6 Things You Absolutely Need To

Know Before You Train Any

Martial Arts!
Master Instructor Robert Jones reveals six critical facts every student should know
before choosing to train at any martial arts school.
A message from the author:
Over the years I have heard many horror stories from people who have choose the wrong
martial arts school to train in. Some people were just at the wrong school. Here are some
examples:
a. Teaching style didnt fit learning style.
b. The instructors wants were not what the student wanted.
c. Some were physically injured.
d. Some were just plain ripped off.
Since I love the martial arts, I want to give back a little of what I have received. One way
is of course to teach, but I am limited by student numbers and geographical locations.
Another way is to educate the future student so they can make an informed decision.
Thats what this article is about.
WARNING: The information below is based on my personal opinions - formed over 20
years of experience running Martial Arts schools. You need to verify for yourself if they
apply to your situation. Some school owners may get an attitude with you for asking
these questions. If this happens, it could be an indication you are at the wrong school.
Training in martial arts can be life changing. You can get into phenomenal shape and
learn to defend yourself in a hostile situation all at the same time. You can find greater
confidence within yourself. You can improve your self-discipline, find life long friends,
and basically have the time of your life.
You can also get seriously injured, ripped off, and hate every minute of your training.
However, if you are well informed, you can receive all of the benefits with none of the
negative.
There may be a couple of things that I do not agree with, but that doesnt make it a bad
school. As long as you know and youre ok with it, it is no big deal. So lets get started:

1.

Watch Out For Belt Testing Fees

If youre new to marital arts, then this is a big potential hidden cost. When you are
looking around trying to evaluate what school and style is best for you, its important to
factor in Belt Testing fees. Often testing for a Belt requires an additional fee and is not
disclosed to the prospective student - upfront. Also, they may require an additional fee to
cover the time of the instructor you Test for! A lot of local schools and studios offer
extremely low cost group lessons (we will discuss why group lessons are a bad idea later)
and never disclose the price of Testing for a Belt. If you dont pass the test, you must pay
again to retake it.
I do NOT charge Belt Testing fees. In fact I hate them. I feel it leaves doubt in the
students mind whether they really passed the test or just bought their Belt. In this type
of system, the student often feels unsure of their knowledge or ability, or if they really
earned the Belt they received. Schools that charge Belt Test fees should be totally
upfront before you sign up, but few are. Most schools also graduate the fees. That
means as you progress, each Belt cost more. This really makes no sense. There is no
extra work involved in testing a Green Belt then there is testing a Blue Belt. What
happens is if you sign up and dont take into account the belt testing fees, you are not
making an informed decision. The cost is more than what was told to you in the
beginning.
My advice is to find a school without Belt Testing fees and if you cant, at least inquire
upfront to the fees, so you can factor the cost into your total tuition. All my Tests are
done in private and are included in the program price. I will NOT test for a Belt just
because you have been there for a certain amount of time, or if you feel you are ready but
you are not showing advancement. You must demonstrate you are ready to test for your
Belt. I also will NOT test someone if they feel they arent ready to be tested.

2.

Group Lessons Only Benefit the School

Group lessons, where kids and adults of all different experience levels are training
together, ONLY benefit the school. Why? SimpleThe Student to Instructor ratio goes
up, thereby earning more money for the school, and demanding much less from the
Instructor. Typically, in a group class each student receives about 1-4 minutes of
personal/private instruction from the Instructor. A situation like described above is
the ideal situation for the typical Martial Arts Instructor. He gets to fill group classes up
with kids, teenagers and adults, of all skill levels, while having non paid teenage students
teach, while he gets to walk around being mysterious and unapproachable.
At Temple Kung-Fu, I never put adults and kids in the same class, regardless of skill
level. I only teach via Private Instruction, using personalized lesson plans that allow for
current and potential physical aptitude, mental awareness, and spiritual requirements.
Our private instruction dues are similar to that of group instruction fees, but are different
for each student. Dues are calculated using a standardize procedure that takes into

account what a students physical shape and endurance are, what the goals are, and how
quickly and how often they can train. Private instruction allows a student to learn faster,
and for less money.
If you can not find a place that the norm is to get private lessons, dont pay extra for
them. Some schools offer private lessons at extra cost. If its not the norm, then you
most likely will be overpaying. It takes time to learn how an individual learns and
retains knowledge.
If group training is all you can get, its better than nothing. You just have to make double
sure that the beliefs of the school and how the art is taught, follow your beliefs. You also
will have to practice much more on your own when enrolled with group lessons.

3.

Tournaments, And Why You Shouldnt Do Them

Who hasnt seen The Karate Kid? Remember at the end, when Daniel is fighting and
he does his famous crane kick, eventually beating the hard nosed, cheap shot opponent?
That scene depicted a tournament, both good and bad. In the majority of Martial Arts
schools there are two ways to increase in rank. The first we have discussed, which is Belt
Testing. The second is Tournaments, or to say it more plainly - Beat a Belt of a higher
rank, on the mat, in front of a crowd and a judge. At Temple Kung-Fu we do not
participate in tournaments.
Our experience is that they provide a false sense of security, and encourage
aggressiveness. For example; if a Yellow Belt beats an Orange Belt, then that Yellow
Belt feels he can beat ALL Orange Belts. Often times, this Yellow Belt will feel like
he is better than other Yellow Belts, and treat them with disrespect. Who is to say
that the Orange Belt was not just simply off that day, or maybe just not as trained
as he/she needed to be?
I teach Temple Kung-Fu students that Kung-Fu is an art that is not to be displayed
publicly unless absolutely required, and then only to disarm or incapacitate. It should
never be used to boast of ones abilities or prove something. It has been proven over
and over, that martial art students who deviate from this thinking almost always end up
getting hurt by a more skilled student because they picked a fight.
If you want tournaments, its best to find a school that not only does the tournaments, but
wins as well. I know some people need to have that level of competition to feel alive.
Thats ok, just make sure its not at one of my schools and be sure you carry good
insurance.

4.

Teach And Learn Only One Style

If you have trained before at another school using a different style, then you will most
likely have experienced first hand how hard it is to learn two styles at the same time.
Often times, Martial Arts schools will have two or three Instructors, and each one has a
proficiency in a different style. One day youre learning Tai Kwon Do, another Ju-Jitsu
and another Aikido. All similar styles but different enough to be confusing.
At Temple Kung-Fu, we only teach Shaolin Kung-Fu. We teach only the approved
stances, postures, lessons, and sets associated with this style and only in the method that
is approved by the styles founders. It is a much better idea to become a master of one
style, than a student of many styles when it comes to Martial Arts. Our students follow a
strictly outlined method of learning Kung-Fu.

5.

See The Instructor On The Mat

If you go to a typical Martial Arts school and ask to see the instructor on the mat, you
most likely will be taken on the mat and shown a dog and pony show. Worse, you will be
given a few free classes. (If free classes being a bad thing sounds strange, stick with me.)
If any Martial Arts school offers you free group classes, then your first reason to look
elsewhere has occurred. Imagine if you paid $90, $100 or even $200 dollars to learn
Martial Arts and in walks some new guy who isnt even paying for the lesson. He now
gets to share that one-on-one time I described earlier. Now, you have a class full of
paying students and here is the new prospect, which most likely wont have the first clue
what to do, getting a majority of the Instructors time.
The instructor will want to make a good impression, and will spend extra time
making sure the prospect feels comfortable, well taught, and that he/she
understands the lessons. What we do At Temple Kung-Fu, because we teach One-onOne lessons, we have a better way to see the instructor on the mat. Should you make it
through our application process (more on that in a minute), you will be asked to
participate in a private lesson. This gives you and your instructor a chance to see if we
are a good fit. It also allows the instructor to place you in the appropriate program. After
that, you will be expected to show up on time, participate to your fullest capabilities, and
practice at home like a regular student. This helps us to weed out any students who might
not be a good fit for our school.
If the school allows you to just jump into the class with out properly preparing you for it,
you may get injured or injure someone else. I make sure all my students are comfortable
and can work well with people or I dont let them become students. This is an
advantage I have in teaching privately. If you cant do this, you will be stuck with
what you get. So just be aware and refuse to work with anybody who you think might
hurt you are does not have control.

6.

Do They Have A Pulse?

Ever hear of a Martial Art School Turning Away anyone? At Temple Kung-Fu, we dont
operate under the typical Martial Art School Philosophy which is Shove As Many
Students As You Can, In The Same Class, And Train Them For As Little As You Can,
Regardless Of Skill Level, Physical Condition, Or Goals. Thats what it really comes
down to for most schools. If a prospective student has a pulse, they will accept them,
throw them into a huge group class, with almost no personal attention or regard to
physical fitness, goals, or skill level and watch them wallow.
At Temple Kung-Fu we have standards. We turn away one out of every four
applicants for reasons like: unrealistic expectations (want to walk on sand and not
leave footprints), poor health, poor attitude, want to train for revenge or are a high
rank belt in another style. We have a stringent application process that includes one
written application, two face to face interviews, and a physical skills test. We also require
that payments be met on time and without complaint. Our typical students understand the
reasons for each requirement, and are happy to follow through the process.

What to do next.
If you are considering Temple Kung-Fu for your Martial Arts
needs, please call us at 1-800-508-6141. And set up a Personal
Interview with one of are Training Specialists. If the interview
goes favorably we offer all prospective students a two week Free
Trial where we will design a personal training program for you.
1-800-508-6141
Bellevue
1950 130th NE
Bellevue WA 98005
425-881-1550

Federal Way/Des Moines

24615 Pacific Hwy S
Kent, WA 98032
253-941-8822

Hawaii
Honolulu
808-282-8541

Toronto West
416-604-4110

Hamilton
Mississauga
905-972-8200 416-750-9012

Winnipeg
204-589-3200

Edmonton
780-432-2822

Calgary N.
403-253-2099

www.kungfutemple.com

Lynnwood
18421 Hwy. 99
Lynnwood, WA 98037
425-775-7370

Calgary S.
403-253-4711

9 Questions You Must Ask Any Martial Arts Studio Before You Begin Training
1.

Do you have Belt Test Fees and if so, how much are they? If they do, make sure you ask about each price
for every Belt, so you can figure out your true costs.

2.

Do they mix the adults with the kids and do they charge more for private lessons? Most places
consider an adult at 12 or 13. You do not want to pair up with a youth if you are an adult. It slows
your training way down.

3.

Do they do tournaments? Many places will say yes, but you dont have to participate. Well let me tell
you, those 4 weeks before the tournament, the school will be doing nothing but getting ready for it, so
you will be a punching bag until the tournament is over.

4.

Do they allow the public to watch the classes? I really dislike being stared at while I teach or practice.
Do you really want to be trying to learn an advance move that looks real funny, with people on the side
lines laughing at you? Most of my students dont, so we do NOT allow it, except during the kids class.
All parents are allowed to watch their kids if they want to. If the school doesnt allow that - watch out.

5.

What style do they teach? I am a traditionalist. I like to teach and learn only one style. Many
incomplete styles have to bring in different systems to complete their style. Not a good thing. Imagine
speaking a quarter English a quarter French a quarter Spanish and a quarter Russian. You would
never learn to write. Try to stick to a complete system that isnt just the flavor of the month.

6.

What type of screening process do they have? Can just anybody train? Remember, you will be
learning a martial art, and in the course of things, someone will be punching and kicking at you. Its
nice to know that the instructor screened his students (All my students go through an ongoing
screening process starting with the very first interview and first lesson).

7.

How often can I come down? I allow my students full access to the training hall all day long five days
a week. If you can only come down 2 times a week, thats ok if that works for you. I just know that
working with adults, their schedule is always changing, so we have to change with them. Just be aware
of what you can and cant do. If all the sudden you cannot make your seven oclock lesson, do they
have another time for you?

8.

Who teaches the class? Are they paid instructors or just teenage helpers trying to get their next belt?
A paid instructor usually knows that they are being paid by the student. The unpaid teenager often
doesnt care if you stay or go, learn or not.

9.

Do they have contracts? I love this one. I have done it both ways. I have signed contracts and I have
not signed them. Let me tell you, the person that does not have a contract is no professional. They
usually are the worst run schools. You must absolutely know up front what is expected from you the
student, and what you can expect from the school. How many times have you heard get it in
writing? Well do it. The only reason not to sign a contract is the length of time you are committing
to. Remember, they are committing to you as well. Contracts are not one sided. If you are not going
to be in the area for the term of the contract, dont sign it. All my agreements have a clause allowing
you out if you get sick or move. One last thing, would you buy a house, rent an apartment, purchase a
car, sell a house without some sort of contract? I think not. So dont fall for we dont have contracts
here. A month to month club is just that, a month to month club. It takes two to commit. If the
school is willing to commit, so should the student.

There are many other things to be aware of, but I feel these are the most critical. If you have any questions
about a school in your area or want some advice, feel free to email me at the contact address below. I will
let you know what I think.

Robert Jones
Master Instructor
Temple Kung-Fu Studios
Masterjones@kungfutemple.com
1-800-508-6141