Building Character Through Martial Arts

In martial arts, testing for the next rank is a big step in your journey. Every time you test for a new belt, you’re showing more than just your ability to kick, punch, or perform a kata. You’re also showing growth in important life skills like discipline, perseverance, and respect. At Crabapple Martial Arts Academy (CMAA), we believe that testing for a new rank is about more than the belt. It’s about building character and becoming a better version of yourself.

Help Set and Reach Goals

One of the most important parts of testing for the next rank is setting goals. When you start training, you might look ahead to earning your next belt as your first goal. Testing gives you something to work toward, which helps you stay focused and motivated.

Reaching these goals doesn’t happen overnight. You need to show up to class, practice your moves, and listen to your instructors. By working hard and staying focused, you’ll be ready when it’s time to test. Achieving your goals through testing shows you that with effort and dedication, you can succeed. This lesson applies not only in martial arts but also in school, sports, and life.

Testing Builds Discipline

Discipline is one of the most important skills you learn in martial arts. Testing for a new rank requires discipline because you need to practice regularly and follow the rules of the dojo. Discipline means doing what’s necessary, even when it’s hard. Whether it’s showing up to class when you’re tired or practicing a difficult move over and over, discipline helps you improve.

When you test for your next belt, you show your instructors that you have the discipline to stick with your training. This is something to be proud of. The discipline you learn during martial arts testing helps you in other areas of your life too, like getting your homework done or being responsible at home.

Testing Teaches Perseverance

In martial arts, not everything comes easily. You might struggle with a certain move or find yourself getting tired during practice. But testing for a new belt teaches you to keep going, even when things get tough. This is called perseverance.

When you prepare for testing, you may face challenges that make you want to give up. Maybe you can’t break the board on the first try, or maybe a new form feels tricky to master. But when you keep working and finally succeed, you learn the value of perseverance. Testing helps you build this important skill, and once you earn that new belt, you know you didn’t quit—you kept going.

Perseverance is something that will help you throughout your entire life. When things get tough in school or other areas, you’ll know you have the strength to push through. Testing for new ranks in martial arts helps you become stronger, not just physically but mentally too.

Testing Encourages Respect and Humility

Another important part of testing in martial arts is learning respect and humility. Martial arts teaches you to respect your instructors, your classmates, and the martial arts traditions. When you test for a new rank, you show respect by following the rules, listening carefully, and doing your best.

Testing also teaches humility, which means being open to learning and growing. Even as you advance in rank, there is always something new to learn in martial arts. Testing reminds you that there’s always room to improve, and that’s okay. Being humble means understanding that the journey never ends, and each new rank is just another step in your growth.

Respect and humility are important life lessons that will help you in school, at home, and in your relationships. When you practice these values during testing, you’re building strong character that will serve you well in everything you do.

The Journey, Not Just the Belt

While earning a new belt during testing is exciting, it’s important to remember that martial arts is about the journey, not just the destination. Each belt you earn represents hours of hard work, dedication, and personal growth. But the belt is only a symbol of the real progress you’ve made inside.

When you test for the next rank, you’re not just showing off your martial arts skills—you’re showing how much you’ve grown as a person. The confidence, discipline, perseverance, and respect you build along the way are what really matter.

At CMAA, we’re proud of every student’s journey. Testing for a new belt is an important part of that journey, but it’s not the only part. Each step you take in martial arts helps you grow into a stronger, more confident, and more capable person. So when you test for your next rank, remember that it’s not just about the belt—it’s about who you are becoming along the way.

Keep training, stay focused, and embrace the journey. The lessons you learn during testing will stay with you for life, making you not only a better martial artist but also a better person.

Crabapplemartialarts.com and Crabapple Martial Arts Academy has been selected the nation’s #1 martial arts schools for SIX YEARS IN A ROW by the American Budokai International!

Founded in 2013 by Mr. C. Matthew White is a 5th-degree Black Belt in Karate and 6th-degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu, and Master Instructor. Crabapple Martial Arts Academy has Karate lessons for pre-school children to elementary kids ages 4 and up. These classes are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for each age group – for school excellence and later success in life.

Crabapple Martial Arts Adult Karate training is a complete adult fitness and conditioning program. This is for adults who want to lose weight, get (and stay) in shape, or learn self-defense in a supportive environment.

Instructors can answer questions or be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at

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 or call directly at 770-645-0930. You can also visit our website at CrabappleMartialArts.com.

About C. Matthew White, Renshi:  Matt is a fifth-degree black belt in a traditional Japanese and Okinawan Martial Arts – Shuri Ryu Karatedo. He is also a sixth-degree black belt in Japanese Jiu Jitsu – Shintoyoshin Kai Jiu Jitsu. He is a master instructor with the title of Renshi, which means Scholar in Japanese.  Matt has a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Physiology. He has been training and teaching martial arts for over 27 years. He has owned Crabapple Martial Arts Academy since 2013. Renshi White is a motivational speaker and educator, who teaches seminars in bullying, business, and martial arts training.

Crabapple Martial Arts Academy Headquarters is in Alpharetta, Georgia at 12315 Crabapple Road., Suite 124, Alpharetta GA 30004. You can locate the Chief Instructor, Sensei Robert Reed there or directly at (770) 645-0930.