Tell me more ×
Martial Arts Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for students and teachers of all martial arts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 4 down vote favorite
2

I've trained in several martial arts over the years. During that time, I've paid less ($60/mo) or more ($150/mo) depending on the area, skill level of the teachers, etc.

However, I'm noticing an odd pattern; it seems that while other styles like Tae Kwon Do or Muay Thai charge by the month, most Krav Maga schools charge by the lesson, and in general, the lessons are quite expensive ($20-$50 for an hour). Why is this?

Is it mostly that Krav Maga is easier to pick up than more traditional sport martial arts, therefore you pay more for a faster paced course? Both my wife and I would love to take Krav Maga at some point in the future, but it's a bit too expensive to go to classes once a week.

Any suggestions?

share|improve this question
1  
I voted to close as it seems to reflect only your local area pricing practices. – Sardathrion Mar 12 '12 at 15:06
Seconding @Sardathrion. Further, what one person finds "expensive", another finds reasonable. Perceived value of money. – stslavik Mar 14 '12 at 17:20
1  
Well I did express costs as relative to what I've paid at other places. So the question does not deal either with location nor with lifestyle. It's a question about the ratio of cost per class of traditional arts vs cost per class of Krav Maga. – Timothy Baldridge Mar 14 '12 at 17:56
Factor in locality, density of instruction, cost relative to style, level of insurance held, number of students, relative training... Ultimately, the cost of doing business for Krav Maga versus Taekwondo is Apples to Oranges, in which case it's economics and perceived value. Your perceived pattern may simply be an aberration or perceptual illusion (When I was in Vegas, for instance, KM was $65 a month; I paid $80 a month for ninpo; a friend of mine paid $120 a month for TKD). – stslavik Mar 14 '12 at 22:03
I think it's a local thing. I train Krav Maga and my school does month to month or yearly contracts in the price range you quoted as reasonable. – Stuart Mar 23 '12 at 19:08

3 Answers

up vote 14 down vote accepted

I honestly think it comes down to old fashioned economics. Simple supply and demand. Krav Maga is a very effective martial art, however the supply of good teachers is rather limited. Contrast that with Tae Kwon Do, and even Muay Thai, and you'll find the schools much more plentiful.

Muay Thai and TKD have to compete with each other due to the fact that every shopping center seems to have a Tae Kwon Day Car program (I'm not making that up BTW). Since supply is so plentiful, and demand is marginal at times, the schools need to maintain competitive rates.

Krav Maga has a much better reputation than the plentiful schools have in regards to its effectiveness. Not to mention, the pricing structure reinforces the notion that "you get what you pay for". If Krav Maga was more in line with TKD/Muay Thai, it would undermine the appeal.

I personally am of the opinion that an art is only as good as its sensei. If a sensei is only interested in competitions, they will only teach competition martial arts. The disciplines required for proper self-defense, or modern warfare (where Krav Maga originated), are quite different than what's necessary for a ring with rules. The same is true for MMA classes. A sensei will--at best--get you to their level of skill. If they aren't that skilled, it will reflect in their students.

share|improve this answer
up vote -1 down vote

Krav Maga is a short intense course, where one can receive an instructor certificate in less than a year. They charge more because of the higher turn over rate due to the intensity, physical & mental demand.

share|improve this answer
1  
I'd like to see what justification and case examples you have for this sweeping generalization. Are you citing market statistics or "seems logical"? – JohnP Jul 19 '12 at 14:51
That's a very interesting assertion; I don't doubt it, but I echo @JohnP's request for more details, because it would help me to understand something about Krav Maga. Reference/resource would also make it more responsivev to the OP. – Mark C. Wallace Oct 10 '12 at 18:26
up vote 2 down vote

Same reason Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is so expensive. It's popular, people actually go out asking for Krav Maga, so they can afford to charge more. If some unknown style charged that much they'd have empty classes and wouldn't be able to afford the rent.

Think about it, if you saw a place teaching Gou Chuan at $25/class, you'd just think "Yeah right," but you wouldn't even bother coming on here to ask why it costs that much. Krav Maga, you're actually interested in doing but are taken aback by the price.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.