How To Avoid Mcdojos
Avoiding McDojos—martial arts schools that prioritize profit over proper training, effectiveness, or integrity—is essential if you want authentic, high-quality martial arts instruction.
🥋 What Is a McDojo?
A “McDojo” is a derogatory term for martial arts schools that:
- Emphasize belts, fees, and certificates over actual skill.
- Use marketing hype to draw in students.
- Lack real-world application or combat effectiveness.
- Hand out black belts in a year (or to kids with no real competence).
🚩 How to Spot and Avoid a McDojo
1. 🔖 Excessive Fees & Contracts
- Long-term contracts (12+ months) with no trial class = red flag.
- Constant pressure to buy uniforms, patches, weapons, belt tests, etc.
✅ Look for: Flexible payment options, a free or low-cost trial period, and transparency about fees.
2. 🥇 Fast-Track Belt Promotions
- Promising black belts in under 2–3 years (especially to kids).
- Frequent or guaranteed belt tests every few months.
✅ Look for: Schools that emphasize mastery and skill—not just attendance and payment—for promotion.
3. 📋 Over-Commercialized Programs
- Focus on fitness, fun, or self-esteem without realistic training or sparring.
- Overuse of “life skills” language to attract parents instead of developing martial artists.
✅ Look for: A balance of physical, mental, and technical training with opportunities to test skills under pressure.
4. 🧼 No or Fake Sparring
- No sparring at all, or sparring is heavily restricted to avoid discomfort.
- Overemphasis on kata/forms or “dead” drills without live resistance.
✅ Look for: Sparring (appropriate to skill level) and pressure-tested training.
5. 🕵️♂️ Unverified Lineage or Credentials
- Instructors who won’t tell you where they trained or with whom.
- Inflated claims (e.g., “12th-degree black belt” in a made-up system).
✅ Look for: Instructors with traceable lineage, competition experience, or time spent under reputable masters.
6. 🌎 Overuse of Flash and Mysticism
- Claims of secret techniques, death touches, or unbeatable systems.
- Videos showing students “flying” from light contact or reacting to imaginary energy.
✅ Look for: Realistic demonstrations, grounded explanations, and no nonsense.
7. 🚪 Closed-Door Policies
- Not allowing visitors to watch classes.
- Avoiding questions about curriculum or belt progression.
✅ Look for: Transparency, open-door policies, and respect for informed students.
✅ How to Choose a Legit Martial Arts School
- Attend a free trial class.
- Ask questions about lineage, training methods, sparring, and promotion.
- Look for schools with competition results (if applicable) or a reputation for effective self-defense.
- Read reviews on Google, Reddit, or martial arts forums.
- Trust your gut: If it feels like a money grab, it probably is.