What you should know

When choosing a martial arts school, here are some questions you should get answers to:
Most everyone who calls a martial arts school has only one question: “How much does it cost?” While this is a valid question, it really describes nothing to you the customer. It is much like shopping for a car and only asking “how much?” It is better to be informed so you get the best value for your dollar. So let’s get started.

Style: The style of martial art is important. Each style has distinct differences once you get beyond the basics of punching and kicking. There are arts that focus primarily on kicking, hand strikes, wrestling.

Our style of kenpo combines the four fighting theories present in all martial arts to allow students to find the style best suited to them.

Belt testing: How often do students test for a new belt? Does testing occur no matter what, regardless of proficiency? Does the whole school test at once? Or do individuals test when they are ready?

Our students (ages 8 and up) progress through the ranks of white, gold, orange, purple, blue, green, 3rd degree brown, 2nd degree brown, 1st degree brown, 1st degree black, 2nd degree black ....

Students at AKKA test when they are ready: generally, that's 4-6 months for the beginning ranks and 6 months to 1 year for the higher ranks.

Tiny Tigers (ages 5-7) test for a new belt every 2 months.

Belt testing requirements: Is the student required to know only what they just learned, or are they expected to know what they learned several belts ago as well?

To earn their next rank, our students must demonstrate their knowledge of the material from all previous ranks. Junior students (ages 8-12) learn fewer katas and self-defense techniques than adult students (ages 13 and up).

Belt testing fees: Most schools have belt testing fees. How much are they? Do they go up per belt? If so, why and how much?

Our fee is $30 per belt for gold through 1st degree brown, which takes about 3 years. Tiny Tigers' test fee is $6 per belt, with 6 tests per year.

Curriculum: There are two versions of curriculum.

One is a rotating schedule. This is where everyone, no matter what rank, learns the same thing at the same time. This means black belts are learning the same thing as the white belts. This allows one instructor to move large groups as one person. Many times, there is no charted curriculum for this version. It is based off what the instructor wants to do for that day.

The second version is belt rank specific curriculum. Here, white belts learn what white belts are expected to know. Gold belts learn what gold belts are expected to know, and so on.

Our school has a belt rank specific curriculum, except for the Tiny Tigers, who are all learning the same things.

Tournaments: Most schools have them. How much do they cost? How many are you required to attend? How are participants grouped by age, rank and gender? How many categories are included (such as kata, kumite, weapons, self-defense) and how many can you participate in at the same tournament? Is there an extra cost for each category you want to enter?

We host 3 tournaments a year, which are open to students at our 5 Kansas City-area AKKA Karate USA schools. Participation is optional, although we do encourage our students to participate in at least 1 tournament a year.

Competition costs about $30, all-inclusive. You can compete in all categories: empty-hand kata, weapons kata, partner kata, hands-on self-defense, kumite (sparring) and ju-jitsu.

Our competitiors are grouped according to age and rank. We also separate men and women for kumite.

Uniforms: How much do they cost? What do they consist of?

Our students wear a traditional white gi top and pants plus their belt. This costs about $35. (Indoor shoes are optional.)

School T-shirts are available for $18 to wear in place of the gi top during the summer.

Fridays and Saturdays, students may wear whatever color of gi they like.

Sparring and sparring gear: Are you required to get a whole package at once or can you piece it in, so there’s not as big an upfront cost? Most schools spar (mock combat).

We have gear available for students to borrow in class. Students may buy their own gear, and the cost varies depending on material. Our students get their sparring gear, uniforms and other equipment from us, and our supplier is Century Martial Arts.

Safety:What is the level of contact? Where can students hit their opponent? Can anyone punch or kick to the head, or is that reserved for higher ranks after some practice? What are the safety protocols?

Tiny Tigers (ages 5-7) are not allowed to make head contact. Also, We do not allow our students ranked white belt through orange belt to make head contact -- we spend that first year learning control. For purple belt through green belt, head contact is allowed. For brown belts and black belts, face contact is also allowed.

Instructors monitor each sparring match to ensure our students' safety. We also ask our instructors to get CPR/first aid training once a year.

Extra classes: Can you come to extra classes? If so, does it cost more to do that? Are there specialty classes? Does it cost more to attend other types of classes in the school, or is that covered in the original price?

Students need to attend at least 2 karate classes a week. You may come to class more often for no extra cost. We also offer special classes that are free to our karate students: ju-jitsu, kumite (sparring), cardio conditioning and yoga.

Students who are only interested in ju-jitsu may sign up for $300 for 3 months.

Others interested in only yoga or cardio conditioning may buy a punch card for 10 classes (mix and match) for $50.

Higher programs: Does it cost more to join the black belt program? If so, why? Many schools will offer classes at a low rate only to raise their prices once you are a student. For example, you might only get a newsletter if you “upgrade” your membership. Or you may only learn weapons if you’re in an upgraded version of your program. You’ll only get these things by paying more.

Our Black Belt Club doesn't cost more. It does require a longer-term commitment.

Black belt: How long does it take to get a black belt? What is involved along the way? It is cumulative knowledge, or is it just the black belt piece only? What is the black belt testing like? Is it local or do you travel? Where? Is it one day or several? How much is the black belt test? Why?

Our students take about 4 years to get their 1st degree black belt. All our belt rank tests are cumulative. We hold black belt tests twice a year -- in June in Kansas City and in December in Pueblo, Colorado. The test begins on a Friday afternoon and continues through Sunday afternoon.

Our governing body sets the black belt test fee, which is currently about $350. This covers the venue rentals, meals, embroidered belts, plaques and gis.

Focus: Is the school focused on kids only? Adults only? On families? How? Is the focus on competition? Personal safety?

We welcome families to train with us. We strive for continual self-improvement and ask the same of our students.