The "Dark Side" of the Martial Arts Industry

Warning: there are some martial arts schools out there that take advantage of people's sense of loyalty, honor, and respect by using "bait and switch" tactics to constantly impose new fees and requirements that were not disclosed on enrollment. This is particularly underhanded and exploitative when it comes to children's programs, as the schools will build up the children's expectations and extort money from the parents who want only the best for their children.

Here is a testimonial from a parent who recently withdrew her children from another program to enroll them at Shaolin-Do:

"The last place that our children took martial arts required a year long contract. They offered a free uniform, but did not mention that we would have to purchase two patches from them (at $25 each) and have the uniform professionally embroidered. To have the uniform ready for the first belt test cost us about $80 for each child.

"Every couple of months they held a mass testing for all the kids to advance to the next belt. This cost $50 per child. Before the first belt test, I went to the office to ask if my daughter was ready for the test. I was told by one of her coaches that we should be practicing more at home and that the test was almost impossible to fail for the lower belts.

"We were disappointed that she would not be held responsible for mastering the material because we had enrolled our children in martial arts to learn self discipline and responsibility. It began to appear to us that as long as we paid all the fees, they would advance them to the next belt. Even though we were at class three times every week, my children could show me little of what they were learning in class.

"We bought a study guide from the school and used it to practice at home. For the next belt test we practiced at home using their study guide. The weekend before the test, I went to the office to ask for clarification on one of the blocks. The same coach that I had spoken to before told me that the study guide I had purchased 6 weeks earlier was now out of date, so we were learning the wrong forms at home. Furthermore, he berated me for helping her at home because I was not qualified. He was very disrespectful and derogatory in his tone and content toward my daughter and me.

"After six months of attending this school, it became clear to us that they were much more concerned with making money than teaching our children the martial art. We decided to remove them from the school. The manager told us that they never released students from their year-long contract and we would be forced to pay the remaining amount. He said the contract was held at the corporate offices and there was no way to cancel it. They later called and offered us a $250 cancellation fee. Only after we threatened legal action and involving the local media did they decide to drop the contract.

"Our children are now enrolled in Kung Fu at Shaolin-Do. We love being able to sit inside the classroom so that we know what the children are learning. The class sizes are small and the children are tested when they are ready, not at a predetermined testing time. There are no hidden fees. The teachers are patient, encouraging and accessible. They model the respect and self-discipline that they want the children to use. The expectations are age-appropriate and keep the children at an optimal learning zone that is challenging without being frustrating. Our kids have learned more in one month than they learned in six months at our last school." --D.M.

After hearing about this parent's experiences, I decided to post a consumer's guide writen by my teacher, that includes 6 questions you should ask before enrolling in a martial arts program.

Contact us with any questions, or for information on our programs.