I was just wondering - and it’s probably been asked before - how far would you be prepared to travel, or how far do you already travel, to a MA class?
There is one about 20 miles from me which takes about 30 mins to get to, but after going a few times after work, it’s turning out to be a bit of a grind
There was a two year period in my life where I traveled 1 1/2 hours each way to train with one teacher, 30 minutes each way on opposite days to train with another, and 45 minutes each way on Sundays for a third. Eventually I moved so those commutes would be shortened.
Currently, the group I train with is 45 minutes away. I meet them twice a week, and the top student(s) come over to get extra training from me twice a week. He drives 1 and 20 to get there and 45 back.
Another group I study under is two hours away. I was commuting there once a week until my situation changed. I’ll get back to it when I can.
So I guess you either want it or you don’t.
I am a big beleiver in luck. The more I work, the more luck I have.
Monkeyslap is right - it all comes down to how much you want it. I travel 5 minutes twice a week, and sometimes when I can get away I travel 40 minutes to my sifu’s house to train.
If the training is good and you really want it, then get used to the travel
I travel approximately 2 hours to New Jersey 4 times a year. 2 times to Boston a year (Dr. Yang weekend seminars). The Boston trip costs me over 400 bucks each time! Gotta love that Chin Na with Dr. Yang!
I remember walking 5 minutes to my first Dojang! That lasted almost 3 years. That was the best. Still was late sometimes.
My next school was about a 20 minute drive. Not too bad. Went there almost 5 years. (MacDojo, but that’s another story.)
Eight years later, a wife and two kids prevent me from training away from home. But I do train several times a week at home, after everyone is sleeping. Wife much prefers that although she still wants me in BED. Occasionally she makes me miss my training (he, he). And it’s always worth it!
Thing I miss the most is the sparring! Definitely has hurt my ability to fight. But I do what I can and enjoy every minute!
I say train with whom you like. Been to a few local schools to try them out. Didn’t care for the instructors. Must be me.
My taijiquan school is about 15 minutes walk from my last (academic) class of the day. The Judo club meets on campus, right across the street from the art building (where all my classes are.)
And I like em both a lot!
I’d go a lot farther, but only if my car rose from the dead. F@# logistics, man, I tellya…
The distance to my kwoon is 8km and usually takes 15-30 minutes. Maximum distance for me could be something like 25km, because you have to notice that training is several times a week. I don’t like to travel with public transport too long distances.
I takes me 10 mins to one dojo, 15 mins to another and 5 mins to my Gym. Some people may have other opinions but I belive that the closer the Dojo the esier it is to train and the more likely you will keep training. Really who wants to drive 1.5 hours five times a week every week for the rest of your MA career?