If you are looking for a legit BJJ gym with top notch instruction, facilities, and value, then look…read moreno further. Coach Carlos and Patty have a great culture of respect, honor, team, family, and friends. LCBJJ is an affiliate of Professor Leo Viera's Checkmat Team. I've been around BJJ since 1998 and started martial arts in 1990, and LCBJJ really is a quality location I am proud to be a member of their school. Brand new location with a large new mat and training area, beautiful!! Beginners 101's 6 week program is excellent and a great, easy paced, we'll instructed, and cost effective way to see if you enjoy the art. A high quality Gi is included with an entry level white belt. Evening, Noon, and Saturday classes for us with the busy or flexible schedules. Check your ego at the door and come learn the best martial art, get a great workout, have fun, and meet great people at LCBJJ!!

I'm just going to put it simply, this place changed my life. I decided to try something new, way…read moreout of my comfort zone. Little by little I grew stronger, more confident and I learned the techniques. The people here believe in me, coach me and encourage me to push further, be braver. They are talented, kind and strong. At the age of 43 I just registered for my first tournament and it feels amazing. Just try it, you never know what will come out of it.

My brothers go here they say it's a lot fun I would recommend this place for gym and jujitsu!read more

Amazing place to train huge mat space, weight lifting and a big bathrooms with showers, the…read moreinstructors are amazing and some of the best in Chicagoland. If you want to learn BJJ this is the place to go

I was only in the Grayslake area for a couple of days...but I had to get a roll in…read more Ohana was wonderful. They were very welcoming, despite the fact I was not able to call ahead prior. The coach was excellent - he provided great instruction and...just to really drive the point home the instructor even rolled with me and demonstrated the techniques he taught in class by applying them to (on?) me! That was a great way to see/experience the lesson in action. All-in-all everyone was super nice, no one tried to smash me down because from a different place, but everyone still gave me a good roll and I had a great experience!! If you're in the Grayslake, Il area I highly recommend Ohana Martial Arts!!

I've been here for a little over a 2 years now. One of the biggest things which pointed me to…read moreOhana was the Instructor. Chris Lund is really laid back and there are no formalities here, which make it really easy to ask him for help with techniques or questions about how to do moves. Actually you can walk up to anyone for help and they'll be more than happy to do so. The quality of instruction you receive here is amazing. I am a science teacher at a local High School and even I have to admit the instruction/organization of the classes at Ohana are the best. The classes don't feel like a canned lesson and Chris likes to point out the finer details that I feel other places didn't spend time covering. Also while you're practicing, Chris will spend time with most everyone pointing out these details or answering questions. Another great thing is that you also spend time drilling what you've learned in class which reinforces what you've learned. I also really like that the adult class sizes stay small around 20-30 students from white to brown and mostly blue and purple belts who are all very friendly and humble. Check your ego at the door is the sign you'll see as soon as you walk in. Both the instructor and students pride themselves on their hospitality, and the camaraderie can be seen as you first walk in. If you are a beginner to the sport or an experienced grappler this is the place to take your game to the next level. Also, Ohana hosts a great seminar 2x a year with BJ Penn's BJJ coach Renato Verissimo. "Ohana" is not just a catchy name but more so a true representation of their philosophy and teaching. There is no need to feel pressured or intimated; your first class is free! I've been training at the school for over 2 years and still can't wait to attend class each week. BJJ itself is an outstanding martial art for self-defense, physical fitness, and overall wellness/confidence. The school also offers an excellent curriculum for kids. I urge anyone that is curious or considering BJJ to stop into the school to watch a class or jump in to try it for themselves.

Very welcoming atmosphere -- clean and professional. Professor Marcelo and his team run a top notch…read moreoperation, and you won't find a better place around to learn BJJ, for either an adult or a child! My only regret is that I sat on the sidelines, waiting for so long, before giving it a try. "The best time to start training BJJ is 10 years ago. The second best time is now!"

Our son started here several months back and we are impressed with the level of attention the…read morecoaches and professor pays to the kids. They know us all by name and really get the kids excited about learning new moves and being engaged in class. I'm glad we went with this place even if it isn't that close to us.

i've been a student at LCCT for longer than I haven't almost 8 years now and I have loved every day…read moreof it. I currently go four times a week and couldn't be happier. This place has been a staple in my life for so long and I couldn't imagine my life without LCCT or Thiago Vega (who I will be referring to as coach Thiago) Is the best teacher I have ever had or ever will have he has taught me more than almost anyone else in my life, and I still have so many things to learn from him. I can't explain enough how special this places has become to me and how amazing of an instructor. coach Thiago is.

Coach Thiago and his team are simple top notch. We've been going for 2 plus years and kids have…read moregrown so much in skill!

My son Chris practices BJJ here. I cannot recommend this place enough. The teaching is excellent…read morecovering details and nuances in such a way that small children are engaged and get the movements. Outstanding. If I could give more stars here, I would!

From the owner: Constrictor MMA is a martial arts studio that primarily focuses on Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. We…read moreprovide a fun, competitive, and safe learning environment for everyone.

I've been at Curran for more than two years and can't speak highly enough of my experience. The…read moreenvironment is so supportive, no matter your goals. Everyone always goes out of their way to talk with new members and make them feel welcome, and over time I've developed several great friendships. Jeff, Chuck, and Justin go out of their way to make Muay Thai and BJJ as accessible as possible. It's a community-oriented, family-friendly environment. I see lots of parents come for kids' classes, then stick around to train themselves. As a woman and a beginner, I usually prefer training with other women, and no one has ever pressured me to work with someone I'm not comfortable with. There are almost always great women to train with, and as I've gotten more comfortable training with men, I've had great experiences with them, too. I live pretty far away, and the coaches are also very understanding that I can only come once or twice a week. Since some members are there almost every day to prep for competitions, even people who are more self-defense oriented (like me) have the opportunity to experience more intense sparring if they want it. If you've ever considered learning Muay Thai or BJJ, or just want to learn to defend yourself, Curran is a great place to do it, regardless of age. You can take it at your own pace and will feel encouraged, not pressured, to aim higher. The coaches care about ensuring you can protect yourself, so if you stick with the program, you'll know you're being prepared with solid techniques. If I ever leave the area, it'll be one of the places I miss most!

I started training here in the spring. Most of the gym was welcoming, and I genuinely enjoyed…read moretraining, rolling with members and attending almost every class. The first issue arose when a longtime teammate came to me visibly upset and said she and another student were kicked off the mat by blue belt Alexa, who she said lacked authority to do so. Staff initially seemed understanding, but when they later asked her, she retracted what she'd told me. She had personally told me she cared about her reputation at the gym and didn't want to seem like a complainer. I was questioned about why I stood up for her when it "had nothing to do with me." Chuck labeled me a problem and said I was stirring up drama. I also raised concerns about another woman's passive-aggressive jokes. Chuck dismissed it because she jokes with him, but what he considers a joke isn't necessarily what I do. There was also an incident I never reported because I feared being labeled a complainer. I've never had an issue rolling with men there; this was one specific interaction. After rolling with an older man, the clock stopped and we sat while I listened to his advice. He rested his hand on my upper thigh. I stayed quiet because of how my previous concerns were handled. I discussed concerns with morning instructor AJ and coach Justin. Owner Jeff Curran later called this "cornering" instructors and spreading gossip. I was trying to communicate how disrespected I felt by Chuck labeling me the problem. Chuck talked down to me, cut me off and became upset when I asked questions, so I left. During the next eight days, my membership was apparently canceled without informing me, even though I kept attending morning classes with AJ. I avoided evenings because of Chuck. When I saw him again, there was no apology; I was told he "deals with things a certain way." I still listened to Chuck and the other coaches. When Chuck later tried having a joking/personal relationship with me again, I didn't want that. I wanted to train, take instruction and leave, but apparently that was interpreted as disrespect. After I borrowed a gi, Chuck told me to put it in the bin and he'd wash it. I heard him, we made eye contact and I understood. I guess because I didn't respond how he wanted, he immediately followed me. When I looked back, he kept pace and maintained eye contact. He followed me to the rack, watched me put the gi away, then watched me leave. Later they said there was only one exit, but he followed me to the rack first, not simply toward the exit. The situation reached its climax when Jeff confronted me after morning class while I was talking with AJ. He said, "Let's talk about it." As AJ was leaving, Jeff said he didn't want to talk to me alone because I "put words in [his] mouth." He motioned for me to get out, then told AJ not to talk to me. Jeff yelled at me and accused me of calling Chuck "a bigot." I immediately made clear I DID NOT call Chuck a bigot. Jeff said he'd known Chuck for 39 years while judging me despite barely knowing me. He called me a "liability" and defended Chuck by saying he'd simply had a bad day. When I responded, "I can't have bad days too?" Jeff said I had a "victim mentality" and continued calling me a liability. He also said something like, "This is a combat sport. What are you going to do, cry if you jam your finger?" My concerns were NEVER about handling BJJ physically. I've trained through injuries. They were about how I was treated and spoken to. Jeff scheduled a meeting for the next day at 1:00. I agreed, but going in I already had a feeling how it would go, so I said I was going to stop training there. They recorded the meeting, so assuming it remains complete and unedited, there's a record of what happened. Chuck constantly interrupted me, and whenever I addressed one person, someone else jumped in. It felt like everyone was tagging each other in. I tried to understand their perspectives, but when I explained mine, it felt like, "Here's why you're wrong." I felt dismissed and gaslighted. Jeff eventually told me to get out and commented on my future personal relationships despite barely knowing me. When I mentioned mixed reviews about him, he felt insulted after making personal comments about me. I trained hard and cared about the gym. I believe this could've gone differently if they'd been willing to listen instead of becoming defensive. Others may genuinely have five-star experiences, but that doesn't negate mine. More five-star reviews don't erase what happened to me. As a woman there alone, I question whether I would've been treated the same way if I'd had someone supporting me, such as a partner or man present. I have no reason to lie. This reflects my experience and what happened when I raised concerns.

I've been training at Aces for about a year and a half now, and it has truly had a positive impact…read moreon my life. I've lost a noticeable amount of weight and gained confidence in myself. Professor Luis provides a great atmosphere that supports your growth. While jiujitsu may not be for everyone, you get what you put into it. Whether you're looking for a killer workout or looking to compete to test your skills, the support is there. They emphasize technique above all else. Aces offer a free trial to new students who want to try BJJ before committing to a membership, so I encourage everyone to test themselves. You'll wish you engaged in BJJ earlier in your life.

From the owner: We provide beginner-friendly classes and push each other to be better each day, as a team and as…read moreindividuals. Our dedication to the study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu promotes personal development for children and adults alike. Our program is designed to meet the needs of all our students, regardless of age or skill level. We offer training in effective anti-bullying strategies, self-defense, and overall fitness, all within a safe and supportive environment. Our mission is to create a community where learning is cultivated, and leaders are built. Whether you are interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense, competition or fitness, we are here to help you achieve your goal. We believe that Effort is the foundation of Excellence and Elevation is the path to greatness.

I've been training at the Arena Training Center since 2014 when I came back from Japan. When I…read moremoved back to the States I started looking for a dojo. I was looking for a dojo with good training partners, a knowledgeable and patient coach/sensei, and above all a sense of community. Three years later I still find all of these elements to be present at the Arena Training Center. My training partners range from accomplished black belts to aspiring beginners and all help me as I work to perfect my art just as I help them. Coach Steve is always staying on top of current competitive trends and helping his students as they prepare for competition. That being said Coach Steve doesn't pressure anyone to go to competition and welcomes everyone into the Arena Training Center community. The community at the dojo is supportive and an excellent place for children and adults alike to develop. Arena Training Center also offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other courses. So if you want to come and practice nage waza (throwing techniques), such as uchi mata and seoi nage, or katame waza (grappling techniques), such as kesa gatame and sankaku jime, you can't go wrong with the Arena Training Center. You won't find a better group of people to train with or a better price.

From the owner: We specialize in Brazilian Jiujitsu and Japanese Judo.We are a competition club but we do cater to…read morerecreational athletes.Kids classes are available (4-10yrs old).We encourage you and your family to visitour 2000square feet ARENA,and have a few work outs on us.No contracts or hidden fees.If you like our unique instruction system you are welcome to join us.If not we still appreciate your effort to visit and try us out.Currently our club is home for the 2010,2012 Panamerican(female) judo champion as well as 2012 Illinois wrestling state champion(male).New classes are currently forming in Funcional fitness,Kickboxing(thai).

They are a terrible business meaning they're very unprofessional and it's really expensive I would…read morenot recommend

I like the school. They are the most versatile and serious martial arts academy you can find in the…read moreNorth Shore. Basically, you can get an MMA type training here on every level and age, kids included. Being somewhat mildly familiar with the martial arts, I did quite a bit of research before enrolling the kids here. It is hands on for them, without unnecessary "good manners" type of requirements you find in every area facility. They do give kids a list of tasks to accomplish, but nothing crazy and excessive. The art they teach is most realistic and street friendly, and the ratio between the instructors and pupils is ridiculously high. They often have 3 or 4 instructors for 11 to 14 kids which is quite amazing, that's in the earlier time slots, and to 15 to 20 in the busiest. As for adults that start from 15, the Jiu-Jitsu and Kali training are both phenomenal as the Jeet Kune Do instructions. Awesome place.