Kung Fu Classes in Basingstoke
Kung Fu Classes in Basingstoke
At Shin Gi Tai we teach the Shi Kon Kung Fu system, recognised by the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA), Sport England’s recognised National Governing Body for Chinese Martial Arts. Kung Fu is part of our Adult Martial Arts classes, taught alongside Karate and Judo, and is also part of the syllabus in our children’s classes.
Our Kung Fu is a complete martial art. You learn kicks, strikes, throws, locks and groundwork for practical self-defence, together with traditional forms, weapons and Sanda (Chinese kickboxing). Complete beginners are welcome, and you train at a pace that suits your age and fitness.
About Kung Fu at Shin Gi Tai
- Style: Shi Kon Kung Fu, recognised by the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts
- Includes: kickboxing, throws, locks, groundwork, forms, weapons and Sanda
- Adult classes: Wednesday 8:15–9:15pm and Friday 7:10–8:10pm, within Adult Martial Arts
- Ages: 18 and over, with 16–17 year olds welcome. Children learn Kung Fu in our children's classes from age 4
- Uniform: given when you join, white to start and black as you progress
- Gradings: every three months
- Coaches: led by Head Coach Bryan Andrews, 7th degree black belt and BCCMA Coach Tutor, with Sifu Will, Ollie and Ed Andrews, all BCCMA Level 2 coaches
- Competition: optional, with national titles and a European bronze medal in Sanda and Light Sanda
- Where: Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy, Unit A, Daneshill Central, Armstrong Road, Basingstoke RG24 8NU, with free parking
- First step: a free taster class or call 01256 364104
BOOK A FREE TASTER CLASS!
Experience a class, meet our professional coaching team and discover whether Shin Gi Tai is right for you. No previous experience is required. There’s absolutely no obligation to join, it’s simply an opportunity to discover whether we’re the right fit for you.
What you learn in Kung Fu
Our progressive curriculum includes:
Kickboxing, close quarter combat, power striking, grappling, pushing hands, locks, throws and groundwork before then moving on to the traditional deeper levels of Kung Fu training in the softer elements of Kung Fu that are found in Tai Chi.
Our system of Kung Fu teaches a broad range of skills suitable for fitness, health and self protection.
Long Range Kung Fu
At long range we practice kicks and longer arm techniques. We learn a range of different kicks in our Kung Fu including Front Kicks, Roundhouse Kick, Side Kicks, Back Kicks and Spinning Kicks. For the more advanced Cadet and Adult Kung Fu lessons, we also looking at jumping or flying kicks.
Medium Range Kung Fu
Medium range is where the majority of hand techniques and strikes are used in our Basingstoke Kung Fu classes. These techniques include Jabs, Cross, Hooks, Uppercuts, Overhand punches, Corkscrew punches and open hand techniques like Spear Hand, Ridge hand and Knife hand. Short range, low kicks are also practised at this distance.
Close Range Kung Fu or Grappling Range
At this distance you are in a nose to nose situation and we study throws, takedowns locks plus close quarter elbows and knees. The skills that matter most when someone is right in front of you.
Groundwork
To be capable of all round self defence you need to be competent at protecting yourself on the floor. You learn how to fall safely, escape and control an opponent on the ground.
Forms, weapons and Sanda
As you progress you learn traditional Kung Fu forms and weapons, which develop balance, coordination, power and focus. You also train Sanda, or Chinese kickboxing, which combines punches and kicks with throws. Members who enjoy competing can enter Sanda and Light Sanda events, and our club has won many national titles and a European bronze medal.
Kung Fu for children
Children learn Kung Fu skills as part of our children’s martial arts classes, from age 4. Children aged 10 and over can also train in our kids kickboxing classes, learning Chinese kickboxing and light Sanda.
Come and try a free Kung Fu class
Don’t be put off by your current fitness, age or experience. Our classes welcome complete beginners, and our coaches will help you start at the right level. Book a free taster class or call 01256 364104.
Kung Fu Questions Answered
Thinking about learning Kung Fu? Here are the answers to the questions people most often ask before training with us in Basingstoke.
Do you teach Kung Fu in Basingstoke?
Yes. Kung Fu is taught as part of our Adult Martial Arts classes, alongside Karate and Judo, and is also part of the syllabus in our children's classes. We teach the Shi Kon Kung Fu system, which is recognised by the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts.
When are the adult Kung Fu classes?
Kung Fu is taught in our Adult Martial Arts classes on Wednesdays from 8:15pm to 9:15pm and Fridays from 7:10pm to 8:10pm.
Please check our current Basingstoke timetable, as class times can occasionally change.
Is Kung Fu suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. Most of our members start with no martial arts experience. Coaches teach the basics step by step, and you train at a pace and intensity that suits your fitness.
Am I too old to start Kung Fu?
No. Many adults start Kung Fu in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond. Coaches adapt training to your fitness and mobility, and you never have to do anything you are not ready for.
What age can join the Kung Fu classes?
Our Adult Martial Arts classes are for ages 18 and over, and 16 and 17 year olds can also join. Younger students learn Kung Fu skills in our children's martial arts classes, from age 4.
What style of Kung Fu do you teach?
We teach the Shi Kon Kung Fu system, which is recognised by the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts (BCCMA), Sport England's recognised National Governing Body for Chinese Martial Arts.
It is a complete system that includes kicking and striking, throws, locks, groundwork, traditional forms, weapons and Sanda (Chinese kickboxing).
Do you teach Kung Fu forms and weapons?
Yes. As you progress you learn traditional Kung Fu forms and weapons. Forms develop balance, coordination, power and focus, and they keep the traditions of Kung Fu alive alongside the practical self-defence skills.
What is Sanda?
Sanda, also called Sanshou, is Chinese kickboxing. It combines punches and kicks with throws and takedowns. Our members train Sanda and Light Sanda, and those who want to can compete in it.
Is Kung Fu good for self-defence?
Yes. Our Kung Fu covers every range of a real confrontation, from kicks at long range to punches and strikes, then close-range throws, elbows and knees, through to defending yourself on the ground.
What is the difference between Kung Fu and Karate?
Kung Fu is the Chinese family of martial arts, while Karate comes from Okinawa and Japan. Kung Fu tends to use more circular movements, a wider range of kicks and throws, and a broad set of traditional weapons.
Our adult classes combine Kung Fu, Karate and Judo, so you get the strengths of each in one syllabus.
Do you have gradings and belts in Kung Fu?
Yes. We have one grading system for our adult syllabus, with gradings every three months. Early grades usually come quickly, and as you advance the time between gradings gets longer, because each grade asks more of you.
What do I wear for Kung Fu?
New members are given a uniform when they join. Beginners wear a white uniform, and students move into a black uniform as they progress. For your free taster, comfortable sports clothes are fine. We train barefoot on specialist martial arts mats.
Can I compete in Kung Fu?
Yes, if you want to. Competing is optional. Our members have won many national titles in Sanda and Light Sanda, several have been selected to compete at European level, and one has won a European bronze medal.
Who teaches the Kung Fu classes?
Classes are led by our Head Coach, Bryan Andrews, a 7th degree black belt and a British Council for Chinese Martial Arts Level 2 coach and Coach Tutor, together with Sifu Will Andrews, Sifu Ollie Andrews and Sifu Ed Andrews, who are all BCCMA Level 2 coaches.
All our coaches are DBS checked, first aid trained and insured. Read more about our coaches.
Where is the academy, and is parking available?
Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy is at Unit A, Daneshill Central, Armstrong Road, Basingstoke RG24 8NU. There is free parking, and a café and seating area inside the academy.
Ready to Try Kung Fu in Basingstoke?
Book a free taster class and train alongside our members on a Wednesday or Friday evening. No experience is needed and there is no obligation to join.
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