text: crappy martial arts school??? a school that gives belt tests that require you do nothing more than perform techniques in the air and katas.  crap?  they clain they teach self-defense. but no sparring. huh?  "time to renew your one-year contract!" they say.  i don't think so.  well, i guess it was good exercise, if nothing else.  i'm in my 40s and don't wanna get my face smashed in or broken bones and be unable to work.    what's the best martial art for me for self-defense?  please state your experience.  thanks! glad that you realised that you are going to a crappy school.. (some people never do) now that you know what a crappy school looks like and how they are structured, i would just go to various martial arts club in your area ask.. to sit in and watch a lesson or even ask to attend 1 lesson for free... since you have experienced a crap school you'll be pretty aware of what to look out for now and what questions to ask.. ask them about thier grading processes and if they require you to pay any extra fee's for this, does all the equipment get supplied or do you have to purchase your own (big money making scheme for most schools..they should provide you the basic equipment and when you do have to buy something you should have the freedom to get this equipment from anywhere.. not just purchase it from the school only).. ahh whether you have to lock into a 12 month contract (don't) alot can happen in 12 months.. a good school will let you buy a 10 or 20 class pass or let you pay casually or give you the option to sign up in 3 or 6 month blocks.. and a big giveaway look at the type of students which attend the classes.. how competent do they look for their level.. are people that have higher belt ranks overweight.. (they shouldn't be at that level they should be a certain fitness to get to the level they are at, if they are overwieght the belts are obviously getting handed out).. how old are the instrutors?? are they all 18 - 23yrs old another warning there.. they should be  ideally very late 20's or above.. that way you know that your instructor has the adequite knowledge to teach the art.. just some small factors to be mindfull of that will hopefully help when finding a new dojo to train at.. hopefully you will find a style you enjoy soon.. as for real life effectiveness.. i would look into styles like brizilian ju jitsu, muay thai, krav maga or the likes..