Is 89 dollars a month fair for child karate lessons?

Question

We just moved to Dayton, Ohio area and wanted to get my son in some sort of activity. Due to his age Karate was the only one we really could select that he showed interest in. He is 3 years old will be 4 in May. The instructor seems very good and knowledgeable with many awards and a very nice dojo I believe it is called. He is very patient with all the children and ensures they keep order. Old students show a lot of respect to the dojo as the must pass by it to go to the training room and bow before the enter and bow on their way out. The inital start up was 411 for uniform, books, and 3 months of lessons. They told me that 3 months is a good starting point for the child as it gives them enough time to show see if they are really interested in the martial arts. The instructor also is doing private lessons on the side with my son to catch him up to the rest of the class as well before he even started ensured my sons was ready to even begin martial arts due to his age of 3?Thanks

I feel it is too expensive myself however when he was signed up my wife signed him up and I wasn't there

Answer 1

WOW! I would have shopped around. That seems like highway robbery to me. First of all, I never liked the idea of charging parents for new uniforms for their kids. A childs uniform will last maybe 6 months to a year before he/she grows out of it. When I was teaching, the parents formed a uniform exchange program so students could pass on their old uniforms when they grew out of them. They charged a small fee to compensate them for having to buy the new uniform.

Don't let a bunch of trophies or a nice dojo fool you. Many instructors are just good salesmen who know how to close the deal. It sounds like you are locked in for at least the next 3 months, but I would start looking around for another school just for comparison.

3 years old is pretty young to be able to 'show interest' in anything. You could try gymnastics, or even swimming. Unless you are trying to create the next Bruce Lee or Chuck Norris, I wouldn't be too concerned at his age. Just let him explore different activities and see what he likes. Who knows, he may like ballet, ice skating, or football. Check out the local Parks/Recreation center to see what kinds of activities they have for kids and let him discover what he likes.

By the way, are there a large number of adults in this dojo or is it just older kids? I've seen a large number of schools that have one or two black belt adults who help teach the classes (and get paid to be there) and the rest are 18 and under, or parents of younger students. This usually means that the kids go as long as the parents are willing to pay. That should be another red flag.

If you do find that what you are paying is the norm there in Dayton, please let me know. I may consider opening a school of my own if it's that profitable.

Answer 2

It really all depends. These days any kind of organized activity for a child whether it be, karate, gymnastics, preschool, daycare...all of it cost an arm and a leg. It also depends on how serious you intend for the karate to be. At age three you are just wanting your child to learn to be active, and I guess the activities that just require you to pay for uniforms and dues are not quite appropriate for a three year old ( like pee wee football or tee ball).My son started at a very well respected academy around the age of 9 or 10 and he is 13 now and is a first degree black belt. We dish out a few thousand dollars a year for uniform, weapons,and a borage of different classes(leadership classes, blackbelt club, and weapons technique classes and such). Martial arts is an excellent form of discipline and excersise and has helped him learn to be respectful, and they even keep up with his school work. The academy starts also at the age of three, and sometimes even 2 year olds if they are ready. But I still think at that young its hard to tell if the discipline of martial arts is sinking in..I dont think 89 dollars a month is a-lot though when you compare how much any other class you may take your child to will cost. The social skills he will learn is a good thing too. Unless he is in daycare, then he is already learning how to deal with other kids. And look how much any daycare anywhere costs. $411 for a start up fee may not be alot either, check out the costs of uniforms online..also whatever books and see how much you would pay for the same things seperatly. Its all in what you want or need for your little boy..good luck!!!

Answer 3

Yes, $89/month is too much! The $411 start-up fee is really just another word for "contract." That is, if your child ends up loosing interest and/or doesn't like it and wants to quit after a few weeks...you're out $411 with a useless karate uniform & books you couldn't give away! A child's karate uniform is pretty cheap (they can be found on webstores for $30 including shipping), and unless they're giving you an encyclopedia set, you're pretty much paying $125 per month for that 3-month commitment.

That level of fees would be nearly justifiable on either Coast, particularly in Los Angeles or NYC or perhaps Chicago (i.e. the cost of renting space in major metropolitain areas is outrageous). However, in Dayton...no. I live in St. Louis, comparable in size to Dayton. I pay $60/month in dues.

After your 3-month commitment is up (presuming the child is still interested), I'd suggest shopping around.

Answer 4

Go to the school and talk to the instructor. Each school is different. I have taught kids as young as 4 although I consider that to be too young for most kids. My daughter started at 8. I would watch the violence thing though. You don't want a violent child who knows karate because then he'll be violent and dangerous. Yes, a good instructor will help temper this, but if he's getting encouragement at home to act out then it will negate any good his instructor is doing.

Answer 5

I started martial arts at 2, and my parents have been paying more than 7,000$ Per month even until now, I'm 16. I also had to pay for my uniform and all seperately. I think yours is a good deal but not too sure since I'm in Japan and not USA.

Answer 6

This sounds high cost wise but a fine school and top instruction would make it a fair cost.
Check other prices at "equal" schools in your area.

Three is quite young,six is more like it.
If your boy starts to learn and do well consider keeping him in class.If it is not his cup of tea have your wife use up the rest of the lessons.

If she refuses put her over your knee and don't stop until her backside is as red as a fire engine.

She should always double check with you "Before" a decision like this is made and money handed over.

Answer 7

You are wasting your money. Your child is way to young for karate, sorry but thats the truth. I've been teaching for fourteen years and have been in the martial arts for twenty four. I don't know of any instructors who will teach children that young who are serious about the martial arts. I think that the instructor has simply taken your money to babysit. The contract thing is another problem, even though its a short term contract. Just my two cents.

Answer 8

That seems very reasonable. My child has been in it for 3 years and we have put alot of money into it. She loves it though. We pay 119. a month and she is a first degree black belt now.Black/green to be exact. It gets more expensive as they get into the use of weapons. It is alot of fun and if your child sticks with it, it will really pay off, for you and for your child. Great price, especially for some private lessons.

Answer 9

1) $89/mo is reasonable in most areas.
2) not quite 4 is too young for ANY martial art.

Answer 10

Like Gonz said it depends how good he is. If he is a name in the world of Karate then it is probably worth it. If experts come to him to train or the best fighters in the country. Otherwise you paid too much.