Enrolling your child into martial arts classes will always carry some element of risk. In many ways, there is no reliable way to tell whether a particular dojo will suit your goals or the goals of your son or daughter. Even in the event that you know a few of the students' parents, and have asked them to share their impressions, the quality of the studio may still be largely hidden.

In this article, I'll help you steer clear of the lower quality martial arts schools by profiling five you would do well to avoid. A quick note of clarification: each of the traits described below should not, in itself, disqualify a studio. That said, there are so many high-quality schools that there's little need to settle for less than you or your children deserve.

#1 - The Belt Farm

Some dojos prey upon parents' desire for their kids to become black belts. The people who run these places do everything short of guaranteeing that your son or daughter will become a black belt in whatever style they choose. The reason? Money. They know that many parents who are motivated by belts can be easily persuaded to pay high fees for them, even if the quality of the instruction is substandard.

#2 - The Churn And Burn Studio

These places are interested in receiving your dues, but far less interested in making sure your child receives high-quality training. They focus on getting people to enroll, often selling uniforms and other "essential" gear in the process. The lackluster level of instruction only become clear later on. As students abandon the dojo, the operators devote their efforts toward attracting a new flock of pupils.

#3 - The Long-Term Contract Dojo

A lot of martial arts schools require that new students sign long-term cont
racts. It's important to emphasize that many good studios that offer top-notch instruction require these type of contracts. They do it to help insulate their businesses from fickle students (and parents). So, it's unfair to immediately dismiss schools based on this factor alone.

That said, be wary. If you sign a long-term contract, you may find that your child is locked into a training environment that turns out to be unsuitable for him or her. If the dojo pushes for the contract, try to negotiate the terms.

#4 - The Aggressive Sales Organization

Because the martial arts have become so popular with kids and their parents (thanks in part, to Hollywood), the industry has developed an aggressive sales and marketing approach. In the past, dojos were small and privately owned. They catered exclusively to the surrounding community. Today, large chains of studios have emerged. Much like McDonald's covered the landscape with thousands of fast food restaurants, so too, have some martial arts schools developed a network of studios. This has led to more attention being devoted to sales and marketing than toward the actual training.

#5 - The Poorly Furnished School

When you arrive at a school that you're considering for your son or daughter, look around the facility. Some facilities are lavishly furnished with individual lockers and showers. Others seem to be so poorly furnished that you're surprised they have mats on which the students train. While lockers, showers, and other amenities may not be necessary (and you'll certainly pay for them through higher fees), make sure the dojo has adequate safety and training gear.

Finding a high-quality martial arts school for your son or daughter starts with knowing the types of dojos to avoid. Use the list above to eliminate the "less than ideal" studios so you can find a school that is suitable for your goals and those of your child.