Whats the best martial art to train on the Gold Coast?

Choosing the right martial art for you can be daunting, especially with all of the different options available. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. Here are a few things to consider that will help you choose the martial art that’s right for you.

Your goals: What do you hope to accomplish with training martial arts? Are you looking for self-defence, health & fitness, sense of community, or something else entirely?

Your budget: Martial arts pricing varies considerably, so it’s important to consider your budget before you commit.

Your schedule: How much time are you willing to dedicate to martial arts? Some styles require more time than others.

Your location: martial arts classes may not be readily available in all areas. You may need to look for alternative options if you can’t find somewhere nearby.

Consider your goals, budget, schedule, and location when choosing a martial art and you’ll be sure to find the perfect one for you.

What martial arts are best for self-defence?

This is a difficult question to answer as it depends on each individual and what they are looking for in martial arts. Some people want martial arts that teach them how to defend themselves in a street fight, while others want martial arts that will give them the discipline and self-control to avoid fights altogether.

There is no single martial art that is best for everyone, but there are some martial arts that are more commonly taught for self-defence purposes. These include arts like Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Muay Thai.

Why Choose Praying Mantis Kung Fu?

Praying Mantis Kung Fu is a martial art that originated in China and is one of the lesser known martial arts in Australia. It is known for its quick and powerful strikes, as well as its unique “praying mantis” stance and its use of weapons. Praying Mantis Kung Fu teaches you how to use your opponent’s weight and momentum against them, making it perfect for people of both small and large stature. It is also a great martial art for fitness, as it is very physically demanding.

Why Choose Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that comes from Brazil in South America. It is a martial art that focuses on grappling and ground fighting. BJJ teaches you how control and subdue an opponent. Like Kung Fu, it is very physically demanding and therefore a great martial art for fitness.

Why Choose Muay Thai?

Muay Thai is a martial art that originated in Thailand. It is a martial art that focuses on stand-up striking. Muay Thai teaches you how to use your entire body as a weapon and is a killer for building fitness, fast.

How much do martial arts classes cost?

The cost of martial arts classes can vary greatly depending on the style of martial art, the location, and the experience of the instructor or instructors. Some martial arts classes can be as cheap as $10 per class, while others can be upwards of $100 per week for unlimited training options.

The best question to ask your self isn’t “how much is the class?” but rather “how much value do I place on my goals?” and “What am I getting for that price?”. If you place great value on your health, fitness and leisure time, then most martial arts classes are going to be worth the investment regardless of where they fall in the cost scale. Obviously, if you’re working to a budget then money will be a factor, however, we recommend making this the last consideration you make when finding a club.

It’s also important to consider what you’re getting for the price quoted. Many clubs include much more than just the martial classes you’re interested in. Some also include gym membership, or have other group classes you can join in to supplement your training. Some have online resources and support packages that come with training too.

How often should I train?

This is entirely up to you and your schedule. Some people choose to train every day, while others only train once a week. It is important to find a balance that works for you and stick with it. Consistency is key. There is a saying in Praying Mantis Kung Fu that goes “the secret to Kung Fu is to just keep turning up”.

Ideally you will be training with instruction at least twice a week. Any less and you’ll find it difficult to retain knowledge and progress, especially with more technical martial arts like Kung Fu and BJJ. However, there are ways to supplement your lack of in-class training time. For example, you can train at home, watch online training videos (if the club has them), and take up private lessons.

I can’t find any martial arts classes near me?

Most people are short term driven, and long term lazy. What we mean by this is that when people are motivated early on, they’ll go to extra lengths to make it to training, but once they’ve settled into the routine and the honeymoon period is over, they’ll start finding reasons as to why they can’t train. And the first excuse is usually, its a bit too far to travel.

So we recommend that you find a club within 10-15 minutes of where you live. For example, if you live on the Gold Coast, then travelling to Tweed Heads or Brisbane every few days might be fine in the beginning, but it will soon become too much of a time burden.

Finding a club nearby is easy in larger cities, but harder in more remote areas. If there are no credible clubs within your immediate area then you can look for online learning options. There are many clubs and styles that offer online learning. Just be aware that nothing can substitute for the real thing when it comes to martial arts.

If online training is for you, then be sure to find a club that is still financially accessible to you on a semi-regular basis. For example, perhaps it is a 2-hour drive away. Not close enough to attend every week, but close enough to commit to one in-person session a month to supplement your online training. Or perhaps it’s an affordable flight away a few times a year.

When is the best time to start martial arts?

Have you heard the saying “When is the best time to plant a tree? – 20 years ago. When’s the second best time? – today”? The same can be said about martial arts.

The best time to start is now. If you’re still trying to figure out what martial art is best for you, then the best way to find out is to stop window shopping, stop the hesitation, stop the excuses, and just book in a time to go check out a club.

Most clubs have trial offers available to new students, but be aware that unlike a gym, it takes much more than a single visit to know whether or not the martial art is right for you. Don’t be in a rush. We recommend that you commit to trying a martial arts for at least 12 weeks before making a decision if its right for you. And commit to showing up each week. If after 12 weeks of regular training, you’re not feeling it, only then should you thank the club for their time, and move on to try another one.

Red flags to look out for when looking for a martial arts club

If you feel like the club you’re visiting is more interested in your money than they are in your martial arts journey, run.

Every club is going to be a little bit different in how their fees operate and how their classes are run. However, here are some red flags to look out for.

Locked into 12-month of payments

Direct debit arrangement are normal in martial arts, just like they are gyms, but be cautious of any club wanting to lock you in to a 12-month contract. What is going to happen when after 12-weeks you decide its not the club for you?

Long cancellation periods

A club may not have any lock in contracts, but be clear on the notice to cancel. 2-4 weeks is normal, as this allows the club the administrative time to action the request, and it gives them some time to look for your replacement – important if they are a small club with low monthly revenue.

However, be weary of long notice periods. If the contract says you have to give 3 months notice to cancel, then you need to ask yourself why they’re doing that? Do they struggle with student retention and therefore need to force students to pay, even after they become unhappy and leave?

Lack of care

Martial arts is a contact activity. You’re going to be hit, pushed, grabbed, etc. It’s all a normal part of preparing our body for fighting. On occasion however, you’re going to feel like the physical contact you’re engaged in is far more than you can handle – but remember, its a contact activity and accidents can happen. As long it is recognised as an accident and immediate action is taken to prevent it happening again, then that’s part the parcel of martial arts training.

However, when ‘accidents’ start to become normal behaviour, they become a problem. Every martial arts club has a duty of care to its students, so if at anytime you feel that your wellbeing is not being considered, or worse, other students are being encouraged to hurt or intimidate you, then stop immediately and leave.

Go find the right martial arts for you

Hopefully we’ve armed you with some helpful information that will guide you on your martial arts journey.

If you happen to live on the Gold Coast, or more specifically 10-15 minutes within Nerang, then we’d love the opportunity to show you everything our club has to offer. And if Kung Fu isn’t the right art for you, then we’ll happily help you find another one that is.

If you’d like some more information or would like to come in for a tour of the club, then drop us a line below and we’ll be in touch.

Good luck!

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