Is Change Necessary?
Necessity is often the mother of invention and in a post-COVID 19 world, it will be interesting to see how the martial arts community adapts. We have already seen the rise of online training surge as schools cling desperately to retain students. But will this be the only change that is to come? Many, myself included, are eager to return to our training halls so we may enjoy the camaraderie of fellow students. However, there is still a large sense of fear and unknown that I know frightens many school owners. Therefore, the question is how we will adapt and overcome our fears while perhaps finding ways to offer a different and, dare I say, better experience to students.
DIY Schools
As I mentioned, online training has taken off like a rocket. As many school owners scramble to catch up with an industry. Online training is not something new in the martial arts world. Where once it was treated with a mild form of disdain, now it is regarded as a necessity. Many YouTube channels and online personalities have answered the call. Doing their best to create content to assist not only students but school owners as well. Along with the numerous home gym workout training videos being uploaded, YouTube personalities are creating videos to help their fellow school owners navigate the pitfalls of online training. Pioneers such as the Karate Nerd Jesse Enkamp, Icy Mike of Hard2Hurt, and Ryan Hoover from Fit to Fight Republic along with many more have gone above and beyond to help others during this time.
In addition to online training videos, podcasts are also on the rise, as instructors have taken this opportunity to network so that we can all collectively share in this struggle. I know at least in my personal social media feeds I am constantly seeing different YouTube personalities or even just local friends team up to have positive discussions. Even the Zoom meeting platform is being widely utilized so that large groups can have collective discussions. Given the vastness of the martial arts community and the commonality that binds us all, it is no surprise to see the level of camaraderie in our community.
A Soft Reopen
Here in the U.S. as many states start to move into phase one of reopening, we must ask will this merely be a flash in the pan, and we all go back to normal? With all the fear and uncertainty, it is hard to believe that it will simply be that easy. Personally, I am curious as to how schools will combat this fear. As we all know that most gyms and dojos are cleaner than many restaurant kitchens. And while it may make equally less sense when you go to your local supermarket and see it packed, why suddenly the thought of a gym being open is so scary. Fear, however, is not rational, and it is our job as instructors to find different ways to be adaptable.
Just as we have seen the rise in online training, it will be interesting if not logical to see a rise in more “garage” or “backyard” type schools emerge. Perhaps as it has with online training, the stigma of a “garage” school will fall off as well. Some of us who have trained for many years saw that sometimes the best schools are the hole in the wall places. In fact, a general rule of mine has been if a school is hard to find it is probably awesome.
To the public at large though this can be a tough sell, again necessity and invention. So how many large academies may choose to downsize in favor of smaller spaces and a more focused clientele? Perhaps we will see a reset of the clock in a manner of speaking as instructors only take on small groups of students. Thus are able to provide a richer experience.
A New Martial Arts School
On the other end of the spectrum, it will be interesting to see a possible rise in multiple discipline academies. This is something that is not unheard of. Especially in the MMA community, as many coaches will often teach under one roof providing different services. But in the traditional martial arts community, this is not as widely seen. So it will be compelling if similarly to the upsurge in podcasts if school owners decide to pool their resources. Certainly, it makes good business sense but as it is often said, martial artists make terrible businessmen.
We may even see a rise in at home private instruction being offered. This is a fairly common business practice in the fitness world. But not something, to my knowledge, has taken root in the martial arts industry. I know for myself this is an avenue that I have embraced. But that is truly the beauty of this time that anything is possible.
Post-COVID 19 Conclusion
What does a post-COVID 19 world look like? Well, that is certainly unknown at this point. And while many will be following the classic marketing rule of never let a tragedy go to waste. It is our responsibility to provide a positive outcome for our students and communities. Change can be a frightening experience. While some stand ridged in the face of it, others will find new creative solutions to the problems at hand. Embrace the possibilities that this time has presented and let us make sure we come back stronger because of it.
What do you think of this whole scenario? Can things go back to normal post-COVID 19 or will things have to change? Tell me what you think in the comment section. Check out some other articles on Martial Journal including discussions, reviews, and Interviews.
- Time to Learn: Why Is This Taking So Long? - February 15, 2021
- Post-COVID 19: Backyard Schools and Online Training - May 22, 2020
- Barriers to Evolution: Karate’s Struggle to become a Sport - May 11, 2020
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