How do I go about finding the best Martial Arts studio to join?

Question

I'd like to sign up for some form of Martial Arts classes. I'm in so-so shape (not fat, but definitely not athletic). I've previously taken Tae Kwon Do and Shaolin Kempo when I was younger, but I'll be honest in saying I don't know what really makes those styles unique.

How do I go about finding which style I should look into?

As I live in a major city, there should be dozens of studios in my area. Other than looking in the phone book, how do I find what's in my area? How do I find out which are the best, or the one for me?

John, I didn't drop out of the other classes. One was a school I attended when I was a young teenager that my parents signed me up for. I liked that school alot, but between summer activities taking me away for weeks at a time and homework, it became less of a priority and after oen summer I simply never returned. The other was a class I took in college, and it was just one semester. They dont' usually offer 200 level classes for Martial Arts when they offer it. I would have liked to have attended the school that instructor was from, but it was WAY too far out of my way (hour+ commute from my home)

Answer 1

Find out whichever schools in your city your favorite MMA fighters train at or have business contacts with. Then go there.

Answer 2

It really doesn't matter what martial art you take up, all will teach you something valuable and any true art will be able to work with you no matter what your physical stature or limitations.

The most important thing is not the style/discipline, it's finding an instructor/s you trust, a group of students you actually look forward to training with, and a program that fits within your financial and schedule limitations.

Check out the schools in the area you’re are in - irrespective of the style. Talk with the instructor/s and students. Observe a few classes and talk with the students. Take some time and I’m sure you'll instinctively know which one is right for you. That will be the one where you like the instructor, like the students, and can’t wait to start attending.

Good Luck

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 3

Ask yourself what you liked and disliked about your previous martial arts experiences. Put them down on paper; likes on one side, dislikes on the other. Go and visit different schools and the ones that have more of the dislikes I would pretty much rule out right away. Most students will not go somewhere long term, pay for it, and make the sacrifices of their time and energy if they are not happy irregardless of the style. Watch the classes at each, take the time to talk to the instructors more than once and not during class time, and also the students. By watching some of the classes and the instructors and talking to them when they have time to sit down and talk will help give you more insight as to if their school is a place you want to attend classes at.

People take martial arts for all different kinds of reasons and they also stop taking them for all kinds of reasons. Too much contact, not enough contact, too boring, not realistic enough, too expensive, not enough time, etc. I suspect that your reasons for changing styles, starting and then stopping on two different occasions is out there and if you do the above then you are less likely to repeat it or at the very least find a place to study martial arts that you can be happier with than you would be otherwise.

Answer 4

Check out your local area. Alot of schools allow free classes or day passes to check out their school. Shop around, talk to the students enrolled, and find one that suits you. Striking or grappling is usually are the two main points in MMA. Choose a style that makes you feel the most comfortable with. Remember no style is better than others, its the individuals who encompass those abilities.