TMA schools are getting crazy!

Andre00 · 04-12-2007, 04:32 PM

So I talked to a girl I work with and her son is in Karate. I guess he went to a place called 'United Studios of Self Defense'. She told me she pays $225/mo and they make you buy a white gi to start, but once you get to the 4th level (?) you have to buy a black gi, then once you get to like the 8th level you have to buy a red gi. each gi can only be bought through the school and it's $80. They also charge $150 for each test until the 4th level, then the test goes up to $300.
Here is the kicker, she said that the place told him he needed a certification to be an assistant instuctor and he would have to go to a different studio to train for that. Well she goes to the 'different studio' and she said it was exactly like the other one except on the other side of town. Well he would have to go to both studios at the same time and the program is $25,000! She said 'no way' ...thank god... so they said since her son shows so much promise they would put up half the money for her and she would only have to come up with $12,500 (offer 'today only') and he could enter the program to be an assistant instuctor. Then after all of that he would have to become an instuctor and open his own school and starting making money ...a la pyramid scheme....
oh and they have a China trip every year that cost $3000 to enroll..

So I told her to get the hell out of there and come check out where I train (Colorado BJJ), it was to far for her son to go but he is now going to LA Boxing right near her house for $69/mo and no tests....they have MT, grappleing, etc... The kid went today and loves it!
just wanted to share what some places are doing out there! I feel like going down there and lighting the place up with my skillz yo!

codemonkey76 · 04-12-2007, 04:38 PM

that's some seriously fucked up shit

Balto · 04-12-2007, 04:39 PM

Scams like that aren't anything new. Just look up Chung Moo Doe online.

But yeah, that is a little bit worse than typical.

theglendon · 04-12-2007, 04:42 PM

It's a shame that things that have the rich and storied traditions of traditional martial arts have been perverted into "belt factories" by so many unscrupulous individuals.

blanko · 04-12-2007, 04:48 PM

daaaaaam

K Ja · 04-12-2007, 04:54 PM

.....You mean.... paying $25k isn't normal?? And I've been scammed all this time??

Evil Eye Gouger · 04-12-2007, 04:55 PM

That's absolutely ridiculous.

I pay 20 Euro per month for Judo. Very technical instruction, and a killer competition team.

I also train TKD under a really accomplished and experienced instructor, 6x a week for 40 Euro.

I simply cannot comprehend why anybody would pay that much for training, barring some serious bonding with the instructor and related loyalty or something similar. Even the prices people pay for Muay Thai and BJJ here are crazy. I know that some of them are run by top guys and have huge rents to pay, but $200 a month for training?

KornWhole · 04-12-2007, 05:05 PM

EEG, the prices in Europe in general are nowhere near the States. That's why the Brazilian instructors for example prefer going to the states. In Europe, it's not a custom that a person gets rich by teaching martial arts. It's always been more like a ring of hobbyists looking after each other, with nominal monthly fees. I have no problem with skilled people getting their living off martial arts though, as long as it's not a pyramid ripoff like in the OP. But anyway, I prefer the way it is in Europe.

Evil Eye Gouger · 04-12-2007, 05:10 PM

It's true, and you're right. Another factor is that most martial arts clubs in Europe don't have to pay rent because non-profit sports clubs have a right to public facilities.

Still, when I read stuff like this, I can't help but cringe. I pay lots for training, and I don't mind because I find it important (I train at several places). I also find it completely OK if people who teach for a living can make a decent living doing it. But when I read about $300 per month... wow.

KornWhole · 04-12-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Eye Gouger

Still, when I read stuff like this, I can't help but cringe. I pay lots for training, and I don't mind because I find it important (I train at several places). I also find it completely OK if people who teach for a living can make a decent living doing it. But when I read about $300 per month... wow.

I think it's also about the American Dream vs. the European way, if you get my drift. Making your living doing the thing you love and getting insanely rich in the process. Also, many martial arts gyms in the States are more than just a pair of mats in an old warehouse. They often have lifting gyms, saunas and stuff like that. I can also understand why it costs to train with people like Randy Couture etc. Skilled and accomplished athletes who have held world titles.

Then again, if most places charge that said $300 a month, there's no reason to offer classes at lower rate if demand is high enough. And it's about wages too. Higher education jobs in the States tend to be much better paying than in Europe, so people have more money to burn.