At Union Martial Arts, we believe in celebrating progress and milestones without hidden costs. That’s why our approach to MMA belts and testing focuses on skill development and personal growth, not fees or financial barriers.
Setting Goals and Marking Progress
Belt and stripe systems are a valuable part of martial arts traditions worldwide, providing a way to mark progress and celebrate student milestones. For kids and adults alike, earning a new rank is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of training.
While martial arts belts and stripes are useful tools for setting goals, what truly matters is effectiveness, not the belt.
The real question is always:
“Can I defend myself?”
“Can our children effectively defend themselves, whether standing or on the ground?”
It’s our hope that every martial arts student, regardless of style, trains long enough and hard enough to reach a point where belts no longer matter to them at all. Like so much in life, it’s about enjoying the training and learning process itself, rather than focusing solely on the goal or destination.
With that in mind, let’s address the topic of testing fees.
“The testing fees at our last school were getting out of hand.”
Parent Feedback on Testing Fees
We hear it often from parents: “The testing fees at our last school were getting out of hand.” We’ve been told about separate fees for testing, the belt, the certificate that comes with the promotion, and more. While fee-based testing is common in the industry and may serve a purpose for some schools, we take a different approach. We’ve seen that our members enjoy a flat rate approach with no surprise fees.
Why We Don’t Charge for Belt Testing
At Union, there will never be a financial incentive for a coach to give a belt. After all, students and their families have already hired us to train them, so we are committed to ensuring our practice design and training methods help students develop a high level of skill and effectiveness.
Our MMA Belts are earned by demonstrating improvement throughout your training journey, and most of this progress is shown in regular class sessions. In fact, we don’t even wear belts during class at Union. Our focus is on skill development and practical application, rather than on displaying rank. The emphasis is always on how well you can perform, not on what belt you’re wearing.
We view testing not as a typical exam, but as a private lesson with your coach, scheduled at regular intervals. During these sessions, our goal is to work with each student one-on-one, reviewing techniques, using video analysis, answering questions, and making necessary adjustments to help them improve. It’s an opportunity for focused learning rather than a transaction.
Our Martial Arts Belting Process: Stripes and Testing
At Union, belt testing occurs once a student has earned four stripes on their belt. Stripes are markers of progress, awarded through consistent attendance and effort in class. The stripe system helps us track progress and ensures that every student has ample time to practice and refine their skills before setting personalized goals and moving up in rank. By the time you’re ready for testing, you’ve already demonstrated your abilities repeatedly in class, making the process more about refining skills and setting new objectives rather than simply passing an exam.
Experience Union Martial Arts
Come join us and see why!
Celebrating Achievements Together at Union
At Union Martial Arts, we want every student to look back on their journey and feel a deep sense of pride, knowing that their rank was earned through hard work, effort, and consistency. Our mixed martial arts belts are awarded in front of the class, with applause and recognition from the entire team. It’s a shared moment of celebration and a reminder that the journey continues.
We believe that martial arts is about more than just collecting belts. Collect experiences, build confidence, and develop the skills that can help you defend yourself in any situation.
