For those who have been training for some time, you know there are quite a few other expenses that one needs to consider the total cost of martial arts. I hope to take a more holistic approach to budgeting for the martial arts, and in so doing help those with busy schedules to be more efficient with their training budget.
- Tuition
The most obvious expense a student deals with is their training tuition. The frequency can depend on each studio location and demographic, with weekly, monthly, quarterly, and even seasonal payment periods available. How much this payment can be depends on whether the studio is a full-time studio, a part time community center program, or held inside someone’s garage. Full-time studios tend to cost more due to the facility/building costs, maintenance of the equipment, payroll for the instructors and other administrative work. Part time or recreation center programs do cost less, but they are typically restricted on space and days/times available for training. Working out in someone’s garage (or a public space such as a park) may sound ideal and cost very little (if anything), but inclement weather, life circumstances, and the whims of the owner can cause unforeseen class cancellations.
There are ways to save some money, or at least recoup the costs of tuition. Some studios provide a referral bonus for introducing new students, and some will even trade tuition for volunteer work (such as administrative or janitorial tasks). Full-time studios also provide multi-day or unlimited class tuition levels, so depending on your frequency of training you can choose the appropriate program for yourself. Many studios offer free classes as a trial, so if you are looking for a place to train then definitely look into any promotional material they offer.
- Equipment
Punching and kicking is fun and all, but it would all feel weird if we weren’t in a uniform. Many studios do provide a free uniform for signing up, but smaller schools require a separate fee to obtain one. The testing fee typically pays for a new belt, which signifies advancement in rank. For Tang Soo Do, there are different color trims on the lapel that are required too, which add to the expense for certain promotions. For children there is a need to buy new uniforms every so often to keep up with their growing bodies, and this can add up quickly if they hit a growth spurt. For those who want to partake in sparring, you are required to buy the appropriate gear as well. Then there are all the wonderful weapons (staff, sword, knife, etc.) that are either required or desired for certain forms or competitions. Finally, you need a bag or holding receptacle to contain and transport all this equipment!
For uniforms, the best way to save money is to either ask for a used uniform or find a generic uniform online that your instructor is okay with you wearing. As stated above, confirm if your registration fee includes a free uniform or not. Same story with getting sparring gear; aside from mouth guards and cups (for males), it usually isn’t a problem to get used gear if they comply with competition rules. Weapons are trickier, but some studios (and martial arts stores) do run sales, so keep an eye out for when these are available. I got my first sword when I sold 50 cookie tubs for my studio’s fund-raising efforts! Regarding bags, don’t think too fancy: any large bag would do, and try not to get swayed by special martial arts “branded” gear.
- Travel
When I first started training, the only place I trained at was at my local college club, and travelling to another city, let alone another state, was unthinkable. Now, there isn’t a month that goes by when I’m not traveling somewhere to do some training. Gas expense is quite high on my list of things that I need to consider before going anywhere, but there are other costs such as lodging, tolls (where applicable), and food outings that can also creep up on you. For further distances it may be impossible or impractical to drive and you will also need to account for the airfare and possibly rental expense to get to your destination.
For cost-saving ideas, consider if it is possible to carpool instead of driving yourself, which will save on both gas and lodging if you are sharing rooms. Airbnb and similar apps can also provide affordable alternatives to hotels, provided you can find several other people to divide up the full expense. For food outings, do some research ahead of time to see what is available in the area, or pack your own food instead if the hotel or lodging you are staying at provides a refrigerator.
- Miscellaneous
This category is a catch-all of other expenses that come with training. These can be seminars that can offer specialized training (such as weapons, ground fighting, or guest instructors), studio swag (clothing, gear, tokens), or private lessons with instructors. None of these are inherently bad or harmful, but anything in this category are expenses that aren’t necessarily required for advancement in rank or furthering your training journey. I would think twice before buying any school (or association/organization) related material and ask yourself: do I really need this? These miscellaneous expenses don’t just hurt your wallet, but some may become junk and accumulate in your home. That extra training may seem really cool in the moment but consider whether it will complement your training or distract you from it.
In summary, training in the martial arts can be very expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! One thing I would encourage you to do is to set a fixed budget, and don’t ever exceed it. Easier said than done, but you will need to have accountability and practice self-restraint, and that may mean missing certain events. Talk with your instructor on what you should prioritize and plan accordingly. Don’t feel bad if you can’t get to every single class and/or studio function; you’re only human after all, and sometimes just staying home and chilling is the best thing we can do for our training.
