If you want to study Kung Fu directly from a 8th Dahn Chinese Master then go to CGFI…read more Master Zhang offers classes in TaiJi, Wushu and External martial arts. Zhang has plenty of credentials in Kung Fu and Tai Ji- its rare to study directly from the master so If your into Kung Fu then you should go train here!

Looking for the best tai chi in Chicago? The Chinese Gong Fu Institute at Western and Wilson may…read morejust be it! Choosing a tai chi teacher is tricky. To reap the many benefits of the art, one needs to learn it correctly. But students don't know enough to evaluate the skill level of instructors, so what's the answer? For me, it was to find the most experienced, credentialed tai chi teacher I could find--Grandmaster Zhang of the Chinese Gong Fu Institute. Grandmaster Zhang is the real deal. Trained in China under elite and rigorous martial artists, he brings a technical insight and wisdom to his teaching that ensures his students will receive the proven rewards--strength, health, flexibility, and peace of mind--of tai chi practice, rather than waste their time doing it wrong. Anyone can wave their hands around in a slow motion dance, but tai chi is so much more than that! For example, after just 12 classes with Master Zhang, my balance and posture have improved tremendously and I am amazed at how this has reduced my daily stress level. I feel more "grounded" going about my daily life, with the result of less anxiety and more confidence. For those with flexible schedules, the weekday morning classes avoid rush hour and are great, but there are evening and Saturday classes, too. In addition to tai chi, classes in fighting-style kung fu (/gong fu) are also offered. Master Zhang (pronounced "jong," rhymes with "long") teaches all of his classes personally with a section of each class devoted to working individually with students. The other students are a friendly, helpful bunch, and his top student--a woman named Molly--is positively inspiring to watch! After 20 years of studying tai chi with Master Zhang, she is the embodiment of strength, flexibility and grace. Another thing I love: sometimes, during warm up or while we're doing the forms, Master Zhang will sit down and play the zither, a horizontal string instrument that I had previously only seen played by zen masters in martial arts movies. It is quite beautiful. We are very lucky to have Master Zhang here in Chicago, as tai chi teachers with his training, lineage, and artistry are becoming increasingly rare. Learn with him now, while you still can. Someday he'll retire and you'll have missed your chance!

Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts is a great place to learn about martial arts and the instructors…read moreare very friendly and adults and kids can learn all sorts of cool martial arts techniques

I highly recommend this place. My son has had a really great experience here. We started out with…read morethe Ninja Turtles program when he was younger. It was excellent, however after a while we decided to look at other places because we don't live nearby. We eventually ended up coming back here because it is the best we have found--it is worth the commute. In addition to getting a great workout and learning martial arts skills, my son is learning discipline, focus, and other incredibly important skills like treating others with respect and being a good teammate. The instructors command respect, but also make the classes fun and really keep the kids engaged. Everyone who works here seems to really enjoy what they do. Just started my younger son too and trying to convince my daughter to join. Haven't tried the adult classes yet, but they look badass:)

Krav Maga Illinois is not just a fitness or self-defense space. It is truly a school - a place…read morewhere our children have grown, learned, and improved both inside and out. The teachers and staff are welcoming while also firm, experienced, and superbly knowledgeable. They know children and treat them with care and respect that makes you instantly care and respect them in return. We have tried other forms of self-defense; Krav is the only one where we have actually seen real-life circumstances and situations addressed in concrete, actionable ways from day one. It's hard, it can be intense, and it demands focus - just what we wanted for our children. I cannot more highly recommend KMI, not just for the activity itself, but for the community in which its taught (arguably more important than any other feature).

My son absolutely loves Krav Maga! This self-defense based martial arts studio is owned and ran by…read moresome amazing women! I enjoy watching how confident my son is becoming and making new friends in the process. We highly recommend this gem!

Chicago Thai Boxing Academy is a true Chicago family owned and operated business, and that shows…read morefrom the moment you walk through the door. Everyone here is friendly, approachable, and welcoming. I honestly thought joining a Muay Thai gym would be intimidating, but it's been the exact opposite. The owners, coaches, staff, and members have created an environment where beginners and experienced athletes alike feel comfortable and supported. The academy emphasizes a respectful, inclusive community and welcomes people of all skill levels. One of my favorite features is the weight room, which is a great bonus alongside the training. The facility is well maintained, and I've heard they are constantly making improvements and upgrades to keep the academy growing. If you've ever been curious about Muay Thai but felt nervous about trying it, don't be. Take advantage of their free trial class and see for yourself. Chances are you'll get hooked just like I did. The combination of authentic training, great people, and a strong community makes this place something special.

My daughter absolutely loves attending her Muay Thai classes every week! The trainers and front…read moredesk staff are so helpful and my daughter feels very comfortable here. She takes pride in all she learns each week

We had a terrible experience here. I got tied up at work, and so was a few minutes late dropping my…read more5yr old child off for class in the park. Because of this, the instructor decided to single out my child and punish them in front of the entire class. I mean, how is it a 5yr old child's fault for being late? Why would an adult do this? Because my son was new to this class and singled out for discipline, he became extremely embarrassed and ran to hide behind a nearby tree. The instructor immediately called me back into the class and explained to me, again, in front of the whole class, that she cannot abide kids running into the road (he went nowhere near the road) and so was kicking him out. I was shocked. What kind of adult needs to lord authority over children this way? Had she pulled me aside to talk about being late, fine. But punishing my child? On his 3rd day?! I'm left feeling like the people in charge here don't know how to handle small children. Take yours here at your own risk.

My daughter has been a student in Sifu Paula's kungfu programs since she was 4 1/2 years old,…read morealmost 7 years now. I am a martial artist myself and I can say that there is no place that I would rather send my daughter for training. This is a great program. Top-notch Shaolin martial arts training, but - more importantly - I have seen my daughter grow in strength and confidence as a result of this program. The belt promotions in this school are not given away, students have to work hard for them! My daughter has learned how to push herself to achieve more than she thought possible and she's already learned that to achieve anything worthwhile, she's going to have to work for it. Those are great life lessons that I hope will stay with her forever. I highly recommend Healthkick Kung Fu!

My son has been attending Stagen's Martial Arts for little over a year now. I am so happy with the…read moreinstruction and care that my son receives there. Mr. Stagen is a wonderful instructor and mentor to so many of his students. I had the privilege to work in law enforcement with Mr. Stagen. I have a lot respect for this man. I highly recommend anyone looking to further their martial arts skills or if you are a beginner to come check out Stagen's Martial Arts.

I have been going to classes here since 2018. The teacher is phenomenal. I feel so much better…read moreafter every single class I attend. The new space at 1118 N. Ashland is large, airy and peaceful/relaxing. Monthly cost is very very affordable. The more you go, the cheaper it is. Learn tai chi form, sword forms, knife forms, chi gung and much more.

I was recommended to try Tai Chi as a way to relieve stress, help with physical balance and…read morestrength, and for overall health. I've been coming here a couple months, and cannot say enough about the class structure and instructor. Since I'm a way beginner, I wasn't sure what to expect. However, this workout is different from classes I've taken for yoga, Zumba and most cardio-type class structures, since I didn't have to just "pick up" where the class was at. The class instructor (Stirling) is excellent, and takes time to show you each move and guides you every step of the way. He is very thorough, non-critical, peaceful, skilled and patient. It's a class you can take at any level and not feel lost or behind. If you're advanced, Stirling has been doing Tai Chi since the 70s and is skilled in the various forms, such as sword form. He has a lot of students that are at advanced levels and can also provide instruction. If you're a beginner like me, the practice is so fascinating and you don't necessarily need practice/knowledge to start, since you will definitely learn and "feel" when the moves are correct. There are a lot of underlying principals when it comes to perfecting the form - learning these has had a huge impact on my progress. Learning how each move can be used in combat is so empowering! Benefits I've gotten: A lot of energy as opposed to lethargic, physical and mental balance and strength, reduced stress/increased calmness, greater ability to focus, and stronger legs, arms and core

Genuinely can't say enough good things. The teachers are really encouraging, and the environment is…read morewelcoming and fun- I came in with zero experience, and have never felt out of place or uncomfortable. There's a great sense of camaraderie between the students, who have all been more than willing to help out my unskilled self during partner drills. The classes are definitely challenging while being incredibly enjoyable and satisfying. I've always hated traditional gyms and had to drag myself to go, and for the first time ever, as soon as I leave I can't wait to come back! I'd recommend CMMA to anyone looking for practical self defense skills, a new physical activity, or even just an awesome community to be part of. I'm so happy I found this place!

After training here for a couple of months, I received amazing training for Muay Thai and Brazilian…read morejiu-jitsu from instructors that have a lot of experience, and they make it safe for beginners to join so that the fundamentals of new students are strong.