What is a good martial arts school to join?

Since this question is asked so often I’ve simply taken to cutting and pasting the correct answer:

Anyone who gives you an answer in the form of a specific style is woefully ill informed and knows very little. The reasons one has for taking martial arts, and the expectations they have are as varied as there are people on the earth. Each person is a unique individual.

Also, anyone who says that style is not important, only the quality of the instructor, is woefully ill informed and knows very little. It is simply untrue. Yes, no style can be effective without quality instruction, but the fact is that if you’re not enthusiastic about the style it is very unlikely that you will remain with it long enough or dedicate the time and effort needed to be proficient.

The reality is that there IS a best style for YOU, but only you can determine it. Also, not all styles are equally efficient in all ways. For instance, some styles lend themselves more adequately to sport than do other styles. Others have skill sets more relevant to self defense/real world street fighting. That is a fact, to deny it is delusional. Other styles will have strengths in other areas. The thing is, is that only YOU can find out what is best for YOU.

What you should do is visit as many facilities representing as many styles as is practical. If you’ve already got it narrowed down to just a few, visit as many facilities representing those styles as is practical. Talk with the instructors and with students. Watch classes of both beginner and advanced students. From this you’ll be able to narrow it down to a handful that is interesting to you for reasons that only you will know. At this point go take some gratis classes at each place. Any reputable facility will let you take at least one gratis class. If they don’t, then you don’t want to be involved with that place. After doing that, trust me, you’ll have a much better idea of what is best for you, rather than listening to a bunch of style fan boy wanna-be martial artists who’s suggestion is only relevant to them.

Things to be aware of:

Have nothing to do with anyplace that has anything to do with ATA.

If they try to pressure you in to a long term contract, look elsewhere. An annual contract is not a bad thing, but there should be an option to do monthly. Do the monthly for awhile before committing to an annual.

Be wary of any place that dishes out black belts to children under, say, 17 or so. This does not include “junior black belts” or a variation thereof. Those are fine.

Make sure that the instructor/s have a deep background in the style. If your main goal is self defense, I recommend that the instructor/s have a deep background in VARIOUS martial arts; 3 or 4.

Depending upon the style, sparring should be part of the curriculum at some point. If your focus in on self defense, sparring at mid and higher levels is a must. I’m not talking point sparring. I’m talking real sparring integrated with stress drills. It is impossible to incorporate ANY martial art with self defense without integrating adequate sparring with stress drills.

Remember, NO ONE can suggest a style that is “best” for you because there is only one you.

Best of luck.

That depends a little bit on if you're looking for practical self-defense or if you're more looking for a sport. If you're looking for self-defense, I've heard a lot of good things about Brazillian jiu-jitsu; if you just want a sport, I've greatly enjoyed doing kendo (just beware of equipment costs).

Whatever you go with, make sure that it's affiliated with a larger group; for example, if you want to try kendo, make sure they're affiliated with the All United States Kendo Federation (or whichever kendo federation you have in your country). There's a lot of "McDojos" out there that are going to give you a crap education for way too much money. For more information, check out www.bullshido.net, maybe ask around on the forums there.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsuis by far the best. Go find some Gracie (Barra) academy. Avoid Eddie Bravo and his marijuana arrogance bulls*it.

You can first check them out on Youtube. Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

None

I think you need to be more patient. http://www.findmmagym.com/