Mcdojo vs Authentic Dojo
Any traditional martial artist could easily distinguish the difference between a mcdojo vs authentic dojo . However if you are someone who may just be starting their journey, this is where you might get caught without the proper guidance. Could you imagine training for years only to find out you were actually training in a Mcdojo. You were getting no real training and spent a fortune all for a scam. There is a world of difference between an authentic martial arts school and its prevalent ‘forged’ form.
So, let’s examine the key differences between a McDojo vs authentic dojo and the most common red flags to watch out for.
WHAT IS A MCDOJO ?
The term McDojo is a term commonly used to describe a martial arts school that is basically a “black belt factory. In other words a Black Belt is guaranteed to every student regardless if they do not possess sufficient expertise skills. Plus the knowledge to be awarded this level of achievement .
One of problems I see is that martial arts takes a lifetime to master. There is no quick path and today’s generation seems to have less patience and want instant gratification . They want to learn, grow, and achieve everything faster than everyone else. Due to this, many fake martial arts instructors are taking advantage of this problem.
According to many martial arts practitioners around the world, the McDojos system disparages the core concept and soul of the real art. Further, acknowledging that it’s sole purpose is to make money. Instead of genuinely teaching self defence, proper techniques and the philosophical principles behind the practice.
Despite charging hefty fees, a mcdojo delivers watered down training and teaches instant and impractical techniques that lack implication abilities.
DANGERS OF A MCDOJO?
A McDojo functions by teaching impractical and sometimes made up martial arts techniques. These instructors let you believe that these techniques are easy to apply and can adapted to any given situation. Often in these dojos, the instructors are not even trained or have limited experience. Unfortunately, practitioners are fooled to believe they are learning martial art at an accelerated pace.
Instructors in these dojos claim to be the ‘ultimate masters’ of martial arts. McDojos are focused more on making money and grading new students. They are missing out on the true essence of what martial arts is all about.
10 RED FLAGS TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE AN MCDOJO VS AUTHENTIC DOJO
Now that you know what a McDojo is, let me tell you how to spot a McDojo. The signs of a dojo being a McDojo are pretty evident. But if you’re a newbie, you can easily get fooled by the intriguing uniforms and the fascinating belting systems.
1. HIGHER FEE, CONTRACTS AND PAYMENTS
‘Money is golden ’ is the best identification of a fake Dojo.
In a Traditional martial arts dojo, regardless if they teach karate, taekwondo, BJJ or even Judo. They all have one thing in common: the ultimate devotion and love for the craft. As a karateka myself, my instructors have always stated from the get go. Stating they are here for the art and don’t really care about the money.
The McDojo’s will charge a-lot of fees for example they might make you sign a contract (Never in my martial arts journey have I been asked to sign a contract). They might have courses as a fast track to a blackbelt, expensive uniforms or could expect you to pay for upgrades to equipment. Remember the true focus of these dojos is to run the business rather than to teach authentic martial arts or self-defence skills.
2. BLACKBELTS ARE EASY
If you see a lot of really young kids wearing black belts. That’s one of the most evident McDojo signs. I practice in Shindo karate (based off shotokan ) and the youngest you can get a junior blackbelt is 16. It takes 5 years and a lot of people (not only juniors but also adults) actually fail the blackbelt pre grade exam, as it is so challenging. Our black belt exam goes for approximately 8 hours over a 2 day period and you are pushed to the max.
Traditional martial arts takes hard work, dedication, and consistency in or order obtain a black belt. In martial arts we are taught that getting your black belt is only the beginning, it’s like getting your white belt all over again and now true training to mastery begins. Obtaining your black belt is considered one of the most honorable ranks in martial arts, which not everyone cannot achieve. Especially if you don’t put in an effort.
However Mcdojos claims it’s achievable in as little as 1-2 years. But, unfortunately these fake instructors have been proved, they can get beaten up by brown or even blue belts of authentic dojos. As they have been trained by a sensei with traditional martial arts training.
3. LINEAGE ( MCDOJO VS AUTHENTIC DOJO)
Martial Arts is not created to be a sport, but a way of life. It allows you to harmonize your mind, body, and soul. A good sensei not only teaches powerful skills of martial art to his practitioners. But also guides them with a philosophical approach to life.
In martial arts terminology, Lineage shows the succession of knowledge passed down from one master to another. Every respectable sensei in martial arts comes from a specific lineage or has a history of being taught by a master whose origin is verifiable.
If your Dojo provides unclear details about the teacher’s lineage or the sensei’s sensei, it’s an evident red sign that the dojo is a McDojo.
4. YOU DON’T SPAR
If you see your Dojo doesn’t practice sparring on a regular basis, then it’s time to become alert!
Sparring (kumite) is the form you learn in training where you adapt and put all your skills into action against each other. The purpose behind sparring is obtaining quicker reaction times and learning how to adapt against a variety of opponents and conditions
Mcdojos will avoid sparring as they want to keep their students in the comfort of their safety zone. And let’s face it sparring, being combat, has its risks but can easily distinguish between people who can actually fight and those who are pretending.
5. AVOIDING COMPETITION
One of most favourite things about true karateka, we love sparring and testing out our skills. It’s a known fact that McDojo’s are more likely to only focus on increasing their practitioners fitness, rather than teaching them self defence. McDojo’s likes to keep their students active, but the watered down techniques that are practiced are not effective in real life combat scenarios.
And that’s precisely why you’ll never find a McDojo encouraging their students to enter in competitions as they fear they will lose in real martial arts competitions.
6. MUSIC IN THE DOJO
I couldn’t think of anything worse than trying to execute a kata with music. But unfortunately this happens more often than not in a McDojo.
There is no historical record in any martial arts style that practices their training with music. Traditional martial arts from china or japan consider the mind soothing and spiritual. Which is why practicing martial arts in complete silence helps in developing your focus.
Also, the philosophical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of martial arts in McDojo’s are often overlooked. It was considered as the act that cleanses your mind and enriches your soul. But sadly, McDojo’s trends bypass the tradition of authentic martial arts.
7. FAKE BELT RANKS TO MAKE MONEY
The majority of martial arts systems use similar colours in the belt rank system. But if you ever come across multi coloured belts. Also all ranks have increasing bars that is how these dojos compel you to believe that you’re constantly and rapidly growing.
The most deceiving part about these belts is that they can be achieved by paying more money in a short period without much due diligence. And of course, in these McDojos, the higher the belt rank, the more the money you’ll pay, as the higher belt training is more expensive. Do a comparison between styles as they all vary, in order to see if you are getting ripped off.
8. NO CERTIFICATION
Have you ever asked your Sensei about their competition certificates, records, or seen their blackbelt certificates . If not, maybe it’s time to go and check.
Instructors in McDojo’s often brag about their high rank but have zero proof. Every real sensei of martial arts has numerous documents and images of either competitions or belt ranks certification.
If your instructor has had hands-on experience conquering real competitions themselves. They will love to share have experiences and pass on valuable insights. However, if your teacher fails to do so, maybe he’s not a true martial artist!
9. UNCLEAR VISION (MCDOJO VS AUTHENTIC DOJO)
Another identification of a fake dojo is the instructors vision or focus. A true martial art sensei not only tells his students ‘what to do’ but also ’why’ you apply it. Your sensei s job is to educate their practitioners, so you can never miss out on the meaning behind each move. Regardless if you are practicing Kata or Kumite.
Whereas in McDojo’s they appear to be more focused on the numbers of punches, kicks, katas and Kumite. Then the execution or technique, which is why there are more katas in McDojos than in a real one. In an authentic dojo, if your sensei tells you to practice roundhouse kicks , he will not only tell you how practicing this kick will help you or develop your skill. But also educating you on how to chamber your kicks, add power or use control.
10. ACCELERATED BELT PROMOTION
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, therefore you while some practitioners may learn quickly. Others may take longer to learn a new technique or kata and that’s okay. Since fighting combat is an art, there’s no specific time limit to learn and earn a belt.
Sadly, that’s not the case with McDojos. It doesn’t matter what your pace is or how bad your technical skills are, as long as you are paying for your brand-new belt, you’ll get it. On the contrary, a real sensei will never rush you onto the next level until you are ready for it. The worse thing you can do as a martial artist is get a false sense of security by moving to quickly through the ranks.
It’s all about continuous improvement as karateka, not a competition of who get their blackbelt first.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF TRAINING AT A MCDOJO VS AUTHENTIC DOJO
McDojos are not only expensive and deceptive but can have serious effects on your body and mental health. The main reasons are listed below:
NO SELF DEVELOPMENT OR MENTAL STRENGTH TRAINING
Martial arts is not just about fighting. It is more about teaching how to remain calm, composed, and confident in a fight.
In McDojos, rapid gradings can create huge egos in its practitioners. Because it eliminates the link of martial arts with psychology and philosophy, which is vital.
McDojos don’t focus on practices like controlled breathing or meditation in martial arts. This skills helps practitioners to develop a relaxed mental state and inner strength.
Martial artists like to develop healthy habits like a controlled diet, consistency, character building, resiliency and devotion to our art. Traditional martial artists are known to be more self-aware, confident, and skilled in their craft, whereas Mcdojo practitioners often freeze in real life combat scenarios. Remember martial arts is all about being able to use your mind as well as body in self defence. However, you will never see mental strength in a McDojos.
FAILURE IN SELF DEFENCE
Martial arts is the art of ‘self-defence’. But, McDojos who charge high fees and provide acceleration gradings towards a black belt has failed to teach its students on how to defend yourself.
This can be dangerous because a real martial artist takes pride in being a ‘black belt’. But still understands you’re not invincible and you can get injured in a real fight. Even a trained martial artist can be taken by surprise. You also need to learn how to adapt at any given moment and have a strong mindset to protect yourself.
Martial arts training is supposed to save one’s life, but a fake Dojo can put you in a situation where you could get critical injured or worse.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON MCDOJO VS AUTHENTIC DOJO
Martial arts is growing more and more popular all over the world, especially for women. Unfortunately, the growing number of Mcdojos popping up across the globe is somewhat disheartening. This is why it is essential for new practitioners to be able identify between real and fake martial arts.
Traditional martial arts may not be as easy and it takes time. But you know in your heart you are getting your money’s worth. Building a strong skillset, self defence, powerful mindset and vital principles you can take into your daily life.