FAQ
What should I wear to class?
First-time students should wear comfortable work-out clothes, such as a T-shirt and gym shorts. Shoes are not worn during class.
What should I bring to class?
A positive attitude and yourself! We recommend a water bottle. We also have a drinking fountain and concessions.
Where can I watch the class?
Chairs are located along the back wall.
How do you keep all these names straight?
Color belts are called by their first name, whereas black belts are called by their formal name. For example, Carrie Wilson is a black belt, and unmarried, so she is called Miss Wilson. Her dad is Mr. Wilson, and her mom is Mrs. Wilson. However, her brother, Scott, is only a blue belt, so he is simply called Scott.
I'm an adult. Will I be surrounded by kids?
No, we have plenty of adults and adults-in-training. Gillespie's Martial Arts strives to teach young adults character traits and life lessons, so they can be a role model for future generations.
Age requirements?
We have students from four to forever. You're never too old to start martial arts.
Do you do competitions?
There are two main reasons people study martial arts: self defense and sport. Gillespie's Martial Arts believes in training you to protect yourself. Therefore, we do not focus on competitions. Nevertheless, Gillespie's Martial Arts occasionally hosts martial arts tournaments.
Will taekwondo make my child aggressive?
Absolutely not, we discuss and demonstrate positive character traits, and stress the importance of self-control.
What's the difference between Gillespie's Martial Arts and MTA Republic?
Just the name; everything else is exactly the same. We changed our name because marketing research proved "Gillespie's Martial Arts" was more marketable than "MTA Republic". Our researched also proved strawberry ice cream is much better than chocolate or vanilla.
What does "MTA" stand for?
MTA is an acronym for the Midwest Taekwondo Association, founded by Dwayne Doran. The Midwest Taekwondo Association is recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation. Therefore, any MTA student can compete in World Taekwondo Federation competitions, and all MTA ranks are recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation.
What are belts?
A belt represents a martial artist's personal rank. Each belt has a specific curriculum you must learn before you can test for your next belt. There are ten color belt ranks, and ten black belt ranks in the Midwest Taekwondo Association.
What are stripes?
There is a standardized system of stripes. Color belt stripes signify a martial artist has learned a new skill, such as a form, one-step, sparring set, and so forth. Black belt stripes signify the degree. For example, four stripes on a black belt signify the martial artist is a fourth degree black belt.
What are collars?
A collar signifies an instructor's rank. Green, blue, and red collars are certified assistant instructors, and black collars are master instructors.
When is testing?
Color belt testings occur once a month at Gillespie's Martial Arts. Generally, color belt testings occur on the last Saturday of the month. Black belt testings occur twice a year, and involve other MTA schools.
What are the tenets of taekwondo?
The tenets of taekwondo are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, and victory.
Is "taekwondo" one word?
Taekwondo can be written as one word "taekwondo", two words "taekwon-do", or three words "tae kwon do". However you spell it, your spell check won't like you. Taekwondo is often abbreviated "tkd" or "taek". Loosely translated, taekwondo means "the art of the hands and feet".
First-time students should wear comfortable work-out clothes, such as a T-shirt and gym shorts. Shoes are not worn during class.
What should I bring to class?
A positive attitude and yourself! We recommend a water bottle. We also have a drinking fountain and concessions.
Where can I watch the class?
Chairs are located along the back wall.
How do you keep all these names straight?
Color belts are called by their first name, whereas black belts are called by their formal name. For example, Carrie Wilson is a black belt, and unmarried, so she is called Miss Wilson. Her dad is Mr. Wilson, and her mom is Mrs. Wilson. However, her brother, Scott, is only a blue belt, so he is simply called Scott.
I'm an adult. Will I be surrounded by kids?
No, we have plenty of adults and adults-in-training. Gillespie's Martial Arts strives to teach young adults character traits and life lessons, so they can be a role model for future generations.
Age requirements?
We have students from four to forever. You're never too old to start martial arts.
Do you do competitions?
There are two main reasons people study martial arts: self defense and sport. Gillespie's Martial Arts believes in training you to protect yourself. Therefore, we do not focus on competitions. Nevertheless, Gillespie's Martial Arts occasionally hosts martial arts tournaments.
Will taekwondo make my child aggressive?
Absolutely not, we discuss and demonstrate positive character traits, and stress the importance of self-control.
What's the difference between Gillespie's Martial Arts and MTA Republic?
Just the name; everything else is exactly the same. We changed our name because marketing research proved "Gillespie's Martial Arts" was more marketable than "MTA Republic". Our researched also proved strawberry ice cream is much better than chocolate or vanilla.
What does "MTA" stand for?
MTA is an acronym for the Midwest Taekwondo Association, founded by Dwayne Doran. The Midwest Taekwondo Association is recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation. Therefore, any MTA student can compete in World Taekwondo Federation competitions, and all MTA ranks are recognized by the World Taekwondo Federation.
What are belts?
A belt represents a martial artist's personal rank. Each belt has a specific curriculum you must learn before you can test for your next belt. There are ten color belt ranks, and ten black belt ranks in the Midwest Taekwondo Association.
What are stripes?
There is a standardized system of stripes. Color belt stripes signify a martial artist has learned a new skill, such as a form, one-step, sparring set, and so forth. Black belt stripes signify the degree. For example, four stripes on a black belt signify the martial artist is a fourth degree black belt.
What are collars?
A collar signifies an instructor's rank. Green, blue, and red collars are certified assistant instructors, and black collars are master instructors.
When is testing?
Color belt testings occur once a month at Gillespie's Martial Arts. Generally, color belt testings occur on the last Saturday of the month. Black belt testings occur twice a year, and involve other MTA schools.
What are the tenets of taekwondo?
The tenets of taekwondo are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit, and victory.
Is "taekwondo" one word?
Taekwondo can be written as one word "taekwondo", two words "taekwon-do", or three words "tae kwon do". However you spell it, your spell check won't like you. Taekwondo is often abbreviated "tkd" or "taek". Loosely translated, taekwondo means "the art of the hands and feet".
Other questions?