I have been a student of Sifu Al Bender on and off for over 20 years. The school is a warm and welcoming environment with very detailed and knowledgeable instruction. They are happy to let everyone work at their own pace and never make anyone feel uncomfortable. If you want to get in better shape and learn some solid self defense skills then this is the place.

I have been studying Tai Chi at the Al Bender Kung Fu Academy for about two years. I love it! Pam is a great instructor. The lessons are great, the instructions are very through and easy to follow and learn. I have learnt a lot while studying here and have developed more confidence in myself to learn and improve, over time. I look forward to my classes each week.All of the people at the academy, staff and students, are very friendly and welcoming.Sufi Al is a very skilled master in the martial arts, who is dedicated to the teaching of the Martial arts and his students and staff.He is also a very caring, funny and welcoming person.This a really great place to learn Kung-Fu and other Martial Arts!

Both my children are in Sifu Als classes, my son has been there 3 years and continues to grow and my daughter has been there for 2. Both of them enjoy the challenge of learning the various forms of Kung fu and competing in tournaments. Both my children have earned 1st place at tournaments and feel such happiness knowing their hard work is paid off. It is such a great practice and great for their physical and mental health. My children are very well disciplined and learn a great deal of life lessons during classes. I appreciate this school and everything they do for my children.

Came to this school in 2016 after moving to the area, looking to expand my scope in martial arts and maybe make some new friends. With a previous background in Taekwondo I was nervous about joining and adjusting to a new school/style. However, before I knew it, I found a place as a student and a member of a warm and welcoming Kung Fu family.Sifu Al is truly a force of grace, humility, and strength in all aspects of his teachings (“soft,” as he likes to call it, but we can all see the shine of steel). His instructors are knowledgable and dedicated—always helpful and encouraging. It has been such a pleasure to study and be a part of this amazing school. Highly recommended!

Very welcoming environment and approachable personnel. Professional, age appropriate and dedication to student overall not just Kung fu.

As a student, you learn to defend yourself, but thats just the beginning. The training challenges you to do more than that - to do things that you may not have thought that you could; to become not only a better martial artist, but also a better person - more focused, more disciplined, more patient. One of Sifu Als favorite quotes is overcome your opponent with basic technique, overcome yourself with advanced technique, and that is the ultimate goal...to overcome yourself. To be more than you were. The school is a very welcoming place and many students consider each other family. Sifu Al is a patient and generous teacher with a wonderful sense of humor...but very serious about Kung Fu, of course. He is the real deal. I trained with Sifu Al as I child. I am training with him now as an adult. I cannot overstate the positive benefit I have received from Kung Fu.

My child has been studying under Si Fu Al Bender for about a decade The benefits go well beyond learning Self Defense, and Kung-Fu. He has learned how to appreciate self discipline, balance and that time and effort is a key principle that shapes long term goals through incremental steps. The time and effort that he has put into studying Kung-Fu has built grit, perseverance and has shaped him into an outstanding young man. His Kung-fu is not only amazing but so is his acadmeic performance and his character. I am glad that he is enthusiastic about his art because he has turned into an amazing son. Thank you Si-Fu Al!!

Exceptionally talented and caring teachers. Sifu Al Bender and his team have continually impressed with their approach to working with younger kids. I have an eight- and a five- year old in the WuShu Wonders program and could not be happier. Sifu Al effortlessly blends patience with high expectations, humor and seriousness, and he always exhibits inspiring passion for his art. My boys time within the academy have helped them to develop into stronger, more dedicated, and aware individuals. Highly recommend!

I have heard of Sifu Al Benders Kung Fu Academys reputation and waited until my daughter turned 5 to start her Kung Fu training. It is well worth the wait! She is learning not only the physical aspects of Kung Fu, but also discipline, confidence, the value of practice and so much more. I have seen how patient Sifu Jeanine is with the kids while observing and correcting every form and every move. I was so impressed that even though I did not have any plans of learning Kung Fu myself, I have signed up and have been taking lessons for several months now. My daughter and I always look forward to Kung Fu Saturdays. We felt very welcome there. The camaraderie amongst students and Sifus is unbelievable. Any great culture comes from the top down and I have seen it come true in the way Sifu Al communicates to all. He embodies Cotton outside and steel inside” which is printed in one of the shirts I see in the Academy. All the Sifus seem to have one thing in common: the passion to drive excellence. If anyone is looking to learn Kung Fu, be fit, learn discipline while in the company of good people and being taught by excellent teachers, Al Benders Kung Fu Academy is the place for you.

Al Benders Academy has been around pretty much forever in martial-arts-school years. It offers a variety of styles and programs in Chinese arts, including traditional Northern Shaolin, two distinct styles of Yang style Tai Chi, self-defense training, a childrens wushu program, and more.Sifu Al is an American-born New Jerseyan who teaches in clear English, even while covering Chinese terminology. This is great for learning, as opposed to struggling to understand what a teacher is trying to say.His way of teaching traditional Chinese martial arts is systematic, exacting, detail-oriented, and designed for practical use. That is expected of a teacher of classical kung fu, but Sifu Al takes it to the next level. His system of footwork and his method of timing stance versus strike are eye-opening and easy to understand. While many kung fu styles, especially the contemporary ones, can be vulnerable to criticisms of being flowery and showy without combat application value, Sifu Al devotes a separate class to training for self-defense, in which students drill the techniques learned from forms class for application. Unlike schools that offer no-contact or light-contact free sparring, which can be fun but unfortunately can instill bad habits of punch-pulling, students of the academy train full power and extension in preparation for an actual encounter.Sifu Al has an approachable style that promotes a collegial learning and training environment. He might even toss in a dad-joke now and then, to lighten things up. If a pun contest breaks out in the middle of class, rather than scold the offending students, hell participate (and win).Those who come to Al Benders academy for training will find it a rewarding and fun experience, and will gain useful skills, better fitness, and overall personal improvement.

Ive been studing with Sifu Al for over 20 years, and Ive never regretted a moment of it. The Academy has a special group of people, be they instructors, old-time students like me, or newbies doing the 2-week trial program. The kung fu is not only a great self-defense tool and wonderful exercise, but a terrific philosophy on living life. Plus, there are plenty of schools where the head honcho stays behind the scenes until students has been there for year and proven themselves; Sifu Al is involved with teaching pretty much EVERY student right from the beginning and gets to know his students. As corny as it sounds, the place feels less like a kung fu school and more like a kung fu family. I cant recommend it highly enough!

When I first walked into the academy with my daughter in 2001, I felt it was a special place. She studied kung fu for many years, and it gave her tremendous physical confidence and discipline (plus fun!). When my kids left home in 2010, I started taking tai chi there, which I know Ill want to practice for the rest of my life. Sifu Al manages to be very rigorous and relaxed at the same time, and makes everyone feel welcome while inspiring hard work. He sets the tone for all the other sifus. Im so grateful for what he has given our family for the past 17+ years.

Its been a pleasure going to place for as long as I have. All the instructors have been really informative and truly want to give you your moneys worth when it comes to their teachings

One day, my son and I were at a bakery. We were talking about trying out different martial arts schools/styles. We had already agreed to check out certain ones when Sifu Al walks into the bakery. He overheard our conversation and introduced himself. We were in shock because we know things happen for a reason. He invited us over to his academy to check them out. We LOVED the school and the environment. My son plays soccer full time. However, the classes are perfectly around his schedule. My son has a slight learning deficiency due to his ADHD. BUT, in the last month and a half of training and learning under Sifu Al and his team he has become more self aware and attentive. He is shining in all aspects of his life. He has recently been nominated for the National Juniors Honor Society, he made his Soccer academys indoor team, and has had his best report card ever. He always lacked confidence in himself, but there is no doubt, Sifu Al and team are helping him. He LOVES it and it shows. He is more positive in himself. Thanks Sifu Al!

It has been close to half a year now since I started taking the Tai-chi classes at the Academy. My experience has been very rewarding! I have learned so much about Tai-chi in the short time I have been at the Academy. The practical application of the Tai-chi characteristics and principles has been beneficial to me. My classmates have been attending for years. However, there is no single moment wherein I ever felt out-of-place. The students are all welcoming. My Sifu Pam has been very considerate of me and has walked me through the movements. All the Sifus are very knowledgeable, helpful and patient. Head Sifu Al Bender is a true master and he has my respect.There is always an aura of calm yet controlled strength that I sense whenever I am around him! The Academy is housed in a clean facility. The first time I came there, I was impressed by how open and airy it was. So impressed by it and by everyone that after a single try-out class, my sisters, my niece and I enrolled right away!

Wonderful place to practice Kung Fu at your own pace and with much encouragement. This school has helped me in many ways physically and mentally.

Most Excellent established school and Sifu!!! We competed at a tournament together down the Shore and they were so impressive I freinded them on FB then had to drop by for information on classes... Im already a Blackbelt so I know quality when I see it!Now just to get off the couch or make time from the job and jump in. RJL 😎

They worked me very hard felt great!