I am a Blue Belt and I train Gracie JiuJitsu at KiCK Martial Arts in Kansas City. I had been away…read morefrom home for a week and ended up in Champaign, IL desperate for a JiuJitsu roll. CU Jiu Jitsu was NOT the only gym that I called, but they WERE the one who called me back! Coach Mike was super nice and welcomed me to come in and take a FREE trial class even though it was obvious I was not going to sign-up, and he even refused to allow me to pay for the class à la carte. Thank you, CU Jiu Jitsu! My experience was great! I was the odd man out as this gym focuses on sport jiujitsu whereas Gracie Jiujitsu is much more focused on the Self Defense aspect of Jiujitsu. At the time I only had the Gracie Combatives belt, which is an intermediate belt before Blue, earned before being introduced to rolling. Many of the students at CU Jiu Jitsu were curious about my odd-looking belt, and I was honored to tell them all about Gracie Jiu Jitsu, but this review is not about that. My visit to CU Jiu Jitsu happened towards the end of the pandemic and vaccinations were plentiful. The school continued to follow best practices limiting access to the facility and scanning temperatures upon entry. The head instructor, Professor James, greeted me. He was nice and welcoming. With paperwork behind us and a quick tour of the facility, away I went to the locker rooms. The locker room has showers and plenty of lockers. Don't forget to bring shower shoes so you don't contaminate the mats! The warm-up started on time. I think there were 12-15 people in the JiuJitsu class, with many of them staying for the wrestling class afterward. The warm-up was typical grappling school type of warm-up, but the instructor did have it written on a board and announced a goal of completing it in X minutes which added a nice challenge to it. After that, a couple of techniques were demonstrated and drilled. The class had many colored belts in it from Black to white. After the technique portion, we squeezed in a couple rounds of rolling. Thank you to my partners Kenny (Blue belt) and Coach Fabio (Brown Belt). This was my first time cross-training at another gym/school. I highly recommend it, and I recommend you checking out CU Jiu Jitsu if you are in the area. Thank you to all the Instructors and students who made my experience enjoyable and welcoming! Feedback: We cannot all be perfect all the time. This is constructive feedback and by no means do I have any grievance. With that said, I'm not sure how kid friendly the adult classes are. One student's children were doing what kids do. They were addressed as "{student}'s kids get off the rolled-up mats!" But I don't think the kids were used to being addressed that way, nor did they pickup on the fact that THEY were the ones playing on the rolled-up mats. So the command was shouted out a few more times before they got the hint. It was just a brief distraction that may have been unnecessary or handled differently.

Awesome instructors who are knowledgeable, great with kids, and offer several class options.read more

Don't listen to Kate B, who appears to be a disgruntled out-of-towner who had a one-off negative…read moreexperience during the craziness of Covid when businesses were scrambling to adapt to constant uncertainty. OTF Champaign is absolutely not poorly run! Check it out for yourself (the first class is free) and you'll find a well-managed facility with welcoming staff where you are guaranteed to get an intense, carefully-planned workout. I have been an OTF member for several months and my experience has been perfect! I can also attest that the gym is quite popular. If it sucked so bad the 5am, 6am, and after-work classes would not be in such high demand. OTF Champaign is popular because the workouts are awesome, the coaches and staff are great, their class times are frequent and convenient, and the facility is clean and well-managed. As a 39-year-old woman who took a loooong hiatus from the gym during Covid, OTF in Champaign has motivated me to hit the gym again and I am seeing excellent results. Don't listen to the haters. OTF Champaign is a great gym!

This is, hands-down, the best gym experience I've ever had. The studio is clean and well-equipped,…read moreand Orangetheory's workouts are fun, efficient, and doable for all levels. Best of all, though, are the coaches and staff. These are some of the most dedicated, upbeat, and encouraging people you will ever meet. They're highly professional and mission-oriented, really wanting to get behind you on your fitness journey, wherever you are on that path. Going to a workout at OTF Champaign is always a bright spot in my day. So grateful for the team there!

I first met Master Chen when he ran an after-school club for children at Dr. Howard Elementary…read moreSchool. I saw right away the kind of deep connection he could develop with his students. As a teacher, I appreciated the way he could motivate children to better themselves in kung-fu and in life. When my daughter became interested in martial arts I knew there was only one school for us. We signed up with Dragon Claw Academy and were very happy. I saw my daughter's confidence grow and she learned so much more than just kung-fu. Master Chen and his teachers are fantastic role-models for their students. I highly recommend DCA.

So... I found out about Dragon Claw through a CiSaves deal for kickboxing. I've attended 6 sessions…read moreso far under the guidance of Shifu Aaron Chen... and I couldn't be happier! Although the classes are early in the morning and tough, I've never had so much fun working out and sweating. He's very motivational, he makes us laugh, and he sends us on our way with inspirational messages for the day. Facility is clean, parking is good, and the price is affordable. I can also now roundhouse kick someone!

My kid loves this place. A good environment for kids to help them develop discipline and self…read moreconfidence!

This place is the bomb! There's a saying: boxing is better than therapy. Yep to all that…read more Whether you looking to get fit or workout your issues or looking to get your license to ill in the boxing ring on the real, this place is it. I was so surprise that he didn't have a yelp site yet (dudes been doing this for the last 20 years), but when I was looking for a boxing gym, 3 dudes from the area all named Coach Luyando. I can see why. He's been functioning by word of mouth and its hella evident that he's good at what he does. It's a boxing gym so don't expect the amenities of sauna and stuff, just expect to be worked out and I mean really really really really worked out. You work out side by side licensed boxers and those hungry for the license, so expect to be pushed. Yes, it is predominantly male gym so it can be intimidating (at least for me it was) when you first walk in, but you quickly recognize that people are there to train and coach and the senior members of the gym will make sure you ain't looking like a fool or feeling alienated. It's a great gym. And feel lucky to have found it.

My daughter begin dancing at Art In Motion in 2001. She loved it from the first moment she started…read more The highlight for her each year was performing on stage at the Virginia theater in annual recital. What great memories she has of the studio and it's teachers. The staff is very welcoming to newcomers, and regardless of your child's skill set, whether you are a beginner, and intermediate, or very experienced, there is a class for you. Art In Motion has the highest quality teaching of any dance studio I have ever experienced. The facilities are very spacious, and yet there is a family like atmosphere amongst all the staff and teachers. Personally speaking of our own experience, each teacher on staff offers the highest caliber of training, in addition to the upmost attention given to integrity and character development in each child/student they encounter. Definitely a FIRST CLASS facility in every aspect that is important! I rarely review anything on YELP, but Art in Motion dance studio deserves a great review! I personally recommend Art in Motion to anyone who is interested in giving their children a high-quality experience in dance along with being taught integrity, hard work, and diligence with good morals and great work ethic. On a personal note, MY favorite part of having my daughter be a part of th A.I.M. Family was getting the opportunity myself to dance with my daughter at recital each year. The Daddy/Daughter dance that the owner teaches has got to be one of the biggest of its kind anywhere in the United States! There was over 75 dad's along with their daughters on stage EVERY YEAR that we danced in the recital... My daughter will never forget those memories with me that WE made both rehearsing and performing in some of the craziest costumes I've ever tried on... WELL DONE Chad and Tricia and STAFF! You guys are the best!

This dance studio has a lot to offer! There are definitely some things that I was very impressed by…read moreand also there were a few things that were questionable. First of all, the front desk staff was super helpful! She helped me with all of my questions and concerns... and I had a lot of them. I was impressed with the amenities that were on site (other than the dance studios) They have a lounge equipped with tables and couches perfect for waiting parents or a break between classes. There is also a decent size fitness center with a wide variety of machines. I heard that some of the moms signed up for trainers during their daughters dance classes... how convenient!! They also have vending machines with snacks, drinks, and coffee. There are 4 dance studios all of them different sizes to accommodate large and small classes.I did notice that the studios were cluttered with costumes, tumble mats, props, etc. The clutter made the studios seem smaller and disorganized. Are there no storage closets?? This place is huge there has to be somewhere else these things can be stored. The students seem to lack discipline, They scurry between studios, come in late to class, talk, goof around, and don't listen to the teacher. I also wasn't sure why there were little 7/8 year olds mixed in with 14/15 year olds. The younger kids stole the teacher attention with their constant need for discipline. I feel bad for the older girls because they have so much potential and have really amazing skills already, but the teacher could not provide with with any feedback besides using them as an example to the younger girls of how quiet they were (which didn't help the younger girls be quiet anyway). I would love to see the age groups separated a little more for the sake of the students. I mean they have the studio space - why not give your students a little more personalized attention? I do also want to address the adult ballet class. It is awesome for adults who don't have much experience. But it is also great for anyone who does have experience. I know I worked up a sweat. The class has a friendly and welcoming vibe and the teacher was full of energy. Great for parents to do while their daughters are in class. As one of the moms in this class said, "I now have a huge appreciation for what my daughter does." Amazing. I wish my mom took some adult ballet classes :) The entire vibe of the studio is definitely competition. When you first walk in there are these huge trophy's lined up against the wall. All the kids are running around in tiny booty shorts and bra-like tops. The all inclusive aspect (dance, study, work out, eat, probably even sleep/nap) everything you need is a recipe for long nights at this studio.

This gym is SUCH a wonderful and welcome addition to Chambana! Stepping in, its clear these folks…read morebehind it have poured so much passion and thought into creating something where every detail has been meticulously considered. It's such a cool, multi-faceted space that feels inclusive and friendly. I am new to climbing and love that Horizon feels like a non-judgey space to hone my skills and just to unwind when I visit the area. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, great location in terms of public transit, excellent in every way. A million stars!

Iyengar Yoga Champaign-Urbana offers excellent online and in-person classes in a well-equipped,…read morespacious facility. The teachers are compassionate, well-trained, and truly student-centered. I've been studying with Lois since 2014 and have learned so much about yoga, my practice, and myself. Senior teacher and director Lois Steinberg embodies the best of yoga teaching--creative, insightful, and able to meet students exactly where they are while helping them grow. Her teaching is clear and compassionate, frank and funny. Whether you're new to yoga or experienced, this is an ideal place to deepen your practice alongside like-minded practitioners under gifted guidance. Thank you to Lois and the entire C-U team for your dedication to your students.

Great studio with great teachers, particularly the renowned Lois Steinberg, who attracts…read morepractitioners globally. I travel once or twice a year to practice and study in this studio. If you're fortunate enough to live nearby, this is the only yoga studio you'll ever need.

I went to Jennifer when I was feeling pretty good and left feeling even better. I went to her for…read moreZero Balancing, which I'd never heard of, and found it INCREDIBLY relaxing. She strikes me as someone who is very well informed, versed in a range of therapeutic approaches, and incredibly competent. Awesome hands-on body work from Jennifer, that's to be sure ... and all in a pleasant environment! Update: it's 2014 and she's still going strong!

Jennifer is a pro at what she does and I wouldn't hesitate to make an appointment with her. She has…read morean incredibly busy schedule. Her unique Zero balancing technique will set you straight. It is unlike any other massage I've experienced, the process is easy and smooth. When you are done it feels like you've got a new spine and grew two inches.