Common Questions About The Martial Arts and Fitness Programs We Offer

This question, Which Martial Art is Best for My Child? Or,  Which Martial Art is best for children?, is something we hear all of the time.

Essentially, the asker wants to know which style of martial art is the best style for children to study and learn.  However, is that the root, the true heart of the question?

Well, perhaps not, but let's start at the top and talk about "style" in martial arts.   At a high level, there are two main branches of martial arts: Hard Styles and Soft Styles, and within these branches one may find many different subsets of martial arts.   And then of course, there are some gray areas and some martial arts could fit into both categories.

Another way of looking at style is "Traditional" vs "Sport" oriented.  For example, traditional styles might include Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Hapkido and Kung Fu; whereas, sport oriented styles would include Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing, Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).   Again, there may be some cross over: Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu could all be considered both traditional and sport oriented.

In styles like Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai or Karate your child will be learning techniques that are generally striking (Hard Style) in nature: Kicks and Punches.  But, they will also learn some joint locks and standing grappling although this is not the focus.

In styles like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or Hapkido you child will be learning techniques that are grappling oriented (soft style), again they will also learn some striking, but that is not the focus.

In all styles your child will learn about self-defense and develop physical fitness.

In all styles there should also be a philosophical component teaching aspects of character development like integrity, humility, self-discipline and self confidence.

How much of each of these things will be taught and what's better for children?

Well, I have seen martial arts schools across all styles that are fantastic organizations for children.

And, I have seen some schools, let just put it this way, they should stick to adults.

So ultimately, the question you should be asking, or perhaps were already thinking about asking is this:

Which Martial Arts SCHOOL is the best for My Child?

Choosing a martial arts program and instructor isn’t just about style, location, class times and costs.  There’s a lot more to consider when thinking about which school is the best fit for you and your family. And not every martial arts school or program is a good match.  Some emphasize things that might be unimportant to you.  Others may or may not have instructors qualified and skilled at providing for a special need you or a family member might require.

And it’s not all about price.  Sure, price matters.  But it’s not the only thing that’s important to you.  And once you’ve decided to learn and to practice a martial art you want the very best results possible for a price that’s fair.

And, if you need more information or…if you need or want our help we’re here for you to chat about the choice.

And we’ll tell you if our program or another is best match for you or your family.  You see we’re not for everyone.  And we turn away students who aren’t a good match. We’re interested in being sure that we can meet and exceed your needs and expectations…for yourself and/or your child or children.  If we don’t think we can, we’ll tell you.

And, before joining any program, including ours, make sure that you get a chance to see if we’re a perfect match.  Ask about their trial program and find out if it’s right for you.

It’s a complicated choice.  So, we’ve compiled this Quick Guide to help guide you through what can seem like an overwhelming process.  Don’t sign up with any gym or program until you’ve thought and asked about these factors:

What sort of facilities does the school provide?

• Is there adequate and safe parking?
• Is the training area safe:
• Is it fully matted?
• Is there plenty of room to move around?
• Are there separate changing rooms and bathrooms for boys and girls?
• Is there an observation area for parents to stay and watch classes?
• Is there one-on-one meeting space where I can discuss my child’s progress?

What are the qualifications of the Head Instructors?

• How do I evaluate their level of expertise?
• What is their martial arts rank?
• How many years have they been teaching?
• Do they teach other folks who have my same needs and concerns?
• Do they teach children?  Are they experienced with the needs of your child?
• Have they studied several disciplines to become better and more well rounded teachers?
• How long have they been teaching?
• Are they professional, full time instructors dedicated to the program and needs of your child?
• Have they received instruction and certification as teachers and not just achieved a belt rank?  You see rank is important but you can have a high-ranking instructor with little experience and training as a teacher. You probably want both.  Rank AND skilled as an instructor.
• Do the instructors use pre-determined, writtern class planners?
• Do the instructors provide curriculum resources to the parents?

What Sort of Programs does the school offer?

• Does the school offer a pre-evaluation and trial program to help ensure that your child is enrolled in the best program, for them?
• Does the school offer a structured, curriculum based belt progression system? This has been proven to help both children and adults to achieve their specific goals.
• Does it offer well-developed and age-specific programs to meet the different needs of children?
• Have they split the classes into a sufficient number of age-groups?
• Will the students have the opportunity to become instructors and demonstrate leadership?
  • If so, what is the leadership development program?
• Will the school, in addition to training them a instructors and leaders, provide recognition of that dedication and leadership when you or a child needs a letter of recommendation for school, a program, certification, or work?
• Are there benefits to becoming an instructor?
• Does the school teach life skills in addition to martial arts, fitness and self-defense?
• Does the school have a robust schedule offering multiple class options per week?
• Is the school atmosphere family oriented?

Thinking about Getting Your Child Started? Here's what to do next: 

1. Click the button below
2. Get access to our class schedules and intro programs
3. Call us for a free pre-evaluation or sign up for our Quick Start Confidence Course Online

Sparring, or rolling, is a large part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, however you will not be sparring until at least after your quick start course. You will start sparring when you are comfortable enough and are able to demonstrate some fundamental BJJ techniques.

Nope, you need to be ready, willing, and able to learn, practice, and work.   Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a great martial arts for total beginners to pick up, learn and practice for a life time.  At Dragon Gym we teach total beginners, world ranked competitors and everyone in between.   Plus, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is very different from "Traditional" Martial Arts and can be great compliment to hard-style martial arts like Karate or Tae Kwon Do as well as a combat sport like Muay Thai Kickboxing. 

It’s both, BJJ sport requires some restrictions to be placed on the grappler for safety's sake. In self-defense those restrictions are lifted, some brazilian jiu jitsu techniques favor sport and others favor self-defense applications. 

That relies largely on the practitioner. If you practice inconsistently, then progress in BJJ will be slow and frustrating at best.  However, if you can come to class at least 2-3 times per week, BJJ can transform your life. BJJ is a grappling martial art predominantly, if you can handle someone actively trying to submit you on a regular basis and return the effort, then your perspective on most social interactions changes for the positive – you become hardened to adversity. You will become confident that you can defend yourself and physically you will become stronger and healthier.  Life starts to seem easier as you will look better, feel better and have a new confidence throughout your daily life. 

In Brazil, many families start their kids in BJJ at a very young age.  However, due to a child's physical, social, intellectual and emotional stages of development we've found the best time to start formal Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes is around the age of 7.  At Dragon Gym we offer kids-specific BJJ classes and most of the kids in these classes are between 7 and 13 years old. 

Sure can! DG hosts kids specific Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes to help kids learn how to stand up for themselves, fend off bullies, and win competition.

Without a doubt! DG has the most dedicated, motivated, and technically proficient grapplers out there. Almost 50% of the students that routinely compete are ladies.   Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is actually an ideal martial art for women interested in learning self-defense.  The technical nature of brazilian jiu jitsu means that a practicioner need not be strong or fast to be effective.  In fact, BJJ is known for its ability and effectiveness against larger and stronger opponents. 

 

 

This is a very common question from parents looking for a quality martial arts program for their children.  After decades of working with kids and their parents we've come to see for most the real concern is to know that their child will get the individual attention and support he or she may need from the instructors.

At the Dragon Gym, there are several ways that we assure this for you and your child, but before I get into those details, let me tell you that a large martial arts class is nothing to worry about as long as it is run in a well thought out and structured manner. The kids will actually benefit from the increased interaction and socialization. Plus, what determines a "large" class for 3 and 4 year olds, 5 and 6 year olds, 7 to 9 year olds, and 10 to 13 year olds is very different.

Here's how we do it:

# 1 -- All of our classes are age-specific, meaning 3 and 4 year olds are only with 3 and 4 year olds, 5 and 6 year olds are only with 5 and 6 year olds, 7 to 9 year olds are only with 7 to 9 year olds and 10 to 13 year olds are only with 10 to 13 year olds.

# 2 -- Because the classes are age-specific the students are with other kids that are in the same physical, social, intellectual and emotional stages of the development and have similar needs and goals.  This is really works because our martial arts curriculum was designed from the research of developmental psychologists to target these aspects of a child's development.   This is not true from programs that lump a more spread out age group of kids into the same class.

#3 -- Near Peer Mentoring.   One of the best ways for kids to learn is through what is called modeling.  Modeling takes place when a child emulates a slightly older or more advanced child that they look up to.  At the Dragon Gym we have an enrichment and mentorship track called the Junior Instructor Program.  This is a program where the older students receive additional instruction and the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership skills

#4 -- Monthly Check-ins.   Our instructional staff will check-in with you and your child individually at least once a month to make sure his or her progress is on track and address any questions you have, or any obstacle he or she may be facing...in the dojang, at school or even at home.

#5 -- Student / Instructor Ratio.  We employ several full time and professional martial arts instructors as well as many more part time instructors in all of our children's classes as well as limit class size.   The class size limit and student-teacher ratio is determined by the age group and you can be assured that your child will be getting the right amount of attention each and every class.

This may be a sensitive issue for some martial arts schools, but at Dragon Gym we like to be as clear as possible.  On your first visit to Dragon Gym we will provide you with a price sheet that includes the complete details for all of our membership packages.  There are no hidden costs or fees, everything will be laid out for you.

However, anything is too expensive if it's not worth it, no matter how low the price tag may be.  If your child isn't getting the value and benefits, that you are looking for, from martial arts classes, then yes...its too expensive.

It's hard to say what's a good price and what's a good value.  It depends on what a martial arts school is offering in its core program, wrap around services and true benefits to your child. It's important to focus on the value provided through a well-designed children's martial arts program: confidence, self-respect, respect for others, how to set and achieve goals and how to be successful throughout life.   Not to mention fitness and self-defense. 

These traits are priceless, will serve you child for life and will aid them in developing a strong sense of connection with the community.

Click HERE to read more about the classes and programs at Dragon Gym