| So you got your kid enrolled in your local martial | | | | practice at home as well as in class. To facilitate |
| arts school, congratulations! This is the first step | | | | this you may need to buy some focus targets or |
| to a rewarding journey for both you and her. You | | | | a kick bag (either a hanging bag or a free-standing |
| probably have a few worries about what lies | | | | bag). These targets usually begin at around $20 |
| ahead but at the same time you're probably really | | | | for the basics, and a good kick bag will cost a little |
| excited to see your child get into the martial arts. | | | | over $100. However be warned you could easily |
| So what equipment, uniform and gear do you | | | | spend up to $500 on this type of equipment |
| need to buy for the first class -- and how much | | | | depending on how much your budget is, because |
| should it cost? | | | | there are all kinds of really cool training gear |
| One of the great things about the martial arts is | | | | available. |
| that it doesn't cost much to get started | | | | · Weapons - Depending on your school, |
| compared to other activities. For example a set | | | | there may be a weapons requirement and again |
| of good golf clubs can cost as much as $1000 or | | | | this will be an additional expense. Basic weapons |
| more. Starting soccer can lead to multiple | | | | don't cost very much however and you probably |
| purchases of a soccer shirt and shorts, socks and | | | | won't have to put out any more than about $20 |
| cleats, shin pads and of course a good soccer ball. | | | | per weapon just to be able to participate in the |
| Baseball and football have similar requirements. | | | | class. As usual of course there are multiple |
| Dance and ballet can also become quite expensive | | | | upgrade options and if your child wants to enter |
| with all of the different costumes and outfits for | | | | into tournaments then a better quality weapon will |
| the various recitals. You want your child to look | | | | be required. |
| good of course so you're willing to buy whatever | | | | · Instructional support resources - Many |
| is necessary. But you don't know much about | | | | schools offer books and DVDs for curriculum |
| karate. | | | | support and although these items are yet another |
| Initially for martial arts training you only need a | | | | expense they are a one-time investment that can |
| uniform (often called a gi) and that's it. Of course | | | | be tremendously beneficial to your child's ultimate |
| there are other things you could buy such as a | | | | progress and development. These tools will help |
| gear bag or a club T-shirt but essentially your only | | | | your child practice at home and can also provide |
| piece of equipment to get started is a uniform. A | | | | you, as the parent, with the means to offer |
| basic uniform should cost around $30 to $40 and | | | | support and help to your child as she progresses |
| sometimes, depending on the school, your first | | | | through the ranks. The cost of these resources |
| uniform is given to you FREE as a bonus for | | | | will vary based on the different curriculum that is |
| signing up for the initial program. | | | | being studied but very often there are some |
| "OK, this sounds good. All I need is a uniform for | | | | excellent resources to be found online, on your |
| $30 and I might even get it for free. This is a | | | | club website or on other style specific websites. |
| great deal, what am I missing here? What lies | | | | Be sure to do your research in addition to |
| ahead that will affect my pocketbook?" | | | | purchasing the necessary content support. |
| Well, you're right to be a little skeptical but | | | | All in all the gear, equipment and uniform cost of |
| honestly you don't need much money for karate | | | | practicing martial arts is minimal because in most |
| equipment. Your biggest ongoing expense will be | | | | cases all you need for the first couple of years is |
| the cost of your tuition which is currently (as of | | | | a uniform (or two), some sparring gear, some |
| January 2008) at an average of around $100 to | | | | basic training gear for practice at home, an |
| $120 per month for a twice a week program. | | | | occasional weapon, and some instructional DVDs |
| Community center programs are obviously | | | | or books to take your child's understanding to the |
| cheaper and large schools that are located on | | | | next level. The estimated cost of all of this |
| busy streets in nice areas are obviously higher | | | | equipment is about $400 to $500 over a period |
| because they have to be to keep their doors | | | | of two years to fulfill the minimum requirements. |
| open. | | | | If you break this down on a per month basis then |
| Concerning the equipment, these are the items | | | | you are looking at less than $20 per month on |
| that you will need to purchase as your child | | | | average for basic equipment costs for the first |
| progresses through the ranks to black belt: | | | | few of years of training. |
| · Better quality uniforms (these can range | | | | The truth of the matter is that like every good |
| from $60 for a mid-level uniform, to $100 for a | | | | parent you will probably spend more because you |
| good uniform, and all the way up to $200 for a | | | | will want to buy your child some T-shirts and |
| top of the line uniform - your instructor should | | | | clothing, a gear bag, additional equipment and so |
| offer a good selection to fit the different | | | | on. But these things will still be considerably less |
| budgets) | | | | than that set of golf clubs! And what's more, you |
| · Sparring gear - your child will need hand | | | | can use these items as valuable incentives for |
| pads and shin & instep pads, and in all | | | | your child as they successfully make it through |
| probability a gum shield and some headgear. All of | | | | the ranks of their training. |
| this should cost you $100 or less depending on | | | | If you need more help with this or any other |
| the quality of gear you buy. Often your instructor | | | | karate subject, please be sure to download my |
| will offer the whole package for a discount and | | | | FREE Report "Beginners Guide to Karate". You will |
| you should definitely take advantage of this to | | | | find out how to download it at |
| save a bit of money. | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in |
| · Training gear - Martial arts requires a lot | | | | karate. |
| of practice and your child will probably need to | | | | |