Martial Arts - how much do you pay?

[onimolap]

The primary age DCs both do Kung fu, and have so far been on an introductory offer. Both want to continue, but the onward pricing structure is based on students doing 3 x 45min classes per week. Not only would that overload their schedule, it's also expensive. I think I'll have to at least try to negotiate something more in line with what they will have time for.

To help me do that, could you be kind and let me know:

a) if this sort of all-inclusive deal is the born (ie would a Sifu be even remotely willing to contemplate another arrangement), and

b) how much do you pay?

We're in SW London, if anyone happens to know any good children's martial arts classes, just in case we do have to leave this one.

Many thanks for any help.

[DiscoDaisy]

My son whose is 7 does Karate in the South West. He pays £3 for an hour lesson but if you have 2 children attending then it is £5. They train twice a week but it is up to you whether they attend once or twice although the Sensei does point out that it is more beneficial to train both sessions. If you don't attend then you don't pay as well.

[onimolap]

Thanks!

Anyone else?

[ragged]

Judo: £2.50 for 1-3 hour sessions (you only pay £2.50 an evening even if they stay for more than one hour). Grading/Competations are £4 each, I think (not much). Complete and utter bargain!!! Apparently local Tai Kwan Do sessions are similar prices.

Local karate club costs about £5 a session (well actually, it's about £22/month by standing order (whether you go or not), which gets the child unlimited sessions but there's only 2 available weekly, and the other one is many miles away). And their grading/competitions/uniform/belts all cost more than Judo.

We are in the stix of Norfolk, btw.

Competition license is extra, maybe £20/yr.

[ShellingPeas]

In Kent. For karate we pay £4 a session on the day, in cash, so you only pay for sessions you attend.

For higher belts (blue and above) a minimum of 2 sessions a week is recommended but not compulsory. If doing two classes back to back (e.g. general class, plus a kata class) then reduced to £7. It wasn't until DS was grading for his black belt that he went 3 times a week.

[RubberDuck]

As an adult, I paid £45 a month for a class that was 2.5hrs a week. Private lessons were £15 an hour. So all these prices seem a very good deal to me (although I should imagine class sizes are much larger in a child's class).

[onimolap]

I think that's convinced me that the current classes, even allowing for London uplift, are too expensive. Rats!

I've been looking in to local alternatives: at present, they're doing kung fu (which seems to be mixed martial arts for kids). One class I've found nearby is Brazilian jiu jitsu - anyone any idea what this actually is????

[MiaWallace]

I can't believe these prices. Although dd (age 5) loves her marital arts class I have decided to stop taking her because of the cost.

It is £50 a month (direct debit) for 2 sessions a week (half hour each). Then a further £25 for gradings which are every ten weeks.

On top of this they are constantly pushing you to buy equipment, such as blocking pads, which are very expensive.

I know dd is going to be so upset when we tell her that she can't go anymore but I feel like it is a total rip off.

We are going to enrol her in tennis lessons instead and if she still wants to do martial arts then she can start judo when she is 6 (which is half the price of what I'm currently paying)

[onimolap]

MiaWallace: our prices are similar, and now the discounted introductory period is drawing to a close, I fear we are going to have to give up on cost grounds (as we wouldn't be able to use all the sessions included in the price, leaving the price per session just too much). I'm dreading telling the DCs, and really regret the situation as I think it is such a good thing for them to be doing.

And it's still on my mind as Sifu hasn't responded to my texts. Aaargh!

DH might be able to bribe them out of their disappointment with golf lessons, which are better vfm and at a better time in the week.

[MiaWallace]

Just told dd that we will be stopping her lessons. She is disappointed and it's difficult to explain to a five year old that we are stopping because it's a rip off!

Hopefully she will enjoy tennis lessons instead.

[Atergel]

Dear DD,
Could you please tell me where is the Karate class does ur son attend> I live sw12 please post the address.

thanks

[Atergel]

Thanks all of you

Dear Disco Daisy,


Yours sounds reasonable, could you kindly let me know the address please.

Many thanks.

E