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I need help getting started in Martial Arts


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I would like to get started in Martial Arts. Since I'm a bit older and not in shape, I thought about taking private lessons to start. I'm in the Philadelphia area.

 

Do many places offer private lessons?

 

What is the average cost for such a package?

 

How often does a a new student train or go to class?

 

How long does it take to get proficent?

 

I am a big fan of Pat Croce, who is a black belt in Tae kwon do. That's where I would like to start.

 

Please help!

 

Jim

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I would like to get started in Martial Arts. Since I'm a bit older and not in shape, I thought about taking private lessons to start. I'm in the Philadelphia area.

 

Do many places offer private lessons?

 

What is the average cost for such a package?

 

How often does a a new student train or go to class?

 

How long does it take to get proficent?

 

I am a big fan of Pat Croce, who is a black belt in Tae kwon do. That's where I would like to start.

 

Please help!

 

Jim

 

 

 

Actually, Pat Croce is currently a Master in Tang Soo Do.

 

http://www.de.psu.edu/news/#croce

 

If your interested in TSD in philly, I recommend checking:

 

http://www.wtsda.com/regions/Listing.asp?region=8

 

and checking to see what is near you.

 

 

 

If you're interested exclusivly in Pat Croce's association, you're going to have to look into Amkor, which i'm not as familiar with.

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Welcome to Karate Forums, Jim! :)

 

Well, as for your questions... it depends upon the actual martial arts school.

 

My Karate & Aikido instructors both offer private lessons - however, neither of them will teach students who have not been to regular classes. Both instructors insist that anyone wishin to take private lessons has first been to a minimum number of ordinary classes.

 

Personally, I'm not a big fan of someone learning exclusively through private lessons, especially a beginner. I think that interaction and training with other students is very important, especially for someone who is just starting out in Martial Arts.

 

Costs vary, depending on area, number of lessons, location of school (eg a big purpose built place, or in someone's garage) can really alter the price structure of MA schools.

 

Plus, even with similar factors, some clubs are just more expensive than others.

 

It also depends on what other arts are being taught in that particular area too. TKD and Kickboxing clubs are very popular in my area, so the prices they charge are cheap, as they are all in competition with one another. Consequently, clubs with no 'competition' from other clubs teaching the same art may be more expensive.

 

As to how often new students train, again, that depends upon the club. My karate club recommends that all beginners train twice a week, moving to 3 times a week, if possible, when they have their first grade.

 

How long it takes to get proficient also depends on many things. One person will become 'good' after a relatively short time, whilst another person may take much longer.

 

Also, it takes longer to be 'good' in some arts than it does others. For example, Aikido is very difficult to learn and it takes an average of 6-7 years to reach blackbelt level. In my karate club it takes between 4-5 years to get to blackbelt, although that obviously depends on the amount of training and effort a student puts in.

 

I hope you find a club & martial art that you enjoy! :karate:

"Was it really worth it? Only time and death may ever tell..." The Beautiful South - The Rose of My Cologne


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