What’s a McDojo, and How Do I Know If I’m Stuck in One?
You’ve probably heard the term “McDojo” thrown around in martial arts circles. It’s usually followed by eye rolls or a knowing chuckle. But what exactly is a McDojo? And how do you figure out if the gym you're training at is one of those dreaded "belt farms"? Spoiler alert: If you're paying for more colored belts than actual sweat, you might want to keep reading.
The Belt Factory: Quantity Over Quality
A McDojo, at its core, is a gym that churns out belts like they’re running a conveyor belt for colored sashes. A real martial arts school will have students earning belts through hard work, dedication, and actual skill development. But in a McDojo, the focus is on getting you that next shiny belt as quickly as possible—conveniently right after your next payment clears. You know you’re in a McDojo when belt tests are frequent, easy, and just another line item on your monthly bill. After all, why improve your technique when you can just buy your way to black?
The Fast-Track to Black Belt... and Mediocrity
Let’s be real: mastering a martial art takes years of blood, sweat, and a few tears. So, if you’re being promised a black belt in a suspiciously short amount of time, you should probably reconsider where you’re training. Some McDojos have it down to a science, offering a fast track to the coveted black belt in four years or less. Sound too good to be true? That’s because it is. You may earn a black belt in record time, but that belt might be worth about as much as a participation trophy at a kids’ soccer game.
Pay-to-Play: If It Feels Like a Sales Pitch, It Is
Ever feel like you're sitting through a timeshare presentation rather than a martial arts class? One classic McDojo hallmark is the hard sell. They’ll hook you with promises of endless knowledge, world-class instruction, and—wait for it—exclusive “advanced” programs (which, of course, come at an extra cost). A good gym is focused on making you a better martial artist. A McDojo? They're more focused on making you open your wallet. Constant upselling, mandatory seminars, or “special” gear that can only be bought through the gym? Yeah, you might want to rethink your membership.
The Instructor: A Master of Everything, Expert at Nothing
Instructors in a legitimate martial arts school are lifelong students themselves. They know that mastery is an ongoing journey. In some McDojo’s, however, the instructors can be self-proclaimed experts of every art under the sun. Jiu Jitsu? Check. Karate? Check. Kali, Taekwondo, Muay Thai? Check, check, check. The problem is, their knowledge is often surface-level at best. If your instructor is claiming to be an eighth-degree black belt in three different martial arts but can’t even show you how to properly tie your belt, you might be in a McDojo. CLICK HERE to see a great example of a JiuJitsu McDojo instructor.
Sparring? What Sparring?
Martial arts is about testing your skills, and one of the most effective ways to do that is through sparring. A lack of sparring is a big red flag that you’re in a McDojo. If your gym avoids live training or limits sparring to just the instructors (who, by the way, never seem to break a sweat), you’re missing out on a crucial part of your development. No sparring often means no real pressure-testing, and if you’ve never experienced the chaos of a real-life roll or fight, that shiny new belt won’t do you much good outside the gym.
The McDojo Exit Strategy
If you're nodding your head to any of the above, it might be time to reassess your training environment. A McDojo will take your money and give you belts, but it won’t give you skills. If your martial arts journey feels more like a trip to a fast-food joint—quick, cheap, and ultimately unfulfilling—find yourself a gym where you can actually grow. Like, I don’t know, Nexus American Jiu Jitsu? We might be biassed, but we’re not a belt farm—we’re a skill factory. CLICK HERE to learn more about McDojo’s.
At the end of the day, a legitimate martial arts school will prioritise your growth, not its bottom line. Choose wisely.