Cross Training Martial Arts is an amazing school operated by individuals who care about the arts they teach and the students who truly want to learn those arts. This is not a black belt factory or a sporting facility. The arts taught promote physical fitness, mental acuity and, most of all, the ability to defend oneself in a life-threatening situation. The training is rigorous and well-structured. It is also fun and an amazing workout. In just under a year I have lost 30 pounds and increased my stamina, cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone and flexibility. I am not the only one who can point to results like this. I cannot speak highly enough about this school.
Cross Training teaches two Korean arts; Taekwondo and Hapkido. Both arts are approached in a traditional manner. This means that we show respect to our instructors, our fellow students and ourselves at all times. Our uniforms must be clean and we must be ready for class on time. Late students are not allowed to work-out. We are expected to study outside of the dojang. We line up in an orderly manner and stand at attention waiting for the instructions of our lead student or instructor. This discipline is one of the highlights of the school! It weeds out the riffraff and insures the students are dedicated to the art and not simply there to get promoted. Nothing is worse than trying to learn a technique with a student who isn't all there- especially when they have achieved a high rank! Fortunately, these types of students don't last long at CTMA.
The owners pay great attention to details in training. This same attention to detail is also evident in the school. Plenty of top-of-the-line equipment surrounds the dojang which is floored with Swain mats- the best in the business for comfort and safety. The facility is ALWAYS impeccably clean and free of odors which are common in many martial arts schools. The equipment in the pro shop is top notch and reasonably priced. All attendance is computerized as are student records. In short, every facet of this school is based on discipline, honor, respect and excellence- traditional martial arts values. If you want to learn the art, and not just score points at a tournament, this is a great school at which to do it.
In general, children are taught Taekwondo, and adults are taught Hapkido. I am amazed at how well the children do and how amazing Master Rindels is with them. He is fair and firm, supportive and nurturing. This does not mean he is always "nice"- especially when one of the young ones gets out of line, or fails to do their best. He is constantly driving home the value of hard work, honor, and excellence in everything we do. This is not a McDojo! If you want to drop your kids off for an hour of day care with no accountability after class is over, another school might be a better fit. If, on the other hand, you want your child to develop self-confidence, dedication, a sense of responsibility and excellent self defense skills, Cross Training is the perfect place. Earlier this year, a young girl completed her 1000th class! Many more children are hot on her trail. Most of the students, children and adults, stay a long time and several have gone on to earn their Black Belts with Master Rindels and Cross Training Martial Arts.
For adults, the Hapkido curriculum is extremely well suited for today's lifestyle. It is an effective art based on practical methods. Forms are not required. Instead the classes keenly focus on techniques and skills to make students more capable of defending themselves. The training is rigorous and immensely rewarding. The classes are comprised of a variety of men and women from varied backgrounds. They share a supportive environment and a dedicated purpose to learn the art. This environment would not be possible if not for the leadership and dedication of Mr. Rindels and Mrs. Rindels.
I am sorry if I sound like a commercial, and I am sorry that one of the reviewers did not find the school to be what they expected. Like soccer, or ballet or girls scouts, sometimes kids just don't last long in extracurricular activities until they find the one that suits them. However, I am more than satisfied with the school, can't wait to enroll my daughter (when she hits 7) and believe that any student, or parent of a student with a desire to learn two amazing Korean arts, should strongly consider Cross Training Martial Arts. read more