Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy

This is my 3 yr old son’s first actual organized group activity and he loves it. First of all as a parent I love the that you can go any 2 days of the week that you can fit into your schedule. There is only one Tiger team class a day but if you can’t make the weekday classes there’s always the weekend.
My son definitely enjoys his classes and looks forward to going there. The teachers are all so patient with the kids and holds their attention throughout the lesson.
It is an expensive activity but they do have a monthly payment plan or you can pay for the whole 5 months for a reduced rate. Also, you have to buy the uniform for an additional fee.
It might not be for everyone but I would definitely recommend it to people with young kids. It’s a great alternative to other activities that usually require more of a time commitment.

We have been been bringing our 4 year-​old for about two and a half months, twice a week. We are super happy – the teachers are terrific with the kids, It’s great exercise, well organized, flexible scheduling, and my son loves it.

My entire family has trained here for years. The instructors and many of the students are like family now. My college age son helps out there on the weekends. My shy, kindergarten age daughter isn’t so shy anymore. My wife finds kung fu an excellent way to release stress and stay in shape.
I recommend it highly.

I have 2 kids age 7 (girl) & 9 (boy) who are currently at Tat wong. They have been with the school for over 3 yrs. The instructors and staff are GREAT! They have taught my children to be strong competitors, performers, & teaches them to be Strong, and to be Brave, Wise, and Kind to one another.
We are Happy with the results of this school and what they teach my kids, my kids are happy to be at Tat Wong day in and day out.
I would highly recommend Tat Wong!

I’m only a beginner at kickboxing. And I’ve only been here twice so far. But so far, seefu Grey has been very nice to me and has been helping me become stronger. She is personally training me before I actually start kickboxing. I’m actually pretty scared to do it against someone else. So far, my experience has been positive. The things they should work on is having better ventilation and cleaner bathrooms. Seefu Grey makes sure I have a good workout and I sweat out all the toxins. It’s a very BIG challenge for me, but I know I can do it.

A gym that’s entirely for profit, not teaching. I trained here for about a month in kick boxing and was turned off by their lack of personal attention. If you’re okay with going to class and simply following along as best you can, you’ll get a good workout still, but if you’re a total beginner to kick boxing, I do not recommend this place.
The sales rep seems really nice at first but she’s certainly a hard seller if you don’t go in prepared — make sure you do NOT sign to anything on the spot, but get all the info on all the plans they have and get to know the place first. I did. I took classes two to three times a week and I was so grateful I already had some previous experience otherwise I think I would have injured myself. The first class, there was two of us new girls, so the sales woman came and gave us personal attention, but after that, we were on our own in class, trying our best to follow the instructor.
The instruction was in the form of «Watch me, and then repeat 10 times». Everyone had to go at the same rate as the instructor counted out each repetition. You could cheat it of course, if you were a beginner, and do less than the others, but the over all feel was very monotonous. The instructor barely walked around to correct people unless it was obvious you were having a lot of trouble. If you knew just enough to get by, he didn’t bother with you, which is terrible because students of all levels need feedback to improve.
It truly felt like Tat Wong didn’t care about you as a student. All the other gyms I’ve been to before Tat Wong and after were a lot more open, friendly, and willing to share their knowledge even if it was your first class there.
To reiterate: Tat Wong is entirely commercialized. Don’t go here if: you’re a total beginner, want to improve your skills, want to have fun learning kick boxing. Go here if: you already have kick boxing experience, you live near by, you don’t mind feeling like monkey see monkey do.

They really kick ur butt!!! I love it!!!

I studied at Tat Wong for a while and enjoyed it for the most part. They do do a hard sell when you go in for the introductory class and the follow that up with a hard sell for their black belt program. I signed up for the black belt program but never made to any of the special classes which seemed to be on Friday evenings… because well they were on Friday evenings.
The classes were cool but it seemed that the «Teens & Adults» class was mostly pre-​teens and I was usually paired up with someone about a foot shorter than me. On occasion there would be another adult or an instructor to be paired up with. I had fun but felt like I was in that Seinfeld episode where Kramer took karate.
After a while I was working way too much at several jobs and just didn’t have time to make it down there anymore. They didn’t make it too easy to quit but it wasn’t too hard and took a few letters.
I’d recommend the school for kids and teens, but expect the hard sell.

When was the last time you saw Tat Wong down in Chinatown putting on a street show for Chinese New Year or Self Help for the Elderly?
Never. That’s right, this school thinks their too hip to do voluntary work in the community. The only time they perform is when they get PAID.
Good for kids up to age 13, that’s it. Unless you’re pretty rich, go for it.
I used to be a Tat Wong brat back when my parents didn’t know any better. I got the best I could out of it until the school went into their full fledged advertising and opening of schools all over the place. It was a good 9 years, then it sucked.
Back then, the people who I considered my mentors in martial arts were Siheng Tomazaki (he’s now got a school called Champion’s Martial Arts in Fremont), Siheng Robert (who is looong gone), Siheng Johnny (left cuz of a motorcycle accident) and Siheng Jeff (who now runs the san shou scholl on 6^th n clement). All the people who were in my class back then are now teachers there, well the die hard ones.
The only time I really saw Tat Wong was for special events like local tournaments, special classes (like learning how to use a rope dart. it wasnt too helpful) and the Chinese New Year parade.
At every practice, we were told to sit or stand at attention and they would give us a marketing gimmick. If you didn’t participate in at least 1 tournament, you’d be shunned by everyone. I wasn’t the only one. I have a life you know.
Lion Dance: I didn’t learn very much, all the white kids did.
Sparring: Only the people who wore the sticker «black belt club» received training that was worth it, myself excluded.
Useful techniques: eh. it was more for show than actually useful. out of the brawls i got into on the streets during my childhood years, it didn’t really help.
I felt pretty bad after I left the school. I made some pretty good connections but also it was really expensive. Did I ever get to spar with weapons? Yes, but the cost of a TIN FOIL sword you can only use in performances was not worth it.
In conclusion, I ended up joining the Hung Sing School in Chinatown.
And guess what, the head teacher is ALWAYS there. =]
Last but not least, the belt system doesn’t exist in real Chinese martial arts, again the sales gimmick.

It’s definitely not for everyone but if you happen to love martial arts then it’s a good place for a broad overview all all aspects of Choy Li Fut. You learn forms, techniques, self-​defense, traditional weapons, and lion dancing. I earned my black sash 9^th level in 1997 and worked hard for it. I haven’t been back for almost 10 years but it did give me a sense of accomplishment and training to physically prepare me for just about anything. My old school instructors were Siheng Tomazaki, Siheng Johnny, and Siheng Roberts. I dunno about now but I learned all the street/​practical stuff after class.

I studied at the Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy for over a decade and had a wonderful experience. I started when I was 13 and was active all the way through college. I made life long friends and was lucky enough to meet my husband there.
My father chose the school for me and told me that he wanted me to try Chinese boxing. Chinese boxing, I thought, what in the world would that be like? I went with him to check it out and it looked pretty cool. He signed me up that day and I started in the Adult & Teenager class. Everyone was really friendly and the workouts were great. I’d tried other things before (gymnastics, basketball, tap dance, bicycling, etc.), but nothing really stuck until kung fu.
The classes were really fun and it was a great place for me to go after school. I eventually became an assistant instructor (teaching the children) and was also part of the lion dance team. I went to lots of different tournaments traveling with the team. I also participated in dozens of parades & performances and was able to help out with the school’s tournaments. The time I spent at the TWKFA growing up helped shape me into the person I am today.
I’m grateful to my father for finding the best school for me. He actually visited the school and one of their tournaments before he even told me he wanted me to try kung fu.
He observed the students, Master Tat Wong, and the instructors and saw that they were really like a family. Everyone was helping each other out no matter what level they were. That was really important. My father wanted a school with a good environment for me.
So, if you’re interested in kung fu, I say go take a look and check it out. Observe how the instructors teach and see if it’s right for you. I know it was the best place for me.

I trained here from when it opened in early 2000 till mid-’02, when I left SF for Austin, TX. I LOVED training as a kickboxer. It’s really addictive. I wasn’t trying to lose weight, either, but I lost about 18 lbs. without even trying or thinking about it – the workouts are that intense. I was on the black belt track, and worked out about 3 or 4 times a week at the kickboxing studio. Sifu Jeff is an incredible instructor, very inspiring and motivating. All us black belt students had intense friendships that grew from sweating and sparring together. We even traveled to Chiang Mai, Thailand, to train with Muay Thai fighters! It pretty much doesn’t get any cooler than that.

You sign up and you’re a member for life. You go back after years of not showing up and they’ll drill you as if they just saw you yesterday. I worked out at this gym as soon as they opened up in February of 2000. I was hanging tough with guys three times my size. Literally.
Sifu Jeff will work you out and he’s fun to take classes from. If he sees that you can handle more he’ll give you more. If you make fun of him, he’ll make you regret it. Also, he’s like a supreme blackbelt and he’ll kill you six times before you hit the ground.
I really like this place. You gotta go often so people recognize you because if you’re just there to walk in, get a workout and get out, that’s how they’ll handle you. But if you’re there every night getting the best workout for your time and money — they’ll make sure you sweat for every moment they provide class.
Not only that! They let you use the machines for as long as you want. No time limit. No angry people staring at you to get off the cardio machines. Why? Cuz there’s a huge battle arena mat where you get all the cardio workout you can handle.
This is a place where you learn kickboxing. It’s more oriented for adults, or college age kids. They’ll run you into the ground. Small kids can come, but they’ll be blown away by a hard kicking classmate who just got done making a million dollar sale, or a nurse who got off the night shift. Kids should go to the Kung Fu Academy in Outer Richmond.

*kung fu, kung fu, kung fu* [now, say it in chinese]
*gggoong foo, gggoong foo, gggoong foo*
yea, you heard me. what UP foo? =D
LMAO~*
i think i’ve found a new hobby … well, kinda «new» … hahaha. yeeeup! you heard it, first on Unilocal,gave my body a full on 180 twist and was in for a funky work out … and for surely enough, i fell in love … with kickboxing and perhaps kung fu… *smiles*
oh yea, the adrenaline rush i tend to seek~*
why ggoong fu of all times? well, came here and took a preview/​quick/​crash course, and have to say, it was definitely fun and rewarding, but seems like i’m going to gear towards kickboxing, on top of my pilates i do few times a week, to better shape up and shed a few lbs.
i’ve done kickboxing a few times in LA but never fully got the appreciate it, but now i have … you can count on me coming here couple times a week … if ONLY* tat wong was a bit closer …
so earlier today i come in and scope out the area, and must say, i was shocked to see this shrine-​y looking place full of lil kiddies who were literally like 5 yr olds — they were TOO* cute i took a pix. peek foto! it’s definitely huge, i must say. 1^st floor — where you get your hard work out, and the basement — showers/​restrooms/​changing room/​gym. cool thing is, you can totally take use of their machines (treadmills, bicycles, weights) whenever… the instructors are hella cool, knowledgeable, and patient … they seriously will keep you motivated and reach your personal goals, guiding you step by step…
workout was super intense and exciting… constantly working on drills and techniques, pad work, conditioning excercises with a full range of kicks, punches, and more…
i’ve never felt so energized and so pumped up, ready to beat the crap outta someone in ages!!! imagine! the sweat pouring, calorie burning, aggression releasing work out …
oooh yea baby! i cant wait to see my bod defined and toned before the summer hits … my butt has never felt so sore and tightened in ages … i’m only hoping my tummy will flatten itself out SOON…
bottom line is…
if the lil kiddies can do it, and I CAN DO IT – YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Customer service from the billing department is awful. Do not give these people your credit card number.

Don’t. Do. It.
Yes, the classes are good for the kiddies, but what started as a wonderful means of physical practice and mental discipline for my son, turned into a financial battle for me.
So let me first reiterate, that the classes themselves (for children) are great. well structured, high-​energy, fun and motivating teachers. It’s expensive, yes, and you have to put up with their monthly «reviews» which are basically a sit-​down to try and sell you up on more classes… but because my son was enjoying it, I could deal with the mild pressure tactics.
We signed up for the first year, and since they offered a deep discount for pre-​payment of the year, we decided to commit. A year later, all was well, and so we decided to commit again for another year. Only 3 months into the second year, my son started Jr High… and everything changed. Homework overload. Lots of pressure at school etc. So I read through the ‘contract’ and saw that refunds were up to the «discretion of the the staff». Cool. I mean, these ARE classes for children after all, and certainly my son was not the only child on the planet to have too much on his plate to continue a kung-​fu class. Right?
Wrong. Thus the battle began.
Over a 3 week period I left 4 messages. All unanswered. Until my final message, when I didn’t leave my name or what I was calling about, but said I was interested in classes. Voila! A call back! Weird, huh?
The guy on the phone (who knew us) was quickly confused when I told him why I was calling and that no one had returned any of my calls. Oh the shock and surprise in his voice! «But wait.» he said… No one called us back because I needed to call the (insert deep baritone voice here) «ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT». Oh. Silly me. All this time, I thought the nice person who listened to the messages might actually forward my messages to the appropriate people… aka «The Accounting Department.» Sigh. Ok… I can do that… I can even type out the letter he is telling me I need to type, as they need the refund request in writing… even though I know god-​damn well the (insert deep baritone voice here) «ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT» is in the SAME miniscule office (ONLY office) in the place!!! So he gives me another number and I leave my (now 5^th) message there. And I send my letter. And I wait.
Nada.
OK. Now I’m pissed. 2 more not-​so-​friendly messages later, to the elusive (insert baritone voice here) ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT I decided to take it up a notch. I whipped out my best «I’m reporting you to the Better Business Bureau» letter-​typing skills and send another letter. Only this time, I covered all my bases… I email it. I fax it. And I send it certified mail. Someone, somewhere is gonna read this, dammit!
Well apparently BBB threat got their attention, because 2 days later I got a message, saying a letter was in the mail to me. (A letter. Huh?) Well imagine my surprise, when 2 days after that I not only got a letter, but a check!
Now (2 full months after this process began) you’d think I’d be thrilled. Unfortunately, Master Wong aint so good at his math skills. They conveniently miscalculated by about $ 500. FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS! And no, in case you are confused, they didn’t err on my side.
So now I have to back into battle to get the rest of my money. Will I get it? Fat choy, er I mean, fat chance… but I’ll gonna go down trying.
All I can say is, beware…

I’ve been going to Tat Wong for the past several months and I’m totally addicted. I’ve loved martial arts for a long time, but haven’t had the time to really become involved — Tat Wong’s flexible schedule (mornings&evenings during the week + classes 7 days a week) makes it really easy to find a time that works.
The classes can be large, but there are so many instructors you’re guaranteed a good student to teacher ratio. It’s also a good mix of art and practical knowledge — as a beginner we’ve gone over a number of different kicks, punches, self-​defense techniques, and we’ve also started some form movements.
Overall I would recommend this place whole-​heartedly — whether you want a workout, self-​defense, or a good understanding of the Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu style — it’s a great place.

Ok, I shouldn’t do this because I like this gym because people are NOT there but it’s a great little place to work out. The hours are limited and that would likely change with more people but I can have any machine at any time and the fun is watching the kickboxing classes while I’m on the treadmill. It’s small and and not about luxury but the point only to work out.