Being a dad w/kids in sports, I'm at the bottom of the list when it comes to training budgets!
Ain't that the truth!!! I've got kids too. One at twelve and one that's fifteen. When it comes to sports, guitar lessons, even vacation plans for them... it's no problem. Dads definitely rate last! So I've already been campaigning for a couple of months to get "the Missus" to go along with my plans to fly out to Austin to train with Master Webb in July. It's a touchy subject. But it's a battle we husbands have to fight.
As far as going rates in Austin, I really don't know. There are several factors that come into play. Master Webb is a really top notch teacher of an art that is in high demand. Out here in Phoenix, to train at a good commercial gym under a top guy, especially in a high demand art like WC, BJJ, Muay Thai, etc. will cost you at least a hundred bucks a month. Sometimes a lot more. And the good schools aren't hurting for students. And with overhead and expenses what they are, the instructors are not getting rich. So that seems fair to me. So it boils down to this. If you really want it, you'll find a way.
I also train with an eskrima instructor who's rate averages out to only $10.00 a class, but that's with no facilities, outside in a public park. And, did I mention that it's a 60 mile round trip drive for me to get there. If you figure in the cost of gas lately, that's another $12 for each class, or $88 a month total
to attend just once a week. And I think it's a bargain! And my budget is really tight too. But then I've been doing MA since the 1970's. Like I said, it seems like most of those who were really hung up on the price of training dropped out pretty quick. Those of us who really want it find a way.
