Hai Karate

Naaktgeboren · 06-04-2009, 4:49 PM

Hah, bet that thread title brought back some memories for our resident 80's disco studs

I am taking my 6 year old son to a Karate session tomorrow, basically, he will get the chance to join in with events and be shadowed by an instructor 1-1. No obligations or anything, just to see if he enjoys it etc.

We have been quoted £6.25 a session or £50 per month and was wondering if this is reasonable. Anything I should be looking out for tomorrow as I plan to watch and get a feel for the place?

Thanks

**Iccz** · 06-04-2009, 4:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CloggyNL

Hah, bet that thread title brought back some memories for our resident 80's disco studs

I am taking my 6 year old son to a Karate session tomorrow, basically, he will get the chance to join in with events and be shadowed by an instructor 1-1. No obligations or anything, just to see if he enjoys it etc.

We have been quoted £6.25 a session or £50 per month and was wondering if this is reasonable. Anything I should be looking out for tomorrow as I plan to watch and get a feel for the place?

Thanks

When you meet the instructor go to punch him in the face, if you'd be able to hit/he flinches him don't bother with the lessons

sniffer66 · 06-04-2009, 5:15 PM

I think you'll find Hai Karate was the 70's

I'd be interested in how your son gets on, my 7 yr old has asked if he can go.
I'm curious how non contact martial arts work.......

mickevh · 06-04-2009, 5:27 PM

It was Blue Stratos in the 80's

electrolyte · 06-04-2009, 5:51 PM

My 8 year old son goes to karate once a week to an excellent class in Sheffield. It only costs me £22 a month so your £50 sounds a bit steep. His class lasts for 1 hour each week.

The sensei (instructor) is great - a perfect mix of discipline and fun. He makes sure the kids pay attention when they need to and then let off steam when they don't need to. For example he allows them to play fun games for the last 5 minutes of the class (usually team obstacle races etc). But if they muck about at any other time he either sends to the back of the hall or gets them to do some press ups. And if they continue to muck around he makes them sit out of the games at the end. They don't tend to misbehave for long.

They spend the 1st 15 mins or so of the session gradually warming up, then he will take them through their kata. A kata is a routine of karate moves that they have to learn to move from one belt to another. It is a mixed ability class so he quite often gets the more experienced higher belts to help teach the lower belts which works well.

They may then do some sparring for which the kids wear gloves. Here the idea is punch and kick their oponent but not actually touch them. They learn control. Sometimes he gets them kitted out with head guards and full body suits - makes them look a bit like the Michelin man! - and contact to the body is allowed.

Hope that helps.

breakersrevenge · 06-04-2009, 5:56 PM

£50.00 a month?? He'll be a black belt in no time!!

steptoe · 06-04-2009, 6:01 PM

what was the one henry cooper advertised,its on the tip of my tongue but cant remember

mickevh · 06-04-2009, 6:03 PM

The great smell of Brut wasn't it - splash it on all over.

Naaktgeboren · 06-04-2009, 8:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniffer66

I think you'll find Hai Karate was the 70's

I'd be interested in how your son gets on, my 7 yr old has asked if he can go.
I'm curious how non contact martial arts work.......

I will update the thread after the lesson

mjn · 07-04-2009, 7:35 AM

I pay £700-ish a year for my membership, which includes a grading, locker, and as many classes/gym time as i want and its in London. Although this year will be my last grading for a while.

So, £50 per month for a child seems a little steep, but it might be worth it, you'll have to see.

Duncan G · 07-04-2009, 8:58 AM

And for those who remember the Hai Karate girl in the ads, Valerie Leon......

Valerie Leon Glamour Girl Autographs 70s Seventies

Drd · 07-04-2009, 8:58 AM

I cannot comment on the price,it's been a while since my 3 did it.I would strongly recommend this to any parent.Mine were taught discipline,got exercise and had fun.They progressed over the years to junior black belts,and,without really realising it,learnt how to defend themselves.Of course,rule number one in the modern world is run fast if you can,but 2 of them have had to use their skills to defend a) my daughter herself against an older male and b) my son defending another woman against another man.On both occasions they said thay didn't have to think about what they did,and they never intend to harm anyone,but on both occasions the assailants were floored and extremely embarrased/ran off.I wish I had been taught such reflex skills when I was younger.

Naaktgeboren · 07-04-2009, 5:21 PM

Well I am back and a little shell shocked

We were ushered into a little room which had training mat's and we discussed expectations etc.

Seemed to go well but once again the price had me wondering. They want £99 as a joining fee and £50 per month. He gets the uniform free and 2 30 min sessions per week, he said that for his age 30 mins is what they recommend.

Still seems bloody expensive though and I will pay it but... could anyone confirm if this is the norm?

dazza74 · 07-04-2009, 5:29 PM

Doesn't sound right to me, I took up Jujitsu for a while about a decade ago at my local leisure centre and we were never talking that sort of money and I remember we got at least a good hour in of tuition. I only gave it up as I felt they were putting to much pressure on us to attend other jujitsu events whereas I just wanted to go along to the classes once a week. I do recall getting a rollickin of the main man for forgetting to refer to his missus as sensie at all times.

pandemic · 07-04-2009, 6:17 PM

That is rather expensive, usually it would cost a child ages 5 - 16 around £35/month (that's 2 session per week) and around £40-50 for those aged 16+.
The above is based on my lessons in taekwondo, jujitsu, muay thai, ninjitsu and kempo. I've accounted for inflation too, since I'm on about 10 years back.

Stevieboy_uk · 07-04-2009, 6:48 PM

My son has been going to Karate (wado-ryu) since he was 7 (he is now 12). When he first started he paid £3.50 for a two hour session per week, he now pays £4.00 (although this is now for an hour because he goes on a different day and is a much smaller class).

Sometimes he goes a couple of time a week but I think it is excellent value for money. However, he does have to pay £20.00 per year for insurance and his belts when he takes a grading (soon to be a black belt!!).

To be honest IMO the amount you are paying for two 30 minute sessions is a rip off!!!!

Spafon · 07-04-2009, 6:54 PM

Too expensive.
Go to Judo instead. Usually much cheaper, really set up for kids, normally very well organised.

sunnybacon · 07-04-2009, 6:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevieboy_uk

My son has been going to Karate (wado-ryu) since he was 7 (he is now 12). When he first started he paid £3.50 for a two hour session per week, he now pays £4.00 (although this is now for an hour because he goes on a different day and is a much smaller class).

Sometimes he goes a couple of time a week but I think it is excellent value for money. However, he does have to pay £20.00 per year for insurance and his belts when he takes a grading (soon to be a black belt!!).

To be honest IMO the amount you are paying for two 30 minute sessions is a rip off!!!!

I go Wado-Ryu as well, I absolutely love it.
My sessions are a similar price, and I go a couple of times a week, two hours each time.
I've been going since I was 7, I'm now 14. I'm currently 3 away from black although I'm taking a grading soon.
Tell your son that sunnybacon says good luck with the grading (although that won't mean much to him

)

Naaktgeboren · 07-04-2009, 7:04 PM

I am finding this all very confusing now

My son loved the 1-1 session he had and it was great seeing him giving it his all. He was so excited and couldn't stop smiling. We went through some forms and he was given his uniform and was also invited back on Friday for an Easter egg hunt. He has been hearing me and the wife having discussions regarding the price since and he is now worrying about things.

I have been searching the web and most schools charge £20 for membership yearly with approx £30 a month in fee's so I just cannot see how they can justify £99 in this case. They have a newly built dojo and I am wondering if this £99 is related to that.

I am now wondering if this £99 is in fact a yearly charge or a one off.

This was supposed to be easy

sunnybacon · 07-04-2009, 7:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CloggyNL

I am finding this all very confusing now

My son loved the 1-1 session he had and it was great seeing him giving it his all. He was so excited and couldn't stop smiling. We went through some forms and he was given his uniform and was also invited back on Friday for an Easter egg hunt. He has been hearing me and the wife having discussions regarding the price since and he is now worrying about things.

I have been searching the web and most schools charge £20 for membership yearly with approx £30 a month in fee's so I just cannot see how they can justify £99 in this case. They have a newly built dojo and I am wondering if this £99 is related to that.

I am now wondering if this £99 is in fact a yearly charge or a one off.

This was supposed to be easy

The Dojo may be incorporated into the price, but £99 does still seem way too expensive.
It's up to you I suppose, if you're happy paying £99 for your son to train at that Karate class then go for it, but if you consider it too expensive then find a different class, remember there are plenty of others.