Tae Kwon Do Costs question...

[2disneyboys]

out of curorisity... for those w/ kids in Tae Kwon Do, do you mind sharing the costs details with me (or just approx costs)?

Attendance costs (vs how much instruction)
testing costs*
uniform costs

in particular with regards to testing costs...are some levels (belts) a higher testing cost than others?

I was talking to my sis the other day & she was talking about how expensive dance is for her daughter and baseball for her son. she said her son wanted to do tae kwon do also but it was too expensive. (and I'm not judging her choice)

my boys both take tae kwon do as well as play soccer spring & fall season. so I can understand about limiting sports or something because of a budget, but then she started talking about how much the tae kwon do was going to cost and it's ALOT more than what I pay for my boys so I was just curious.. do I have a really good deal or is she just looking @ an expensive place?
my boys get 4 & 1/2 hours of tae kwon do training a week @ $50 a month per kid. Testing is typically between $25-50 (per test per kid) and the uniforms were around $75 each. now my oldest son is getting ready to test for his jr. black belt which is substaintally higher than a normal testing fee (that we have been used to) but from what I can tell, still "in line".

how does it work out for you?

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

You got a good deal.

My DD has been to two different TKD places. The first was more of a "chain" place, although I didn't know it at the time (only one location of this association in town, but a national program). They required a 12-month contract, charged about $150 per month, tested every eight weeks whether the kids were ready or not (everyone tested, at $30 per child ), and constantly pressured us to upgrade DD to the "leadership" program, which required a new contract and more money, but also gave her unlimited classes (whether we wanted them or not). We had to buy several hundred dollars worth of equipment that DD used less than a handful of times. It was like dealing with used-car salesman, but I'm sure it is a very successful business model for parents who don't know better.

The second place was a small place that is run by an undercover cop, so TKD was his passion rather than his job. He charged less than $100 per month, encouraged DD to come as often as she could, and tested only when he felt she would pass, whether it took her two months or eight months to be ready. She learned so much more and got so much more individual attention, and the focus was on personal development instead of constant upselling.

If your sister is looking at a place similar to the first place we used, they will try to soak her whenever possible.

 

[miknsusn]

We pay $65 a month. A second child could go for half price and a third child can go free, but we aren't utilizing those options right now because it would result in large hospital bills .

Testing is $50. It is offered every 2 months, but you don't have to test if you don't feel ready. I don't know if the testing fee goes up for black belts, we have paid the same amt. every time but are only at the blue belt level.

Our biggest expense was the sparring gear at around $175. The uniform was included with the first month's tuition.

My son has the opportunity to go to 3 hours of class weekly (3 days) and testing requires having gone to 16 classes (basically 2 days/week) over the 2 month period leading up to the test.

 

[Swimalie]

My son just started last Nov after we looked at a lot of places in the area. We pay $120 a month and that is for unlimited classes. They have 6 classes per week to chose from. We go 2-3 times a week (2 of them would mean getting him out of school early which I won't do). Testing right now for his level is $20 a test and they don't test until they have done a minimum of 30 classes at their current level. At the next and all subsequent levels testing is $30 and includes a big graduation party with pizza.

The white testing uniform was free with a $20 introductory 3-class try out. We bought a school t-shirt for $15 and black pants for $25 but they aren't required. He also has sparing gloves for $30.

 

[mjkacmom]

I think we pay about $120 a month for 2 classes a week. Ds's belts were $50, but now that he's a junior black belt, they're either $100 or $150.

 

[Marshay]

We got a grand opening special of $98/month and currently include one adult, too (although they are supposed to charge $20/month for an adult and just never did). This includes 3 classes a week (1 hr each).

Belts are $55 so far (we are orange)

Sparring gear was additional but I got mine free on Freecycle.

Edit -- also included free uniform.

 

[2disneyboys]

You got a good deal.

My DD has been to two different TKD places. The first was more of a "chain" place, although I didn't know it at the time (only one location of this association in town, but a national program). They required a 12-month contract, charged about $150 per month, tested every eight weeks whether the kids were ready or not (everyone tested, at $30 per child ), and constantly pressured us to upgrade DD to the "leadership" program, which required a new contract and more money, but also gave her unlimited classes (whether we wanted them or not). We had to buy several hundred dollars worth of equipment that DD used less than a handful of times. It was like dealing with used-car salesman, but I'm sure it is a very successful business model for parents who don't know better. I think this is the type of place my sister must have looked into

The second place was a small place that is run by an undercover cop, so TKD was his passion rather than his job. He charged less than $100 per month, encouraged DD to come as often as she could, and tested only when he felt she would pass, whether it took her two months or eight months to be ready. She learned so much more and got so much more individual attention, and the focus was on personal development instead of constant upselling. this sounds similar to the program my boys go through. its amazing what you get out of something when the focus is not on "selling"

If your sister is looking at a place similar to the first place we used, they will try to soak her whenever possible.

We pay $65 a month. A second child could go for half price and a third child can go free, but we aren't utilizing those options right now because it would result in large hospital bills . I know what you mean here.. two boys in my house and dh & I -- I'm already overwhelmed by the "maleness"

Testing is $50. It is offered every 2 months, but you don't have to test if you don't feel ready. I don't know if the testing fee goes up for black belts, we have paid the same amt. every time but are only at the blue belt level.

Our biggest expense was the sparring gear at around $175. The uniform was included with the first month's tuition. our sparring gear was around $100 so that comes out pretty close

My son has the opportunity to go to 3 hours of class weekly (3 days) and testing requires having gone to 16 classes (basically 2 days/week) over the 2 month period leading up to the test.

Thanks for the feedback guys... this was more because I was curious once she started talking numbers...

 

[2disneyboys]

I think we pay about $120 a month for 2 classes a week. Ds's belts were $50, but now that he's a junior black belt, they're either $100 or $150.

This is in line to our situation. DS's belts have been around $45 once he got to yellow or orange (whatever) anyway, his black belt (jr) is going to be around $150.00 plus another $50 to register him in the world association or soemthing like that (nice plaque etc) EKK!!! At first we told DS.. I don't know... but then he (DS) said well if I pay for it myself, can I do it. He really pushed that it was important to him (to the point that he was saving all his money for it (and even did not buy himself hardly anything on our last disney trip) we DH & I deceided that once he "earned & saved" enough $ for it we would pay for it and just put his money in the bank (he doesn't know - thinks he's paying for it)

(geeze... I came to edit this post because of the spelling errors, then realised I should just delete it as there were so many errors..sometimes I hate typing on a smart phone..just leaving those as they were -sorry in advance for making you read this alwful spelling & grammer!)

 

[CarlisleMom]

My DD has been taking Tae Kwon Do for 3 years now. My monthly payment is $75. First uniform is free. T shirts are $10, forget how much the shorts cost but most likely around $15. Color Belt test (with new belt if pass) is free. Class is held 3 times a week for 45 minutes and she goes to 2-3 of them each week.

She is now a black belt. This testing cost $45. This included embroidered black belt and a black belt uniform.

She also joined their competition team at no additional monthly cost. These workout are held 4 times a week for 1 hour - she goes to 2-3 of them per week The warm-up was $100. For these workout, sparring shoes come in handy but I can find them on ebay for under $25.

I also bought a set of sparring pads. Easier if she owns them for competitions. Again I turned to ebay and spent around $50 for the complete set.


She has not done a tournament yet but will be doing some this summer. Not sure how much this will cost yet.

I think this is cheap for a year round sport. It's great exercise and the teamwork is outstanding. The coaches promote that they are a family and the older kids (she works out with kids up to 19 years old) look out for younger. Upper belts help lower.

 

[doclegler]

We pay $70 for 2 boys, and they go just 2 hours each/week (they don't offer any family discounts). The belt testing depends on the belt level, but this time we will be paying $90 (one testing for Red, one for Green). Our uniforms were about $60 or so back a year or 2 ago. We have also purchased all the sparring gear, so that adds to the costs too.
Black belt testing is VERY expensive. We do fundraisers to pay for it, so however much each child makes goes into his own account to pay for black belt testing down the road. I believe its close to $500 now, just for a first degree.

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

We pay 125.00 for 2 kids to attend TKD 3 times a week and class is 1 hour each time. When they belt test it is 55.00 each. We recieved iniforms free when we signed up, when we had to purchase larger uniforms they are 50.00 each. We buy them big and they seem to last at least a year.
Now its an enirely differant ballgame when they are testingfor their black belt. There is an extra class they have to take each week. And the test is 250.00 which includes the special black belt and uniform.

 

[MinnieForMe]

We are so blessed to attend a NonProfit Tae Kwon Do studio. Our five Masters have been together for 30 years and now do it only for the love of teaching and to keep up their own skills.

I pay $110 a month for two children. They can go up to 9 hours a week/6 classes per week. We are belt testing next week and they are opening the studio for my oldest who is going for Bo Dan (one level below black) on Sunday because we've been on vacation.

Uniforms are free this year because they made too much money for a nonprofit so at each belt test they are giving the kids a new uniform.

Testing does go up per belt. It starts around $25.00 and will be about $150+ for black.

Sparring equipment is supplied for free (once again they made too much money this year) because they allowed a Zumba group to rent the studio after 8 pm.

My son use to do Kempo and it was insanely expensive with less discipline.

 

[Pigeon]

I just posted a related question, without seeing this one first.

Dd13 tests for black belt tomorrow. When she started many years ago, it was either $120/month or a long term contract that goes through black belt for about $3500. Normal testing is $40/belt, black belt was $300!

That includes as many classes as you want. There's a class held for each belt level at least 5X/week.

Now they won't allow month by month and only do contracts. Going for second degree would be $5-6K, depending on how you pay. We're not signing another contract, so either we'll find another school or she's quitting.

OP, I think your school is very reasonable.

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

My DS has been taking TKD for 3.5 years and my DD for almost 2. We take it through our fitness center, Lifetime Fitness, so we obviously pay the monthly membership fee there but we use it for many other things. The TKD alone is $60 per month/per kid. Uniforms were about $35, sparring gear was $30, and testing is about $45. My DS just tested for his black belt and that fee was $100 but that will include a new uniform as well.

 

[tinkermom23]

Our Tae Kwon Do classes are at our school. Cost is $35 for 1 person, $65 for 2 of us per month. I go with DS11 and classes are for 1 hour, 2x a week. We pay monthly and can take a month off ior start/stop when we want (we take Dec. off since we are SOO busy with other things.) And we take the summer off.

Belt testing costs are depending on the belt, white through green $30 and up to brown is $40...Jr. black belt & up are much more.

We all get our own uniforms & shin guards, I bought ours new on ebay. The instructors loan us the sparing gear if we need, some buy their own. I hate sparring so I don't use it, but DS11 has some of his own and borrows the rest.

 

[minniebeth]

...in addition to monthly fees, uniforms, testing, some schools (my kids' old school) require participation in some type of tournament each year. The tournaments, depending on where they were located, usually ran $50 for the entry fee. When they reached blackbelt, they were required a yearly tournament plus a national one every 2 years, which usually required airfare, hotels, meals, etc.