Customer Reviews

Black Belt (1-year auto-renewal)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There are way too many ads compared to the amount of content in this magazine. I fully expect every other page of a magazine to be an ad, but in this magazine, you have maybe half a page of content for every three pages of ads (and that may actually overestimate the amount of content).

I have been somewhat pleased with a few of the technique-related articles, but that is generally one short article each month. The rest of it, I could do well enough without. I will not be renewing my subscription.

Black Belt is the absolute worst martial arts magazine on the market. It used to be the best back in the 80's and 90's, but now the publisher tries to make it a mix of some type of MMA rag and Soldier Of Fortune. The combination doesn't work and leaves out the core reader: traditional martial artists. The MMA puff pieces are a joke. Combine that with the fact that the "magazine" consists of about 90% ads and 10% articles, and it's only a matter of time before BB goes the way of General Motors. According to Kenpo karate legend Al Tracy, Black Belt magazine circulation is only about 1/5th of what it was 10 years ago. After browsing through the past few issues at bookstores, I can understand why.

If you're looking for a decent martial arts magazine, I'd recommend either Inside Kung Fu, Action Martial Arts (only publish 4 issues per year though), Classical Fighting Arts, Kung Fu Tai Chi, or Martial Arts Masters.

I am writing this review to defend Black Belt magazine, not the subscription service rendered via Amazon. I have not subscribed to Black Belt magazine via Amazon, and it is apparent from the experiences of other reviewers, that it is not advisable for one to do so.

But I feel compelled to write this review to inform potential subscribers of the unparalleled information and advice that fills every issue of Black Belt.

Every issue contains highly researched articles on traditional, sport, and reality based martial arts, from all over the world. One will learn about Asian, American, European, and South Pacific martial arts, from artcles that use both text and pictures. One can learn new techniques from reading the articles, as they are demonstarted in sequential pictures with corresponding explanations. One will read articles and interviews with contemporary martial artists, such as Bas Rutten, Rampage Jackson, and members of the Gracie family, as well as great martial artists of the recent past, such as Bill Wallace and Dan Inosanto.

Black Belt simply has no equal in the USA; it is the premier martial arts magazine in America. Based on the experiences of other Amazon reviewers, it seems advisable that anyone wishing to subscribe to Black Belt do so via www.blackbeltmag.com to ensure prompt service.

Paid for on Feb 8th, just found out first issue will not be shipped until April 27th. However, it has been paid for since Feb.

This is the second time I have attempted to subscribe to Black Belt Magazine. Last time it was over four months before first issue was shipped and we were told "this is your last issue!" It was our FIRST issue. They double billed us for it and told us we could not cancel our order. I am hoping that when we finally receive this one that we actually get them.

Ordered in September 2006, and have yet to receive an issue, today is Dec 21.06. Most of the time you can count on amazon, but I'm beginning to think that this is a rip off. I rated one star, because your can't give no stars

I ordered this magazine subscription Aug. 25, 2006 and have yet to receive an issue!

Other magazines come and go, dedicated to kung fu, tae kwon do or MMA, but Black Belt is here to stay.

It follows all the major arts and some you have never heard of. The best part is it doesn't go overboard with the flavor of the month. For example, right now, MMA is popular, and it's best fighters are featured in Black Belt. But Black Belt doesn't give you too much MMA. It keeps it in perspective because, in all probability, MMA will fade away sometime.

When it does, Black Belt will still be around, covering the Japanese, Chinese, and Korean systems, plus whatever comes after MMA.

Its the only martial art magazine you need and the only one I buy.

I am writing this review to defend Black Belt magazine, not the subscription service rendered via Amazon. I have not subscribed to Black Belt magazine via Amazon, and it is apparent from the experiences of other reviewers, that it is not advisable for one to do so.

But I feel compelled to write this review to inform potential subscribers of the unparalleled information and advice that fills every issue of Black Belt.

Every issue contains highly researched articles on traditional, sport, and reality based martial arts, from all over the world. One will learn about Asian, American, European, and South Pacific martial arts, from artcles that use both text and pictures. One can learn new techniques from reading the articles, as they are demonstarted in sequential pictures with corresponding explanations. One will read articles and interviews with contemporary martial artists, such as Bas Rutten, Rampage Jackson, and members of the Gracie family, as well as great martial artists of the recent past, such as Bill Wallace and Dan Inosanto.

Black Belt simply has no equal in the USA; it is the premier martial arts magazine in America. Based on the experiences of other Amazon reviewers, it seems advisable that anyone wishing to subscribe to Black Belt do so via www.blackbeltmagazine.com to ensure prompt service.