What Is Chow Gar Hakka Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu and How Do Classes Work?
Chow Gar Hakka Southern Praying Mantis is a traditional Southern Chinese kung fu style, and the Chow Gar Hakka Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu School of Excellence in Romford, Essex teaches it through two routes: personal training and regular class training. If you want a school that preserves original training methods and pairs them with one-to-one attention, this format is worth considering. If you are looking for a quick fitness class with no traditional framework, it is probably not the right fit.
What makes Chow Gar different from generic kung fu
The school describes its practice as "traditional Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu" and emphasizes "strict, traditional and original training methods." That framing matters because "kung fu" covers a wide range of Chinese martial arts, and Southern Praying Mantis is a specific lineage rather than a general label.
The school's stated purpose is preserving this practice while improving students' lives. Its values are listed as respect, dignity, dedication, discipline, hard work and a positive attitude. Those are not just slogans here — they shape how classes are run and what is expected of students.
How the training is structured
The school splits its training into two formats, and understanding the difference helps you choose how to start.
Personal training
Personal training is tailored to your ability. According to the school, the instructor combines "the right equipment and traditional exercises" to find the best method for you to progress and reach your goals. The aim is twofold: increase power and strength, and improve technique. This route suits people who want individual correction, have specific goals, or prefer to build confidence before joining a group.
Class training
Class training is described as friendly and welcoming, with an emphasis on traditional methods and techniques. The school states that regular class training is fundamental to learning correct techniques and developing strength and power. In other words, personal training can accelerate progress, but the class is where the style is learned consistently.
| Format | Best for | What it focuses on |
|---|---|---|
| Personal training | Individual goals, tailored pacing, extra correction | Right equipment plus traditional exercises; power, strength and technique |
| Class training | Learning the style properly, training with others | Traditional methods and techniques; correct technique, strength and power |
What a beginner can expect
The school addresses a common barrier directly: after a hard day's work, you may not have the energy to train, and you are not alone in putting it off. Its answer is that the school exists to accompany and motivate you on that journey.
In practice, a first class in this kind of traditional setting usually means:
- A welcoming group environment, since the school states all classes are friendly and welcoming
- Instruction in traditional methods rather than a loose fitness circuit
- An emphasis on mutual support — students are expected to encourage and support each other
- A focus on correct technique from the start, because regular class training is treated as fundamental to learning it
The school also frames the outcome beyond fighting: the values it teaches are meant to help students become "better well-rounded and successful individuals."
Where the school is and how to find details
The school is located in Romford, Essex. Its site includes pages for classes, memberships, instructors, techniques, a family tree, events and a members area, plus a contact page and directions. If you want to check class times, membership terms or availability, those pages are the place to look — the school's own materials do not list prices or a free-trial offer, so confirm those details directly rather than assuming.
A practical next step: use the contact page to ask about observing or joining a class, and mention whether you are interested in personal training, class training, or both. That lets the school match you to the right starting point.