Teaching Respect, Honor, and Discipline while having fun.
Belle Mar Center
201 Victory Drive Suite 430
Mankato, MN 56001
Also teaching in:
Lonsdale, MN 55046
More Info
FAQ
Do you have to sign a contract?
How many people are in an average class?
How does your belt testing work?
How long will it take me to get a Black Belt in Taekwondo/Karate/Kobudo/Kung-Fu/BJJ?
Will I get in better shape by training at Mankato Martial Arts?
What do I get out of training at Mankato Martial Arts?
Why should I sign my child up here at Mankato Martial Arts?
How does training at Mankato Martial Arts prepare you for multiple attackers?
I have tried martial arts training before but was no good at it, should I give up?
Am I too old?
Can I change my training program at the school at any time?
How young do you start children at your school?
Do you have family classes where parents can learn with their children?
I hear the word “sparring” all the time. What does it mean?
That sounds brutal; will I get hurt in class?
I want to learn martial arts. Do I have to spar?
What is MMA?
Can I compete in MMA or Thai Boxing or Grappling matches?
Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ONLY a ground fighting martial art?
Will I get a belt in Thai Boxing?
What is Thai Boxing?
Q: What’s the best martial art or which is the best one for me?
A: There is no “perfect” martial art, and don’t let anyone tell you there is. Some styles of martial arts may work better for you then other styles that’s why at Mankato Martial Arts we offer 9 different disciplines to choose from and two months to try them all out.
Q: Do you have to sign a contract?
A: No we offer month to month tuition options on all of our classes.
Q: How many people are in an average class?
A: The average class size is 18 students. With over 60 classes offered per week we can keep the class size low. We have found that a smaller class, with lower student to teacher ratios, reduces the stress level on new and younger students, and accelerates the learning for all students.
Q: How does your belt testing work?
A: Rank testing is held each month at the dojo in Mankato unless otherwise specified. We will only test a student when they are ready to advance. We firmly believe that the student’s ability should determine when they test, not how long they have been training. Without the ability to understand and apply the techniques, the training is useless. Train to be great, rather then for a belt.
Q: How long will it take me to get a Black Belt in Taekwondo/Karate/Kobudo/Kung-Fu/BJJ?
A: The easy answer is “as long as it takes.” For most of our students it takes 3 to 5 years, averaging 3 classes per week and a lot of hard work. The real question is why are you taking lessons? If you are looking for something that will teach self-defense, get you in better shape, and challenge you, chances are you will do great and make it to Black Belt.
Q: Will I get in better shape by training at Mankato Martial Arts?
A: Absolutely! We have many students here that have lost weight with remarkable results. Here you will increase your flexibility, improve your cardiovascular conditioning; strengthen your core muscles and more, all while having fun.
Q: What do I get out of training at Mankato Martial Arts?
A: You will not only receive the best self-defense techniques to defend yourself on your feet and the ground, but you will receive so much more; camaraderie, discipline, sense of belonging, increased self-esteem, improved physical condition, friends, business contacts, social events, friendly competition and more….
Q: Why should I sign my child up here at Mankato Martial Arts?
A: Your child will receive the most complete and effective system of self-defense and improved physical conditioning. Mentally your child will show major improvements in the areas of; confidence, self-esteem, better grades at school. Our students show a marked increase in discipline, focus, both social and motor skills and much more…
Q: How does training at Mankato Martial Arts prepare you for multiple attackers?
A: Martial Arts training does not have any techniques to teach people to take on multiple attackers. Many martial arts schools mislead their students into thinking they can take on multiple attackers. Our philosophy at Mankato Martial Arts is that multiple is more than one. How can someone teach you to take on 20 people at once who are intent on beating you up? It is an unrealistic concept that many martial arts schools sell to their students. There are many theories how to deal with the situation, but no set techniques. No two people fight the same, so imagine 5 people attacking you. How can you have a specific technique if everyone attacks differently all the time?
Q: I have tried martial arts training before but was no good at it, should I give up?
A: No! There is no such thing as a good or bad student, only a good or bad instructor. This takes the responsibility off the student to learn and puts it on the instructor to teach. Let’s face it, everyone learns at a different level/pace and not everyone has the same physical abilities. It is an instructor’s obligation to figure out how to get the techniques across to the students, not the students to learn. After all, you are paying because they have the knowledge and a great instructor will be able to convey that knowledge regardless of the student’s abilities.
A: We have classes tailored to fit all ages. At Mankato Martial Arts we focus a lot on teaching proper techniques and self-defense application as well as fighting in the ring or in tournaments, it is a lot easier on the body with much less chance of injuries. You are never too old to learn how to defend yourself.
Q: Can I change my training program at the school at any time?
A: Yes you can. At any point you feel that you would like to either upgrade or reduce your training time you are welcome to do so and of course your program price will reflect that change.
Q: How young do you start children at your school?
A: The youngest age that we allow someone to start training with us is 4 years old. We feel that at 4, children have developed enough motor skills and coordination, and their attention span is long enough to truly maximize the benefits of learning martial arts.
Q: Do you have family classes where parents can learn with their children?
A: Classes with mixed age groups start together and train together on the same workout floor, but are not taught the same curriculum. The reason we use different curriculums is because adults and children learn at different rates and have a much different learning curve. We do not feel that you can effectively and legitimately teach people with that much of a learning differential. Parents and children don’t receive a classroom education at the same time so how can they receive a martial art education at the same time? There are techniques that are kid friendly and techniques that are applicable for adults.
Q: I hear the word “sparring” all the time. What does it mean?
A: 'Sparring' is when two students train against each other in real time and speed. Both are trying to defend and execute the techniques to make the other one submit or tap out (quit). In 'sparring,' the students are testing themselves, their knowledge of their art and their ability to apply the techniques with a resisting partner. Sparring in Mixed Martial Arts, MMA, is for advanced students only, it is contact with punches, kicks, knees and elbows. You must be seriously conditioned and you cannot do this without instructor permission.
Q: That sounds brutal; will I get hurt in class?
A: No! Classes are taught in a safe manner. We use focus mitts, heavy bags, speed bags and Thai pads to hit. You can't punch, kick, knee and elbow your partner and expect to train the next day. Only a small percentage of our students are fighters, the majority just want to learn self defense and get a great workout. All of our classes offer a great cardio workout that everyone can enjoy.
Q: I want to learn martial arts. Do I have to spar?
A: We never make anyone spar who does not wish to, but sparring is an important part of the learning process because it exploits your weaknesses and strengths so you and your instructor can track your progress. What we will do is have you spar with an instructor first or some of the advanced students who are knowledgeable in their art and can safely spar with new students. We find that most people, once they get the taste of sparring, realize that it is fun and great exercise and want to then spar more.
A: MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts. It is a combination of striking arts, like kickboxing, Muay Thai and boxing and grappling arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling.
Q: Can I compete in MMA or Thai Boxing or Grappling matches?
A: Yes! Competition is healthy if you are properly trained. If you are interested in competing, talk to the staff for proper guidance. We have many fighters and competitors at and we look forward to training you.
Q: Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ONLY a ground fighting martial art?
A: No! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, when taught properly, was designed to be the most complete system of self-defense. The system has techniques for all forms of stand up aggression; grabs, strikes, throws, tackles, hugs, weapons, and trips. It also has a complete system of ground fighting once the fight goes to the ground, which it is most famous for. Many schools do not teach the stand up self-defense portion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because they only want to focus on the ground. We do not deny the fact that the fight starts on the feet with some form of aggression, which is why we teach stand up self-defense.
Q: Will I get a belt in Thai Boxing?
A: There are no belts in Thai Boxing, you will advance in levels.
A: Thai Boxing or Muay Thai is a Martial Art from Thailand that utilizes punches, kicks, knees and elbows, and is great for close range fighting because it stresses what to do in the clinch and if you are considering fighting MMA, this is a required class.