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Post by robbo78 on Feb 19, 2012 22:15:14 GMT
Hi All, just a question has anyone built their own dojo? i.e converted a spare bedroom or garage if so how did you go about doing it, what planning did you do any special training equipment you installed, flooring ect....?? Any pics of before, during and after would be good to see! ;D
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Post by malk103 on Feb 20, 2012 15:06:32 GMT
After reading Fujicolts comments the other day it has inspired me to think about this idea as well....
Maybe to start out it might be easier to get an empty building/hut and look at refurbing it - basic heating, lights and a floor. It would be a bonus if it had changing room/toilets but not essential for 1 hour lessons.
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Post by kensei on Feb 21, 2012 14:37:15 GMT
Got one in the basement. Rubber mat floor, pics and a Kimaza a student/friend gave me, tones of gear...mirrors and just wating for a Makiwara to be put in.
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Post by malk103 on Feb 21, 2012 21:54:35 GMT
How strange things happen sometimes.....      Last night I had a phone call from a MMA chap informing me they were making a Dojo out of a local industrial unit with matted floor, punch bags etc. For a fixed fee we could use it for lessons - but would have to work out the times/days etc. Now the question is do we get involved and help them get a busy Dojo or not - the danger is that they become the MA place in town and attract anyone new - away from us. We are due for a bit of advertising soon to boost numbers. |
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Post by dek1 on Feb 23, 2012 12:11:31 GMT
Malk I think those who want MMA will go there anyhow and those who want practice a specific martial art will come to a club of their choice no matter where its located. Parents do not want their kids doing MMA as a rule (mainly due its appearance of extreme violence) but seem happy with the structure discipline of Karate, Judo, TKD and Boxing. I would consider it if it benifits your club with training.
As for advertising we have found that a good active FB and web page along with good local press picturse and articles of courses and contests are bringing new members every other week. Our retention of kids and adults is around 50% of those coming through the dojo door up considerably on two years ago when retention was around 5% and new students was less than 3 or 4 a year.
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Post by barryives on Feb 23, 2012 14:29:04 GMT
By an odd coincidence, after putting it off for months, I'm finally about to start converting my spare room. Its not massive, using about half the room and have a rough 3 x 3 m area.
The flooring will be going down at the weekend. Haven't found the right supplier yet, but I'll also be getting a large mirror installed on one wall.
Already have TV/DVD mounted on one wall (the girlfriend will also use the area for aerobics) which will also be use to play back performances from tripod/video.
Coming in the next few weeks will be a Wavemaster type kick back and a few pads, kick shields etc. I am also considering a floor to ceiling speed bag
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Post by superjock on Feb 24, 2012 8:46:06 GMT
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Post by malk103 on Feb 24, 2012 15:16:04 GMT
Good points Dek,
My Sensei thinks the same, there is a MMA Dojo in the next town and they have almost gone bust twice. I can't see how they can attract enough people for a town and needs to be in a city - but will also have lots of competition with local clubs if based in a city.
Keep an eye on them to see how they go.
Advertising is a pain, we have the website and will build up other profiles like FB, i've gone around and added us to various websites to increase awareness. I tried with local press but a few of them came back worried that we could be getting free advertising as the stories would be promoting our club - money grabbers! Even though it was....
Will keep trying!
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Post by robbo78 on Feb 24, 2012 22:57:06 GMT
We need a day by day commentary on how you Dojo is progressing Barry along with pictures of course!!
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Post by barryives on Feb 27, 2012 11:32:56 GMT
OK, here ya go. Fitted the floor at the weekend. Went down pretty easily, cuts simple with a wood saw. The room I layed them in is not 100% square so there were a small gaps to fill around the edges in places, but this was easily done by cutting slithers from the off cut mats   Final floor area has ended up at around 2.4m * 2.8m. Given that I'm now training in Kick boxing rather than Karate (long story) its enough room to site a free standing punchbag and do some pad work with a partner. Hoping to order the kick bag this week, next jobs will be getting a mirror on the right hand wall (wall to ceiling approx 6ft wide), changing the lighting (single bulb atm) putting up some detail of drills/patterns on the walls and maybe a wall mounted interval timer |
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Post by robbo78 on Feb 27, 2012 22:42:32 GMT
Now this is what i'm talking about keep us up to date with your progress and new pics every time you do something new, maybe fujicolt will open a new section titled build your own dojo where members are building or converting new dojos I think this is a very interesting subject just to see everyone's different views, ideas and designs.
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Post by barryives on Mar 1, 2012 15:14:50 GMT
Hoping to take delivery of the punchbag today, so hopefully I'll have that set up by the weekend, I'll get some more pics up of it in situ. I should be able to dig out my camera/tripod at some point so there may be moving images at some point! Maybe some punching/kicking drills or the like  I'm also looking to come up with some way of mounting the 'paddle' type pads to some kind of wall mounted adjustable frame, so if anyone has any bright ideas in that regard I'd be grateful |
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Post by andyupton on Mar 1, 2012 23:55:00 GMT
That's a big mirror, Barry - how much did that set you back ?
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