Economic Impact Of Martial Arts

According to the infamous martial artist Bob Wall, in 1975 there was only 5,000 martial arts schools in the US.  In 2000 there were 25,000, and in 2003 there were 28,000 martial arts schools in the US.  “Martial arts growth is going through the roof”, says Wall.

All of this martial arts activity occurring likely has a significant Economic Impact.  In terms of monetary amounts, how much impact?

This discussion will take a more cautious approach, saying that there are 25,000 schools in the US, the lower of the statistics listed above, as we would rather have under represented numbers, than over estimated amounts, which represent a state that does not exist.

Uniforms:
The most recognizably unique feature about martial arts training is the uniforms the participants wear.  Flip over top Gis used in Karate and Judo, v-neck top Doboks used in Tae Kwon Do, Chinese Uniforms used in Kung Fu, schools with a t-shirt with the school’s logos, sports karate uniforms, and every uniform variation used throughout the various arts. These uniforms also include a belt or sash to designate rank.  Let us says the 25,000 schools have an average of 20 students each (probably largely underestimated), which would give us 500,000 students. Each student needs a uniform and belt, which lets say costs $15 each.

25,000 schools x 20 students x $15 per uniform = $7,500,00 spent on uniforms. 

These estimates are only for schools in the US!!

Lessons:
Martial Arts training, except in some university club settings, has to be paid for.  It appears that most martial arts students are paying close to $1000 a year for their training.
Using an estimate of $400 year, likely a very low estimate, and assuming only 20,000 schools are commercial for-profit schools.

20,000 schools x 20 students x $400 per year = $160,000,000 a year spent on martial arts lessons.

Sparring:
One of the most fun activities that martial artists participate in is Kumite or Sparring.  This often requires safety equipment such as mouth guards, head gear, kicks, punches, boxing gloves, groin guards for men, breast covers for women, shin or arm padding.  Assuming only 2/3 of the schools participates in this type of sparring, and assuming the very low average safety equipment costs of $50.

16,667 schools x 20 students x $50 equipment = $16,667,000 spent on sparring equipment.

Rent:
Martial arts activities require a place to train, a dojo/dojang/kwan/gym.  Some of the schools are university clubs or rent space from a local community center or gym, though most seem to rent a store front like most other consumer business’s do.  Assuming only half of the schools rent a store front, and that they pay $600 a month rent.

12,500 schools x $600 per month rent = $7,500,000 a month rent.
7,500,000 x 12 months = $90,000,000 a year in rent.

Tournaments:
Martial arts training leads to participants wishing to test their skills against other persons. This leads to martial arts tournaments being held.  We will assume that each state in the US has at least 10 tournaments a year, so there are 500 tournaments.  Assuming each tournament has an average of 100 students, which may be a little high, but would likely average out do to that there are likely more than 500 tournaments a year.  The trophies and medals are given out to participants, with children often receiving a medal for their participation even if they do not place in the top positions (perhaps to help alleviate the inevitable crying that occurs when they lose).

500 tournaments x 100 students x $25 per student = $1,250,000 spent on tournaments a year.

We could further estimate the amount of testing fees, books and electronic training resources purchased, other types of equipment often bought such as punching bags and other striking targets, the board breaking materials, martial arts weapons purchased, and so forth. 

All of the estimates above show the millions of dollars of economic impact that the martial arts activities in the US have, even if our numbers are likely much lower than the actual amounts.  Image the amounts for all of the martial arts activities throughout the entire world.

To summarize our likely underestimated estimates from above:

Uniforms
25,000 schools x 20 students x $15 per uniform = $7.5 million
Lessons
20,000 schools x 20 students x $400 per year = $160 million a year
Sparring
16,667 schools x 20 students x $50 equipment = $16.667 million
Rent
12,500 schools x $600 per month rent = $7.5 million a month
7,500,000 x 12 months = $90 million a year
Tournaments
500 tournaments x 100 students x $25 per student = $1.25 million