Business Details
16 Years
experience
Your Trusted Martial Arts & Self-Defense Studio in Tonawanda, NY
Riederer's Kenpo Self Defense Studio was founded in Tonawanda, New York, in 2010 by owner and head instructor Chris Riederer, who combined decades of martial arts expertise to create a unique, street-effective self-defense system. Our studio integrates American Kenpo principles with Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do philosophies, offering tailored programs for individuals of all ages and experience levels. We serve Western New York and have expanded to Charlotte, NC, providing family-friendly instruction that emphasizes practical self-defense, confidence-building, and character development. Our certified instructors specialize in Mo Shi Do Kenpo and J.S. Wing Chun, ensuring personalized attention through small class sizes. Programs include age-specific classes for children (ages 3-14), adults, and specialized courses like women's self-defense and anti-bullying workshops.We prioritize real-world applicability, teaching techniques adaptable to any physique or situation while fostering physical fitness, coordination, and mental focus. Our Black Belt Program challenges advanced students with weapons defense and leadership opportunities, while our Special Needs Classes ensure inclusive learning. Community engagement remains central to our mission, demonstrated through demonstrations, corporate workshops, and partnerships with local organizations. With flexible scheduling and a commitment to student growth, we empower individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones. Our expansion reflects our dedication to making effective self-defense education accessible to broader communities.
Services
Adult Martial Arts
Youth Classes
Black Belt Program
Special Needs Training
Women's Self-Defense
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We offer decades of combined martial arts expertise from certified instructors
- Our programs combine American Kenpo with Jeet Kune Do philosophies for real-world effectiveness
- We provide age-specific classes tailored to individual learning needs
- Our small class sizes ensure personalized attention and faster progress
- We emphasize character development alongside practical self-defense techniques
Associations and certifications
- Mo Shi Do Kenpo
- J.S. Wing Chun
Services
Adult Martial Arts
Our adult martial arts classes teach practical Kenpo techniques while improving physical fitness and self-defense capabilities. Students learn street-effective strategies adaptable to real-world scenarios. The program emphasizes stress relief, muscle toning, and confidence-building through structured instruction suitable for all experience levels.
Youth Classes
Age-specific programs for children aged 3-14 develop self-control, confidence, and anti-bullying skills. Our curriculum combines physical training with character development through structured belt progression. Classes include leadership exercises and age-appropriate self-defense techniques tailored to different developmental stages.
Black Belt Program
This advanced program challenges students aged 8-15 with complex self-defense scenarios and weapons defense techniques. Participants develop leadership skills through teaching opportunities and earn recognition for mastery achievements. The curriculum emphasizes creative problem-solving and adaptability in unpredictable situations.
Special Needs Training
Customized martial arts instruction designed for students with special needs. Our adaptive teaching methods focus on building confidence, physical coordination, and personal safety skills. The program maintains consistent structure while accommodating individual learning requirements through personalized attention.
Women's Self-Defense
Specialized seminars teaching practical defense techniques for women in real-world scenarios. The program emphasizes situational awareness, boundary setting, and escape strategies. Instruction combines physical techniques with psychological preparedness for personal safety empowerment.
People
Chris Riederer
Owner/Head Instructor
With decades of martial arts experience, Chris Riederer developed our unique self-defense system combining Kenpo and Jeet Kune Do principles. He leads instruction at both our Tonawanda and Charlotte locations.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We teach a unique combination of American Kenpo and Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do principles, focusing on practical self-defense applications.
Are classes available for different age groups?
Yes, we offer programs for children aged 3-14, adults, and specialized classes including women's self-defense and special needs training.
Do I need prior martial arts experience?
No prior experience is required. Our classes accommodate all skill levels from beginners to advanced students.
What should I wear for my first class?
Wear comfortable workout clothing. We provide loaner uniforms for initial classes before purchasing official gear.
Can I try a free class before committing?
Yes, we offer a free introductory lesson to experience our training environment and teaching methods.
Do you offer family discounts?
Yes, we provide discounted rates for multiple family members enrolled simultaneously. Contact us for specific details.
Videos
Reviews (4)
Jason Eagan
Feb 01, 2022
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My son has been going for the last two months or so and I can already see a difference in him. Even at home hes more talkative and confident. He seems to be progressing well and learning a lot. Mr Chris is great with the kids, treating them according to their age and their individual personality. He praises appropriately when they work hard and put forth the effort. I highly recommend Riederers self defense studio as a place to learn self defense, confidence and discipline.
Valerie Desrosiers
Dec 18, 2020
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I signed up when I was about 12-13 years old that was about 6 and a half years ago and now I am a instructor and have my first degree black belt. Soon hopefully going for my second. And it was the best decision I have ever made. It is a welcoming place. We are one big Kenpo Family. We help each other grow in the art. A quote that I never forget that Sifu Chris said a lot that stuck with me all these years is the difference between a black belt and a white belt. is that a black belt is a white belt who never gave up. I have never given up and achieved my two goals and plan on going beyond
Kim Stirling
Nov 07, 2019
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I wish I could give more than 5 stars because we love it here!! My son and daughter have been here for two years and we have had a fantastic experience! All of the instructors have been skilled, dedicated, kind, and patient. My kids are getting a great workout while making friends and gaining confidence. They love to show me all of the (pretty impressive!) self-defense moves they have learned. They have grown so much and they adore Mr. Chris.
Dominic LoBrutto
Jan 22, 2019
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When I enrolled my daughter at Riederer's Kenpo Self-Defense Studio I was so impressed by Chris and his staff I found myself joining as well. We both enjoyed the non-intimidating and friendly atmosphere of the group classes. We've learned invaluable self-defense skills for real life situations. The time I spent with my daughter in class working towards and achieving our black belts together has been a bonding experience I will never forget. I am very proud to be the first father/daughter black belt recipients at the studio.
