What about the overall costs?

It’s a good idea to find out about the overall costs ‘up front’, so you can make an informed decision right from the start. However, it’s common practice in the Martial Arts industry for clubs to offer a 1/2 price or free uniform with 4 to 6 sessions for ‘FREE’ or for a very small fee before you have to commit to joining (with no further mention of the real ongoing costs). 

Whilst there is nothing wrong with this practice, as it ‘IS’ a good deal, this is often where it ends…. What you or parents are often not aware of is, that after training with the club and its members for 4 to 6 weeks, you will have built up a good relationship/friendship with the instructor and their members over this time. At which point you are then told the real cost of your classes, which is often on the high side (even twice the price) compared to others. 

This puts you in a difficult position because you (and/or your children) have to now leave all your new-found friends or pay the higher frees you would have likely said no to earlier. The moral of the story . . . ask what the total cost will be upfront for a month, a term, or 12 months. So, you know what you are getting yourself into, and avoid any surprises later!