Sunday, September 6, 2009

Cost of Baby Fights

Turns out baby fighting lessons (aka Karate) are a little pricey.

There's a big karate studio across from the community I live in, so I went to get a price sheet from them. There's a $100 enrollment fee (don't get me started on enrollment fees--such a bunch of crap.), $50 uniform fee, $125 a month for 6 months for classes (for 3 half-hour classes per week) and then $60 testing fee when it's time to move up a belt (every 8 weeks).

Is this normal? It was all originally more, but the lady in charge must have seen my skeptical look because she started reducing prices and offering different payment solutions. Of course, little kid sobbed and cried and screamed, "I WANT TO FIGHT BABIES TODAY!" when he realized we weren't signing up on the spot.

They offer a free 30 day trial (IF you buy the $50 uniform) so we're considering that. I briefly looked into other studios but I do like the proximity to home and this was one of the few places that takes 3 year olds. Maybe the liability that comes with hosting baby fights is expensive?

So tell me karate-experienced parents, is this normal? Maybe I should just put him in some Gymboree-like baby class and let him fight those babies?

18 comments:

Jacquie said...

Unfortunately most places are like this. When I was younger I was enrolled with Air Force in Ta-Kwan-Do and I wasn't allowed to advance until he was ready as well because of the fee, if we both went then it was cheaper. Some schools offer after school classes for only about $30 and thee daycare I used to work at had a guy that came in and it was only 40 a month (so roughly about 10 a week) but you had daycare fees on top of that.

Rachel said...

Ours are pretty pricey...though not quite that much. We didn't have an enrollment fee and we had a "coupon" for a free uniform--though I dont' think they charge anyone for the uniform, and we don't have to pay for testing. Though it's $139 a month for 2 45min classes a week...or for my older one 2 1hr classes at a 25% sibling discount. I about died when we went for the intro class and then they told us the prices.

Caren said...

OK. that is expensive. Our karate classes are expensive but no where near that expensive. The karate studio that The Son has been going to for a year had a free 30-day trial with a free uniform. There was also no enrollment fee. I pay $112 a month for two half hour lessons a week with six different options of when he can attend and belt testing is every four months and costs $40. The Son does Tang Soo Do and I also looked into a Taekwando studio that was even less expensive.

I think he's gotten a lot out of it but he is sometimes bored with it and I struggle to make him go. He's made it up to brown belt so far and we just signed up for another year...

I love the idea of little kid learning baby fighting but I'll agree that seems awfully steep. Good luck, keep us posted!

Nikky said...

I would look around local schools, and community centers if you have any nearby. They're MUCH cheaper. My fiance has a few black belts, and the studios around here are generally $150 sign up plus $80 a month or so. I've never seen a testing fee, but I live in Michigan where everyone is poor.

My local community center offers a children class for $30 a week, plus $25 for the uniform. It would be disappointing to adults, it's a little less "gung ho", but still good for someone his age.

kristalina said...

The pricing seems about right, but if you have a community center near you, they usually have classes for a lot less.

Smoochiefrog said...

I've never heard of any place that teaches martial arts accepting children that young. If you're thinking of enrolling him for the purpose of learning correctly, I'd wait until he's at least 10-12. If it's not martial arts that you're interested in for the purpose they're designed for, I'd opt for the Gymboree option.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I would say that's pretty accurate from what I've seen. I have a 7 year old girl (who wants to be a boy, but that's for another post) and I signed up her for parks and rec 30 minutes away because it's $100 for the whole semester (going twice a week) and the uniform is $30 and belt testing is $25. I hate to drive and the inconvenience, but it's either that, or don't do it at all. I can't afford the convenience of taking her 5 minutes away for $129 a month.

Amy said...

My kids both did karate (Grandma paid or it wouldn't have been an option) and it seemed like every time I turned around there was another payment or fee due. My husband thought the whole thing was ridiculous and a total scam. The teachers were good and my kids learned a lot - it also seemed to help with self confidence and "anger issues". It's a hard call - good luck deciding.

Alissa W. said...

I wish we lived closer!! Evan LOVES to fight! He is constantly taking off his shirt and asking his big brothers "Fight?" Evan and Little Kid would get a long so great!

Mom2Gizmo said...

Whoa! That seems way pricey to me!!
My Big Kid is 5 and started Karate this summer. They did a 3 months for 99.99 special summer intro and his first uniform was free! It's 100/month starting in October and he goes two nights a week for 40 minutes each. It seems fair and reasonable to me!
FYI-It has been a great outlet for him and good for his listening skills!!

Nikky said...

Edit: That's 30 a month, not a week. ^__^

Joy said...

I think all of the fun stuff is WAY overpriced! I was looking into a gymnastics class for my lk she loves to flip around. anyways for her age (3 1/2) it was about $60/mth and that was just for 4 50 min classes!!!! one class a week now how much is she gonna learn in 4 classes?

Christine said...

Reaching here...but does your parks department have anything like this? Our parks in Indianapolis offer different short-term classes at some of their parks. I'm anxiously awaiting my son to turn 3 so I can drop him off, I mean enroll, him a few hours a week.

Amo said...

I'll fly Bonus down there for the week for half that.

I'll even pack his lunch.

brandeejaxn said...

My son's class is $60 a month for 2 classes a week(he's 4). We had a trial of uniform and 2 classes for $20. We have to pay $25 for belt testing, but that's just to pay for the new belt pretty much. From what I understand, this is a pretty cheap price for around here (NE AR). It's been sooooo good for him though. He's learning patience and follows direction much better since starting.

Renee said...

Last Christmas, we bought karate uniforms online for each kid (plus I got a black one for myself) and we got a few Karate for Kids DVDs and we are doing homeschool karate lessons. :) We also did this for ballet for Lauren - bought her a leotard and tutu and a DVD. The kids love putting on their uniforms and having karate class and I love not having to take them to karate class and pay for karate class. :) Of course, little kid wouldn't get to fight babies just yet, but perhaps he would enjoy doing this at home and you could tell him that he has to learn how to fight the right way before he can fight real babies. And it might entertain him for 30 minutes each morning!

-The Renee

p jane said...

Parks&Rec offered Tang Soo Do for $8/class, once a week. The guy teaching offered private group lessons for the preschool ages, but it was still reasonable. Older two sons took classes for a couple years until they decided they'd rather do Scouting but got a lot from the classes. Belt testing was about every 12weeks and ran ~$10.

For the money, maybe get little kid a uniform and kick pad, borrow a couple how-to DVDs from the library and let him go crazy before committing to the more expensive classes? (FWIW, the phrase "baby fighting" cracks me up!)

Former Fat Chick said...

OMG! I would pay money to see little Kid in a BABY FIGHT! that is so WRONG, yet I can;t stop laughing at the prospect! My kids were in KArate, it's so flippin expensive...but it is a good tool to make them behave, the sensi will rip them when they are getting bad grades or not behaving at home