With all of the martial arts schools around the country, it can be a daunting task to determine what is right for you or for someone you love. The first thing to do is to acknowledge the fact that the person you speak with at a martial arts school is interested in getting your money. The reality is, without students, the martial arts school will not survive. Now that you know you are dealing with a salesperson first and martial artist second, here are some questions to ask:

1. How long will it take to get a black belt? This is really a set up question. If the answer is between 2-5 years, I would run. The reason is, it takes years of dedication to rise to the ranks of a black belt. If someone promises you a black belt in such a short period of time, then they are what I call a "black belt factory". It is the lure of the black belt that attracts students. Besides, when the time comes for a fight, the only thing a belt is good for is to hold up your pants.
2. Are there fees to test for advancement and what are they? Some martial arts schools will nickel and dime you to death. There will be a testing fee, belt fee, registration fee, etc. When you were in school, did you have to pay to be tested?
3. How long have you studied the style of martial arts you are teaching? You want someone who has in-depth knowledge of the style that is being taught. Look for someone who has at least 3-5 years of experience. The teacher doesn't necessarily have to be a black belt to teach. In many schools a lower belt student will actually teach the beginner classes.
4. How many students and classes do you have? Class size matters. Although you may not be paying for personal lessons, you don't want the classes to be so big that the teacher cannot pay attention to your needs as well as other students. The largest class I ever taught was about 15 students and I was able to effectively gauge each student’s progress while moving the entire class forward. Also, the number of classes matters in two ways: will it accommodate your schedule and is the instructor spread out too thinly. If the head instructor doesn't teach the classes, what are the qualifications of the other instructors?
5. Which style to you think is best? This determines the mindset of the teacher. Each style will think it is the best that is out there. However, what the teacher thinks is great may not be for you. If you like a lot of kicking, consider Tae Kwon Do. If you like rolling on the floor, think about Judo or Jiu Jitsu. If you prefer one culture to another, think about that culture's particular style. Remember, it's your money so decide how you want to use it.
6. If there are trophies around the school, don't get caught up in the glitz and glamour. Don't be too impressed with people who can break bricks or boards. In the movie Enter the Dragon, Bruce Lee said, "boards don't hit back" after his opponent tried to intimidate him by breaking a board. Martial arts is about protecting yourself. My son never won a trophy or broke a board but was able to easily defend himself against a drunk who assaulted him.
7. Is there sparring? Ok, here's the fact: no one likes to get hit or kicked. It's no fun. But, if you are to improve as a martial artist, you need to know if what you learned will work. And the best place to learn that is in the controlled environment of a martial arts school.
8. Finally, the big question...is there an annual contract? I really hate these. It's a way for the teacher to lock in a student's money and if you decide not to show up any more (except for extenuating circumstances) you lose your money. Although very few schools do it, my preference is to look for a school that requires a monthly payment without an annual contract.

With these questions in mind, you are now ready to interview the martial arts teachers in your area. May you find the style that works best for you.