If United Studios of Self Defense is fun, than why don't many people go their?

Question

They're all around the US.

Answer 1

While I wouldn't word my response as strongly as ninedemongods does, this is one instance where I agree with him 100%

USSD is run like a corporate business; instructors are paid via paychecks distributed from headquarters and not necessarily based on each individual student. When a martial arts institution is run more like a franchised business rather than a school, money is the driving factor for teaching.

That being said, I want to emphasize that this does not reflect badly on Kempo/Kenpo directly - it is a good eclectic system of martial arts. The aspect that I can't stand that USSD is responsible for is the term "Shaolin Kempo". Kempo is a Japanese word for a Chinese martial art. It is blended with Chinese and Japanese techniques, and actually comprised of some south Pacific martial arts as well (Hawaii mainly). To use the term "Shaolin" to draw in more clientele is dishonest. To make matters worse, they charge more for students to test in front of "monks" who are great martial artists, but nothing more than actors sent out to build revenue for the Peoples Republic of China. In fact, they have no knowledge of the students' techniques or how they are to be performed. They don't know Kempo #2 from DM #57. The same troupe actually came to my kwoon offering their services where they were promptly disregarded.

On top of that, USSD charges extra for every weapons class, all merchandise (going so far as to dictate that only USSD T-shirts can be worn under your gi), and tournaments, as well as charging 200% more than their cost for their annual trip to China per student.

So while the workouts might be fun, you are being charged way too much for something that is not what they claim to be. Despite their being all around the US, they aren't the best chain of schools. Think of McDonald's: probably the most popular fast food chain, but few consider them to have the best burger in the world. This is where the term "McDojo" comes from, and USSD fits the description to a T.

I apologize for insulting any school, but I have personal experience with these people, and I have little respect for them as a whole. I also want to stress that Kempo/Kenpo is a good system and don't want the system as a whole judged based on one sect of schools.


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Sorry Darragh. I am not Steel French.

Answer 2

People don't want to spend big money to learn self defence when all they are beeing tought is basics of Karate or arts like Aikio or Judo. They can go to a Judo dojo to learn Judo and get better skills than a club that techesone or 2 things of each.
It's also a corperation and each School is a franchise, so the techniques and skills taught are limited by what the company sets in their curiculum.
It also depends on the area you're in. Maybe there isn't an interest in it or martial arts as a whole.
People want to learn a style from someone who has been trained in that art and is qualified to teach it, Not a Karate Black belt who went to a few Judo classes and tries to teach it.
Basically these schools are money makers. They are meant for people with no experience in Martial arts who don't really have any knowlage of them. Then they charge you an arm and a leg and after a few months they tell you you have graduated give you a plack or certificate and tell you you are ready to take on any attacker. You're better off joining a specific Martial Arts dojo to learn properly. Or just going to those weekend self defence classes where they teach you how to kick in the groin and scream no real loud...

Answer 3

LOL!!! - "the mcdonalds of martial arts schools" Well said! That being said, he is delirious even contacting you, as much marketing as that chain of mcdojos does. He can't possibly justify doing this. That "studio" is probably in a small strip mall that has multiple businesses, some of which are probably of the same type, and they don't go around calling each other. I can't help laughing at the mcdonalds thing. USSD is an offshoot of an offshoot of an offshoot. They shouldn't even be in business. Many of these places advertise as "Kung Fu" and "Shaolin". That's false advertisement. I would do exactly as Master Pugpaws said. He gave you excellent advice. But also, don't get into any shouting matches with anyone like that. Let him know you will not be taking his calls. That way, if it happens, he's the one breaking the law.

Answer 4

The problem is they are fun , not a lot of self defense is actually taught . They do teach the basics ,but not the application of the techniques .

Answer 5

Because they're known to be some of the worse dojo in USA. They doesn't even care about teaching realistic techniques that you can use with effective, they simply care more about your moneys.

Read this, if you're smart, it'll open your eyes quickly:

http://www.bullshido.net/modules.php?name=Reviews&file=viewarticle&id=244

Answer 6

I saw that Steel had contributed to this question and for some reason I can't email him to ask this, but if you read this Steel, are you Steel French from Perth?

Answer 7

do they sell fries with their belts?