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Cheng's Martial Arts School

4.8 ★★★★★ 31 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania

Free trial Affiliated Beginners welcome Kids & teens Weapons / kobudo Competition team

Affiliated dojo — reviews and the dojo's own info point to a recognized Karate style organization or franchise (think Shotokan/JKA, Kyokushin, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu, Tiger Schulmann's or Villari's). If lineage matters to you, ask which style and organization the dojo belongs to, and under whom the head sensei earned their black belt.

Plan your first class

  • Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes (ages 5–6) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Weapons / kobudo traditional weapons (kobudo) classes — kata with the bo, sai, and nunchaku, taught with control and discipline
  • Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule chengsmartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 610-622-5260

Hours

Monday 4–8:30 pm
Tuesday 4–8:30 pm
Wednesday 4–8:30 pm
Thursday 4–8:30 pm
Friday 4–6:30 pm
Saturday 9–11 am
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Cheng's Martial Arts School, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 17 mentions

“This is one of the best martial arts schools with programs for children, handicapped, women, and people with all levels of physical fitness!”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“This is one of the best martial arts schools with programs for children, handicapped, women, and people with all levels of physical fitness!”

All dojos that run beginners →

🐉 Little Dragons

“Just left my 5 year old's Little Dragon's class at Cheng's Martial Arts School and am extremely impressed!”

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🥊 Kumite / Sparring

“Cheng's Martial Arts combine Karate training, weapons training, sparring, and self-defense.”

All dojos that run kumite / sparring →

⚔️ Weapons (Kobudo)

“Cheng's Martial Arts combine Karate training, weapons training, sparring, and self-defense.”

All dojos that run weapons (kobudo) →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Cheng's Martial Arts combine Karate training, weapons training, sparring, and self-defense.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Cheng's Martial Arts School — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🦵 Taekwondo 3 mentions

“I've been studying TaeKwonDo at Cheng's Martial Arts for several years now.”

Other dojos that also teach taekwondo →

🛡️ Self-Defense

“Cheng's Martial Arts combine Karate training, weapons training, sparring, and self-defense.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 31 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 2 mentions

“Sensei Cheng and all the other Sensei’s are great with their students!”

friendly, respectful dojo 6 mentions

“I'm so glad we made the choice of practicing TaeKwonDo, and feel very lucky to have found the good people at Cheng's.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“The School focus is not only on teaching Karate techniques but also on instilling values such as respect, setting and keeping goals, self-confidence, and resilience.”

🧒 strong kids program 2 mentions

“Karate truly has been a life changing experience to me, and has made a positive impact in my children's lives. My kids love all the classes.”

active competition / tournament team 2 mentions

“They also have a Karate Team for the students willing to participate in tournaments.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 6 mentions

“The School focus is not only on teaching Karate techniques but also on instilling values such as respect, setting and keeping goals, self-confidence, and resilience.”

From the reviews

This is a fantastic Karate school with amazing instructors. I love this place. Totally family environment. Run by the Cheng family, under Master Paul Cheng's leadership with the help of his wife Mrs. Kathy, and his children Mr. Josh and Ms. Jade, both black belts.

★★★★★ — Karla, Oct 2012

I've been studying TaeKwonDo at Cheng's Martial Arts for several years now. Cheng's is not the closest dojo to my home, but I would never consider anyone else. They have a wonderful approach of helping students grow at their own speed with a good mix of discipline and encouragement.

★★★★★ — James, Dec 2020

We haven't been attending for some time, but Cheng's Martial Arts is the Best! Master Cheng cares and is solid in his instructional formats. I would easily encourage all to attend Cheng's Martial Arts. They value quality over anything else. We plan to return as time and circumstances permit. Sandeep & Aylisha A.

★★★★★ — Sandeep, Feb 2025

Best martial arts school in the area!!! One of the best decision I made for my daughter was to have her join cheng’s martial arts school. She gained friends, self confidence, discipline and life lessons not taught in school.

★★★★★ — Ruth, Oct 2020

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 31 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Cheng's Martial Arts School

Cheng's Martial Arts School comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo — noted on their own site. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Cheng's Martial Arts School

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Cheng's Martial Arts School

Front #A2, 1500 Garrett Rd, Upper Darby Township, PA19082

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.