What do you guys look for in a kickboxing /Martial arts club?

Ive ehard varying feedback for a lot of different places.
Some people want a good club to train at, some people will actually go ouit of their way to train at a club that is "cowboyish" and is of a poor standard.

Some people really dont care.

Some people like the deocr more than the training.

For me the most important thing is the people there - especially the students - do they look like they are having a good time and all being tought...

can't comment on the kickboxing side, but on the club side I look for a place that has a good atmosphere, where everyone is friends as well as training together.

And something that actually appears to be useful rather than just a point scoring excercise.
And something that gets a good sweat on at points in the training.

that's it for now.

kinda hard to define except to say...
it must be fun when I try it out for a few sessions!

All having fun
all being Taught! TAUGHT being the operative word, ive attended several clubs where youre not really being taught just "£2 , thank you, now go kick F*** out of that bag there"

Something useful as oppsoed to a "points scoring exercise"
LOL
I see your point exactly cyclone my pal.

I really do hate "point stop " type sparring its ok for "sharpness" as they say but otherwise i detest people who call what they do kickboxing and really they do point stop garbage.

Keep em coming folks

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but having trawled round a few clubs...

1. a gradual approach to fitness/acknowledgement of individual fitness levels - i don't mind working hard and i'm getting much fitter, but i've been to several clubs that appear to expect people in their first session to do exactly the same as everyone else in the class - most people don't walk in off the street with the fitness of a judo blackbelt and ignoring that is both dangerous and off-putting for beginners.

2. a good teacher! it may sound obvious, but a person can have all the experience in the world and be an excellent fighter with an unbeaten record, but if they're unable to impart their knowledge, it's of little use to anyone but themselves.

3. a relaxed and friendly environment - some clubs are very cliquey.

What do you guys look for in a kickboxing /Martial arts club?

For me I look for an instructor/club that will not bull S*** me about what they do or what they are capable of just so they can feel good about themselves.

(An instructor should do just that teach & instruct)

Davemantis
Dont i know it!
i chatted to one instructor socially and i told him im doing a bit of kickboxing.
He went on tellign me that what he does was " a bit harsher" and how his guys "hit each other on the floor with no pads on" and how " his guys are hard" and how " we go round sheffield and compare training methods,...Etc"

Egos is what damages martial arts in my opinion

Originally posted by Freddylee
Egos is what damages martial arts in my opinion

You're not wrong!
In my experience, very often those that are good are generally modest - they have had some beatings in their time and accept there will always be someone better because of it.

I tend to look for a few things really.

I like a nice well disciplined class. Somewhere people aren't running amok but show a good deal of respect for each other and listen to the instructor.

I also look for somewhere with an instructor knows his stuff, knows how to teach the class well but isn't so far up his own arse. I guess this comes in with the ego really, as people have already said, egotistical instructors are a nightmare, especially when they don't have the ability to merit their self worth.

And somewhere you can learn in an open and friendly environment, where questions are accepted gladly and, if the instructor doesn't know the answer, answered honestly. There's nothing worse than instructors who come out with some half baked mystical twaddle that you're sure they don't understand themselves.

Oh, and a damn gruelling work out too. That's most important of all!

Originally posted by suzi__Q
I tend to look for a few things really.

I like a nice well disciplined class. Somewhere people aren't running amok but show a good deal of respect for each other and listen to the instructor.

I also look for somewhere with an instructor knows his stuff, knows how to teach the class well but isn't so far up his own arse. I guess this comes in with the ego really, as people have already said, egotistical instructors are a nightmare, especially when they don't have the ability to merit their self worth.

And somewhere you can learn in an open and friendly environment, where questions are accepted gladly and, if the instructor doesn't know the answer, answered honestly. There's nothing worse than instructors who come out with some half baked mystical twaddle that you're sure they don't understand themselves.

Oh, and a damn gruelling work out too. That's most important of all!

Sorry guys, that post was from me. I didn't realise my missus was logged in at the time and it seems I can't delete it from her account.

But I thought I'd better clarify just to add to the confusion ;-)

I agree what you mean totoally adam and suzie

Funnily enough my kickboxing instructor is a school teacher, and sometimes it shows :P

Hes like a mentor to all the younger members who hold him as their kinda like hero! (sad but true:P) mentor not just in the sport but in life (and education :P) in general.

I think an instructor as a mentor is a good thing especially to the young, especially if you are helping them to change for the better. but I think it can be a double edge sword when they start to worship and believe every little thing they are being told about training and life. kids as well as adults can be miss led and have there own views changed.

Well you get loads of instructors who brain wash their students to believe that certain rival instructors are "idiots" or "rip offs" or "cant fight"

You do get that round a lot of differetn clbus in sheffield.

Originally posted by Freddylee
Well you get loads of instructors who brain wash their students to believe that certain rival instructors are "idiots" or "rip offs" or "cant fight"

You do get that round a lot of differetn clbus in sheffield.

I brainwash my students to say "would you like a pint?"

Only to me though, so that's okay :clap:

Hmm sounds good
you do see what i mean though, brainwashign your students to believe that everyone a particular instructor doesnt like is "crap"
Ive heard it too often from many of sheffields "cowboys" of martial arts.
Many of this towns instructors really belong in a school playground.