About the Author: Is Having a Black Belt Worth Much Nowadays?
WELCOME TO MY MARTIAL ARTS BLOG! Keep up to date on all the latest news, tips and ideas from Arrowhead Martial Arts Studio by subscribing to my RSS feed or you can receive email updates right to your inbox. Thanks for visiting! -- Ryan Wheaton
It’s amazing to me how many black belts are now out there in this world and how many instructors seem to just give them out to their students anymore.
I’ve even seen ads in Black Belt magazine for “organizations” that will send you a black belt certificate without verifying your credentials if you send them a check. There are even video learning programs that send you DVD’s and certificate, saying they work on the “honor system.” Again, these instructors DO NOT substantiate anything before printing out a black belt certificate with your name on it and sending it to you. To which I reply…
Are you kidding me?!
There is no sum of money large enough for me to simply hand you a black belt. And it’s not just about the belt itself but, rather, the journey and sacrifice it represents. I for one will not compromise quality for quantity of black belts at my studio.
I would rather be known for having a couple remarkable students than to have produced 100 average black belts. I NEVER want to be know as the person who watered down the meaning of a black belt. I worked too hard, too many hours, invested too much, and sacrificed too much for that honor. As long as I have students, they too will have to work to earn that privilege, just as I did.
What does having a black belt mean to me? Everything.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree? Leave your opinion in the form of a comment below.
Ryan, this is why your students love to come to class. This is why they are all so focused while they are there, and why they love to go home with aching forearms and ribs, only to find them covered in bruises the next morning. This is why all your students speak so highly of your studio. Every single rank, even yellow, is a great achievement reflecting hours of work, pain, focus, and ultimately satisfaction. I haven’t been able to attend for nearly a year and a half now, and I still miss it. I can’t wait to come back and finish what I started!
Comment by Joel — 1/22/2008 @
I agree. I remember a message given by Mr. Mills which I’ll attempt to accurately paraphrase, “if you can’t work out with the style you want just do something. Don’t become stagnant. When I did not have the choice of returning to my original instructor/studio I began to contemplate other options. That contemplation lasted about 2.5 seconds. I knew I had to stick with AKKI due to the “belt factories” around. Needless to say, I make the 45 mile trek to AMAS and am proud to do so.
Comment by Rachael Robinson — 1/22/2008 @
There are no shortcuts to learning anything worth learning, and martial arts are well worth learning. I wouldn’t dream of trading my experiences along my journey as a martial arts student for any sum of money or any color of belt. When I earn my black belt, I want to be proud to wear it honorably–proud for me and proud for my instructors. Besides, the belt is a symbol of what you’ve been taught. I would rather be able to defend myself using what I’ve learned–even in the yellow belt techniques–than have any belt I didn’t earn and be ignorant of the lessons taught in the earning of that belt. And, as any 80s moviegoer knows, “in Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold pants up.” It’s what you know, not what you show that counts.
Comment by jessteronimo — 1/22/2008 @
My drill instructors in the Marines taught us something that relates here. You never just represent yourself. You also represent your family, community, state, and country with every breath. If we took shortcuts what good would that do us when the poo hits the fan. How will we represent ourselves and everyone else if we have a black belt and can’t use it. I agree with what Joel said. Every bruise is a badge of honor to me. The level of understanding given us by our instructors gives me more confidence in my use of the art. A black belt isn’t about a dollar amount. It’s about, the “blood, sweat, and tears”, you put into it otherwise it’s meaningless.
Comment by Joe — 1/23/2008 @
Joel, thank you for the note and glad to hear from you! I too look forward to the day we can get you and your cousin Rob back into class. I know life happens sometimes (which is what happened to the both of you) but I’m glad that you are dedicated and want to come back. We’ve got much to catch up on!
Comment by Ryan Wheaton — 1/23/2008 @
With the best schools where it takes work and struggle to advance, even earning a lower belt instills more pride than buying a black belt. That self-respect is priceless.
Comment by Ki — 1/23/2008 @
At the end of the day I think we all train for 1 main reason….to be the one in a confrontation that is still standing and is able to return safely home to our familys. A colored belt can not accomplish this for us, no matter how dark it is. Only training, sweating, bruising, bleeding, and ….sacrificing can acomplish this! I look at the belts I have earned with great pride, a sence of tremendous affection, and a feeling of accomplishment. Although I sometimes feel like I don’t fully deserve them, I do know I have worked hard for them. What good is any colored belt that doesnt accomplish these things. No thanks, its the long road for me Mr. Wheaton. There is no other way!
Comment by cory — 1/24/2008 @
My buddy is training to open his own studio. He started Martial Arts about the same time I did. He is a Black Belt in the Shaolin Arts and I am only Orange. When working with each other we are on the same level and even more when he sees my techniques he questions his martial arts. I inform him that the practitioner makes the art work and we learn from one of the best practitioners Ryan Wheaton. I am not trying to brown nose but I have done a lot of different martial arts including Jujitsu, and I have also done my share of studio hopping (that’s how I found Mr. Wheaton) and I assure anyone who has doubts about American Kenpo that this art is the real deal.
Comment by Robert — 1/31/2008 @