Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy

This place rocks! I am so glad I started training in Kung Fu here. I am over 60, and have been training at Tat Wong for about 10 years. I feel as if I haven’t aged at all during the last 10 years! The program is multi-​faceted and well balanced between kick boxing, conditioning and strength training, traditional Kung Fu forms and moves, self-​defense, and Chinese weapons. The teachers and staff are very knowledgeable and supportive, and the classes are fun. It does cost some money, but it is definitely worth it. They also have an excellent kids program.

I started at Tat Wong almost 2 years ago from this coming January after my boss pressured me into taking a class. I weighed 190.6 lbs. I would go to the gym regularly and would get quite sweaty, but I never saw any ‘changes’ on the scale or in my appearance as hard as I tried with working out and dieting (I even used to wear one of those ‘fat’ weight loss wraps around my stomach). Fast forward 1 year and 11 months, and I am now 166.8 lbs after going to Tat Wong every week consistently. The beauty of Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy is in the class structure as well as the patient instructors as well as Cifu Felipe (who has to be one of the nicest guys in the world). They push their students hard enough to see great results and not too hard where they are discourage to return. It is a great setting where everyone is pushing each other to improve themselves to learn the art of Kung Fu and to discipline themselves. Every class is like going on a vacation for me. What problems? What work /​life stress? After each short class, I feel amazing. Tat Wong Kung Fu is not for everyone, but I believe, everyone should give it a try. Maybe they may discover a new work out routine that will become a new lifestyle for them and ultimately improve their life for the better. I had read a comment or two about people feeling ‘pressured’ to pay member dues or what not. If an adult feels pressured enough to feel offended by the staff at Tat Wong, that is even more of a reason for the parent to join the class, to improve their mental strength.

We’ve been on two journeys at Tat Wong with two sons.
With the first son, the experience was good. Fast forward about 8 years and the experience with the second son has been excellent. I attribute this to the continuous improvements that the academy has made. Their instructors really know what they are doing and work very well with people of all ages. They are extremely disciplined and have high standards, but show a really nice light touch with the kids.
They emphasize many things including respect and decency toward other people. That shows in the daily pledge that the students make and in the way the instructors observe and treat their students.
Watching my children attend many classes over the years, it’s heartening to see the benefits of this kind of program. It does wonders for self confidence, motor skills, reflexes, and agility. We’ve seen our kids really blossom in other sports and I attribute a lot of that to the Kung Fu skills they’ve learned at Tat Wong.
A special shout out to the head instructor, Sifu Felipe, who connects so well with the kids in his classes and finds the most constructive ways to get his students to focus on what they need to improve.

I’ve been meaning to write this for awhile because I think positive reviews are important for businesses that deserve them. :) Having said that, I hope as well that it will be helpful to anyone who is looking for more information or opinions about TWKFA.
My daughter has been going to TWKFA for over a year and a half and is still excited to go and learn every week! I waited a couple of years before letting her get involved with martial arts knowing it would be a bit commitment of time & money. She never lost interest and kept asking, so when we saw the TWKFA Lion Dance Troupe perform for Lunar New Year that year she begged me, as usual, to take lessons– and I said yes! I haven’t regretted it and she hasn’t looked back. I am SO amazed and pleased at how wonderful and patient the instructors are with the kids. Truly. They have never treated the kids with anything but respect and they thrive. Sihing Lee is awesome with the Tiger group (pre-​schoolers). They are so cute and they love him. My daughter is in the Junior classes (school age) which multiple instructors will lead and they’ll have extra staff on hand as well to help out. I don’t have a background in martial arts but have seen friends kids at other school and this school is definitely the most impressive/​motivating of all our experiences. She has had great instruction, experiences, and opportunities to both participate-​in, and achieve through.
So knowing that I was interested in turning over a new leaf and making a commitment to myself to create a healthier life, I enrolled in adult classes myself a little over a year ago. My experience might be helpful to people because I am still in the early stages of learning and training. I am really pleased with how kind and positive everyone is. Sometimes I think, «What is wrong with these people? How are they so positive and happy?» It’s funny but true. My biggest challenge has been the commitment. It is so easy to give up. As adults-​professionals-​parents people have SO many other things to do and so many other places to be. But to me, the commitment to improving my health and creating a better lifestyle for myself and my family is really important right now. I couldn’t wait or put it off any longer. I was beginning to see the negative physical effects of stress, sitting at a desk all day (or in a car, etc), and compromising too much on my diet. So, here I am. It’s been a blessing to be able to participate. The goal was to be healthier, significantly rehabilitate my core strength (which felt like it was all but gone), lose weight, learn/​achieve something new, and basically just do something for «myself» for once. It is still a work in progress, but I can see and feel a difference! I have noticeably improved in all the items listed above– yay me! :) And I’m not going to lie, it’s been challenging both in class and in life to keep it up, but its a lifestyle change for the better!
I’ve had to adjust to kung fu being an individual sport based on personal learning and achievement, but wanted that for my daughter, as we both previously had been solely focused on team sports. Also related to that, it is a gym/​training environment, not a sports field/​outdoor environment– though they do organize a great tournament and outdoor boot camps so we don’t have to miss out. Also the seminars are great opportunities to learn something new, try new things, or reinforce something you already know. It’s a great way to mix up training too, which they are always doing and I enjoy. And we also like the community events like lion dancing, lunar new year parade, pot lucks, etc., and LOVE the flexibility of being able to attend various classes based on our own availability!
Long story short: this is great and you do get out of it what you put in– physical/​mental challenge, positivity, health & fitness, core strength, success, confidence, etc. Plus, this place is super positive and family oriented.
Good Work Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy San Mateo!
Thank You for supporting us in our journey to a healthy, family-​positive lifestyle!

This Kung Fu Academy is fantastic and has a lot to offer all experience levels. It is fun and friendly environment. The entire teaching staff is professional and real role models. There is Kung Fu, kickboxing and a lot of specialty techniques and classes, such as sword, stuff, nunchucks, sparring, boot camp, self-​defense and tournaments. There are a lot of students, training by level (belts) and divided into kids, juniors and teen/​adult. It is a wonderful environment to work on your fitness objectives, whether it is get in shape, weight loss, self-​defense, self-​confidence, endurance, balance, competition, sparring and more. If you are considering martial arts, I recommend trying an introductory class or trial period. I have been going for two years 1−3x/week and it is one of the highlights of my week every week.

My kids started at TWKFA at the age of four; my son stopped when he went to college but my 20 year old daughter still takes classes when she can. The kids were having so much fun that my husband and I started taking classes in our mid-​40s. That was almost 13 years ago.
Unlike many martial arts programs, TWKFA has its deep roots in kung fu traditions, it has a formal instructor training program, a bevy of instructors from which to learn (not just one or two people) and a history of students staying in the program for a very long time. It can become a second family.
For kids:
The programs are fun with a purpose. The youngsters learn self defense and get exercise while having a good time. The values they learn through the gentle and patient teachings of the instructors are incredible. When my son was in third grade he struggled with the times tables. I overheard him in his room one night repeating to himself the encouragement his kung fu teachers had given him related to his forms — but he had modified so that it related to math. Both kids have a calm, non-​violent confidence that they carry with them and TWKFA is responsible. The confidence has helped them in situations where kids were trying to bully my son in middle school and it recently helped my daughter who was cornered by an unwelcome guest in her dorm room. In both cases not a punch was thrown.
For adults:
Regardless of your age, gender, fitness or comfort level with actually throwing a punch, the instructors will adapt and find a way to teach you. It’s what they love, and they do whatever it takes to get you to a level of comfort. Whether your interests are in self-​defense, fitness, sparring, padwork, the beautiful forms, cool kung fu weapons, confidence building… this program has it. At the end of the day, the classes will give you a great workout and you’ll learn not just kung fu but you’ll learn a lot about yourself. You may think this is just not «you» (as a 44 year old woman, I thought «no way») — but it very quickly becomes a hugely fun workout with a purpose and you’ll get to meet some super friendly people!

Have been attending this school for the past 4.5 years and so far have only nice things to say about it, granted I have not had much martial arts experience before, but was always fascinated with the art of Kung Fu. Combination of traditional Kung Fu forms and kickboxing/​sanshou classes gives you a chance to experience both aspects of the art as well as keeps you in shape. Sifu Felipe and the rest of the staff are very good at what they do and the atmosphere during classes is fun and full of energy which makes you work hard. At the same time instructors are very carefull to make sure you don’t overwork or injure yourself. Everybody treats each other with respect regardess if your belt level, gender, race or age and at this point for me every class feels more like workout with the family. Pricewise, in my oppinion, it’s very comparable to other gym membership and they have multiple payment options available to fit your needs. Summer sanshou bootcamp classes are definitely the highlights of the year for me.

Both my children attend TWKF academy. I can’t say enough good things about this place. The instructors are very attentive to the students needs, practice and form. Good structure and group management. Always… always…always positive! Ive seen my kids develop confidence and discipline in ways thay i didnt expect, particularly in school. Highly recommend.

I started training at Tat Wong at the ripe old age of 43 because I had fallen out of shape and I wanted to get back to better health. I have been training with Sifu Felipe and the amazing TWKFA staff for four years so far and I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been in in ten years! I can’t recommend them higher!

I’ve been training here for about 13 years. Straight up — if you’re looking for THE place to train your body and mind, you’ve found it. The combination of developing techniques in both Chinese Kung Fu and kickboxing has been awesome for me.
Through the excellent training I’ve received from the instructors here and GrandMaster Tat Wong himself, I have won gold in many international competitions. If you want to start a journey of martial arts… Like I’ve said above, look no further!

First, a little background on this reviewer:
I’ve studied northern-​style Shaolin Kung Fu for 8 years in a different country, was an instructor for six years, and competed both nationally and internationally as a state representative. I knew since then that I was married to Kung Fu. When I moved here, I wanted to make sure I chose the right place. So I did my research, I visited a few places, read some reviews. And even though this one was a different style than mine, I picked this one.
I’ve met a lot of Masters/​Head Instructors over my lifetime, and I thoroughly enjoy Sifu Felipe’s character and integrity. Very professional, very friendly, great with kids, and not at all condescending or conceited. He sets a great example for the instructors-​in-​training, and I have never seen any «black-​belt attitude» coming from him or any of the instructors, or even the instructors at the main school in San Francisco.
I can tell you from experience that way they administer the Tat Wong schools is very similar to the way they manage a lot of other martial arts schools all over the world. Tae Kwon Do, Wu Shu, Karate, it doesn’t matter. There is an effective management system that is shared by a lot of schools, because though they teach martial arts, they still have to pay overhead. So while membership is not «cheap», it’s comparable to the rest of what you find on this side of the Bay Area. Instructors have families and this is their livelihood, so they have to consider achieving a profit margin. You will see most of them working at least 6 days a week.(7 for some extra training on certain Sundays)
As with most martial arts, they’re in the business of forming well-​rounded individuals, not just athletic people who can kick and punch. So yes, students will be asked to help out at events, tournaments, or volunteer to teach. I have seen shy, socially-​awkward students grow and transform into these confident, well-​spoken young men and women who you can be put in charge of a class or crowd in a minute’s notice and handle it like leaders. Always good to remember: You get what you put in, so people who train by putting their best effort, working hard and helping out will achieve so many more benefits-​social, mental, emotional, physical– than those who don’t.
But most of all what I was looking for was family. I sorely missed my old «kung-​fu» family, and I was very happy to find that here. There is a wonderful mix of really friendly, polite people of all different ethnicities and backgrounds, and you are welcome regardless of your ability level or age. There’s kung-​fu and social events year-​round that you can participate in and make friends in the process. It’s a win-​win!

My son has been going to Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy since the age of 9. Martial Arts was recommended to us by the Resource Teacher as a way to increase our son’s learning skills in memory recall and abstract thinking (thinking off the cuff.) He has a learning disability called Auditory Processing. There is a disconnect between what his ears hear and what his brain processes. For example, if words are used out of context such as «hot under the collar», he will not understand because his understanding is more «black and white.» There were times when he was younger where he would get frustrated being able to explain himself and would go into the bathroom and cry. The teachers at Tat Wong took the time to understand him and would listen and ask questions of us in order to give him the best instruction possible. As a parent of a child with a learning disability, I am especially cognizant of other children with learning or physical disabilities. What I have always been aware of is the sensitivity towards all of the children and adults who have walked through the doors who may have a disability, obvious or hidden. At Tat Wong, everyone tries TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY. Growth within the individual; THAT is what counts at Tat Wong. Our son is now a confidant young man who, after volunteering for several years as an assistant, is now learning how to become a competent instructor. He is becoming more comfortable «thinking on his feet» and, while he will always have Auditory Processing difficulties, the instructors are continually helping him grow, not only as an instructor but also as a person. They have become an extended family to him, a place he can turn to in addition to his family.

The heavy sales tactic used at Tat Wong left a bad taste in my mouth. Even before our first package was used up, she was on us to sign up for another contract. It was constant weekly harassment. For that reason, we will never go back. Belts are not earned on merit but instead based on how much money you give them. The reason for 2 stars is because Sifu Felipe is a really good instructor and my boys really liked him. Too bad.

My daughter has been attending TWKFA for the past nine years and is a second-​degree black belt. We’re very happy with this school!
I brought my kids to the studio on the recommendation of a friend years ago. I thought my young son would like to learn martial arts but it was my daughter that fell in love with it. She tried other things like dance and softball but didn’t find her own sport until coming to Tat Wong. Over the years, she found that she felt better after a hard workout and really appreciated getting strong and fit. This kind of «exercise while playing» is the best kind for growing kids, especially teens who have to deal with all kinds of stress at home and school.
They offer many different payment plans. Since she was an ongoing student, we paid for years at a time and got a great discount. This way, she had the option of going any day of the week, up to 5 days of classes if she wanted. She didn’t feel pressured to go if she had homework and usually ended up going 3 days a week. They also offer special classes on the weekend, like special weapons or self-​defense training. Another perk is performing at the Chinese New Year parade in S.F. with TWKFA for many years.
This school has always had a good reputation for teaching kids of all ages and they work with families to help them achieve their goals. The teachers are very friendly and genuinely dedicated to their craft. Most of the teachers started out as students at TWKFA themselves and stay for most of their lives as part of their extended family.

I hardly ever take the time to write reviews but I want others to know how wonderful this school is. I joined about 4 years ago at age 56!!! The instructors have been so wonderful and supportive. I can’t always do the jumps, but I am encouraged to do what I can. I love the friendliness and feel I’m part of a larger family. The challenge of remembering the complex forms and self defense keep me challenged mentally, while the workout leaves me definitely challenged physically. I am now stronger and healthier than I was 15 years ago when I was working out at a local gym. Sifu Felipe, Sehing Kevin, Sihing Brandon and all the other instructors are so talented and knowledgeable and they have pushed me much further than I would have ever thought possible. Thank you to TWKFA!

My two sons are students at TWKFA. My oldest has been studying here for almost 5 years and my youngest for almost 4 years. I looked at 3 other studios in the Belmont/​San Carlos/​San Mateo area when we first started and even attended another studio for 2 months before finally finding TWKFA, so you could say that I’m a little picky.
The kid-​friendly instructors are a main reason I chose TWKFA. Sifu Felipe is especially awesome with the kids. All the instructors motivate my kids in a positive way. My boys really enjoy attending classes and they get a great workout at the same time.
My boys also participate in seasonal team sports, and I love that TWKFA has a flexible schedule with classes at different times on each day of the week so that we can adjust the days we attend depending on our baseball and soccer practice days and times, which change every few months. This is a HUGE positive point for our family.
The cost is comparable to other studios in the area (in fact, it was the same as the other, lesser quality studio we had tried before coming here). In the realm of kids’ sports, it costs significantly less than club soccer; my kids are getting a full-​body workout, learning discipline and respect for themselves, others, and adults, and getting a cultural experience. I highly recommend TWKFA.

My son was interested in taking a Martial Arts class and I chose Tat Wong Kung Fu Academy because the instructors take the art very seriously and it’s real Kung Fu training. The other schools I looked at were more just kids in uniform running around for 30 mins. Sifu Felipe is very structured and each and every minute of class is used for instruction.
Sifu Felipe and his staff focus on kung fu training and each class is different. I also like how they incorporate fitness into the class as I want my child exposed to these things at an early age.
I think pricing is competitive considering you get to go to classes twice a week for 45 mins.

We love Sifu Felipe, but Sifu Ming is a phony one. He treats children badly and snaps at them if you are not there watching the class. He also punishes the kids by taking them out of the class WITHOUT telling them why they are being excluded. He should NOT be working with kids, nowhere, what a shame! That is the San Mateo School. Also, it’s outrageously expensive!

I’ve been a student here for the last 6 years and have loved every minute of it. From learning traditional martial arts and then full contact kick boxing training, my weight has plummeted — I’m in my late 30’s and feel better and fitter than I did in my 20’s.
The teachers and staff are very supportive and will push you further than you ever thought you could be pushed. The whole school, with the various branches around the Bay Area, has a collegiate feel to it and I’ve also made a lot more friends than I ever imagined.
Even if you’re unsure about taking up martial arts, try it out for a short time — you may just surprise yourself with what you can achieve.

Well, where do I begin. My two-​star rating is based partly my opinions of traditional martial arts and partly on the quality of instruction at the school currently. FYI, Tat Wong Kung Fu teaches Choy Lay Fut style kung fu with kickboxing style sparring. When I first started I thought joining up was one of the best decisions I ever made. I got a good workout while learning basic striking techniques, but over the course of the past couple years there’s been a diminishing emphasis on practical application.
Basically, they’re teaching the style primarily though forms which is a sure-​fire way to get your butt handed to you. Case in point, I would be a taught a form, and then the instructor would claim that such and such a move would rip out my assailants throat while breaking his limb. Ok, fine I guess, but how would I know unless there was some form of non-​compliant exercise. In essence, the system was taught as a cultural artifact through pre-​programed arrangements and not as something you can actually employ. Granted, that we did some point sparring, but it didn’t seem any of the kung fu elements ever filtered into the sparring.
Here’s the real kicker to this place: The belt promotions don’t make any sense. Hypothetically, one gets promoted once you learn and can competently execute your current belt level form, but in practice it’s far from the case. People get promoted regardless whether they know the forms or not. I guess you get promoted on the basis of whether your check clears or not. I also hear of cases of adults, adults mind you, demanding to the instructors that they be promoted and the instructors acceding to their wishes. Boys/​males get disproportionately get promoted faster than girls/​females. People who started two years after me are just a belt behind me now, and they’re not kung fu prodigies at all.
Also, the facilities are decrepit. Totally worn down mats led to a person getting injured seriously, yet Grandmaster Tat Wong claimed that she got hurt in the kitchen. Whoa, borderline sexist.
In summation, I would avoid this place unless you really enjoy angry face dancing that will get you killed in a real-​life situation. It’s a belt mill that will give you an OK workout, but little in practical application. I believe there’s a word for such an establishment, a McDojo.