On this page you find a list of common questions received by initial enquiry or new students. If you have an enquiry which is not answered here, please feel free to get in touch with the appropriate person via the Contacts page or check out the FAQ pages on the individual club sites.
Scroll down to see your questions answered or click each title to jump to a section:
How do I join?
Where and when do you train?
What are the club Fees?
Is there a student discount?
Do you teach children?
Is there a minimum age limit?
What should I wear?
I am an absolute beginner...
- does it matter that I'm not very fit?
I have studied a different martial art before...
- can I instruct at your club?
Is Hung Leng Kuen suitable for women?
Are there term times?
Do you train for tournament?
Sparring:
- Do you spar?
- Is sparring scary?
Do you have to go through the grading system?
Do you teach specific Kung Fu styles within Hung Leng Kuen?
Private Lessons
Uniforms & Padding
How do I join?
There are no specially designated induction lessons.
Simply arrive with enough time to fill in a short insurance form before the lesson commences.
You should also ensure that you inform the instructor of any injuries or physical problems you may have that may effect your performance.
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Where and when do you train?
We have branches in Fareham, Isleworth, Portsmouth, Southampton and Surbiton (see The Clubs section of the navigation panel. Visit the individual club web sites for addresses, training days and times.
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Fees vary between the clubs.
Their is an annual Federation membership and insurance fee of £30.
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Visit the web site of the branch you are interested in attending.
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Do you teach children?
At present there are no classes especially for children. Under 18s are welcome to attend, however, classes occasionally contain theories that those with short attention spans may struggle to maintain interest in and as everyone pays to be taught, even though no-one is left behind, it would be unfair for instructors to spend extended amounts of time every lesson catering for individuals or allowing those with short attention spans to dictate the course of lessons.
However, that being said, the younger an individual starts, the better for them it is.
It should be noted that Hung Leng Kuen practitioners are expected to be disciplined and respectful at all times.
Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult - parent or guardian - for their first lesson.
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It is preferred that students are 14 or over, however, an individual's outlook and personality is more important than an age category.
We have had several students under the age of 10 who usually attend with their parents. We have also had mature students in their 50s.
There are several exercises that younger students should not perfrom until their bodies are physically developed enough to do so. There are slight differences to these training methods or alternatives that they can practice in the meantime.
We do advise that, as the majority of our students are over 18, we do not alter lesson plans for the benefit of younger students and so they may find it difficult to understand theory or maintain interest while teaching complex moves and forms.
Under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult - parent or guardian - for their first lesson.
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Until you decide that you want to train in Hung Leng Kuen permanently, you should attend lessons in a plain t-shirt, training/tracksuit bottoms and trainers / sports footwear that allow your feet to flex. After a month of training, you should be on the way to having black kung fu bottoms and a plain white or club t-shirt.
To participate in any kind of contact sparring a student will require at least a gumshield and gloves. For a student to get the full benefit from sparring they should look at kitting themselves out with full sparring gear as listed below. When purchasing gear, sellers we recommend are Playwell.co.uk or Blitz
A full compliment of padding for all students allows intructors to teach some very valuable lessons. You will need full padding in order to spar and progress past your first grading. For a list of pads required, see the bottom of this page.
Students who only attend the self defence specific lessons at Southampton University aren't required to wear a particular uniform.
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All grades are taught together, therefore there are no beginners classes as such, but you are taught at a level suited to you.
It is recommended that you attend at least 4 classes to get a decent idea of whether the style is what you are looking for.
- does it matter that I'm not very fit?
Not to begin with - it shouldn't stop you attending your first class! Dedicated training in Hung Leng Kuen will get you to a good standard of fitness.
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I have studied a different martial art before...
We welcome students from alternative martial arts backgrounds. You will begin training as any other new student and instructors will assess your capabilities. Students who train in other martial arts before they join have a tendency to progress quicker than absolute beginners.
- can I instruct at your club?
No. Only those who have been graded to an instructor level by someone senior in Hung Leng Kuen can teach at any Hung Leng Kuen club.
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Is Hung Leng Kuen suitable for women?
Yes, and we have many dedicated long-term female students to prove it.
In terms of self defence it's ideal as what we teach relies on technique more than strength and so does not require you to be big or strong. You will develop a technique suited to your individual needs. We already have several dedicated female students.
We also occasionally hold extra-curricular women's self defence lessons. If you would interested in attending these, send an email to the club you are interested in attending to get on the mailing list.
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Visit the web site of the branch you are interested in attending.
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No. Hung Leng Kuen does hold inter-club competitions as it can add an extra incentive to your training. However, as students of "Martial Arts" in it's truest sense, we train for real-life self-defence situations and reactions that may become diminished if focussing on training for competition or sport.
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Yes. Used wisely, sparring is a tool that can help students get used to the reality of being attacked, help students with their timing, practice the use of their techniques, increase stamina and improve confidence.
Used incorrectly, it gives people an unrealistic perspective on what fighting is like. Hung Leng Kuen uses sparring to compliment it's training techniques and is a part of the overall learning. Therefore, we employ it regularly.
- Is sparring scary?
It depends on your definition of "scary". It may get your adrenaline pumping, but sparring is always supervised and the intention in lessons is never to inflict serious damage on your training partner. At the club you will be partnered-up with those of a similar grade and those who are more experienced than you will bring things down to your level.
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Do you have to go through the grading system?
We do not force you to progress through the grading syllabus, but do strongly advise it as it is the basis for the system we teach. You are able to pick up self defence techniques without grading, but the syllabus is designed to combine the Martial and Art sides to enhance and compliment everything you are taught.
It is essential for everyone to have goals and the stepping stones that will take you to them. The Hung Leng Kuen syllabus will give you these goals.
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Do you teach specific Kung Fu styles within Hung Leng Kuen?
(eg. Monkey / Mantis / Ba Gua / Choy Lee Fut etc.)
No. The Hung Leng Kuen Kung Fu system is a distinct style which has many different influences as The Style and Background sections of this site documents. Throughout the syllabus you will find grades that focus on areas that have a particular influence, although in training we focus on the core of Hung Leng Kuen. We do not claim to be experts in every other style of Kung Fu!
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Private Lessons
Private lessons will be considered if requested. However, if you are likely to cancel at the last minute (as has been all to common in the past) please do not request them.
Private lessons for groups are also available.
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Uniform and Padding
When you first attend you are asked to wear sensible sports training attire: a plain t-shirt, tracksuit/sports trousers and sensible sports shoes.
After a month of training you are expected to start aquiring the following uniform and protective gear.
When purchasing gear, sellers we recommend are Playwell.co.uk or Blitz
T-Shirts:
Either plain white or club T-Shirt.
Bottoms:
Cotton
- durable - buy a size larger than you otherwise would as they do shrink slightly after washing. Elasticated or open ankles.
or Satin
- lighter, often more manouvreable.
Footwear
- should allow your foot to flex - avoid chunky-soles. They should also not have overly long laces or harsh protruding parts that may harm your training partners. The online martial arts stores now have a large variety of training shoes with padded tops (no laces, buckles or straps). Puma generally have a selection of slip-on trainers with a good grip, which are ideal.
Sash
- at Hung Leng Kuen we wear satin kung fu sashes, not cotton belts.
To spar, the minimum you will need is a gumshield and gloves.
Gumshield
- it is essential that you purchase one that you can mould to your teeth.
Gloves
- should be well-padded for the protection of your partner during training.
Bag mitts are NOT suitable for sparring.
Groin Protection
- available for men and women.
Chest Guard
- more necessary for women than for men, however, men are welcome to wear them also.
Shin Pads
- foam, not plastic. Foot protection is not essential as we do not spar barefoot.
Head Guard
- with fixed face grille.
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Although we recommend Playwell.co.uk as a decent retailer, it is obviously advisable to make sure that the gear is comfortable for you before purchase.