Does this Taekwondo Gym sound like a Ripoff (Macdojan)? *POLL*

I have been taking ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) styled taekwondo for over 2 years and am very pleased with the results.

I have also signed up for WTF (World Taekwondo Federation)taekwondo as my school requires all year 10/sophomore students to partake and continue a new sport for a period of one year. The place where I take my lessons in are very different to what I am used to and after reading several "99% of all taekwondo places are mcdojans"websitesI am beginning to worry if I am beingcheated.

I have been going there for ten months now and am getting my green belt tomorrow (that is three belts away from a white belt and six belts away from a black belt). The test costs $30, each lesson is $5 for 90 minutes and the new belt costs $4.5.I also have to buy equpiment after reaching green belt (as sparring becomes a neccessary component) and it costs $100 forbody armour (hogu), paddle, helmet, arm and leg proctectors and a groin protector.Joining the Hong Kong Taekwondo Association also becomes complusory and joining costs me $12 but its a one time payment. The classes need to be paid for every 3 months. The worst thing I fear for is that this WTF gym is a franchise- with more than 15 gyms throughout Hong Kong.

There is 4 teachers in my class and 17 students. The youngest teacher is 23 and holds a 1st dan. The eldest is in his late thirties and is 5th dan. We do flexing in class, kicking, poomsae (fighting patterns) and some sparring. We are also taught to defend ourselves against rapists and lightly armed attacks (knives but no guns).

According to your instincts, do you think I am attending a Macdojan andnot getting what I am paying for? I dofeel that I am noticeably fitter butdon't know iflearning this stuff will help me in an actual help....

Thanks :D

I went to West Coast Tae Kwon Do for a few years. Stopped at my black candidate belt because I moved to the other side of the world. Also our place was a little rouge and started off their own business. We payed $30 a month for the lessons, $20 for each test (Which included belt costs), $150 for a full set of padded armor stuff, and $50 for a uniform. Regardless of where you go to you will still be learning martial arts.Iantheone

I went to West Coast Tae Kwon Do for a few years. Stopped at my black candidate belt because I moved to the other side of the world. Also our place was a little rouge and started off their own business. We payed $30 a month for the lessons, $20 for each test (Which included belt costs), $150 for a full set of padded armor stuff, and $50 for a uniform. Regardless of where you go to you will still be learning martial arts.Iantheone

[QUOTE="Iantheone"]I went to West Coast Tae Kwon Do for a few years. Stopped at my black candidate belt because I moved to the other side of the world. Also our place was a little rouge and started off their own business. We payed $30 a month for the lessons, $20 for each test (Which included belt costs), $150 for a full set of padded armor stuff, and $50 for a uniform. Regardless of where you go to you will still be learning martial arts.AceTheBat-Hound

[QUOTE="Iantheone"]I went to West Coast Tae Kwon Do for a few years. Stopped at my black candidate belt because I moved to the other side of the world. Also our place was a little rouge and started off their own business. We payed $30 a month for the lessons, $20 for each test (Which included belt costs), $150 for a full set of padded armor stuff, and $50 for a uniform. Regardless of where you go to you will still be learning martial arts.bobbleheadrogue

[QUOTE="bobbleheadrogue"][QUOTE="Iantheone"]I went to West Coast Tae Kwon Do for a few years. Stopped at my black candidate belt because I moved to the other side of the world. Also our place was a little rouge and started off their own business. We payed $30 a month for the lessons, $20 for each test (Which included belt costs), $150 for a full set of padded armor stuff, and $50 for a uniform. Regardless of where you go to you will still be learning martial arts.UnamedThing

You should try and fine a Ninjustu dojo :P. The prices you are paying are quite high it seems too.