Live, love, matter... learn to be present in your life, focus on your relationships, find joy and…read moremake a positive impact in the dojo (classroom, work, etc). The mat chats with Sensei Alex at Victory MMA are everything! He is a cool dude and understands what is truly important in life. As a parent, it is so powerful for my son to hear these messages from Sensei. My son carries this joy and focus with him to school and into our home. We have been attending MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) for a year in the 4 to 7 year old class. I love being on the bleachers in the dojo to watch the class and hear the mat chat. This helps us reinforce the message at home and also practice the moves of the month. It is very easy to get acclimated to class. Sensei Alex is kind and has a genuine passion. There are also a number of "Sensei Dads" that take the adult class and help out with the kids class. They are all such lovely people! Everyone has a smile and is excited to be in the dojo training. The energy is contagious and the kids have a lot of fun while also learning discipline, confidence and focus. We are so grateful to be part of the Victory family!

My son has been a student at Victory MMA for about 3 years (back when there were only about 4 kids…read morein the class). My hopes honestly were just to get him introduced to the mat in preparation for his future wrestling career in a way that wouldn't get him burned out like so many kids I know that get forced to wrestle at such a young age. This has turned out to be so much more than that for him. He learns more about respect and honor and making good habits than he does anything else. I've seen my son grow not just as a martial artist, but as person; inside and outside of the dojo. Sensei Alex Krotiak is absolutely amazing and it is no wonder that the class has gotten so popular that he had to add another youth class due to the overwhelming demand by parents to get their kids in his program. I absolutely love this place and all they do, I can't say enough good things about it. I would recommend Victory MMA without hesitation to anyone looking lead their children down a fulfilling journey of respect, discipline and of course, self defense.

This place is great, excellent staff they are professional and knowledgeable. I got my hours cut…read moreback at work so I had to cancel my subscription. But this place is a hidden gem. I can't thank them enough. I wish this place much success and I will likely drop in one of these days when I have the time. This place is clean and affordable and you get a wealth of experience in one facility. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to enhance their lives.

I have got to admit that no one pushes you as hard as the coaches here. They are friendly, focus…read moreand push you to your best potential. I joined the bootcamp and although it is hard I wake up every morning looking forward to the class. I know it will make me feel good after the workout. The bootcamp has lots of variety, some legs or arms focus or some full body. Worth the try if you are seriously looking to up your game!

On the busiest nights (valentines day) of the week, not one staff member came out to escort these…read moreyoung children for a safe entry into the business. Plus adding the parents! Dropping the boys off and not leaving their autos to help the kids thru the busy traffic due to valentines pizzas being picked up next door. The parking lot was a mad house. Thank goodness no accidents happened while I was waiting for my pizza.

I was absolutely appalled when I called Robert to address an issue I had with the charges to my…read morecredit card. His unprofessional and rude responses told me I was not going to get anywhere with him. I requested that Pedro the owner call me instead, to which Robert responded with a snide "well that is not going to happen". When I continued to refute the charges to my card he began very hostile and used profanity and told me he did not give a "beep" what I do, and I can "beep" off, and then he hung up. I was dumbfounded, never in my life have I experienced such a blatant disregard for not only customer service but simple respect when speaking to another human being. Absolutely inexcusable.

It is a great honor to train under the guidance and patience (and occasional good-natured laughter)…read moreof Grandmaster Tae, the Masters and Assistant Masters at W Kim Tae Kwon Do in Lake Zurich, the Black Belts with whom we train, and my fellow students. I did not join W Kim TKD in LZ as a member in search of "a workout", though through my first eight weeks of training I've certainly discovered and felt muscles I did not know I had. To train with any instructor at W Kim TKD LZ is to feel at some point being truly "pushed", in ways I'd imagine nearly anyone seeking "a workout" would desire. I write this even having trained for and completed five marathons. I am new in my journey toward studying any martial art, currently a High White Belt in Tae Kwon Do. New as I am, even in my upper-40's, and for as much as I stumble along the way, I have no desire to stop training. I chose to pursue study of Tae Kwon Do out of the desire to inspire my 8 year-old son to finish what he started in his own training. About a year ago, when, as a Green Belt in his training, my son grew resistant to the increasing challenges presented to him, I chose to commit to my son that I would personally join him in his training en route to earning a Black Belt.. once he had advanced past Green Belt himself. True to the spirit of this school, my son persevered, and eventually earned his Purple Belt in a Belt Promotion that put his skills and training to the test. And so began our journey together. It is through the spirit of focus, concentration, and tenacity dwelling at the heart of all that happens in every lesson within the school at W Kim TKD Lake Zurich that my son and I have each found a unique but potent way to connect with each other, in participating individually in an experience that undeniably moves each of us beyond our perceived limits. We train in separate rooms, but we know the other is working hard, each in our own pursuit of becoming a better person. The mutual feeling of success after each lesson for each of us is undeniable, and makes for some very enjoyable conversation and celebration together on the ride home.. and for many hours to follow. More importantly, though, the shared experiences we have together at this school have deepened our mutual connection as father and son. These are truly priceless memories that are being formed. If all that I just wrote here still leaves anyone unconvinced, you can freely get a sense of what to expect at W Kim TKD in Lake Zurich simply by looking through the windows of its main training studio, toward its southernmost walls. Take in the Student Creed, the Tenets and Oaths of Taekwondo, and the Children Home Rules. Then, decide for yourself whether what you see written there would be of value to you and/or your children. I know that for me, and for what is plainly viewable as a true, vibrant community amongst the students and teachers, what I saw on that wall was worth pursuing. As both a father and as a midage adult working to improve upon my own internal resolve, I do not regret doing so. I am certain many other students would say the same. - Steve

I have been a student of the Kims at their Palatine locations for about 25 years. My wife and two…read morekids also went for a while. Although I admit, I have not gone for a while. On a shopping trip to Trader Joe's in Lake Zurich, I had forgotten they opened a second location in the same strip mall. So, at around noon on a Saturday, I dropped in. Hoping to run into Master Tae Hyung Kim, I learned he had already left for the day. But, I met the lead instructor and observed for a while. I remember when they had one location in downtown Palatine that was great, but very "lived in". This new location is really nice. It's well lit, the gym is large, the instructors have microphones they wear so they can easily be heard. And, since many of their students are kids, they have a great seating area where parents can watch the classes. I'm really sorry that I missed Tae, but I did leave my number for him. For a couple of years I've said I would go back again. I need to get back in shape. One day, I will be back.

Omg, I had the best workout with Dan! He was phenomenal. Thank you very much for your services…read more I would highly recommend anyone to join Danny in personal training from group lessons to private sessions He specializes in anything from wrestling, boxing, jiu-jitsu, Muyy Thai, kids self defense & adult self defense classes.. He is extremely easy to work with & it explains everything with such great detail which makes it so easy to catch on

I can finally run WITH items in my pockets. phenomenal (shirt) fit on the shoulders, I look 5lbs…read morebuffer!

JP Martial Arts is a highly professional school. I have witnessed several of their demonstrations…read moreand was highly impressed. My wife took their personal defense class. She loved it. Check it out!

At J.P. Wood they teach the World Taekwondo Federation style (or WTF - unfortunate acronym I know),…read moreas well as Koryo Gumdo (Korean Samurai Sword), and various other martial arts orientated work out classes for various ages. It has been over 6 years now that I started going to classes at J.P. Wood to learn Taekwondo, and about 4 years ago since I started doing Gumdo. I have to say, it doesn't seem that long at all, and I really couldn't imagine not being there so often! The school is owned by Grandmaster John P. Wood and his wife Master Janice Wood, who are both very approachable, knowledgeable and active in the local community. There are a number of classes available every weekday evening, and Saturday morning, each lasting about an hour split up between family classes, teen/adult classes and dragon classes (4-6 years old). Master Janice Wood and some of the other instructors teach at other locations in the area too, and there are often some morning classes scheduled as well (such as tumbling/martial arts basics for 2.5 to 4 years old). The classes are structured so that students work on various different aspects that are important in each discipline, and usually taught by at least 1 main instructor and an assistant instructor. The Wood's put a lot of thought into the lesson plan so each week you are working on some things that are different to the previous week, which helps with maintaining motivation. There really is something for all ages at J.P. Wood. If you want to learn martial arts and have been intimidated by other places, definitely consider coming here. You won't be disappointed.

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!

I wrote my last review of W Kim Taekwondo in September 2023. I had stopped going to their classes…read moreseveral years before due to a job relocation and some injuries (unrelated to taekwondo). Shortly after I wrote that review, I started to go to their classes again. The school has grown tremendously over the years. I have to believe their growth is due to the quality of the instruction and the strong family feel when you are a part of their community. At 65 years old, taekwondo doesn't come as easily as it used to. But, the instructors are patient, they understand your limitations and work with you on a more customized training plan. I really appreciate that. I've been back as a student for a year and a few months. It feels great to be back. The growth they have seen has led them to open other locations - again, this is due to the caliber of their staff and how welcome they make you feel. I feel myself improving every time I go - several times a week. The patience of the instructors has made it a pleasure to relearn what I'd forgotten over the years. I wrote in my last review that they added a low intensity class. I still attend that but, with practice, I'm going to higher intensity classes again. I highly recommend W Kim Taekwondo for anyone who is interested in learning the sport, both adults and children.

Highly recommend. My son never wants to miss single class. Available for rescheduling class if you…read moremiss one.

The school offers different programs for all levels. Master Song and Master Shi are great examples…read moreof what martial artists can become as they truly love their students and selflessly dedicated to their craft. Our son has been studying here for over a year and his experience has been excellent. I would highly recommend this school. S. Wang

I don't understand why there is no review for Shifu Song. He volunteer his Monday to teach class in…read moreChicago and for over three years we learn a lot from him. He is strict but he doesn't mess around. His workout are intense but if it doesn't challenge you it is not changing you. I went to a Kung Fu competition this year for the first time and all of his students are amazing and outstanding. He is the real deal Chinese Kung Fu Master. If you ever get to train with him, it is a blessing. If you are out his way, you won't regret going to any of his class and he works well training with the kids. In the end, it is sad to see him leave us in Chicago, we wish him the best because the best is what he is.

This a review for the Morton Grove location…read more Our 4 year old son had an absolute fantastic time with sensei Patel in the 4-7 year old beginner class. He looked forward to each class, and was always eager to tell us what he did in class. Sensei Patel did a fantastic job of balancing the class for all ages, not sidelining anyone, and instilling an eagerness in the students to learn more. Occasionally sensei Patel had to reign in, and redirect the energy a bit, however in a class geared towards rambunctious younger learners that is to be expected. For the following session we had him progress to a beginner/continuer 4-7 year old class. We wanted to keep him at the same or somewhat higher level of expectation as in sensei Patel's class. He was by far the youngest student in the class, and the older students were obviously much further down the road with their karate skills. The class ended up catering more towards the older students (6 and 7 year olds). What is needed to engage and motivate a 4-5 year old and a 6-7 year old student is quite different. Also, there are limits to what can be reasonably expected from a 4 year old student. With that said, the instructor was very skilled in martial arts, and for older students I can see him being suitable.

Our boys have been training with ISKC since they were four years old. Almost 6 years later and one…read moreof them with a Sho Dan, we are still going strong! This place is more than a karate dojo to us, it is our extended family. We are very thankful that we found ISKC through our park district. From the excellent programs (for both young and old), to the top notch Senseis, nothing is short of the best. This organization is teaching my boys not only great karate (both competition and real life application), but also teaches them to be healthy, disciplined and confident about themselves. All these skills are directly helping them succeed in their school life as well and making them into well rounded individuals. My boys have also made great friends through this club that they will keep for a very long while! If you are looking for a karate club, par excellence, ISKC is definitely Chicagoland's top karate club! Highly recommended!