Choosing the right martial arts studio is one of the most important decisions you can make as a martial artist. Just because you want to learn karate doesn’t mean you can walk into any martial arts dojo and sign up; you need to do your research, too. There are many different types of martial arts, and each studio has a different way of teaching them. Here are some things you have to consider before you decide to sign up for classes: Read about the different martial arts styles. Many studios teach techniques and styles that are unique to them. For example, Aplomb Martial Arts are renowned for teaching Aplomb Kempo. Meanwhile, other martial arts studios may prefer to teach only the traditional basic methods. Your goal. Dojos have varying expectations of their students, and the studio’s expectations must align with your goal. Some schools prefer to compete, while others pretty much keep to themselves. Other disciplines also do not engage in competition. If you want to compete, you should choose a dojo that offers a competitive environment. Watch a class. Once you’ve determined what kind of martial arts you want to learn and your goals, it’s time to see if a dojo would be a good fit for you. You can do this by watching a class, seeing how their instructors interact with students and determining if you would be comfortable in the class. Some martial arts studios also offer a free trial, so you could try it out for yourself before committing. Check reviews or recommendations. Finally, if you have narrowed down your choices, it’s time to turn to your network to look for reviews or recommendations. You should have a pretty good idea of the experience with the dojo based on the reviews. Not all martial arts studios are the same, and you have to determine which one is the best fit for you. Head over to Aplomb Martial Arts to see if Shaolin Kempo is something that would interest you today.