Welcome to Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy
Established in 1992
✔ Our Head Coach has 45 years of experience
✔ Our coaching team has over 250 years of experience
✔ Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts has produced more than 100 Black Belts
✔ Since 2010, we’ve produced over 170 National Champions and 11 World Champions
✔ Hampshire Sports Club of the Year
✔ Winchester Sports Coach of the Year
✔ Every Coach is professionally qualified
✔ We are Martial Arts Academy run by family for family
✔ All of our classes are beginner friendly
We have programs for all abilities and ages.
For more than 35 years, Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy has been dedicated to helping children, teens and adult’s learning Martial Arts with us to grow their confidence, self discipline and fitness through our award winning Martial Arts programmes.
We support our members by creating a welcoming and nurturing space where everyone has the opportunity to learn Martial Arts from a brand new beginner to someone with decades of experience.
From Our Kids Karate, Adults Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Ladies only classes and Tai Chi for health and wellbeing, our expert coaching helps beginners and experienced students achieve real results in a safe, welcoming and highly professional environment.
Our approach focuses on helping you develop your skills and achieve your personal goals, enhancing both your mental and physical growth through our proven Martial Arts curriculum. This includes a blend of Martial Arts training, education, and professional coaching.
Our Martial Arts club in Winchester is inclusive of all – regardless of age, race, gender, or ability. We believe that Martial Arts is for everyone and, where needed, we can make the right adjustments to suit the individual. Our experienced coaches are here to guide you in a stimulating, supportive, and open environment.
Take a look through our website to learn more about how we can assist you, and feel free to get in touch to book your free taster class.
Speak to a Coach.
Please enter your contact details below with the questions that you have for a coach about how we can help you. Please tell us which class you are interested in.
An Introduction to our Martial Arts Classes
43 years of Martial Arts Coaching excellence
Our highly skilled and passionate coaches are dedicated to helping you grow in confidence, fitness, and skill. They’re there to support you in reaching your goals in a friendly, engaging and welcoming environment.
Our Head Coach has been coaching now for over 43 years. His technical pedigree is excellent, a 7th Dan Black Belt in Karate and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Kung Fu. He is also a 3rd Dan in Shotokan Karate, he hold Black Belts in Judo and Yoshinkan Aikido. Tai Chi doesn’t have grades, but he’s a National Level Tai Chi teacher and is a tutor for the Sport England National Governing body for Tai Chi. With a Master’s Degree in Advanced Sports Coaches backed up by Coaching qualifications with a British Judo Association Level 5 qualification and a Level 3 qualification with The British Council for Chinese Martial Arts his focus has always been very straightforward. “To help my students to become better Martial Artists than me and to become better people.”
Since Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy started, over 100 of our members progressed through to Black Belt with the highest ranked currently being 5th Dan. We’re proud to have served generations of the same families.
As the Head Coach, Bryan is responsible for the ongoing professional development of our twenty member strong coaching team. Each member of our coaching team brings specialist skills to bear including strength and conditioning, nutrician, pedagogy, self defence and breathworks. Hosting monthly coach education classes means that we share knowledge and experience amongst all of our coaching team.
Experience matters, Standards matter. Built on tradition, driven by excellence. This is what Shin Gi Tai is built on.
Take a look around our website to see how we can help, and book your free taster class HERE!
Choosing the right Martial Arts school is important.
Benefits of Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy
Choosing the correct Martial Arts for you is important. The right training environment and approach to training has a hugh impact on your long term successes. Mindset, fitness, Confidence and even Self Protection skills are all affected.
In Winchester at Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy, we can help you with Children’s Martial Arts, Ladies only Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Adult’s Martial Arts and Tai Chi. Put one forward and arrange a FREE taster class with us.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
FAQs asked by parents
Are your classes suitable for a beginner in Martial Arts?
Defintely. Most of our members start learning a Martial Arts as a a complete beginner. Our structured syllabus is designed to support progression from beginner to Black Belt and beyond. With our supportive coaching and friendly members, you’ll pick up your new skills rapidly.
What Martial Arts do you teach?
Our Children’s and Adult’s syllabus were designed with self protection in mind and cover long and mid range skills plus close quarter grappling with techniques drawn from Karate, Kung Fu and Judo. Adult’s can also learn Muay Thai from Thailand, Our Ladies Only classes learn Chinese Kickboxing and for those wanting to look at a more relaxed form of exercise Yang Style Tai Chi.
Where are you located?
We are based in Winnal in Winchester and welcome students from across Hampshire and surrounding areas further afield who looking for high quality martial arts training for children, teens and adults in a full time professional Martial Arts facility.
Do you offer Ladies only classes
As a club we’ve been running Ladies only classes now for over 15 years. Our Ladies Only Kickboxing are a welcoming and supportive environment designed to help women build confidence, fitness and practical self-defence skills within a supportive and friendly community. Many of our coaches started in our Ladies only classes and are leading coaches in their own right and are responsible for leading programs within Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Academy.
What will my child get from Martial Arts training with you in Winchester?
We have a strong track record of helping our members achieve meaningful, lasting results. Parents want to see their children happy, confident, and thriving, while children simply want to have fun, make friends, and enjoy every class they attend.
At the same time, parents value the peace of mind that comes from knowing their child is learning practical self-defence skills, alongside building confidence, focus, discipline, and respect, All qualities that benefit them both inside and outside the dojo.
Many parents join us because they want their child to develop confidence, focus, resilience and self-discipline. Our Martial Arts classes provides structure, a range of positive role models and clear personal progress that helps children grow both on and off the mats.
Are Martial Arts suitable for my family?
At Shin Gi Tai, being a family-focused Martial Arts club in Winchester is at the heart of everything we do. We believe Martial Arts is about far more than just punches, kicks, and fitness. It’s about becoming part of a supportive community of people who share similar goals, values, and ambitions.
We are a family run Martial Arts club with parents and children still training together several times every week. We are passionate that Martial Arts can be practiced by everyone. Our coaches are experts in adapting the Martial Art to suit the person learning their Martial Art.
For children in Winchester, our Martial Arts classes provide a safe and positive environment where they can develop important social skills, build confidence, improve discipline, and create lasting friendships. Training helps children learn respect, teamwork, and how to support others, while becoming part of a strong and encouraging community.
For adults, our Martial Arts classes in Winchester offer much more than just fitness training. They provide a welcoming social network where members can improve their health, relieve stress, learn self-defence, and train alongside like-minded people. It becomes a place to build friendships, celebrate achievements, and enjoy personal progress with the support of a positive community around you.
Whether you are looking for children’s Martial Arts classes in Winchester or adult Martial Arts training, joining a Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts Club will make you feel supported, valued, and motivated, making all the difference to your experience.
Can anyone train here?
Martial Arts in our club are practiced in an inclusive manner. Irrespective of age, race, gender, religion or disability, members are welcomed. We are firm advocates that everyone should be able to practice a Martial Art if it’s taught correctly.
If you’re looking for a full contact / fight club type of club, we’re not the right club for you, because it’s not what we teach. If you’re looking for a premium experience learning traditional Japanese and Chinese Martial Arts, then we’re a good fit for you to join.
What about your Martial Arts Coaches?
Our professional and highly experienced coaches bring a wealth of knowledge to every class, helping you get the very best from your Martial Arts training while ensuring your experience is personalised to suit your goals and ability level.
With recognised coaching qualifications from National Governing Bodies and leading universities, you can feel confident that you are receiving safe, enjoyable, and high-quality Martial Arts instruction at every session. All coaches have minimum of a Sport England recognised National Governing Body Level 2 coaching qualification, Our Head Coach has a Level 7 Coaching qualification from Sheffield Hallam University.
Every coach and member of staff is fire aid trained, has a current DBS, is Safeguarding trained and attends weekly training at our club.
Whether your goal is improving fitness, building confidence, learning self-defence, or progressing through the belt system, expert coaching makes all the difference. Skilled and experienced instructors are essential for teaching strong Martial Arts foundations, correct technique, and the discipline needed for long-term success.
What venue do you train at?
You’ll be able to take full advantage of our purpose-built, dedicated Martial Arts training centre in Winchester, designed to provide a professional, safe, and welcoming environment for all ages and abilities. Our facility includes a comfortable waiting area where parents and visitors can relax and watch classes in air-conditioned comfort.
Our main training area features 152 specialist Martial Arts flooring mats across our training space. This purpose-designed Martial Arts training space means that our members can train more safely, reducing impact while providing a professional and clean surface specifically built for and only used for Martial Arts practice.
Our waiting area has comfortable seating, sofas and a coffee machine for parents or other family members to enjoy. We like family member to watch our Martial Arts classes which helps them to understand what we are teaching and why we are, so that they can discuss it with the participant.
All members training with us also benefit from access to a wide range of high-quality equipment designed to enhance every aspect of their development. From improving core Martial Arts techniques to building strength, fitness, flexibility, and overall well-being, our facility provides everything needed to support progress both inside and outside the dojo.
Our Programmes
Martial Arts classes for children
For over three decades Families have trusted Shin Gi Tai Martial Arts because standards and quality matter. At our Academy, our children’s Martial Arts classes go far beyond just learning self-defence – they help kids develop skills that will benefit them for life.
From building confidence, focus, and determination to fostering a strong sense of self-discipline and resilience, our classes help children grow both mentally and physically. Plus, they’ll pick up healthy habits that set them up for a lifetime of wellbeing.
Most importantly, our age-specific Kids Martial Arts classes in Winchester aren’t just different – they’re exciting, fun, and designed to bring out the best in every child. With a learning pace tailored to each individual, the experience is not just rewarding but truly outstanding.
More Than Just Martial Arts classes.
Parents choose Shin Gi Tai because of the lasting impact on their children:
- Increased confidence in themselves and self-belief
- Improved focus and behaviour
- Greater discipline and respect
- Stronger fitness and healthier habits
- A positive, structured environment away from screens
- The resilience to keep going when things are difficult
Our classes are designed to help children grow not just as martial artists—but as confident, capable individuals.
What our members think
Adults Martial Arts
Adults take up Martial Arts for all sorts of reasons – to improve their health and fitness, for fun, to meet new people, to try something new, for self-defence, or simply to take on a new challenge.
The great news is that whatever your reason, we’re here to help you reach your goals. You’ll build fitness, learn new skills, and get in great shape in a fun, dynamic, and exciting way.
It’s never too late to start! We tailor training to suit your age, fitness level, and abilities, helping you progress at your own pace. With the right support and guidance, you might even achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Our classes provide a positive, welcoming space where you can stay physically and mentally strong, relieving the everyday stresses of life. We combine traditional Martial Arts values with the latest sports science, so you’ll feel healthier, perform better, and train alongside a friendly, supportive community.
Whether your goal is to get fit, relieve stress, learn self-defence, or try something new, our adult classes provide a powerful and rewarding training experience.
You’ll build strength, improve fitness, and develop real skills in a supportive, motivating environment, regardless of your starting point.
What our members think
About Our Martial Arts Academy
Transforming lives and helping you lead a healthy, safe and happy lifestyle…
Our goal is to transform lives, helping you and your family lead a healthy, safe, and happy lifestyle. Training in Martial Arts—whether it’s Karate, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Judo, or Tai Chi—is a lifelong journey that empowers you to take control of your life, both inside and outside the training hall.
Being a Martial Artist is about far more than just kicking and punching. It’s a way of life that builds confidence, discipline, and valuable life skills.
Training with us means experiencing the many benefits of Martial Arts first-hand. With regular practice, you’ll become fitter, more flexible, and healthier, while also feeling more confident and in control. You’ll develop the mental resilience to handle life’s daily stresses with greater ease.
If you’re searching for ‘Martial Arts near me’ in Winchester or the surrounding areas, why not give us a try? Come and experience it for yourself!
What our members think
Our Facilities
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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Should I get fit first?
When new members start, they come with all different levels of fitness, ages, shapes, and sizes. As you train with us, your fitness will improve, and you’ll see real results. At our club, everyone works at a pace that suits them—you can take it easy or push yourself as hard as you like.
We tailor training to your individual needs, helping you personalise your journey to suit your body. Over time, Martial Arts will help you become fitter, stronger, and more flexible. You’ll also notice other great benefits, like improved balance, coordination, muscle tone, and a greater sense of mindfulness as you become more in tune with your body.
Can parents/carers watch the class?
Of course! Why wouldn’t you? The more engaged you are in your child’s training, the more they’ll benefit from it. So, sit back, relax with a coffee, and enjoy watching them in action.
The only thing we ask is that you keep noise to a minimum to avoid distracting the class—other than that, we’d love to have you there cheering them on!
Will I learn self protection and self defence skills?
Absolutely! While we hope our members never have to use the physical skills we teach, self-protection is about much more than just fighting. As parents, our priority is to keep our children safe—and as adults, we should take the same approach for ourselves.
Our goal is to equip you with the awareness and knowledge to avoid potentially dangerous situations, making physical confrontation a last resort.
But perhaps the biggest ‘win’ in self-protection is something even more important—a strong, healthy body and mind. By promoting an active lifestyle, we help our members overcome physical inactivity and support their mental well-being, ensuring they’re prepared for whatever life throws their way.
How long does it take to get a Black belt?
That’s a tricky question, as everyone progresses at their own pace. The journey to Black Belt is different for each person, but one thing is certain—it’s always worth it.
At our club, the minimum age to take a Black Belt examination is 10 years old. As a general guide, it typically takes around five years of consistent training, at least twice a week, to reach this level. However, what truly matters isn’t just the destination, but the skills, confidence, and personal growth you gain along the way.
What age can you start?
Our children’s classes start from as young as 4 years old, and our oldest adult member is an inspiring 92!
We structure our kids’ Martial Arts classes into age-specific groups to ensure the best learning experience:
- Rising Heroes (4–6 years)
- Young Legends (6–9 years)
- Urban Warriors (10–14 years)
We also have adult-only classes for those who prefer to train in a group of their own. Whatever your age or experience level, there’s a place for you here!
Will this make me/my child violent?
Absolutely not! Martial Arts is deeply rooted in self-defence and personal growth. It’s taught in a structured, disciplined way with a strong emphasis on self-control, humility, and kindness.
The traditional Martial Arts we practise are built on the principles of self-improvement and continuous development. Through training, our members not only build physical skills but also learn to manage stress and anxiety from all areas of life. The focused, meditative nature of Martial Arts can be incredibly calming and relaxing, helping to bring balance to both body and mind.
I have/my child has additional needs. Can they still do Martial Arts?
Yes, absolutely! With over 190 years of coaching experience, we’ve worked with many individuals with a wide range of needs and abilities. Martial Arts is unique in that it’s both an individual discipline and a group activity, allowing us to personalise training to suit each member.
For young people, Adaptive Martial Arts can be incredibly beneficial—helping to develop focus, discipline, self-control, and social skills in a supportive and structured environment. We believe that Martial Arts is for everyone, and we’re committed to helping each individual reach their full potential.
Speak to a Coach.
Please enter your contact details below with the questions that you have for a coach about how we can help you. Please tell us which class you are interested in.
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