New and in need of help

[jastastic]

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to Kendo and i'm thinking about starting lessons in the fall. I just have a couple of questions.
I'm currently a sophomore in college, which means limited time and money. I'm guessing that I can attend a class weekly or once every two weeks. Would this be adequate time to devote to praticing? I live in NYC and the dojos that i have been researching have been carrying $100-120/month prices. Is this a normal amount or should i just chalk it up to NYC prices? What are typical prices that I can expect to encounter with beginner equipment and such? And does anyone know any good dojos in NYC that they recommend?

Also, I'm 18 years old and i'm moderately fit. I was just wondering what strengths Kendo tests. And also, is starting at 18 late? Would starting this late hinder my advancement?

Wow, that's a lot of questions. Thanks.

[joekc6nlx]

18 is hardly too late to start kendo. I started it at 51.

Ken Zen seems to be a very good dojo. I have had the honor of meeting their sensei. I don't know if any of the colleges offer kendo as part of the curriculum, and I would ask whichever dojo you're most interested in joining if their prices are lower for students (ours are $15 less per month).

[Andou]

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to Kendo and i'm thinking about starting lessons in the fall. I just have a couple of questions.
I'm currently a sophomore in college, which means limited time and money. I'm guessing that I can attend a class weekly or once every two weeks. Would this be adequate time to devote to praticing? I live in NYC and the dojos that i have been researching have been carrying $100-120/month prices. Is this a normal amount or should i just chalk it up to NYC prices? What are typical prices that I can expect to encounter with beginner equipment and such? And does anyone know any good dojos in NYC that they recommend?

Also, I'm 18 years old and i'm moderately fit. I was just wondering what strengths Kendo tests. And also, is starting at 18 late? Would starting this late hinder my advancement?

Wow, that's a lot of questions. Thanks.

You have a lot of questions, indeed...But it's good you're asking and not getting suckered into some know-nothing charging ourtageous prices. Anyway, as for the question that really caught my eye, kendo tests many many things, my friend. Not only can it be physically taxing, but once you really get into it, there are various tests of character. How much will you put forth? How will you react when a kohai makes a mistake? What kind of teacher and example setter will you become? It's a lot more than just going to a dojo, as you will find out.

Being moderately fit, I think you should be okay. I mean...I'm probably the most out of shape 17 year-old you'll ever meet..it's...so sad...But, yeah, once you visit, you'll get a taste of what's in store for ya. Good luck.

[Anime12478]

One thing that you could consider is going to a college campus. Since rent is pretty much nil, you only have to pay a small fee for club bogu, potential trips, and damage (if it occurs). For example, I only pay $30/semester. Since all of us are in college, we understand that college students don't have the huge amounts of money to spend on Kendo, especially since it's so expensive.

I also started at 18. It's probably one of the best times to start apart from being 6 years old (lucky children). Most are in their prime so you already have the strength requirements. You will feel like you are very unhealthy, but things get better as you practice more.

Woohoo!!! 500 posts!

[Mr. Donigan]

I started when I was 18, my sensei started when he was in his 30's and it certainly didn't slow him down. Kendo is great in many respects. One that seems to be adding to it's popularity is that anyone can find an advantage. If you're strong, tall, quick, short, energy to burn, calm and calculating... you will find a way to make it your advantage. I'm 6'1 and one of the stronger guys in our dojo. A fellow student who started the same time I did (11 years ago or so) is 5'5 on a good day, and not nearly as strong. However, he and I no each other's styles now so well that we are often an even draw. I can push him arround all day long... and he'll let me tire myself out doing it. As you see, kendo is adaptale and you'll get out of it what you put into it.

I'm not sure how much dojo's should cost though. We get one heck of a deal at my school. $25 every three months. That's not the norm. Good luck, and have fun. It is a very rewarding art/sport.

[Optomitrist]

yeah research univeristy dojos. ours is free. Also like other dojos you will be able to at least try it before sinking a bunch of money into it.

[jastastic]

I go to an art school so it doesn't provide a wide range of activities. Bummer.

I'll definately check out Ken Zen.

Thanks everyone for your help! I hope to start my practing soon!

[Andou]

I go to an art school so it doesn't provide a wide range of activities. Bummer.

I'll definately check out Ken Zen.

Thanks everyone for your help! I hope to start my practing soon!

An art school? That's pretty cool, man. Maybe you can contribute to our "Kendo Art" thread if you ever get the chance to do something on your own.

[Shiro7]

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to Kendo and i'm thinking about starting lessons in the fall. I just have a couple of questions.
I'm currently a sophomore in college, which means limited time and money. I'm guessing that I can attend a class weekly or once every two weeks. Would this be adequate time to devote to praticing? I live in NYC and the dojos that i have been researching have been carrying $100-120/month prices. Is this a normal amount or should i just chalk it up to NYC prices? What are typical prices that I can expect to encounter with beginner equipment and such? And does anyone know any good dojos in NYC that they recommend?

Also, I'm 18 years old and i'm moderately fit. I was just wondering what strengths Kendo tests. And also, is starting at 18 late? Would starting this late hinder my advancement?

Wow, that's a lot of questions. Thanks.

Congrats for taking kendo, Im starting in the fall too. I suggest taking kendo twice a week, so you can get used to it more.. And it would be less painful and you'd know more as being a beginner. The dojo im going to is i think 20 a month i think..but not sure... i forgot how much was membership.. For beginner equipment theres alot of investing to do..well not much but for me i think its alot. You need a shinai(practice bamboo sword), thats very important!! You cant practice without one. That should be 10-50 bucks.. 10 if your lucky to find one online, but thatd have to cost for shipping so itd be 30 i think.. or less i dunno. A uniform costs to 30-120 dollars, for beginner, more if your more an expert and different quality and weight. But go for the set kinds, and lightweight. White is more expensive i heard, so go with navy if you want. umm i think thats all so far...

After six months or so you should be able to get your bogu, that would cost up to 200-500 or more. And also your bokken (wooden sword) i think that should be 40-60 dollars. Woo ok well i think thats all, extra accesories would cost either 10-20 bucks (towels, weights, protectors..) so yeah.. If your lucky you can find some sales. But yeah goodluck on your kendo lessons. Oh almost forgot, when your beginning you dont need to buy the uniform right away. Sorry if i already repeated what others said though, im too lazy to read.. >_>

oh and 18 isnt that old, i think thats good age, im a bit younger than you, and i thought i might be starting early..wow alot of tall people in my dojo :(..

[Mugu]

I'm 24 years old 5'4 girl, awfully weak, have asthma plus TB (just found out). I started 3 months ago and still doing it. So if I can do it, you'll be fine.

I dunno, if I see a dojo that charge $50+ a month I look the other way. All the dojos I've heard of charge little to nothing because all the sensei don't take salary. They do it for their own interests.

About how many times to practice a week... I only get to practice once a week until I get my bogu. In the mean time, just do 100-200 suburi a day then you can slowly catch up. If you get to practice more than once a week, twice a week is good coz your body might hurt after practicing at the begining, you might want to let your body rests a bit before practicing more. Just remember Kendo is not karate, it's much intense than you think it is. I dunno about you guys, my dojo doesn't allow breaks during practice. You drink water at the beginning or you don't get to drink at all. No resting until you're almost passed out. And my sensei is scary and evil, but he's an awesome sensei. Oh talking about this, DRINK A LOT OF WATER BEFORE PRACTICING!!! You'll sweat like a dog just got out from a pond..

I also recommend buying stuff online seems to be cheaper, especially check out e-kendo.com, and kendoshop.com (use IE for this, and they're having a 25% sale on everything until 8/25). A set of uniform cost only 27 bucks right now on kendoshop, $11 gets you a nice beginner shinai, and 8 bucks get you a nice black bokken. So there you go... have fun and welcome to KW :)

[Neil Gendzwill]

I dunno, if I see a dojo that charge $50+ a month I look the other way.
Costs of rent, etc in NYC are somewhat different than costs in Minneapolis.

[ShinKenshi]

They might be charging $50+ for AUSKF and regional KF fees. I've had to do that so I can at least have the option of testing in the fall. For me at least it's just a once a year thing so considering how much I do kendo, it's really not that big of a deal. I'm in college too but I'm lucky in the respect that we have a kendo club on campus. At any rate, ask the dojo where the money they'll be charging goes and see if it's for AUSKF and/or regional KF dues. Bear in mind that my group is not officially affiliated to the AUSKF or the MWKF so members are not expected to pay KF dues. I'm going through another dojo nearby. Don't worry about starting now, I started halfway through my freshman year so you'll be fine. Wow, talk about your rambling posts. Bottom line: check where your money will be going and if it's not for something legit, look somewhere else. You'll be fine starting now, a lot of us start around this age.

[Mugu]

Costs of rent, etc in NYC are somewhat different than costs in Minneapolis.

I forgot that, oopsie :p One more reason I will never live in NYC :D

[jastastic]

Yeah I just talked to the head sensei at Ken Zen and He told me that he could give me a student discount. Awesome. He told me that the reason the price is so high is because the place is smack dab in the middle of Manhattan. Figures. But it seemed like a great place...very reputable and nice. Just gotta scrounge up some money and i'll be starting my practicing in a couple of weeks!! :D

Yeah that rent in NYC is outta control. The rent for my mouse-infested 2 bedroom apartment in Brooklyn is almost the same as my mother's 3 bedroom ginormious condo of beautiful glory in Philly. Damn you city! You're making my mother cry!!