Martial arts schools — from karate dojos to Brazilian jiu-jitsu gyms — often use aggressive membership contracts that lock students into long commitments with steep cancellation penalties. Combine that with broad liability waivers covering injuries during training, and you have agreements that deserve careful scrutiny before signing. Many of these contracts are administered by third-party billing companies, which means cancelling can involve dealing with a company you've never heard of rather than the school you attend. This guide explains what to look for.
What is a Membership and Liability?
A martial arts school contract is a membership agreement between a student (or a parent/guardian for minors) and a martial arts training facility. It typically covers membership fees, contract duration, belt testing fees, equipment purchases, cancellation terms, and liability waivers. Many schools use third-party billing companies (like ABC Financial or Member Solutions) to manage payments, which adds complexity to the cancellation process.
Red flags to watch for
Long lock-in periods are common in martial arts schools but expose you to significant financial risk if you're injured, relocate, or simply lose interest.
Some contracts include mandatory belt testing at $50-$150 per test, automatically charged to your payment method, whether you want to test or not.
If your contract is with a billing company rather than the school, cancellation disputes are handled by a company with no relationship to your training experience.
While assumption of risk is reasonable for contact sports, a waiver that releases instructors from liability for their own negligent instruction or supervision goes too far.
Injuries are common in martial arts training. A contract that doesn't allow early termination for documented medical reasons traps injured students in paying for classes they can't attend.
Some contracts require you to buy uniforms, sparring gear, and weapons exclusively from the school at prices significantly above market rate.
Your legal rights
Martial arts memberships are governed by state health club and fitness centre laws in many states. California's Health Studio Services Contract Act (Civil Code §1812.80-1812.98) limits contract terms to a maximum of three years, requires cancellation rights within five business days, and mandates that contracts exceeding one month include medical cancellation provisions. New York's General Business Law §625-632 provides similar protections for health club memberships. Many states also regulate automatic renewal practices. The FTC Act §5 prohibits unfair or deceptive trade practices, and state attorneys general have pursued martial arts schools for aggressive billing practices. Liability waivers are subject to state-specific enforceability rules — many states won't enforce waivers for gross negligence.
Questions to ask before you sign
- 1What is the contract term, and is there an early termination option?
- 2Who is the contract actually with — the school or a billing company?
- 3Are belt testing fees mandatory, and how much are they?
- 4What happens if I'm injured and can't train — can I freeze or cancel my membership?
- 5Am I required to buy equipment exclusively from the school?
- 6What is the cancellation process, and who do I contact to cancel?
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contract law varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified legal professional before making decisions based on this information.