What do you think of these training fees?

[traditionalkarateman]

I was discussing fees with a fellow martial arts practitioner and we discussed whether we think these fees are reasonable, or too expensive.

Firstly, I will outline the facility that is available: It has two sections, one 11x11 floor with padded floor (using jigsaw mats) and one 10x10 wood floor (the padded mats can be lifted to make a 21x21 wood floor). The facility has two wall-mounted boxing bags, and a floor-mounted makiwara board. One wall is lined with mirrors, and as this facility teaches traditional martial arts and therefore it is also fitted with photographs of the masters on the wall.

The main instructor, who is the dojo owner has been training for over 12 years and is a Nidan. He travels to Japan often, and brings over the Master from Japan every 2-3 years. He runs his own dojo with permission and direction from his instructor (who visits his dojo).

I will put the prices in US$ to make it easier:

Class fees can be paid per lesson, at $11 per person. However the preferable fee is monthly (/ for 4 weeks): $40 (1 per wk), 79 (2 per wk), $110 (3 per wk) - each lesson is 1.5hrs with the option of an extra .5hrs afterward for some smaller or one-on-one work.

The only other fees is a yearly registration of $90 and a grading fee of $30 - which you can test a maximum of 2 x a year.

Also note that this school is located in a metro area, in quite a large city.

Edited April 21, 2010 by traditionalkarateman

[quinteros1963]

I think it is too expensive. I would not pay that much for classes, but I'm spoiled. I only pay 25 per month.

[Toptomcat]

That's not very far outside the norm in a large metropolitan area.

[Rateh]

IMHO that sounds on the low end of normal for the areas I have lived in. And by on the low end, I mean that the school would be charging the cheapest in the area but not be raising any eyebrows. (This is assuming they own their own training area, if he/she is teaching out of a school, church, rec center, etc, then the price would be considered quite steep)

[Toptomcat]

The thing is that the belt rank someone holds is a very rough indication of his skill. To use your analogy again, the professional standards for a nidan in karate are considerably less well-defined than the standards for a law degree. He could be a really smokin' nidan, built like a Greek god, able to fight like three men, perform technically excellent kihon and kata, impressively knowledgeable about karate's history and philosophy, and an excellent teacher. He could almost as easily be a miserable, out-of-shape fraud whose only marketable skill is his ability to con students into thinking that he has martial ability. More likely he has a skillset that lies somewhere between those two extremes, but without getting a far more specific rundown of his qualifications- what specific style and teacher he got his belt under, video of him competing under his style's ruleset and demonstrating techniques and kata- none of us will be able to give you an accurate estimation of whether or not he's worth the money.

[Jeffrey]

The thing is that the belt rank someone holds is a very rough indication of his skill. To use your analogy again, the professional standards for a nidan in karate are considerably less well-defined than the standards for a law degree. He could be a really smokin' nidan, built like a Greek god, able to fight like three men, perform technically excellent kihon and kata, impressively knowledgeable about karate's history and philosophy, and an excellent teacher. He could almost as easily be a miserable, out-of-shape fraud whose only marketable skill is his ability to con students into thinking that he has martial ability. More likely he has a skillset that lies somewhere between those two extremes, but without getting a far more specific rundown of his qualifications- what specific style and teacher he got his belt under, video of him competing under his style's ruleset and demonstrating techniques and kata- none of us will be able to give you an accurate estimation of whether or not he's worth the money.

Well put. It is important to do your research and ask questions. Rates very from Dojo to Dojo. I think the rates are a little high IMO. But for the area they could just about right.

We pay $95 for 10 weeks and there are 3 sessions a year. On top we also pay a $40 fee each year to the national organization. Grading fees are $15 and only paid if you are graded to cover the cost of the belt.

That being said we don’t have an open Dojo with any equipment.

[sensei8]

Imho...The prices are too high! Not way to high, just too high.

[ps1]

The prices do sound a little high. But it also sounds like a nice facility. He's gotta pay the bills. I say, if you like the instructor and facility and you can afford it...give it a shot.

[sensei8]

The prices do sound a little high. But it also sounds like a nice facility. He's gotta pay the bills. I say, if you like the instructor and facility and you can afford it...give it a shot.

I agree...it won't hurt.

[Lupin1]

It seems cheap compared to a lot of the programs around here. I'd have to be getting really quality training to pay that much, personally, but if I was I'd pay that in a second.