Get informed on martial arts dojo rules, belt testing requirements, class structure, and operations. I break down what to expect at most traditional schools.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, like several other martial art forms, uses a belt ranking system to rank its students’ progress. But what are the belt levels in BJJ? Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has five main belts for adults —white, blue, purple, brown, and black. However, for kids under age 16, there are 13 belts. Then, when BJJ students turn … Read more
Like several other martial arts forms, Taekwondo uses a belt ranking system to track Taekwondo students’ progress. But how many Taekwondo belts are there? As a general rule, Taekwondo has eleven colored belts. But there are subtle differences between the primary 3 governing bodies, the ITF, WTF, and ATA. The belts that are the same … Read more
What if I told you that there are a ton of martial arts you could practice in just your street clothes or workout clothes? And that these martial arts do not use a belt ranking system. So which martial arts don’t use belts? Martial arts with no formal, colored belt systems include Muay Thai, Kickboxing, … Read more
While it’s becoming less common, many martial arts schools still require contracts. So, if you or your child have decided to stop training, here’s how to get out of your martial arts contract: As a general rule, most martial arts contracts have a cancellation fee that can be paid to effectively end the contract. However, … Read more
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools offer a larger number of belts to kids than they do adults. This helps to keep the kids engaged and motivated. But how long does it take to get a yellow belt in BJJ? On average, it takes 3.33 years for BJJ students ages 15 and under to receive a yellow belt. … Read more
Different martial arts have different belt progressions. And in comparison to other martial arts, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt system is quite strict. So, how long does it take to go from brown belt to black belt in BJJ? While the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) recommends practicing for a minimum of one year before moving … Read more
Many people start martial arts and then take a break. And they don’t always return to the same dojo they started in. In that case, do Karate belts transfer between dojos? Most dojos will allow a student from another school to continue to wear their old belt at least until their first test at the … Read more
Martial arts can be expensive. After all, it’s often not just the monthly cost. There’s registration, uniform, testing fees, equipment fees, and more. But is Karate expensive? Here’s what I know from doing it: Karate does not have to be expensive. On average, Karate schools charge $100 per month for tuition. Often, registration is a … Read more
Virtually all martial arts have a ranking system that’s reflected in the color of belts practitioners wear. What about Muay Thai? Can you get a black belt in Muay Thai? Here’s what I found out: Muay Thai does not have a belt ranking system. However, some organizations outside of Thailand have a ranking system for … Read more
Krav Maga has made quite a name for itself for down and dirty self-defense techniques that are easier to learn than traditional martial arts, but deadly and effective. But how much are Krav Maga classes? Here’s what I discovered looking into it: The average cost for Krav Maga classes is $136 per month. Most schools … Read more