How To Spot A Fake Martial Arts School (McDojo)?

Engaging in martial arts can be a transformative journey as training and growing will improve every single aspect of your life. But you can experience all the benefits only if you train in a legitimate school, and you might have a hard time finding the right one.

Not all dojos are created equal, and the world of martial arts has its fair share of “Mcdojos” — schools that prioritize profit over quality instruction. Or in other words, places where you can only get scammed.

So in this article, we’ll explore the signs that your martial arts school may be a Mcdojo. Identifying these red flags is crucial for anyone seeking authentic, effective martial arts training, and it can also save you a lot of money.

Whether you’re a senior practitioner or a novice looking to start your martial arts journey, understanding what to watch out for can save you from wasting time and money.

Lack of Qualified Instructors

In any martial arts school, the quality of instruction is the single most important aspect when it comes to safety and learning. A legitimate martial arts school should have highly qualified instructors who possess the knowledge, experience, and skills needed to guide students effectively.

Lack of transparency about their qualifications or vague explanations of their training background is a huge red flag.

Legitimate instructors should have recognized certifications and rank in their respective martial arts styles. So don’t be shy and ask them politely about their credentials. If they are legitimate instructors, they will be more than happy to show you their certificates, and history of competition, or introduce you to their respected masters under whom they have reached the instructor level.

Instructors should not only teach techniques but also the principles and philosophy behind martial arts. Apart from only verbally leading the class, good instructors are always ready to jump into action and spar with their students or showcase a high level of proficiency in executing moves. And they should also be able to provide valuable insight and adapt training to the individual needs.

Belt Promotion System

The belt promotion system is a crucial aspect of martial arts. It symbolizes the student’s progress, dedication, and mastery of the art. In legitimate dojos, this system is well-defined and strict because it also provides a structured path for skill development and improvement. However, in a Mcdojo, this system may be manipulated for financial gain, leading to the rapid advancement of students and the devaluation of the belts.

Mcdojos often promote students to higher belts too quickly, sometimes in a matter of months. Or, many traditional martial arts systems promote students based on time spent training rather than actual skill and proficiency. This rapid promotion can undermine the value and meaning of higher belts, as the belt no longer represents an accurate level of skill.

As a result, a black belt earned in McDojo is actually be much lower than in a legitimate school. Also, McDojos may excessively charge for each belt test, turning promotions into a profit-driven process. Though this isn’t always a sign of a mcdojo.

Focus on Profit Over Quality

Martial arts schools are meant to support personal growth, and discipline, and help you develop self-defense skills. However, Mcdojos often prioritizes financial gain over the quality of instruction and the well-being of their students.

For instance, legitimate dojos typically have reasonable membership fees that are in line with local market rates. These schools are transparent about their pricing and often offer different payment plans making their classes accessible to all people.

However, Mcdojos might demand unreasonably high monthly membership fees, often significantly more than the norm. They also might insist on long-term contracts that are usually quite expensive and not worth it if you are a beginner yet to learn the fundamentals of the art.

These schools operate primarily as businesses and they will do anything to maximize their profits. In most cases, they are focusing more on quantity instead of quality. Their primary goal is to enroll as many students as possible and give as many belts as possible each month, often compromising their skill level.

Next, some Mcdojos may aggressively push students to purchase branded uniforms, gear, and other merchandise they are selling in their school.

Unrealistic Claims and Marketing

Marketing is a common practice for any business, including martial arts schools. However, Mcdojos often uses manipulative marketing tactics to mislead potential students.

For example, if you see an advertisement of a dojo claiming you will quickly earn a black belt under their program, that’s a red flag. They will usually say you will get in some unrealistic time such as 6 months or a year, which is often not enough for a student to master the basics. Achieving a black belt typically requires years of dedicated training and hard work both inside and outside the gym.

Then there is a rare group of delusional ones that promise some sort of invisibility and superhuman skills. Those are quite dangerous too because they will make you believe you possess legitimate self-defense skills while in reality, you don’t know anything.

Once in a real-life situation, you might believe that those mythical skills work, and instead of running away or using battle-proven techniques, you will get yourself in trouble by pulling those ineffective moves.

Lack of Sparring and Realistic Training

Effective martial arts training should prepare students for real-world self-defense situations and teach them practical combat skills. However, Mcdojos may prioritize forms, choreography, and compliant training at the cost of realistic self-defense preparation.

Legitimate martial arts schools include sparring and live drills to develop real combat skills. Sparring remains one of the most effective methods for teaching students how to apply techniques in real life and under pressure. It is also an important test because it gives students an insight into how skilled they actually are, and what areas they need to improve.

Mcdojos may focus primarily on prearranged forms, patterns, or katas, often neglecting their practical application. While forms have their place, they should be balanced with practical training and sparring. These schools usually come up with various excuses for how sparring is too dangerous, how these techniques are too dangerous to be applied, and many others.

This is dangerous because Mcdojos may convince students they possess legitimate fighting skills they can use in real life to protect themselves and a false sense of security. These students can end up seriously hurt as a result.

How to Avoid Mcdojos

Choosing the right martial arts school is crucial for your progress, safety, and overall satisfaction with your training experience. To help you avoid Mcdojos and find a legitimate, high-quality school, here are some essential steps and guidelines:

• Inquire about the qualifications and experience of the instructors.
• Ask about the school’s curriculum and approach to teaching martial arts.
• Ask everything about the pricing structure, including membership fees and any hidden costs.
• Request a trial class or observe a class to assess the quality of instruction and the atmosphere of the school.
  Reach out to experienced martial artists or trusted friends who are knowledgeable about martial arts.
• Ask for their recommendations and insights on reputable schools in your area.
• Be cautious of schools that guarantee quick black belt promotions, make unrealistic claims, or pressure you into signing long-term contracts.

During the class:

• Pay attention to the attitudes and behaviors of instructors and staff; legitimate martial arts instructors prioritize student development and safety.
• Pay attention to how many black belts are there. 
• Are there bullies and how the instructor is dealing with aggressive behavior?
• Watch if senior students are sparring or doing drills where they learn how to practically apply techniques. 
• Trust your gut feeling about a school; if something feels off or too good to be true, it may be a sign of a Mcdojo.