Black Tiger Fight Club
Black Tiger Fight Club has roots in San Diego, California, where it was founded in 1992. The Beijing location was started by Muay Thai champion and veteran Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) coach Vince Soberano, trainer to China’s only UFC fighter, Zhang Tiequan. The studio bills itself as the only expat-driven and expat–focused martial arts and fitness club in China.
Founding date: 2006
Martial arts taught: Primarily Muay Thai and Brazilian jiujitsu for the mixed martial arts (MMA) program, as well as supplemental classes in Western boxing and freestyle wrestling.
Areas of operation: Shunyi South and Sanyuan Qiao
Ages taught: Currently, students range in age from 4 to 67.
Teacher certifications: The studio’s teachers come from the US, France, the Philippines, and more. They are all experienced pro fighters and coaches, and are certified by Black Tiger Worldwide . Most of them also have fitness trainer certifications from accredited organizations like the US-based Institute of Human Performance.
Size: 455 registered members in Beijing, as well as a location in Shanghai.
Facilities: Full fitness facilities at the Hyundai Tower location, including showers, a sauna, weights, cardio machines, lockers, an equipment shop, and more.
Cost: RMB 1,100/month; RMB 2,800/three months; RMB 4,500/six months
Languages spoken: English
Opening hours: Varies according to age group and discipline (check website for details).
Contact: 1) Beijing Northeast (Main) Training Center, Suite 201, 2/F, Riviera Plaza, 5 Laiguangying Donglu, Chaoyang District (139 1071 2576, info@blacktigerclub.com) www.blacktigerclub.com 朝阳区来广营东路5号尚古城2层201室; 2) Beijing City Training Center, B-101, Hyundai Motor Building, 38 Xiaoyun Lu, Chaoyang District (139 1071 2576, info@blacktigerclub.com) www.blacktigerclub.com 朝阳区霄云路38号现代汽车大厦地下1层
Jinghua Wushu 精华武术
Jinghua Wushu was founded by Master Liu Xiaoyan, a 32nd generation Shaolin monk and fifth generation tai chi practitioner. The organization first taught Shaolin kung fu to kids, then branched out into classes for adults and tai chi classes. With roots in the Shaolin Fawang Temple, Jinghua Wushu has an approved teaching centers in New Zealand and Japan and an upcoming center in Germany. Master Liu is a certified national-level martial arts instructor; this makes him one of the few people allowed to train and certify both Chinese and international martial artists. He has also appeared in numerous documentaries and TV shows, the latest being Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s An Idiot Abroad.
Founding date: 2002
Martial arts taught: Shaolin kungfu for kids and adults; tai chi, qigong, sanda (also known as sanshou), and qinna for adults. Areas of operation: Chaoyang and Shunyi Districts (venues include Beijing Riviera Villas, 3e International School, Daystar Academy, Dulwich College Beijing, and Yew Chung International School of Beijing)
Ages taught: Ages 3 and up
Teacher certifications: The organization’s teachers all come from Shaolin and are certified by the Henan Province Sports Bureau. Upon arrival in Beijing, they must follow a three-month training course with Master Liu. They then follow up with morning training twice a week.
Size: Jinghua Wushu has 500 regular members in Beijing and 3,000 around the world.
Facilities: The main studio is located in Kempinski Hotel Beijing; there are showers, lockers, and more.
Cost: RMB 70-80/class (group); RMB 200/class (private); RMB 400/class (semi-private class with 3-8 people)
Languages spoken: English, French, and Chinese (Jinghua Wushu can also receive emails in German)
Opening hours: There are no opening hours. The organization follows the needs of students, so classes can start as early as 6am.
Contact: Pulse Health Club, B1/F, Kempinski Hotel Beijing, 40 Liangma Qiao Lu, Chaoyang District (131 4107 2677, 135 2228 3751, jinghuawushu@yahoo.com.cn, kungfu@jinghuawushu.com) www.jinghuawushu.com 朝阳区亮马桥路40号凯宾斯基饭店都市脉搏
Marco Lee 李冠华
Hong Kong native Marco Lee has been teaching Wing Chun kung fu in Beijing for five years. Created by a female Shaolin nun, Wing Chun kung fu focuses on deflecting and yielding to force; action star Bruce Lee originally learned and popularized this practice. In addition to English, Coach Lee also speaks German, Italian, and Chinese. Private classes are held at his home, while group classes take place at Oakwood Residence Beijing.
Martial arts taught: Wing Chun kung fu
Area of operation: Dongzhimen
Ages taught: Ages 15 and up
Teacher certifications: Coach Lee has studied the entire Wing Chun system under Master Lo Man Kam, the nephew of Grandmaster Yip Man (Bruce Lee’s teacher). He is the only representative of Lo Man Kam Wing Chun and Chinese Boxing Institute International in mainland China.
Size: Classes vary in size, but are usually limited to 10 people.
Facilities: One of the teaching venues is the Oakwood Residence Beijing, a five-star hotel apartment building with saunas, showers, towels, and more.
Cost: RMB 1,280/month, RMB 2,880/three months (private group class); RMB 800/month, RMB 1,920/three months (public group class); RMB 250/hour for a minimum of 2 hours (private one-on-one class); RMB 1,920/month (special intensive course)
Languages spoken: English, German, Italian, and Chinese
Opening hours: Varies according to class type (call for details)
Contact: Oakwood Residence Beijing, 8 Dongzhimenwai Xiejie, Chaoyang District (131 2655 3900, wingchun.china@gmail.com) www.poweredge.ch/~wckf 朝阳区东直门外斜街8号
This article is excerpted from beijingkids May 2012 issue. View it in PDF form here or contact distribution@beijing-kids.com to find out where you can pick up your free copy.
