Real Martial Arts.
Real Fitness.
Real Confidence.

Empty martial arts gym with mats on the floor, punching bags hanging from the ceiling, and boxing gloves on shelves.

LOCATIONS

Real SSK students in a martial arts class in London, with some performing kicks and others observing or preparing.

MEMBERSHIP

Build self-confidence,
master self-defence,
and crush your fitness.

At Real SSK, we train for more than just technique — we train for life.

Built on decades of authentic martial arts experience, our system blends Shaolin Kung Fu, Sanda (Chinese Kickboxing), and Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling) into one powerful, modern practice. Led by master instructor Peter Kennedy and a team of experienced Black Belts, we bring traditional skill into a space that’s accessible, challenging, and seriously effective.

This is martial arts without the ego. Fitness without the fluff.
And confidence that doesn’t fade.

A group of Real SSK students practicing sparring in a martial arts class in London, wearing traditional martial arts uniforms with different coloured belts.

Self-confidence

A Real SSK martial arts class with students practicing techniques in a room with orange walls and large mirrors.

self-defence

Group of eight people in martial arts uniforms and casual clothes standing on a dojo mat, posing for a photo.

FITNESs

FROM SAN SHOU KWAN,
TO REAL SSK.

Real SSK didn’t appear overnight. It’s the result of decades of training, teaching, testing, and refining — grounded in a deep martial arts lineage and built for the real world we live in today.

Our foundation lies in San Shou Kuan, a system co-founded by Peter Kennedy, rooted in the principles of traditional Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and the modern dynamism of Sanda (Chinese Kickboxing). San Shou Kuan was developed to bring together striking, throwing, self-defence and conditioning in a way that felt practical, disciplined and accessible to a wide audience.

But martial arts — like people — evolve.

After many years of leading and shaping San Shou Kuan, Peter took the step to develop something new: Real SSK. Born from the same values, but adapted for a more modern mindset and a new generation of practitioners.

So, what’s the difference?

While San Shou Kuan remains a respected part of Peter’s legacy, Real SSK is its own thing — a more contemporary take on the same fighting spirit. We’ve built a system that:

  • Leans harder into practical self-defence

  • Trains with a sharper focus on real-world fitness

  • Welcomes people from all backgrounds with a more inclusive, community-led approach

This evolution allows us to honour the past while building a stronger, more relevant future.

“IMPOSSIBLE IS NOTHING.”

— NIKE