There are lots of different reasons people want to join a martial arts school, but they usually narrow down to the need for:

Fitness
Spirituality
Self-defense Skills
Community
All of the above

Fitness
If getting in shape is your goal, you need to be honest with yourself up front. What level of fitness are you at right now? Do you need a school that is going to throw you into the fire, or one that is going to nurture you according to your abilities?

Some schools use very old, traditional methods to get into shape. Sometimes these aren't much different than modern methods, but it's been my experience that "traditional" exercises can be much more demanding.

Also very important, some schools don't emphasize exercise at all. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, it just means this may not be the school for you. The reason some schools don't emphasize exercise conditioning isn't because they're lazy, but because they usually want to maximize your time spent training in self-defense. They figure you can go to a gym to work out on your own time.

It really boils down to how you want to exercise:

• Do you like the boot-camp approach with a drill-sergeant in your face? Is that what motivates you?
  
• Do you want a school that leaves the exercise up to you?
  
• Do you only want some light exercise to stay toned?
  
• Do you want some heavy exercise with positive motivation?

Find a school that delivers the level of fitness you want, and you'll be on your way.

Spirituality
Do you want a school that emphasizes a spiritual philosophy, or do you want to just go in, train and go home? Some styles, like Aikido emphasize the concept of non-violent self-defense as well as the teachings of their founder. While other styles, like Krav Maga, never talk about spiritual discipline. Some Chinese styles delve into Chi or Yin and Yang theories. This may be right up your alley, or it may not. Decide ahead of time if you want or don't want a martial art school that goes a little deeper than punches and kicks.

Self-defense Skills
This seems like a no-brainer: of course you'd want self-defense skills. It's a martial arts school for cryin' out loud! But some people really just want the fitness aspect, and that's ok. Whatever works for you.

Community
Some martial art schools will emphasize a sense of family. They'll have extra-curricular activities that encourage you and your family to mingle with the rest of the school. Then there are some schools that emphasize getting in, working up a sweat and parting ways. Each has its benefit, so it simply matters how much community energy you want to put in. Ask ahead of time if there are lots of extra-curricular activities for this school. If the answer is yes, then that's a good sign that the school will expect you to participate outside of normal class times.

People often ask me what the best martial art style is? Is it Karate, Kung Fu, Aikido, Krav Maga...

In my earlier days, I probably would've defended whatever style I was training in and said it was the best and always would be. But what I've come to learn is: the best martial art is the one that's best for you. My needs and wants from a martial art have changed over time: my fitness needs, my community needs, my checkbook needs, my spiritual, and self-defense philosophies - all change over time. And when I say "the best martial art is the one that's best for you," that's not just a cop-out. I really mean it. Most martial arts have equally good qualities; in the self-defense realm, community, fitness, etc. It really amounts to what you want, and what you're comfortable with.

I try to look at it like this:

1. What level of aggression seems appropriate for your self-defense philosophy? Some styles emphasize loud yelling, strong physical force, and a very aggressive attitude. Some styles are the complete opposite where they emphasize a peaceful mind and a low level of aggression. You need to decide what your energy level is and try to match that with a style that brings out those characteristics within you.
   



2. Would you be more comfortable with lots of kicking, or punching, or throwing, or wrestling? Some people hate to roll around on the ground, some love it. Some love to punch all day, some would rather kick. Some are comfortable with a lot of person-to-person contact, while others want to have as little physical contact as possible. There's a martial art style for each of these needs, you simply need to decide which one best suits your personality and comfort level.

To help you narrow it down further, here is a very general break-down of what some of the major martial art styles have to offer. Keep in mind that there are literally thousands of styles in the world, and they will vary slightly or greatly from each other depending on any number of factors. But hopefully, this break-down of style characteristics will help you get more familiar with what you're looking for.

Here are just a few of the more common martial art styles you'll find:

• Tae Kwon Do
  (aggressive - point sparring - heavy kicking - punching - board-breaking - emphasis on sport)
  watch Tae Kwon Do in action
  
  
• Aikido
  (low aggression - almost no kicks or punches - throws and joint manipulation - spiritual philosophy)
  watch Aikido in action
  
  
• Shaolin Kung Fu
  (mimics 5 animal styles - equal amounts of kicking - punching and various strikes - sometimes has sparring - doesn't emphasize sport competition)
  watch Shaolin Kung Fu in action
  
  
• Muay Thai Kickboxing
  (heavy kicking - boxing-style punching - lots of elbows and knees - emphasis on sport)
  watch Muay Thai Kickboxing in action
  
  
• Krav Maga
  (lots of aggressive punching - kicking elbows and knees - boot-camp-style training tempered with a gym atmosphere)
  watch Krav Maga in action
  
  
• Karate
  (traditional punching and kicking - emphasis on hardening the body - hard/sharp movements - board-breaking - aggressive)
  watch Karate in action
  
  
• Wing Chun Kung Fu
  (aggressive - fast movements - emphasizes straight/compact strikes - highly-unique blocks and strikes - emphasizes multiple strikes)
  watch Wing Chun Kung Fu in action
  
  
• Brazilian Jujitsu
  (emphasis on ground wrestling - joint locks - throws - aggressive)
  watch Brazilian Jujitsu in action
  
  
• Jeet Kune Do
  (Bruce Lee's style - has elements of Wing Chun - Thai kickboxing - Pilipino martial arts, etc - emphasis on striking and adaptation)
  watch Jeet Kune Do in action
  

Finding the right instructor is very important. You need to find someone who is going to understand your needs, as well as push you to the next level. But as you can imagine, instructors are a varied as the martial art styles themselves. And to make things more complicated, two Karate instructors from the same style may be widely apart in training and teaching philosophies.

Here are some of the instructor archetypes that will help you decide on the right instructor for you:

1. The Drill Sergeant
   This is the instructor that gets in your face and makes you do 30 more crunches than you can. He can be kind or mean, but always on top of you, pushing you further than you think you can go. Some people need this kind of motivation, while others may find it demoralizing.
   
   
2. The Yoda
   This is the wise teacher who may have a philosophy and spiritual story for every technique. Sometimes this is good to help the student understand the intent and origin of a technique, but others may want to skip the parable and get down to business.
   
   
3. The Good Buddy
   This is the young, happy-go-lucky guy who's full of energy. His training may be fun and challenging, but he may lack in authority and knowledge simply due to lack of experience. Some students may be right at home with this instructor, while others may need to seek someone with a little more discipline and self-defense experience.
   
   
4. The Ring Fighter
   This is the experienced and/or active ring fighter. He's very competitive and will pass that on to you. His philosophy is go big or go home. Fitness is a big part of the Ring Fighter's class.
   
   
5. The Street Fighter
   Like The Ring Fighter, this guy may be very aggressive and competitive. Unlike The Ring Fighter, this type of instructor has no problem teaching you how to gouge out you're opponent's eyes, shatter his knee, then walk away with a smile. Fitness may or may not be a big part of The Street Fighter's class since The Street Fighter comes in all shapes, sizes, and ages.
   
   
6. The Meek but Deadly
   This is the slightly-built instructor who walks softly but carries a big stick. He's mellow and genuinely kind, but will pummel you into oblivion before you can blink an eye.
   
   
7. The Talker
   This is the instructor who spends half of the class time over-explaining the techniques. Conversely, he may be spending the class time socializing or relishing in his own ego. Not recommended for anyone since you're not going to get much done.
   
   
8. The "Just Do It"
   This is the strong but silent type. He's probably got a mix of The Street Fighter, and The Meek but Deadly in him. He wants you to stop asking so many questions and just figure it out. Some people appreciate this approach, while others may be craving more input on a given technique.

Some schools have lots of students and lots of turn over. They may have big facilities with lots of t-shirts and jackets to buy. They may have great press and a stellar website. Then there are the schools that are a hole in the wall next to a dry cleaner. They have a few regular students and are only known through word of mouth if at all. Their facilities are worn, old and maybe a little stinky.

Which is the better school? Is the big wealthy school going to give you what you want, or is the hole-in-the-wall school going to be better for you? There's no real right answer. First, I would consider what type of atmosphere you're more comfortable with. Some people will be motivated by the large, modern facilities, while others may be comfortable with a small-scale operation. Remember, martial art schools are a business whether we like it or not. They need to make money to pay the rent.

It's really not fair to judge a school on its size or resources. I've been to hole-in-the-wall schools that have had some of the best martial artists and training I've ever seen. And then I've been in the mega-schools where they give you average training, but charge a lot of money. And then the reverse of both of these is also true: the big guys may be big simply because they have excellent training, while the smaller guy is small simply because he doesn't have a good product to sell. It really is a mixed bag.

So, my point here is to give a warning: don't judge a book by its cover. Beware of "belt factories" that want to charge you every month or so to test for a new belt level. They may indeed be offering you quality training, but they may also just be giving you a fast-food version of their art to make a buck. And conversely, don't judge a school based on it's location in a poor part of town or its smelly old punching bag in the corner. Both have something to offer, and both have something missing. Feel it out. Ask others who train there what it's like.

Here's what I consider to be a good pay-scale on a per month basis:

$40-$60 is a steal. It's the cheapest you'll ever find anywhere. You may be getting what you pay for, but you may also be getting great quality from a start-up school, or someone who believes in charging very little as a principle.

$60-$80 is more normal depending on where you live. Sometimes, the school rent is simply higher, and they need to charge more. But $60-$80 is still a great, respectable deal.

$80-$100. I might question the school's motives for these rates. Again, depending on where the school is located, this may be the cheapest they can offer. And I'm perfectly willing to pay up to $100 a month if I've done my research and I know that the school has what I want.

Over $100. The school or the instructor better be a legend in the martial arts community for me to pay over $100. Simply put, some schools are that good that they can get away with charging that much. They may have stellar facilities, a lot of demand, and quality training. If that's the case, they're worth every penny. But if it's a school that seems to exist only to stroke the instructor's ego, and or to give you a dozen belts over a few months, I might think again.

Also, some schools will require some kind of membership fee. I personally don't like having to pay this, but it's normal. The fee usually goes to support the umbrella organization they may be a part of. Or sometimes it's even to support the school's founder. This may seem strange to the modern student, but this is quite normal for the more traditional schools.

Before signing up, ask what kind of gear you'll need to purchase up front AND in months/years to come. Most schools will throw in a cheap student uniform when you sign up. If not, no worries, you'll just need to set aside anywhere from $30-$60 depending on what quality you want. If you're a beginner, just buy the cheapest you can get. You can always upgrade later.

If your school trains with weapons, ask what kind of training weapons you'll need to purchase. Some can get very expensive very fast. You'll want to be financially prepared to buy a staff or a wooden sword on a moment's notice.

If your school does any kind of sparring, you'll probably need pads. The school may have some for you to use from time to time, but if sparring is a regular event, you'll want to buy your own gear. Again, this gets expensive fast, so make sure to ask if you'll need your own gear or not.

After you've narrowed it down to what style of martial art you might want to study, and what you want out of a school, it's time to start shopping around. Go to all of the schools you're interested in and start investigating.

Here's a list of what I think you should ask and do:

1. Ask if you can watch a beginner's class AND an advanced class. This will give you a good idea of what kind of things you'll be doing when you start, and where you're training is headed in the future. The beginner's class will be very different from the advanced class. It's important so see the difference so that you don't become disappointed if you aren't Bruce Lee right off the bat. Some schools don't want you to watch their advanced classes, so if they say no, that's ok.
   
   
2. Ask about the training schedule. Make sure the schedule fits with yours. The more flexible the schedule, the better.
   
   
3. Ask if the rates are going to increase anytime soon. Sometimes, the rates will go up, that's just business, but make sure you understand what the fee structure will be after you sign up. You don't want any surprises. And don't forget to ask about any extra gear or supplies you might need in the future.
   
   
4. If you like what you've seen so far, ask if you can try out a class for free. Most schools will let you do this. In fact, most will encourage it. Trying out a class is usually the best way to know if this school is the right one for you. You may feel lost and clumsy, but you'll quickly understand the class dynamics that you can't really understand from the sidelines.
   
   
5. Don't feel pressured to sign up right away. A business-minded school will naturally want to get you signed up right away while you're still feeling good about the place. But take a few days, go visit some other schools, shop around before you sign on any dotted line. A good school is perfectly confident that you'll be back, so there's no need to pressure you into writing a check right away. Schools that want to push you into a contract right away may be interested only in their bottom-line and not your martial arts needs.
   
   
6. Examine the contract carefully. Many schools require a contract just like you might sign for a gym membership. This isn't just so they can take your money, they do it because they want you to make the commitment to train. Remember, the school is putting in its time, resources, and years of knowledge into training you. They only want students who are serious about training in return. One word of warning, however, contracts can be a double-edged sword. If for whatever reason you don't like the school after awhile, the contract can be very hard to get out of. Some schools are understanding and will let you go easily, but more often than not, the school has the right to continue to draw funds from your account and pressure you into staying on board. Make sure you fully understand what you need to do to get out of your contract if things don't work out. Make them be specific. If they dance around the subject, and are vague, chances are you're not going to like the school. You should move on.
   
   (One time, I joined one of these big schools. Everything was going ok until one of the younger instructors started threatening me because I didn't put my hands up when he told me too. I simply didn't hear him, but that didn't matter to him. I quickly realized that The Drill-Sergeant type wasn't for me. I went to talk to the head instructor assuming he'd let me out of my contract with no problem. He didn't. He said he would hold me legally to my contract for the remaining 11 months. I had to bargain my way out by buying some sandwiches for him and his guys. He finally let me out of the contract. I learned a lesson about contracts that day.)
   
   
7. A no-contract, month to month payment structure is the best scenario in my opinion. Many schools will offer this at a slightly higher rate than the 12-month contract rate, or this will be their only payment option which is even better. This is great because it gives you an easy way out if you end up not liking the school. I highly recommend only paying for the first month if they allow it. This way, you can safely test the school without committing to a year-long contract.
   
   
8. Find out if the head instructor will be teaching your class, or one of his/her students will. If you signed up because you like the instructor, and you're there because he's the one you want to learn from, find out if he'll be teaching your beginning class or not. In a larger school, the head instructor will only be teaching the advanced classes. At a small school, the head instructor will likely be teaching all the classes. There's nothing wrong with learning from one of his students, but you should find out ahead of time so that you're not disappointed.
   
   
9. Unless you're having a horrible experience, give your training a chance. Ideally, I think a student needs to study any art for no less than one year to even begin to understand what the style has to offer. Only then, imho, can one make a realistic assessment of the strengths and faults of a particular style or school. However, I understand the realities of modern society and the fact that many don't want to spend a year only to find out they don't like a school. I completely understand. So, my next best recommendation is to give a school no less than 3 months. Listen to everything they have to say. Check your ego at the door. Give it 110% for 3 solid months. You should have at least a feeling as to whether this is something you want to invest your time in or not.

Once you've signed up, got your new uniform on, and are raring to go - what's next?

Be a good student!

Although this is a business, the martial arts are so much more. Your instructor has invested years of dedicated hard training into this art, so the least you can do is give it 110% when you show up for class. Just because you're paying for their service doesn't mean you can treat them like a fast food chain: you can't have it your way.

1. Understand the history, culture, and discipline that make the martial arts something worth investing your time and energy into. Many of these arts have been around for centuries. Maybe they have something to offer that you haven't considered yet. Check your ego at the door.
   
   
2. Show up on time for class. This shows that you respect the instructor's time.
   
   
3. Keep good hygiene. You'll be working up a sweat in close quarters with other people, so make yourself less offensive. Trim your nails (to avoid scratching). Try to freshen up a bit if you're just coming from hard work. Wash your uniform regularly (or buy a couple of uniforms so you can wear a fresh one each time). Keep a small towel with you to wipe down your sweat (your partner will thank you). Bandage up any cuts you may have on your hands (this is a courtesy to ensure your partner is comfortable when doing hands-on techniques). If your school goes barefoot during training, keep your feet clean and odor-free. Don't wear jewelry. It can be dangerous for you and your training partners.
   
   
4. Follow instructions. This may be a no-brainer, but some students have trouble following direction. Remember, your instructor has been doing this a lot longer than you have, so respect his/her methods even if they seem harsh or strange. They have a purpose that may not be entirely clear.
   
   
5. Ask questions, but try to do the exercise first. Some students ask a million questions about a technique before they even try it out. Most of the time, whatever questions they have are quickly answered when they close their mouths and "just do it." It's natural and encouraged to ask questions, but try not to distrust or debate your instructor's methods. If you don't like the instruction, see if you can move to another class (or perhaps it's time for you to move on to a different school).
   
   
6. Give it 110%. You're paying for it and they're willing to teach it -- why wouldn't you give it your full potential? There's no point in joining a school and only showing up when you feel like it. It shows disrespect and laziness on your part. Is that how you want people to view you?

I hope all of this information will help you decide which martial arts school and style will benefit you most. It's been a rewarding journey for me so far, and I plan to continue for as long as I can.

Good luck, and always keep your hands up!