Hong Kong may be safe, but that doesn’t mean women and girls shouldn’t protect themselves. Here’s our roundup of self-defence classes.
Even though we are lucky enough to live in a city where walking home at night doesn’t feel threatening, every woman – and girl – should know how to defend herself. Not only is self-defence a valuable skill, it is also a lot of fun to learn and is a great way to boost your fitness and confidence. Would you rather learn a martial-arts style of defence? A military or MMA style? What about one that requires very little memorisation or special moves? Or perhaps something that combines it all? We’ve compiled some styles and suggestions to get you started.
Krav Maga
Krav Maga is a military self-defence style that was developed for the Israeli Defence Forces. It’s a popular form of self-defence as it combines a variety of techniques from boxing, wrestling, aikido, judo and karate, as well as realistic fight scenarios.
IKMF Krav Maga Hong Kong
Offering a “Stay Away” program that boasts about having the best self-defence program for women, Krav Maga Hong Kong focuses on the specific scenarios women may have to face in a scary encounter, such as how to escape a kidnapper, how to use minimal force to deal with attackers and what to do if you are sexually harassed or robbed. The program is open to women and girls over the age of 14 and runs every Wednesday evening. General Krav Maga classes are also available for youths and kids.
Fees:
Drop in: $350
Trial Intro Class: $150
Intro Four-Class Pack: $1,100 (valid for one month)
Eight-Class Pack: $2,700 (valid for three months)
Schedule details:
Every Wednesday from 8pm to 9pm
IKMF Maga Hong Kong, Cheuk Nang Centre, 16/FL 9 Hillwood Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 3998 4301, www.kravmaga.com.hk
Hong Kong Self-defence and Krav Maga
For those that are serious about their self-defence, Hong Kong Self-defence and Krav Maga offers a great schedule with courses that are suitable for all levels, ages, shapes and sizes. Hong Kong Self-defence and Krav Maga has two locations on Hong Kong Island that are run out of different fitness studios.
Fees:
$2500/month with plenty of discount packages available. Full pricing list here.
For full course schedule, click here.
Hong Kong Self-defence and Krav Maga, Central: Training out of Impact MMA, Level 2, Wings Building, 110-116 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong. Sheung Wan: Training out of Steam Studio, 4/F Si Toi Commercial Building, 62-63 Connaught Rd West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 2824 8427, [email protected], www.hkselfdefence.com
Systema
Similar to Krav Maga in that Systema was designed for the Red Army in Russia, this approach focuses on natural defensive reactions and movements meant for unpredictable situations. The difference here is you are not required to memorise or recall special techniques or movements, but, rather, you work on your already existing natural reactions and instincts.
Systema Hong Kong
“The best way to defend against men? Train with them!” Systema Hong Kong’s program emphasises on working with your current level of fitness and then building on it and your capabilities to fend off attackers. Systema Hong Kong features a comfortable environment to build up your confidence and skills.
Fees:
Drop in: $300
Six Classes – $1200/month (valid for one month)
Eight Classes – $1500/month (valid for three months)
For full course schedule, click here.
Systema Hong Kong, 27/F Yue Thai Commercial Building 128 Connaught Rd Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 6443 5227, www.systemahongkong.com
Systema Vasiliev Hong Kong
Want to train outside? Systema Vasiliev has classes that take place once a week in the outdoor areas of Kowloon. Antonio Arancio, who has been practicing a variety of marital arts since he was 15, runs the affordable Systema program. While beginners are welcome, it is also advised that newcomers do some research on the program prior to attending to get the most out of the class.
Fees:
Trial Class: $120
Monthly Class: $500/month
Schedule and Locations:
Every Saturday from 3pm to 5pm at Kowloon Park, Banyan Court, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong.
Every Wednesday from 6:30pm to 8pm, at the open space outside Boundary Street Sports Centre No. 1, Prince Edward, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Meetup group details, click here
Systema Vasiliev Hong Kong, 9268 3970 [email protected], www.systemahkrma.com
Wing Chun
Want to learn both Kung Fu and self-defence? Look into the Wing Chun style. Wing Chun was developed in Southern China and is a simplified form of Kung Fu focusing on self-defence.
Marc Guyon Kung Fu
Marc Guyon’s Wing Chun has taken this martial art from the sporting arena to the streets and teaches students how to use Wing Chun in real-life situations. The course also borrows techniques from a few other martial arts, making for a practical and straight-forward approach to self-defence. The course runs on Wednesday evenings, and there are also classes for kids.
Fees:
Membership: $300/year
Drop-in class: $200 per class
Open mat/self-training: $100 per session
Packages: $1,500 to $2,000/month
Private Training : $1,200/hour
For full course schedule, click here.
Marc Guyon Kung Fu, Unit 332, Block D, DB Plaza, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, 9303 2996, [email protected], www.marcguyon.hk
Mindful Wing Chun
With a combined experience of more than 50 years in the industry between all the Mindful Wing Chun’s instructors, you’ll be sure to get instruction that is perfect for beginners and experts alike. Mindful Wing Chun’s General Wing Chun class is recommended for grasping the basics of Wing Chun and self-defence. Mindful Win Chun has also just started a women’s only self-defence class that is being advertised on Meetup that takes place on the first Saturday of every month. Only eight spots are available for this group, so if you’re interested you should reserve one. Make it a family affair as Mindful Wing Chun also has kids classes.
Fees/Membership:
Please contact Mindful Wing Chun for details.
For full course schedule, click here.
Mindful Wing Chun, 8/F On Lan Centre, 11-15 On Lan St, Central, Hong Kong, 6620 7050, [email protected], www.mindfulwingchun.com.hk
IWKA Kung Fu Hong Kong
Offering beginner courses for both adults and kids, IWKA Kung Fu illustrates a fun, fit and effective way to learn Kung Fu for self-defence.
Fees/Membership: Please contact IWKA Kung Fu for details.
IWKA Kung Fu Hong Kong, 285 Des Voeux Road, Unit 2B, Kam Hong Building, Sheung Wan, 2851 7755, [email protected], www.kungfuhongkong.com.hk
Yip Man Martial Art Association
The Yip Man Martial Art Association was set up with Yip Man and his associates in the 1970s and it has been a thriving, effective and affordable way to learn the art of Wing Chun ever since.
Fees:
Adults: $500/month (two classes a week)
Youth: $400/month (two classes a week with valid student ID)
Kids (6 to 12): $400/month (one class a week)
Private lessons: With Sam Lau: $1000/per hour. Other assistants: $500/per hour
Yip Man Martial Art Association, 58 Nathan Rd, Flat F1, 3/F, Mirador Mansion, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, 2723 2306, [email protected], www.samlau-wingchun.com
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
With the popularity of MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) has quickly become a popular fitness sport as well as a form of self-defence. It focuses on grappling and ground fighting, both of which are real-life situations for women when being attacked.
Espada Studio
This studio specializes in BJJ and MMA and offers a women-only course that will whip you into shape while teaching you self-defence through BJJ. Espada even has options for those who love BJJ enough to want to compete!
Fees/Membership: Please contact Espada Studio for details.
For full class schedule, click here.
Espada Studio, 2nd Floor, Unit A & B, Kin On Commercial Building, 49-51 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2885 1922, www.espada.hk
Camel Assembly’s Purpose Training
Camel Assembly is an organisation of creative female leaders determined to make positive changes for women across the globe. Purpose Training is an opportunity they pulled together to help women learn self-defence, while also supporting non-profit organisations that assist women. The program in Hong Kong covers around six different sets of jiu-jitsu moves that takes place once a month at a hosted fitness studio, with all the proceeds going towards Rain Lily, a local NGO that is against sexual violence.
Fees:
$150 per class/one hour
Schedule and Location:
The last Tuesday of each month at Chris Collins Action Plus from 8:00pm to 9:00pm.
Chris Collins Action Plus, 4/F, 35-36 Connaught Road West, Connaught Harbourfront House, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2915 9059, [email protected], www.chriscollinsaction.com, www.camelassembly.com
SHBJJ Hong Kong
While fitness driven, SHBJJ Hong Kong has some BJJ instructors with great resumes. SHBJJ Hong Kong has a reasonable and upfront membership fees (free trial class, too) and kids classes all at its location in Central. The only downside being that SHBJJ Hong Kong is not open on Sundays.
Fees:
Drop in: $250
Adults: $2000/month
Kids: $1500/month
For full class schedule, click here.
SHBJJ Hong Kong, Shop B, G/F, No. 1-3A Ping On Lane, Central, [email protected], www.shbjjhk.com
Mixed Martial Arts & Self-Defence
Don’t care so much about styles or want a chance to try a few different ones before you decide? Or what about some want some basic fitness and strength to go with your training? Here a few places that balance it all:
Immortal Fitness
Self-defence, BJJ, Muay Thai, boxing, HIIT, circuit training, yoga and boxing. That is the list of programs you can take at Immortal Fitness! Find the program that suits you best with Immortal’s comfortable and supportive atmosphere along with its highly-trained staff.
Fees/Membership:
Please contact Immortal Fitness for details.
For full class schedule, click here.
Immortal Fitness, 8/F Southland Building, 48 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2804 2282, [email protected], www.immortal-fitness.com.hk
Chris Collins Action Plus
Want to know how to fight with a weapon? Chris Collins Action Plus offers programs that work with both sticks and knives. Additionally, trained staff also provide Wing Chun, Boxing, BJJ courses to up your self-defence game including the rarely offered Pekiti-Tirsia, a Filipino martial arts style.
Fees:
Fees vary per course, for fee details click here.
For full class schedule, click here.
Chris Collins Action Plus, 4/F, 35-36 Connaught Road West, Connaught Harbourfront House
Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2915 9059, www.chriscollinsaction.com.
Phoenix Fight Club
At Phoenix Fight Club each member is made to feel like a part of a team. Phoenix Fight Club specialises in a variety of fighting styles that lend themselves to self-defence , such as Muay Thai and BJJ, while also offering great HIIT classes to ramp up your fitness. Phoenix Fight Club offers free trial classes as well as a Meetup group that focuses on self-defence/grappling aspects of BJJ that takes place every Saturday afternoon.
Fees/Membership:
Please contact Phoenix Fight Club for details.
For full class schedule, click here.
Phoenix Fight Club, 11/F Fung Woo Building, 279 Des Voeux Rd Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong 5948 8129, [email protected], www.phoenixfightclubhk.com