Fake Martial Arts Schools in Los Angeles - How to Spot a McDojo, PART 1

This four-part article series highlights some of the obvious signs that your martial art gym - "dojo" - or class isn't actually the genuine article.

Learning a martial art in Los Angeles offers residents a whole spectrum of benefits. In addition to more obvious ones, such as rock-hard fitness and a body to match, you should be learning the ability to defend yourself against physical attack. You should also, under the guidance of your experienced and learned master, be learning how to better harness your mind through breathing exercises, meditation and the adherence to certain codes of conducts and ethics.

The martial arts are codified systems of combat tradition, philosophy and beliefs. Each particular form of martial arts - from Taekwondo, Kali and Krav Maga to Karate, Aikido and Kung Fu - has a history and a story. So, Los Angeles residents can expect to learn much more than simply how to high kick a punching bag.

Or can they?

False Martial Arts in Los Angeles: Rise of the McDojos

Los Angeles has seen an increasing number of gyms, studios and other workout venues offering what they term "martial arts classes" and what any true master of martial arts will call a "McDojo". A dojo is a martial arts training class. A McDojo is the fast food version and just like it's famous counterpart, its offerings are not going to nourish your mind and body the way true martial arts will.

The good news is that there are some very obvious signs a martial arts school in LA is a McDojo and we shall be discussing these in this four-part article series. But first, it's important that we distinguish between martial arts inspired fitness classes and McDojos, so that the local gyms offering these fitness classes don't think we're calling them frauds!

Martial Arts Inspired Fitness Classes in Los Angeles

Learning a martial art form is an exceptional way to get fit and to develop the kind of beach-ready body Californians want. This is because the very nature of the activities and exercises demanded of its students work out every muscle in the body, while also developing stamina, strength, flexibility, speed and dexterity.

Rather than just doing a number of reps one some creaky gym machine that will only really tax one set of muscles, you can sign up for a 45 minute class that, using martial arts inspired moves and maneuvers, will give you a killer whole body workout. It's also way more fun! But just because it may be advertised as "capoeira class" or "krav maga workout" or "kickboxing" doesn't mean you are actually going to master these martial art disciplines.

Sure, you might learn a couple of cool moves, but the focus of the kind of martial art classes typically offered by conventional gyms in Los Angeles is fitness. So don't think you can challenge the next beefcake who offends you at the bar.

Having said all this, there are some gyms in Los Angeles that DO offer the genuine article, so the best course of action is to speak to them as well as the person who runs the classes. If it's a 29-year old Jane Fonda look-a-like wearing leg warmers and a sweatband, you're probably not looking at the real thing, but rather a martial arts inspired workout. There's nothing wrong with that, but recognize it for what it is and don't expect to become the next Bruce Lee.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

Now that you have an idea of what a McDojo is and how true martial arts classes differ from martial arts inspired fitness classes, we can delve into how to recognize a McDojo in the second installment of this four-part article series.