I've belonged to Main Event on-and-off over the past 10 years since it was called "Evanston Boxing…read moreClub" and was located on the N. Side of Downtown Evanston. The former head coach Dave was a solid trainer, and the current head coach Andrian is no different. tl;dr: it's a great place to train if you care about a good boxing/kickboxing workout with good people. The gym itself is well-stocked with basic equipment, respectably sized to handle classes of up to 20 people at a time, plenty of heavy bags, and boxing gear available to borrow (jump ropes, gloves, handwraps, focus mitts, although you should ideally get your own at some point if you join). It is extremely bare-bones and low on amenities beyond equipment - there is no shower, no water fountain (water bottles available for purchase), and there's a single half-bath. It is very much geared towards people who want to show up, get in a boxing workout, and leave soon after. The gym has evening classes five days a week (5:30PM, then 6:30PM) plus morning classes on Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun. There's Muay Thai/Kickboxing on M/W evenings (soon also Fridays again) Andrian is also broadly available for private lessons at reasonable rates (one-on-one and small-group), and I've had little issue arranging to train on my own the few times I've wanted to go into the gym without class going on. There's also a very active kids boxing program five days a week at 4:30 (I don't know much about this, but it looks like Andrian has 1-2 parents helping corral the 15 kids or so - it's a VERY popular program). A typical boxing class has a 5-10 minute warmup, alternating rounds of heavy-bag work + conditioning, 2-3 rounds of partner drills (focus mitts or defense drills), more bag work, more conditioning, then cool-down stretches. Andrian is very welcoming of beginners and will spend time working with them during class to help them get the hang of things, and the people in the gym are all very friendly and glad to help as well. Most members are casual athletes there to workout, but there's a small cohort of more serious members who are amateur boxers. Cost is well under what most other gyms with combat sports would charge. The gym is also decent with COVID protocols (asking people to wear masks, everyone cleans the space after class, open doors), but it's still an indoor workout space with high-intensity activity, so you should still get your COVID vaccine if you haven't already.

This place is legit!!! They have great classes and Andrian is a great trainer to work with one on…read moreone. I am a type one diabetic and working out here has helped me get in great shape, my doctor was impressed with my blood results and my wife was impressed with my improved body and confidence. After working with Andrian for a few years, I decided to box in a charity boxing match not once but twice. It was a great experience and I would not have been able to do it without Andrian's help. I can't say enough good things about this place!

They sign you up and never let go. Good luck getting out of your membership. Cannot recommend…read morethis place. Buyer beware

I came for the kickboxing but I stayed for the genuine hospitality and dedication to the craft…read more Louisa has the innate ability to provide a kick ass work out in a extremely clean well set up facility. Can't picture a week with out weekly bouts at 9Round.

I joined Ultimate Fighting & Fitness Academy eight weeks ago, I've never had so much fun working…read moreout! Flaviu is a world class trainer, and experienced fighter, he knows how to push each student individually to their maximum ability. The variety of classes keeps you challenged and motivated. I, for the first time in my life can't wait for next day class just after finishing one I would recommend this place to anyone looking into serious workout and training in martial arts.

I can't say enough about Flav. He transformed my 12 year old son into a much healthier young man…read moreand helped him reduce his BMI to 19.00. My 9 year old daughter recently joined and she loves it. I've seen a lot of martial arts schools and UFFA is by far the best.

Bottom line: Some really good trainers; but be mindful if you commit to a membership…read more Like many others have outlined, the trainers, especially Rami and Isa are excellent. Dawna, who is the main administrator, is helpful and engaging. I was going pretty regularly at the start but then took a pause after a medical diagnosis that required that I get more serious about strength training. I knew I needed time to get into the new routine and put my account on hold. As my hold was ending, I engaged Title to figure out the best plan to be on as I wanted to try to keep boxing as part of my routine even if it couldn't be my primary exercise. I had narrowed it down to 4xs a month but missed informing them by 1 day. I requested that they make an adjustment - especially given the series of texts indicating my need to downgrade. Despite that, they refused and are continuing to charge me for unlimited ($50 extra dollars). I decided to cancel and expressed disappointment about the situation. At first they followed their standard process and let me know I'd have to pay an additional month. However, after they received my feedback about the circumstances, they gave me some options for the added month in response t to my circumstances. So - great trainers - and be careful about committing - they have a lot of contractural rules and it can be tricky to navigate.

An update on my previous review:…read more I canceled my account with them, and they still charged me for an extra month. I found it on my credit card statement, and asked them to refund. They did refund in the end. However, I recommend people who canceled their account with them to check if you are charged.

I saw high ratings of this place before went in for a trial class thinking like it cant be that…read moregood as those steady high ratings as people gave to this place online. I was happily disappointed that my assumption was wrong. This place has solid best kickboxing coaches(I've been to other places) and got even better than when it used to be ilovekickboxing. Classes are exhilarating and coaches are attentive and amazing. Awesome facility. Now they offer personal training as well.

Amazing kickboxing classes!! Sam and Jackie are super sweet and will make you SWEAT! John has the…read morebest playlists and teaches awesome kicks, and Juan the best abs workouts!! I was part of the 6 week challenge and although I went through some up and downs through it, I stayed consistent and was able to win it! They're amazing and I 100% recommend them!

I was a black belt in karate with 12 plus years of experience until I met Jeff. I've been training…read morewith Jeff for over five years now, and I feel as if the five years of kickboxing training is more real world and effective than 12+ years of my karate journey. I would highly recommend training with Jeff, not just to get in shape, but to learn effective real world techniques that aren't taught at karate and tae kwon do Studios. Don't waste your time anywhere else, do it the right way with Chicago kickbox.

Jeff's the definition of an awesome trainer! He not only is very passionate about kickboxing,…read moreboxing, martial arts, etc. but he makes sure to take the time to EXPLAIN about the movements your body is doing during the exercises he puts you through, which not a lot of trainers take the time to do so. He broke down workouts step by step and made sure I did them correctly. He was always all about form vs. function! His sessions are always fun and I get a good workout in. The boxing portion of my workout is my absolute favorite! He's also very knowledgeable about supplements and has given me A TON of advice about weight loss (my own personal goal), what to take and what not to take, what works and what doesn't work, etc. He also knows what he's talking about when it comes to food and macro breakdowns. Overall, I would recommend Jeff to anyone who wants to actually meet their fitness goals as well as LEARN a thing or two about supplements and muscle activation.

Top notch training place for kids and adults. Master George and Instructor Diana are no frills,…read morethoughtful, dedicated, kind, knowledgeable and more. My kiddo has made a ton of process both on and off the mat thanks to them. They teach so many life lessons beyond grappling and striking. Absolutely amazing.

This facility is really a community of folks interested in all types of martial arts. The…read moreinstructors are courteous but work you very hard - I lost 9 pounds in the first 2 weeks. For kids, it really looks like they have a well organized program from Jiu jitzu to wrestling, though my children did not attend these programs directly. I would encourage anyone who has driven by this facility to stop in and meet Master George. It's a bit intimidating meeting a world champion in anything, but you'll see this compound has evolved around his passion for the arts and his genuine interest in peoples' safety and health. It's a great experience.

I was a frequent "boxer" at the 9rounds Northbrook pre-pandemic. I recently found myself with a lot…read moreof time to kill each week while my kids play tennis at North Shore Racquet Club and discovered there was another 9rounds location just a few miles away. I tried it out one day and remember why I like this workout so much: 1) It's Challenging: 9 challenging stations that change daily with an exercise between each station 2) It's fast: 30 minute workout...done! 3) It's convenient: You don't have to book ahead or deal with waitlists (ahem lifetime fitness), but you just show up anytime during their open hours. I bought a 10 pack and plan to go once a week. I usually go when they first open on Saturday mornings so am one of the first to workout there. Thanks to the pandemic I don't love the idea of going to stations following sweaty people, but being first takes care of that. I've worked out with Luke during my few sessions and he's personable and gives you a great workout. It's a great workout and I"m sure I"ll fly thru this 10 pack! I do wish you could buy a membership to multiple locations since I find myself near the Northbrook location often too, but they have different owners so doesn't seem possible right now.

I've been looking to join a gym. My friend recommended this place. It's a kickboxing place with…read morecardio and weights integrated in the workout. There are 9 "rounds," or stations. Each station has a different workout ranging from jump rope for cardio, to dumbbells for weight training, and heavy/speed bags for punching and kicking. There's always one station called freestyle where you get to work one-on-one with an instructor. They'll teach you combos. There's a buzzer that goes off to start working out at the station; it lasts 3mins. When the 2mins is up, there's a 30sec cool down before moving to the next station. It's a complete workout. The instructors are energetic, positive, and encouraging. They're all also highly qualified. They've had years of experience ranging from Taekwondo to boxing to Muay Thai. This is definitely a must-try. First time is free! I went once and got hooked. They'll let you borrow all the gear you need. They'll also have you wear a monitor to make sure you're in the ideal heart rate range. Membership comes with free wraps and gloves. Try it for yourself.

Super fun and high energy. Instructors are very helpful. Great way to get in shape.read more

The worst experience I have ever had at any business period. The blonde woman and a man named Bobby…read moreare so full of themselves it's a joke. The "kickboxing" they claim to teach is the farthest thing from kickboxing out there. They just shoved their brutally expensive monthly membership down my throat before I even finished my starter pack, actually before I even took my first actual class. Don't represent knowledge of kick boxing when your roundhouse kick cant even make it half way up the bag and your hook punch looks like you're giving 3 of your bros a hug. The only reason this review is one star is because I can't go lower.

Last review of the decade! Gotta make it for one of my favorite businesses of all time. Top level…read morehas a little bit of everything for everyone. From kids to adults of all ages, beginner to training for matches or competitions, they have it all. They offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, conditioning classes and a yoga class. The owners, coaches and professors are knowledgeable and eager to share and teach. Every one is so welcoming and it's like one big family here. From time to time they also have seminars with professionals in Muay Thai, Kali; I've been to several and they were such great experiences. If you're looking to compete, looking to get in shape, looking to learn some self-defense, or all of the above this is the place to go! Love Top Level!

Great gym with amazing people. Always talent in the room, and always tough rounds. Bernie and the…read moretop level team do a lot for the MMA and Martial Arts Community.