Choosing the best martial arts school in West Chester is a very personal process. Many different factors will come into play when choosing the best ‘dojo’ in the area. Not all martial arts schools are created equal- and the differences between each one can be huge! The staff, quality of instruction, and community all make a big difference in choosing the best school.
How Do I Choose the Best Martial Arts School?
The best martial arts schools will help you learn about yourself as you’re learning martial arts techniques. This starts with the faculty and staff -Their athletes come first. Sure, you want a school who has lots of accolades because it shows they are talented but are they showing off their own talents or their athletes? We’ve seen countless schools boast about the instructors accomplishments but what about their athletes? Just because the instructor was a three-time National Champion does NOT make them a great instructor. A school who has hundreds of National Champions obviously has great instructors.
Do research on them. Read their reviews, check out their website, look at their FaceBook page. Are the instructors friendly? Are they knowledgeable? Do they balance between having fun and pushing their students to reach their goals? This is what distinguishes one school from the next, so these questions are important. Our Budokai Academy of Martial Arts staff here in West Chester is one big happy family, and our students love that sense of community.
How Do I Choose the Right Martial Arts School For My Personal Goals?
Once you know the staff is a good fit, take a step back and think about your personal goals. There are about a million benefits of martial arts, so it’s important for you to decide which key factors will determine the best school for you.
Do you want to become part of one big, happy martial arts family? Or are you more concerned with toning up? Is it about being able to protect yourself and the people you love? Or do you eventually want to compete and win an award? These are some more important questions when determining the best martial arts school in West Chester.
Of course, cost is a huge factor in finding the right Martial Arts School. There is a difference in running a business and teaching as a hobby. You’ve probably heard the term “Martial Arts is a way of life.” It is, and it can also change your life. Prices to join a Martial Arts School vary but what are you getting for your money? Are there contracts locking you in so you are forced to stay at that school? Are classes limited for your athlete and then you have to pay extra for more training? Most importantly-are they up front about cost?
Hobby schools have instructors that only operate part-time. Most of them are non or local only competitors. In other words, they don’t do much outside the school and that’s not very challenging for the athlete. At Budokai, we encourage competition because it challenges the athlete to see growth and test how they are against others. Is what you’re learning actually working? Just participating in classes is like joining a baseball team and never having a game.
If you try a school and it ends up not being the right fit for you, don’t quit. Don’t stop your journey just because a particular school wasn’t right for you. If you were served a bad steak, you wouldn’t stop eating steak. Your journey is yours to control so don’t walk away, just walk away from that school.
If they’re fun and friendly, you’ll fit right into the family. If they’re firm, no-nonsense, and push you to be your best, you’ll get super fit. And if they’re very knowledgeable, you can know with confidence you’ll be able to defend yourself in no time. (Our West Chester Budokai Academy of Martial Arts instructors are all three- just saying!)
What to Look For Once You’ve Called a School
First things first after finding a school that matches your priorities- sign up for their trial classes. It’s likely the instructor you talk to will already suggest a trial, which is the best way to dip your toe into the martial arts waters risk-free.
Are there contracts? Are classes limited to 2 classes per week? We don’t do contracts nor do we limit how often you can be here. Everyone’s journey is different and you should have flexibility while enjoying the freedom to train as much as you want. When you’re a student at Budokai, your training is limitless.
Interview and Introductory Martial Arts Class
Once you’ve signed up for a trial, the best thing you can do is SHOW UP! Choosing the best martial arts school happens in the school, on the mat, when you’re actually learning martial arts instead of researching it on the web.
Another tip- stick with it! Make sure you take advantage of the full trial offer so you can get to know the instructors, fellow members, and the school’s vibe. These are all pieces that line up with those personal goals you set for yourself to help you determine the best martial arts school near me.
Why a Good Martial Arts School Must have Professional Staff
One more thing. If we didn’t say it enough already, the best martial arts schools have incredible staff members. The quality of instruction and personality of the instructors separate a good school from a great one. Your journey should be fun but challenging. While Martial Arts is a lot about discipline- it should not feel impossible or cause undo stress. Staff should be able to balance the challenges with their students along the way and help them to be the best based on their individual abilities.
Once you find a really good instructor who really believes in your growth and pushes you to be your best, you’ll fall in love with martial arts just like all of us here have. All it takes is one person to show you how life-changing this sport can be… So make sure that your instructors have real martial arts experience and also really care about you accomplishing your goals.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best martial arts school, you’ll want to learn about the staff, the instructors, and the community… But this whole article is really about you, isn’t it? Take some time to ask yourself the questions we’ve gone over: What are your top priorities? Are the instructors going to help you with your goals? How do you feel when you’re at the school, completing the trial? If you feel supported, happy, and excited, then that’s a good sign that you’ve found the best martial arts school for you… and we hope we can be that school for you! Check out our amazing Budokai Academy of Martial Arts in West Chester See you soon!