach to instruction. A common strategy is telling a person that they can get a Black Belt in 12-24 months. These are "fast food" Tae Kwon Do studios. Their members learn bad techniques and bad habits that prevent them from being able to protect themselves from an attacker. Another fast money tactic is Belt Promotion Test every 30 days ready or not. Quality instructors call these studios "fast food" Tae Kwon Do.
"Fast Food" Tae Kwon Do will belt promote test members every 4-5 weeks ready or NOT. Their goal,take as much money from you as possible. Their business approach "is who cares what they learn I WANT MORE MONEY", so you are recommended (forced) to test every 30 days ready or not. Problems with this; is you don't learn how to protect yourself, you gain a false sense self-confidence and you are told they are doing great when in fact your technique is very bad. You don't learn how hard work produces great lasting results. You pay excessive amount money for bad service. In short you pay for a Filet Mignon and get a fast food hamburger
"Fast Food" studios are MORE EXPENSIVE. Would you pay $100 for a fast food burger? That is what you get at "fast food" studios. HIGH PRESSURE SALES are common, one way is by ending you or your child's class early if you are not in the "BLACK BELT CLUB", while those with "BLACK BELT CLUB" members get to stay longer. A nasty guilt trip to sign up an 6 year old for a expensive contract that you are locked into PAYING even if you stop before the contract ends. These studios will not hesitate sending you to a collection agency for payment or ruin your credit. If you want an "accelerated black belt" (fast food style) buy a black belt and some videos on the internet and you will be a better black belt than the fast food franchise studios. Save $3000.00 too. Better yet go to a Tae Kwon Do studio that puts quality ahead of profit...
POLARIS Tae Kwon Do does.
A GOOD Tae Kwon Do studio has a comprehensive curriculum with requirements at each belt level (see "belt requirements" page) a member learns and understands the application. After 10-13 weeks the member demonstrates the requirements in front of a high ranking black belt master grading their performance. The grades and remarks are used to improve areas of weakness. Each higher belt rank adds new techniques and requirements that are harder than the previous belt rank and test again in 10-13 weeks.
A BLACK BELT should be EARNED in 36 months and not less than 30 when training 4+ days a week. When you are told that you can get your black belt in 24 months or less this is a short cut that will be very expensive, in money and skill. Your technique will be sloppy and you will NOT BE ABLE TO PROTECT YOURSELF. A black belt test includes all the requirements at every previous belt level. Making sure that you have learned the techniques of their curriculum from beginner to advanced belt levels. The black belt test should be much harder than any belt promotion test you took before. Challenging your physical strength and the strength of your will.
What is a COMPETITION STUDIO? A term used to degrade studios that supports competition. Opposing instructors say you just learn how to score a point and not defend themselves. Competition enhances your ability to protect yourself and builds confidence. In forms competition a person performs their pattern in front of black belts that score your performance. This will improve your confidence speaking in front of a audience, or giving a presentation. Sparring improves your reflexes to avoid attacks, while learning to coupe with fears to stop an attack. Competition is the best place to apply your self defense learned in classes against a stranger. When I was attacked on the street wearing small sole shoes I kicked him in the abdomen and they asked me to take off my "steal toed boots". I competed, a lot.
In closing go to 2 or more studios. Good questions to ask...
1) Do you have a 1 month trial program?
2) Do you have short term programs?
3) What form system do you teach (common ones are Pal Gwe, Tae Guk)
4) How long does it take to belt test? If shorter than 8 weeks it's fast food Tae Kwon Do.
5) How long does it take to get a black belt? If it is less than 30 months it is a fast food Tae Kwon Do studio.
6) Are your memberships financially pending?
7) Do you have a black belt club membership? If I do not sign up for that membership is my class attendance or class time options restricted compared to members with black belt club members?
Call Polaris Tae Kwon Do at (740)602-0528 and find out the answers to these questions.