The Best Martial Arts Software | Top 10 Knockout Features

July 12, 2024
6:11 pm

The Best Martial Arts Software | Top 10 Knockout Features

Are you in search of the best martial arts software for your fitness business? Tired of grappling with spreadsheets and chasing down members for unpaid membership dues? Whether you’re running a karate school, a martial arts studio, or a boxing gym, you need some type of martial arts system to effectively run your dojo. Do you need a member app or belt ranking system? An easy way to bill your members and track attendance? How about a check-in system or class management solution? The list goes on!

Exhausted by all the options? Don’t stress out! Every fitness business has different needs. Martial arts management software is an all-in-one platform that automates and simplifies the administrative tasks involved in managing a dojo. As a result, this allows gym owners and staff to focus their time and energy on their members.

When searching for martial arts software platforms on the internet, there’s too many to count. It can be stressful choosing the right one for your dojo. We can help you know what to look for when choosing the top martial arts software!

3 Rules for choosing the Best Martial Arts System

Rule #1: Don't get knocked out by hidden software fees!

Above all, the top dojo software shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Don’t get bullied into thinking you need to bleed out thousands of dollars in yearly software fees! Simple is better… especially if you’re just starting a fitness business. Some of the fancy features can wait. Plus, you need an easy-to-use system that is user-friendly for you and your staff members.

How much does martial arts software cost? Costs can range from $25 to over $300 per month! So be careful. Go with a martial arts management system that is within your budget. The martial arts software you choose should provide you with the essential tools you need to grow your business… not take you out of business!

Rule #2: Test the software to make sure it is competition ready!

How do you know if it’s the best software for your martial arts school? Be sure to try out a free trial or schedule a software demo! You wouldn’t sign up for a martial arts competition without any proper training. It wouldn’t end well for you! Don’t do the same with your dojo software. Get the proper software training before making a committment. This way you can see it in action and make sure the software fits your specific needs. Can the software knockout your daily operational tasks such as automatic billing, attendance tracking, class scheduling? Also, be careful because martial arts software platforms may have glitches or bugs. The best martial arts system will have a 99%+ up time!

Rule #3: Does the software have the flexibility to go a full 9 rounds?

Make sure that the software is pound for pound strong enough to go the distance! The last thing you want is a software platform that can’t support your business in the long haul! Check to make sure the software has all the essential features that you need! The best part of dojo software should make managing your business easier. For instance, does it provide an adequate support team to answer questions? Due to emerging technologies, AI chatbots are becoming more common. With that being said, AI chatbots have limited functions and can often lead to customer frustration. Does the software allow you to scale your business? Does it fit your specific needs? Build a checklist of essential items that you need to help narrow down your options.

The Top 10 Knockout Features that Every Martial Arts Software Needs

Now that the ground rules have been set, let’s jump into the essential top features that every martial arts software system should have! The best martial arts software will have these 10 key features:

1. Member Management System

Keeping track of all your members can be overwhelming for even experienced gym owners. Don’t let your member management become a nightmare! The best martial arts software will have an easy-to-use member management portal or app for setting up and managing your members’ profile information. This way you can view and manage a member’s billing information, gym memberships, waivers, attendance, and any other personal preferences all in one spot.

2. Liability Waivers and Agreements

A dojo can be a risky place for both new students and seasoned athletes. Therefore, every software system should be able to create and collect legal documentation such as waivers or member agreements. As a result, you can easily store this information in case of an injury or dispute with one of your members. Eliminate the need for digging through old files or piles of paperwork with digital waivers. With digital waivers, members can easily sign them at your gym or at home using any device with an internet connection.

3. Class Management and Booking System

Especially in the fitness world, organization and time management is key! If you offer fitness classes or private training sessions, you need a management and booking system. This will allow you to set attendance slots, limit class or appointments by membership type, and prevent over-booking any classes or appointments. Likewise, the software should allow you and your staff to create your own availability each week from a shared calendar. You want as many members as possible to book classes or appointments at your dojo. The simpler the booking schedule is, the more people will want to get involved!

4. Automatic Billing and Payment System

You can’t run your business without a payment management system. Therefore, the best martial arts billing software will have the flexibility to accept any type of credit card or ACH payment! Some of the top martial arts software companies have multiple options for setting up membership types and billing schedules. Most dojos need a payment system that accepts recurring membership payments. Check on the payment rates from the payment processor because if you’re not careful, you may be charged 3-4% per transaction!

5. Product Management | POS System

If you’re not selling products at your dojo, you’re missing out on potential revenue! The best martial arts software systems will have a pos system for selling merchandise, supplements, or gear. Bring in more sales by selling products both online and in person. Look for software that includes a point-of-sale integration for accepting contactless payments, which are growing rapidly!

6. Email Communications

Gyms need a way to stay in touch with their members. As you grow your business, email communication becomes a greater need. The best martial arts software will have easy-to-use email tools to keep your members up to date with class schedules, appointment reminders, and payment notifications. In addition, email templates allow you to send out sales promotions or workout tips to stay engaged with your members. A good email system can be used to build your brand, increase member retention, and to grow your martial arts business. The software should also offer automation tools and integration to other platforms like Mailchimp. Having efficient communication tools is important for both attracting new members and keeping your current members informed.

7. Website Integrations and Design

Website Integrations are a much-needed feature for any dojo! With most martial arts systems, you can connect your Product Store, Calendar, and Membership sections to your website. This feature is perfect for promoting new member sign ups and online product sales. Some of the best software platforms offer martial arts website templates that have numerous integrations and more! Don’t sell yourself short by picking dojo software that doesn’t offer this. Consequently, a dynamic website can easily catch a potential member’s attention!

8. Belt Ranking and Workout Tracking System

What is the purpose of setting goals and not tracking your progress? Gyms need ways for trainers and members to track their individual fitness goals and workout results. In fact, this is why most people stay driven to keep attending the gym. The best martial arts software should have tools for your members to track daily workouts, belt rankings, and any personal achievements. This will increase motivation and may even result in a bit of healthy competition among members.

9. Gym Check-in and Attendance Tracking Platform

Don’t know how often your members visit your gym? You should! In addition to workout tracking, martial arts software should also track gym visits, check-ins, and class attendance. This way you can see which members are attending and who might have dropped out. The top software systems will offer 24-hour gym access tracking systems, member bar codes for check-in, and sign-in kiosks.

10. Memberships and Packages

Lastly, gyms need a way to customize membership types and training packages. Do you sell unlimited memberships, training packages, or offer military discounts? Do you offer trial memberships, family discounts, appointment-based memberships, or class-based memberships? The best gym system will support any of these options. As a result, you can focus more of your time and energy with members and let the software do the rest!

About RhinoFit Martial Arts Software

RhinoFit is a powerful martial arts software platform that is designed to help simplify your day-to-day tasks of running your dojo. Since 2012, we have worked with hundreds of martial arts studios to help grow their business and cut operational costs with our powerful martial arts system. Our martial arts solutions include our free martial arts app, member billing, class scheduling, belt ranking, martial arts website templates, and more!

Known for providing top notch customer service and support, our company has grow steadily over the last 10 years. Our goal is to help you effectively manage your business using the RhinoFit software, growing both your customer base and profits.

Martial Arts Styles that We Support

RhinoFit Martial Art Software supports most martial arts styles including striking or stand-up martial arts, take-down martial arts styles, ground-fighting martial arts, low-impact martial arts, and other combat sports. Some of the martial arts types include:

1. Karate (Striking Martial Arts Style)

Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art style that originated in Japan. It is a striking art that uses various body parts to perform punches, kicks, elbow strikes, and knee strikes. Karate training emphasizes timing, tactics, and spiritual values. Unlike many other martial art styles, the size and strength of the karate practitioner is unimportant, for students are taught to use their entire body when striking. Still widely practiced worldwide today, karate aims to maintain constant self-improvement through practicing discipline, integrity, respect, and inner strength. There is also great emphasis on developing healthy physical fitness methods including balance, posture, speed, coordination, power, and mental focus.

2. Taekwondo (Combat Martial Arts Style)

Originating in Korea, taekwondo is a fast-paced martial arts style. It is a combat sport that involves dynamic punching and kicking techniques that use hands and feet as weapons. Considered to be “a way of life”, taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts. This style teaches more than just fighting skills. For it puts great emphasis on mental discipline, good sportsmanship, and integrity. Training includes self-defense techniques, forms or patterns, sparring, and board-breaking practices. Taekwondo is considered a blended art form, and members participate in repetitive drills to improve techniques and flexibility.

3. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Ground Fighting & Grappling Martial Arts Style)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense combat sport and fighting style based on grappling, ground fighting, and submission holds. The word “Jui Jitsu” derives from the Japanese “Jū” meaning “gentle” and “Jitsu meaning “art.” Essentially, Jiu-Jitsu is the “gentle art.” Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the skill of controlling a resisting opponent in ways that force him to submit. This martial art style focuses on leveraging technique, body support, and positioning to overcome opponents, no matter their size or strength. Popular techniques include sweeps, joining locks, chokes, takedowns, and positional control. Specifically, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is known for its overall effectiveness in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

4. Muay Thai (Stand up Combat Style)

Also referred to as Thai boxing, Muay Thai is a powerful fighting style that is practiced worldwide. Famous for its full contact sparring component, Muay Thai is known for its effectiveness in competition. It is a full contact combat sport that includes stand up striking, sweeps, and clinching techniques. This style puts great emphasis on growing conditioning, endurance, and precise technique practices. Muay Thai remains a fundamental sport in Thai culture and has many benefits including:

Calorie Burner
Self-Defense
Mental Toughness
Self-Confidence
Endorphin Rush
Strengthens the Body
Widens Social Circle
Lowers Blood Pressure

5. Judo (Grappling Martial Arts Style)

Judo is dynamic combat sport that demands both physical and great mental discipline. This martial art is a combination of traditional Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts elements to create a practical self-defense style. It is a Japanese fighting style that focuses on throws, submission holds, and grappling techniques. Judo, meaning “gentle way,” maximizes efficiency with minimal effort. Therefore, there is great emphasis on using the opponent’s energy and momentum for guidance. The combination of training methods focus on techniques that foster mutual respect, skill development, and sportsmanship. The Judo Moral Code is a set of ethics created by the founder, Jigoro Kano. The code is made up of 8 parts:Courtesy, Courage, Friendship, Honesty, Honor, Modesty, Respect, Self-Control

6. Sambo (Striking and Grappling Martial Arts Style)

Sambo is a Russian martial art that improves hand-to-hand combat abilities. The name “Sambo” derives from the Russian acronym SAMozashcita Bez Oruzhiya, which means “self-defense without weapons.” Although sambo is similar to judo and jiu-jitsu, there are also many wrestling techniques involved. Sambo combines many skills and incorporates a variety of moves into three prime areas: ground control skills, takedowns, and leg locks.

7. Boxing (Stand up Martial Arts Style)

Boxing has dominated the sporting industry for centuries. This combat sport consists of two competitors throwing punches at each other, in hopes of knocking the other out. Most of the time, competitors wear protective gloves and other protective equipment such as mouth guards and hand wraps. Many different punches occur in boxing. Below are some of the more common ones:

Jab: A fully extended straight punch thrown with the leading (front) fist.
Cross: A fully extended straight punch thrown with the backward (rear) fist.
Hook: A semi-circular punch thrown with the leading fist to the side of the opponent’s head.
Uppercut: A punch that is thrown in a vertical manner from the rear fist.

Boxing training provides great exercise for all muscle groups. When practiced regularly, boxing is an effective and fun way to stay in good shape.

8. Kickboxing (Stand up Martial Arts Style)

Blending the styles of boxing and karate, kickboxing has been gaining global popularity as a competitive combat sport. As the name suggests, kickboxing is a full contact sport that incorporates kicks and punches combined with upper and lower body striking techniques. There is great focus on developing physical conditioning, striking skills, and self-defense techniques. These techniques include punches, kicks, knee strikes, and occasionally elbow strikes. Many people take up kickboxing for self-defense and its overall effectiveness in fitness improvement. Training in kickboxing requires discipline, dedication, and mental focus. Practitioners learn to control emotions, develop self-confidence, and improve concentration. People who practice kickboxing must overcome mental as well as physical obstacles to succeed.

9. Tai Chi (Combat & Self-Defense Martial Arts Style)

Established in China and rooted in Taoist philosophy, Tai Chi seeks to harmonize the body, mind, and spirit. Tai Chi focuses on nurturing internal energy, prompting physical health, and gaining a sense of balance in the body and mind. This is done through a series of fluid movements performed in a continuous manner, emphasizing body movements, calm breath, and mental focus. Often times, Tai Chi is practiced as a martial arts therapy or exercise for the purpose of health and longevity. Tai Chi also involves partner work methods, which develop responsiveness and sensitivity. You learn to constantly adapt your movements to suit the environment along with the person in front of you.

10. Aikido (Throwing & Striking Martial Arts Style)

The philosophical origins of aikido, a Japanese martial art, focus on self-discovery as much as it focuses on fighting. This style not only puts an emphasis on the physical benefits of increased power and flexibility, but also leads to an increase of self-confidence. Aikido is an intense physical and spiritual training to perfect human character and develop true wisdom. This martial art focuses on the essential elements of peace, unity, and personal growth. Through a series of techniques, such as joint locks, pins, and throws, members can subdue an attacker without causing too much harm. Aikido is centered around redirecting an opponent’s energy and neutralizing an attack. With that being said, there are no competitions in aikido. Overall, a student’s progress is measured only by their effort to develop themselves.

11. Kung Fu (Japanese Fighting Style)

Kung Fu refers to several martial art types. Here are some examples are below:

Shaolin Kung Fu
Wing Chun
Tai Chi
Baguazhang
Xingyiquan
Hung Gar

Kung Fu has been shaped by various factors, including ancient Chinese philosophy, legends, military combat techniques, and the rich knowledge between regions. As with many other martial art styles, techniques involve much more than just physical benefits. This style encompasses philosophical aspects of respect, self-cultivation, and the pursuit of balance and harmony. Effective training involves repetition and sparring drills, distance management, and defense.

12. Sumo (Combat Martial Arts Style)

Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan’s national sport. The rules are quite simple. The wrestler who exits the ring first or touches the ground with any body part besides the soles of his feet loses. Sumo players rely on throws and takedowns, and no leverages or chokes are allowed. On average, it only takes a few seconds before the challenge is over. Matches take place in an elevated ring which is made of clay and sand.There are no weight restrictions or classes in sumo, which means wrestlers can easily find themselves matches up against someone many times their size. Therefore, weight gain is an essential part of sumo training.

13. Wrestling (Combat Martial Art Style)

Considered as one of the oldest sports in history, wrestling is a martial art that requires strong balance, leverage, power, and knowledge to successfully take down an opponent. Wrestling is a total body workout and utilizes all the major muscle groups in the body. It is argued that no other martial art style compares to the strength required from practicing wrestling on a regular basis.

14. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Mixed Martial Arts are known to be the fastest-growing combat sport in the world and have the potential to become bigger than boxing. Many people don’t realize how long MMA has been around, for it began around the time of the Ancient Olympics. This is the least restrictive combat sport and allows fighters to combine different combat styles all at once, like boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, and more. Mixed Martial Arts techniques include striking (punches, kicks, knees) and grappling (pinning holds, clinch holds, submission holds, sweeps, throws, and takedowns). As the sport has grown and become more mainstream, it has piqued the interest of a wide range of practitioners of all ages.

15. Krav Maga (Self Defense Martial Arts Style)

Lastly, is Krav Maga. Centered around practical techniques for real-world situations, Krav Maga is an effective self-defense style. It equips practitioners for potential threats by focusing specifically on striking, grappling, and ground fighting. Krav Maga incorporates punches, elbows, kicks, and knees targeted at an opponent’s vulnerable body parts. The various training methods prepare individuals with self-defense skills, adaptability, and the ability to defend themselves in real-life threatening situations.

How to Choose the Best Martial Art Style to Learn

With the many diverse martial art styles to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one to begin practicing. Different styles emphasize physical fitness, self-discipline, competition, or varying levels of importance. Therefore, you should research different martial art types and learn about the techniques, philosophies, and training approaches. When deciding on a martial art style for you, consider the steps below:

Recognize your goals: Ask yourself why you want to learn martial arts. Is it for fitness, self-defense, stress relief, competition, or cultural cultivation? When you understand your objectives, you can choose a martial art that best aligns with your goals.

Consider your fitness level: As mentioned, each martial art style is different. Some styles require more fitness or dedication than others. Consider your own fitness level and decide on a martial art style that would benefit you the best.

Find a credible school or instructor: Once you’ve narrowed down your options, research reputable schools or instructors in your area. Conduct a local search, read reviews, check their credentials, and learn about their martial arts background.

It may also be beneficial to talk to the instructor and find out about their experience, teaching style, and training philosophy.

Try out a class: It is common for schools to offer a free class for newcomers, especially if you’ve never done martial arts before. Take full advantage of this opportunity and find out which style is right for you! Your overall goal is to find a style you enjoy that fits your lifestyle.

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The Best Martial Arts Software | Top 10 Knockout Features