If you’re thinking about starting your own dojo or running your own martial arts classes, the first thing you need to look for is a space in which to run them. There are a number of different options, all with their own pros and cons. I’ve run classes in 6 different locations over my tenure, so I can help you understand your options.

1. Basement/Garage

Pro:

• Low overhead.
• Very convenient.
• Complete control over use of the space.

Con:

• Space is limited.
• You have to purchase your own mats and equipment.
• You have to bring relative strangers into your home.
• Encroaches your own living space.

2. Community Centre/University

Pro:

• Free publicity for your class through their network.
• Little to no start-up costs if mats are not required or already provided.

Con:

• Some pay you by the hour, limiting your profit potential.
• Highly competitive. Can be difficult to get in.
• Lack of control over your space. May not be able to come early or stay late if desired.

3. Martial Arts, Yoga or other Studio Rental

Pro:

• More control over use of the space.
• May not have to buy mats or equipment if already available (martial arts studio).
• More potential for growth.

Con:

• Lack of control over your space. May not be able to come early or stay late if desired.
• If the business goes under, you’re stuck without a place to train.
• May have to set up your mats and put them away before and after each class.

4. Industrial Space

Pro:

• Complete control over use of the space.
• Tends to have more space.
• Lots of room for growth.

Con:

• Higher overhead costs.
• Higher risks for financial loss.
• You have to purchase your own mats and equipment.
• Little to no walk-in traffic. Can be hard to find location.
• May have to deal with noise from neighbours.

4. Retail Space

Pro:

• Complete control over use of the space.
• More room for growth (depending on space).
• More exposure and walk-in traffic.

Con:

• Highest overhead costs.
• Higher risks for financial loss.
• You have to purchase your own mats and equipment.
• Less privacy. People may walk in during classes or stare from windows.

When I started running my own classes outside my original dojo, the first place I taught was in a community centre in Japan. It was highly convenient and very appropriate for the transitory nature of my life there. We sometimes had to share the space with other people, but it was such a huge space that it didn’t really matter.

After I moved to Vancouver, I was fortunate enough to hook up with a Judo dojo that was being run out of an industrial space. The owner was very helpful in getting me started. Unfortunately, he left the country and the dojo closed down leaving me without a space. I did, however, get the mats which came in handy.

For about a month, I taught out of a garage in one of my students’ home. We had 8 mats. It was only enough space for 2 pairs to train, and even then it felt pretty confined. It was tight, but at least we kept it going.

After that, we settled into a yoga/pilates studio. It was very affordable, but limited in space. Plus, we had to set up and tear down the mats after each class.

About 8 months later, I moved into an MMA/boxing gym where I rented the space. We didn’t need our mats (they already had some) so we just stored them under the boxing ring. The lack of privacy was sometimes frustrating though because people sometimes walked through our mat space as they finished class in the other room. They also didn’t always take off their shoes (The horror, the horror…).

While at that gym however, I managed to meet Louis Sargeant, with whom I got along swimmingly. We eventually got together on a lease for an industrial space that had two separate areas on two separate floors for training. I took the upstairs office (room enough for 28 mats) and he took the warehouse. This is my best space yet and we’re still doing quite well. Here’s a pic of my dojo below.

One day, I would like to somehow, some way, buy land and build my own Japanese-style dojo. My vision is to plan a building specifically around my needs, big enough to have a 64-mat training area, men’s and women’s changerooms with showers, a small office for myself, a lounge/viewing area from which the training space can be seen, and a beautiful Zen garden that can be seen from the training area. It’s a beautiful dream that I will realize if the right circumstances allow me to make it happen.

I’d love to hear what kinds of spaces you all train in and their unique advantages and disadvantages.

Tags: dojo space