Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

‘We Offer A Trial Program
Most of our new students begin training on a trial program.  Depending on the time of year or the offer currently being provided, this term could be from 2 weeks up to 30 days in length.  This is a good way to experience scheduling and attending group classes without worrying about an extended commitment.  We’re confident that after experiencing our classes students will be excited to enroll in a regular training program.  In fact, we offer a 30 day money back guarantee.

Usually at the half-way mark of a trial program, we’ll invite you to attend a progress check appointment so we can discuss how things are going and what enrolling in a basic program looks like.  The progress check appointment is all about getting your questions answered and helping you to see how training at Barrie Karate can help you achieve your martial arts goals.

Our Basic Program Term Enrollment
Enrolling in a basic program looks a little different depending on the age group.  At Barrie Karate we offer programs for ages 4 to 7 (Lil’ Dragons), ages 8 to 12 (Junior Karate), or ages 13 and up (Teen-Adult Karate).  We’re not like a gym or fitness center.  We don’t enroll students into ‘Memberships’, but rather we sell students a set ‘Program’.  These programs include a set period of time and a set amount of classes.  One of the best benefits of this system is that students can take advantage of our ‘extended time guarantee’, which allows you to take a month or more of absent time and add it to the end of the program term without needing to renew.  This means you won’t miss out on classes you pay for due to illness or vacation time.

Keeping Children Motivated
As with anything in life, challenges will arise.  This is especially true when we’re talking about children.  When you enroll in a program at Barrie Karate we take the time to help you understand that we’re in this together.  A partnership between our instructors and the parent is the glue that helps a student reach their highest potential.  If ever your child expresses a desire to discontinue their training, we’d simply ask you to share that with us so we can work together to coach that student through whatever barrier or challenge they are facing.  This could include personal one-on-one coaching in a private lesson to help re-ignite their own motivation for training that they started with.  We always say that it’s not the child that quits, it’s ultimately the parents.  So if you feel that your child is still getting value from their training, it’s worth the effort to work with them together to get them back on the path.

an There are many factors that come into play when considering what you should expect to pay for karate lessons in general. The key question to ask is what is the difference between real value and perceived value. For example, perceived value might be enrolling your child in a program taught by a very high ranking instructor who uses his extensive tournament successes as a reason why you should train with him/her. However, real value may show up in the way that a martial arts school promotes positive experiences and authentic character development in their students. 

Are the lessons for yourself, or a child?
Some martial arts schools will price their programs differently for children and adults. For example, if classes are shorter in the children’s programs, you may encounter a lower price point. However, often times the energy and time investment in teaching children is higher, and this may serve to justify a higher price. Some dojo will have supplemental services attached to a program. For example, if a dojo has a weight room for adults, they may charge a higher fee for the adult program. Many martial arts schools will charge the same rate for both adults and children, and on top of that will offer family level discounts to make access to training more affordable and realistic for the whole family. 

What are the services offered?
Not all services are created equal. The core services you can expect in a martial arts school will be access to regular group training classes. In addition, added services could include upgrade programs, suplimental curriculum, and rank evaluations for student progress. Some programs will offer unlimited training times and charge more, only for new students to find out that they can only realistically attend twice per week. Other services, usually for additional fees, could include tournaments, and seminars. 

Convenience of class times and availability
The professionalism of martial arts schools is influenced by many things, but mainly it will depend on the attitude of the owner/chief instructor and the staff of instructors. Availability of class options in any given week will help determine the value you should expect to get from that school, but won’t be the only deciding factor. Some martial arts schools will only make 2 class time options available per week, and this is necessary for them as they may be operating out of a local church hall or rec center. This fact does not automatically suggest that the value and service you would receive would be substandard. There are other martial arts schools that employ full time staff and operate in a secured facility with all the overhead associated with that facility. These schools will be able to offer a large selection of class times, and don’t necessarily guarantee that the value and service would be greater. 

Onboarding process and support from admin staff
As a new student in a martial arts school, there will be a learning curve as you experience attending group classes for the first time. In the industry of martial arts, there are varying levels of service for onboarding new students. Some schools will simply throw a new student in a class to figure it out for themselves. While others will provide a consistent and scheduled follow-up system of meetings, private lessons, and direct individual interaction that will help students and parents become more comfortable. 

Digital access and remote training opportunities
A combination of live classes and pre-recorded curriculum, accessible by student proficiency level, will provide a higher level of service and value in any program. It also eliminates any excuses for not getting the benefit of consistent training. 

Cleanliness of facility
Going the extra mile when it comes to organization and cleanliness says a lot about the attitude of that martial arts school.  If a martial arts school demonstrates an attention to detail when it comes to the presentation of their facilities, you can assume they will have the same attitude when it comes to the level of service they provide in their training programs. 

Professionalism of instructors
There are many martial arts schools who believe a professional instructor is simply someone who’s earned their black belt. This is a falsehood, as there is very little relationship between being proficient in a martial art and being able to instruct and inspire a student. Whether you are considering attending a martial arts school that is committed to the growth and development of it’s instructors, or one that simply expects all black belts to be instructors, you should expect to get what you pay for. 

30 Day Money Back Guarantee
Most martial arts schools will offer you at least a free class trial. It is important that you experience what training in the martial arts is like before you make any kind of a commitment. But then after that, many schools will enroll you into a longer term commitment with no option to cancel or stop before the end of the committed term. Often times, making it a challenge for you to withdraw from the program you purchase is an important part of supporting you in your goals. Many people experience the urge to quit something that is challenging. 

Extended time guarantee
Martial Arts schools, in general, are not like gyms. Although, some operate like gyms in that they charge a monthly ‘membership’ fee in exchange for attending their classes. Upon enrolment, you may be required to fulfil payment of the entire membership by paying in-full upfront, or be given the option to quit with 30 days notice. However, a martial arts school that sells you a prescribed program instead of a membership, with an allotted number of classes, and a clear cut description of the services you will receive, will be able to offer you an enhanced service called the ‘Extended Time Guarantee’. This allows students to continue to make finance payments against their programs, and have the option to take a few months off for whatever reason, knowing they will have an extension on their time at the end of the program term.

Pricing Options
At Barrie Karate we have a pricing model that fits everyone’s budget.  Depending on the amount you pay up front, you will receive up to 25% discount on our regularly priced 12 month program.  In addition, our family member discount includes unlimited family members for the price of the first two members.

Fear of Injury
This is a reasonable concern, and one that varies in seriousness depending on the dojo you choose to attend.  At Barrie Karate we’ve got a solid record of safety.  From professionally matted training surfaces to constant cleanliness, we take safety seriously at Barrie Karate.  Our instructors are First Aid and CPR certified, and all our classes are run with a safety first format.

Fear of Embarrassment
Any new activity comes with some uncertainty about how you will perform.  We all like to be comfortable at times, especially adults.  At Barrie Karate we go out of our way to make you feel comfortable and welcome.  Our reputation and the testimonials our students leave us certainly speak to this concern.  We understand how a brand new student feels because at one time we were also brand new and felt the same way.

Fear of Not Fitting In
Karate training attracts many different types of people.  From extremely fit, to completely out of shape.  We’ve got something for everyone.  We also have many students who have physical or mental impairments.  Karate training is perfect for everyone.  At Barrie Karate we take care to challenge you just above your level, and everyone is an individual on their own journey.  You may find that you will fit right in here like a member of the family!  However, if you feel you do not fit in with us after giving a serious effort to try out our programs, we’d be happy to suggest another martial arts school that can help you achieve your goals.