Hi guys, I'm new to martial arts and hope you can help me out on this. I've been going to a martial arts school in Liverpool for a few months now - not a specific discipline, a mix of everything. The school has its own belt grading system, and I've now completed the initial white belt class. For this I have so far been paying £49 a month (for 2 classes a week), on top of a £149 joining fee. I've now been told that the advanced class is £79 a month, and I'll also have to fork out £299 for equipment - protective gear, boxing gloves, practice weapons etc.

Is this a fair price? It strikes me as pretty steep, but I don't have any real frame of reference. I want to continue training, but I don't want to get ripped off either.

Please respond, this is really doing my head in.