How do you get a martial arts belt?

To get a martial arts belt, choose a style of martial arts that offers belts, find a school in your region, and start taking classes. The amount of time it takes to progress varies based on the school and instructor.

1. Choose a martial arts style

   There are many forms of martial arts that use colored belts to rank students, including Tae Kwon Do, Shotokan Karate and Judo. Each martial art has its own ranking system, and the requirements for specific rankings may vary from school to school.

2. Find a school

   Look for schools in the phone book, the newspaper and online. You can also ask friends and family members for school recommendations. Certain styles of martial arts aren't available everywhere, so if you are set on a specific style, you may have to travel outside of your local area to attend classes.

3. Visit multiple schools

   Call each school you are interested in, and schedule a time to visit. Depending on the school, you may get to watch a class or participate.

4. Begin training

   Sign up at the school you most enjoyed. Most schools with a belt-ranking system start each practitioner off with a white belt. While the requirements to earn higher-level belts vary by school, most instructors require students to demonstrate a specific level of proficiency in certain skills before being promoted.