Tae Kwon Do newbie question

[RachelR]

Hello, I'm Rach and I'm 20 and live in Ferndale WA, I'm a british (well Welsh actually) girl needing some info on Tae Kwon Do. I have called a few places in Ferndale and was told that beginners classes were $86 for a montha nd the other which I'm thinking of going with were $30 for 3 weeks. I'm not really clued up on whether this is a good deal or not, and I'd really like to know peoples info on this, and If they have any where else they could recomend, I'd really like to learn this martial art so any info would be much appreciated!!

By the way, I really want to do some kind of MA because I really need some kind of discipline and need to get my body and mind in sync and out of the gutter kinda thing!! I don't just want to get fit I want to learn something that I could use and that I could really enjoy doing. So, with no experience in MA, I like how Tae Kwon Do sounds and think it would be the MA for me.

Cheers rach.

[Joe karate]

well the $30 option is definitely cheaper. However you should be more concerned with the quality of the instruction at the schools. See if u can take a free intro class, most schools encourage one. Also talk to the students(are there frequent injuries?) Also, are you into sport? Then find out how the school fares in competitions but don't let that be the determining factor. I can go buy a trophy for a few bucks down the street that says i won the "Super Big Taekwondo Conference" and put it on display if i wanted to, so can a school with a shady reputation and no values. If your into self defence stay away from sport oriented schools. In the end though the BIGGEST FACTOR in choosing the school is the instructor. A great instructor is priceless.

hope it helps!

[TkdWarrior]

i think Mr. Joe summed up pretty well... no need to add...
just go for better instructor...u may hav to pay higher price or if u r lucky(like me) u'll get great instructor for dirt cheap price...
but finding out teacher is important thing
in here there r lots of British ppl so they might help u...just hav some patience..
-TkdWarrior-

[Tosh]

Originally posted by RachelR
Hello, I'm Rach and I'm 20 and live in Ferndale WA, I'm a british (well Welsh actually)


He-he, come back to Britain and train with ITF Wales :D

[TkdWarrior]

lol
where the hell is fernadale wa?

-TkdWarrior-

[morphus]

Ferndale is in WALES my friends:cool: you know that sticky out bit next to England:eek:
Anyway you definately want a good quatlity of instruction, there a few charlatans out there ready and willing to take your money, but then give lousy tutoring. Ask people you know, if they know anyone who does martial arts(theres usually someone); recommendation is better than cold calling, with no knowledge of what your looking at you could easily take the wrong path. Be patient, find a GOOD school. :D

[LilBunnyRabbit]

As a rule, anyone trying to charge £86 for a months training is probably in it for the money, or just very good at what they do. The £30 one sounds like the better option, but as has been said, it depends a lot on the instructor.

Another thing to try and do is visit the schools before you go, and better to get a trial class. If someone won't let you watch until you've given them the money then don't even think about going to that school. They're hiding something.

[TkdWarrior]

<They're hiding something.>
rach u hav been enlightened :D...
if fernadale is in wales well try ITF wales(they give some free classes, i mean by ITF here i got 2 weeks of training for free first) ...
still there r lots of welsh here ...they 'll answerign this thread sooner than later...so by the end of day u'll hav lots of option...
-TkdWarrior-

[Tosh]

Originally posted by morphus
Ferndale is in WALES my friends:cool: you know that sticky out bit next to England:eek:


:confused: Hmmm, I think its Ferndale Washington, as in WA (Washington), near Vancouver??? That's why the prices are quoted in dollars ($) not pounds (£)

[morphus]

Oops - oh yeah...oh well all the advice still stands!

[Artikon]

If it's washington, please feel free to Email me Rachael, that's getting pretty close to my neck of the woods. I may be able to help you out a little. Not sure how much but I can make some inquiries into the schools you are looking at.

Just remember one thing too. If you go into a school to watch, and you have a bad feeling in your stomach, it probably isn't the school for you. Go with your gut.

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Another poor American Morphus, and we had such high hopes that she was merely Welsh. Rach, get out of there as soon as you can, flee, flee the fear and terror!

Hmm, think I've been reading too many newspapers.

[Saz]

He-he, come back to Britain and train with ITF Wales

Yeah, come back home!! :(

[RachelR]

Hello everyone cheers for replying. I'm all befuddled about what to do now so I think I'm gonna sit in a few classes and check them out!! And yup, Ferndale is in Washington. (unfortunately!) I wish it was next to wales!! Kyokushin_girl, I'm a coming home love!! Just in a lickle bit!! If anyone wants to email me or anything, not sure If my email is here or whatever, but, rachreeves@hotmail.com. Feel free. Cheers again.

[Saz]

Good.. its your round by the way ;)

I don't know much about American currency rates and stuff, but $86 for a month sounds a bit steep. Is that every month, or is it just a 4 week long course? The $30 one sounds a bit better. How long is it per week?

Also, beware of Tae Kwon Do based (or karate, judo etc) 'self defence' courses. Many self defence course have a reputation for being a bif naff (not all!)

Sarah

[Cain]

86$ ????? 30$ ????????

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Dude I pay in Indian rupees which in US dollars comes to about 3 - 4$

|Cain|

[TkdWarrior]

lol cain...at most i hav spend in one month is around 20$ :D
-TkdWarrior-

[Cain]

Gee!!! I pay only Rs.100 per month :rolleyes:

|Cain|

[darlph]

RachelR, our school rates start at $79 -$99 a month. I do not know what your reasons are for TKD, competiton , exercise or stress reduction..... But Joe has it down. Check out a few classes and see if they offer and intro. We do $20 and two classes and a gi. Good value. Along with that depending on your reasons for training try to find a school that has your goals in mind. We do not "push" tournaments at our school but at the same time we have won many fighting, weapon, and kata competitons. We do spar and practice hard.
If they do not let you watch a couple of classes or offer an intro, get out of there! If you feel "pushed, get out! Are they a big enough school to separate the lower ranks from more experienced students, or are they all together? Because if the school has been around a while and it successful, they will have alot of upper ranks, and not alot of turnover students. Research any school before you sign up.
I wish you well. And keep tabs on this site, you'll find alot of personal good advice here. And I know some schools in the U.S charge much more for classes than we so, because of thier area and who backs them.

[Joe karate]

The rate at my dojo is $85 a month. It may sound steep to you brits but thats a great deal in my area. Besides, how many classes are offered a week? We have 7 a week and a private lesson every month. That's only $3 a lesson. I could learn the same style in a dojo down the street for $20 less a month, but i'd only have 2 classes a week, $8 a lesson(definitley not enough classes, plus its a Mcdojo). You get what you pay for.

[Tintin]

Just out of interest, does the money go to the instructor or a joint club fund that gets pumped back into the club?

[darlph]

The $ at our school goes for the upkeep of the building and grounds with lighted parking. Utilites, Paying the instructors a small wage and to help attend special events, . and seminars to learn more to bring back to our students. And I mean we put on a kick off night like walkathon to raise money to help with expenses to Radford U. every other year. We do demos at partys and businesses , and schools to show what a M.A. can do and to show how we teach control, focusing, and self confidence.
We also pay out of our own pocket for CPR and safety courses so in case there is an emergency we may possibly be able to help.

[Joe karate]

The money made off of the martial arts classes go to a larger fund to pay for expenses and pay instructors a wage. Anything left over gets put in another fund to reduce seminar fees and the like. However money from other classes(like cardio kickboing) go to whoever teaches the class.

[grandmaster mat]

i pay £17 a month for my tkd classes, this consists of up to 16 lessons a month, 4 each week, nice price i reckon :) good teacher too, im part of the west midlands schools of tae kwon do (wmst) witch is part of action international martial arts association (aimaa) sheck it out :D

[HKD]

go to both classes and try it out and C what U think. thats the best way and just hang out and watch some of the upper belt classes. but don't assume that cuz one cost more it's better that can be the farthest from the truth.

HKD

[rntnt]

My instructor is a 6th dan.I have checked out many schools.They range from 60-85 U.S. dollers per month.We get 3 hrs a week,and everything is covered each week.Do not think the higher price means better instruction!! I pay 20 dollers a month.