price for Tae Kwon Do lessons - is this reasonable?

[Anonymous]

I picked up some information from a large Tae Kwon Do studio in North Arlington recently. The studio offers a trial period of two lessons a week for four weeks for $149 (which includes the uniform). If you decide to continue, there is a registration fee of $295 and a monthly fee of $189 (which gets you three 45-minute lessons a week). This includes the uniform, but it looks like there are lots of other costs that would add up (belt tests at $45 per belt, belt stretchers at $15, and forms flags at $15). There is a discount for signing up for the full year, but still the yearly cost would come in around $2400-2500. I'm curious as to whether this is more or less the going rate in the DC metro area. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Good grief -- that is waaaay more expensive than what I pay. For that money, I would also get a month of summer camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I picked up some information from a large Tae Kwon Do studio in North Arlington recently. The studio offers a trial period of two lessons a week for four weeks for $149 (which includes the uniform). If you decide to continue, there is a registration fee of $295 and a monthly fee of $189 (which gets you three 45-minute lessons a week). This includes the uniform, but it looks like there are lots of other costs that would add up (belt tests at $45 per belt, belt stretchers at $15, and forms flags at $15). There is a discount for signing up for the full year, but still the yearly cost would come in around $2400-2500. I'm curious as to whether this is more or less the going rate in the DC metro area. Thanks!

I say that's way too high. We started at $139, now it's up to $159 (three years later). You should keep looking.

[Anonymous]

It's a great program. Rent in that shopping center is insanely high. For me, the time spent driving my kids around isn't worth the $20/month savings.

[Anonymous]

We pay a similar amount for a program in FC.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks for the responses. I was wondering if the relatively high cost was due to the high rent. I think we'll give it a try. Can anyone weigh in on how much all the belt fees and others end up totaling in the first year for an "average" student? It seems that the kids move up through the levels relatively quickly, so will I be paying $45/month every 2 or 3 months for new stripes/belts?

[Anonymous]

I think I went to the same place. After the 2 week free trial they showed me their outrageous prices and I reluctantly had to take my son out. The county program is much more affordable.

[Anonymous]

Not just the cost but 3 classes a week? I could see my child boring of that in a month or so. Do you pay month by month or do you have to commit for a whole year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not just the cost but 3 classes a week? I could see my child boring of that in a month or so. Do you pay month by month or do you have to commit for a whole year?

most places require a one year contract after the intial trial period.
And you don't have to go to three classes a week. You can do less, but it will probably take longer to move up thru the belt levels.
My kid wanted to move up so didn't find it boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not just the cost but 3 classes a week? I could see my child boring of that in a month or so. Do you pay month by month or do you have to commit for a whole year?

most places require a one year contract after the intial trial period.
And you don't have to go to three classes a week. You can do less, but it will probably take longer to move up thru the belt levels.
My kid wanted to move up so didn't find it boring.

The place we go does not require a one year contract, and I would stay away from any place that does (that's a long time to commit for a kid-- for anyone for that matter).

I think about 2 classes a week is good for younger kids-- want them to stay on track but also not burn out and have time for other things (or nothing).

That "registration fee" also seems high.

[Anonymous]

what happened to Karate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what happened to Karate?

TKD is called "Korean Karate." I think all the places around here are following the same model really, basics, forms and sparring. Only one-third of the time is spent on punching and kicking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what happened to Karate?

TKD is called "Korean Karate." I think all the places around here are following the same model really, basics, forms and sparring. Only one-third of the time is spent on punching and kicking.

No you idiot. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art. Karate is a Japanese martial art. Kung fu is a Chinese martial art.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:what happened to Karate?

TKD is called "Korean Karate." I think all the places around here are following the same model really, basics, forms and sparring. Only one-third of the time is spent on punching and kicking.

No you idiot. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art. Karate is a Japanese martial art. Kung fu is a Chinese martial art.

I think most people would say TKD is korean adaptation of an okinawan martial art (which uses kicks more than punches)-- so there's no need to jump down anyone's throat for explaining it to someone as "korean karate".

[Anonymous]

FWIW, we are talking about Jhoon Rhee TKD on Harrison Street, right? It is an excellent program. I have 2 kids enrolled, one in the juniors program who goes 3x a week, one in the knee-highs. There are 2 kinds of kids there -- those who go as a enjoyable activity and don't take it really seriously, and those who are really into it. I have one of each kind of kid. The class is perfectly appropriate for either commitment level, but I can see that the cost may eventually drive away kids who just aren't all that into it. But you won't know until you try -- my older one started out just liking it, and now it is a big part of his life and something he just loves doing. I have always made it clear to my kids that they can quit any time, and they really want to go. Wherever you end up, make sure you get a good recommendation because there are some really bad martial arts programs out there. I'm not sure you'll get the same kind of experience in a county program, but not to say that it won't be a good one. Why don't you observe a class or two in a couple places to get a feel for it?

Re. "Korean Karate" I wouldn't jump down that poster's throat either. It isn't quite accurate but he/she was just trying to answer the spirit of the question. In NoVa we have many more Koreans/Korean Americans than we have Japanese, so that is the martial art that has come to dominate around here.