Best teachers have left or are leaving; very sad. Was once a great place. 4 just left and looks…read morelike more on the way.

I've been practicing Shotokan Karate for about six months now, and joining FMA is one of the best…read moredecisions I have ever made. The people at FMA welcomed me with open arms and I felt like all of the regulars in the T/Th 7:30pm adult classes became like a little family to me. Since beginning karate, I have gained confidence, new friends, and a drive to continue achieving. I was recently promoted to yellow belt, and can't wait to get closer to orange! Jaime is an outstanding instructor, and I would definitely recommend working with him if you're just starting out. He has always amazed me with his ability to motivate everyone to do their best while also keeping the mood light.

Awesome place, awesome people, the instructor breaks it down for you to learn . I always enjoys the…read morespeech's a lot of truth behind them , sometimes they are funny Sincerely the white belt

Awesome group that trains hard. Really appreciate the warm welcome and pointers from all the more…read moresenior players.

Honestly I cannot say enough good things about Fonseca Martial Arts. I enrolled my son for lessons…read moreabout a year ago when he was 6 years old. The transformation I have seen in him through his development in karate is nothing short of incredible. He's moved quickly through the program and has now moved into the intermediate level class. All of the instructors are phenomenal with the kids. The classes remain fun and age appropriate while still maintaining the discipline and respect that are the hallmarks of karate. My son participated in his very first "Dojo Duel" last spring and loved it. Dojo Duels are a fun introduction to competitive karate, allowing students to learn about competition in a very fun way. All the participants are recognized and receive medals, but they still recognize the top competitors in every age group as well. You can really go as far as you want with Fonseca. If you want to learn & compete at an international/Olympic level you can, as many Fonseca students compete on the world stage. John Fonseca himself is a legend in the sport and you will find him working in all the dojo locations and providing the students with his expertise. We love Sensei Dave at the Wilmette Dojo, he clearly cares about his students and really invests his time in their development. My son often arrives early or stays after class (by choice) because he is so eager to learn from him. He also has taken private lessons (again by his own request) so he can perform at his best in competition. He will be participating in another Dojo Duel this fall and then his first major competition, the Fonseca Cup. This place is the real deal, you will not regret sending your child.

We had been told for years to try Karate. Unfortunately, we listened to those who had not tried…read morebefore, thinking that it would bring out aggressive tendencies in our kids and that they'd be practicing in each other all the time. We wish we had not listened to these people. Fonseca has been such a wonderful oasis for my kids. Let's begin with the heart and soul of the program: the amazing Sensei's. These men and women are such wonderful role models. They are always supportive, energized, and keep the class moving. They focus on the importance of character foremost rather than the outcome. My kids happily go at least 2 times a week - which is a miracle in itself. They are in a class where there is a wide range of ages and skill levels but no one ever feel intimidated or embarrassed. They get a very intense workout, while having fun, making new friends, gaining coordination and confidence. If you've ever thought of having your kiddos try Karate, don't wait! Sign them up. You will not regret it.

AWESOME!!! Great staff, awesome people, great training environment, supportive environment,…read morewelcoming etc. They take care of first responders and military personnel with their special pricing structure. Also, they allow you attend "FREE" for 30 days in order for you to sign a contract. I mean who does that???? This place ROCKS!

I've been here for a little over a year now and since I'm leaving soon I feel like it's time to…read morewrite an update. A lot has changed here since then. New location, change in programming. The new facility is HUGE, a definite upgrade over the old place. Not only is there more mat space but a weights area and heavy bags. More than one classes can run at the same time which means a larger variety of classes, more advanced level Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and even two dedicated MMA classes a week. What has NOT changed is the quality of instruction, the friendly, laid back atmosphere and it's competition focus. All of the instructors there are really laid back-there are no formalities here, which makes it really easy to ask them for help with techniques or questions about how to do moves. Walk up to anyone for help or even some practice and they'll be more than happy to do so. A couple months ago, Mark the head instructor said it best: "this isn't a business, it's a family." You can tell from the beginning that this isn't just a school to just learn but a place where people come together to share a common interest, almost like a clubhouse. While I like the new facility and the space what I'm going to miss most is the people I get to see week after week.

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.

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!

I spent two years at North Side Boxing, first training one-on-one with an absolute pro of a coach…read moreand then moving into the group classes, which I highly recommend. The vibe there is all about unity. When we ran, we ran together. When we partnered up, we hyped each other up. We constantly rotated partners, so you were always learning from different styles and skill levels. Rich, who runs the gym, is always there making sure everything runs smoothly and stepping in with veteran advice when you need it. Some fighters've been boxing for years, some who even compete in the Golden Gloves, and while that can feel intimidating at first, it quickly becomes incredibly inspiring. You can't help but pick up pointers and insider knowledge just by being around them. Whether you're a 20-year veteran or someone who's never thrown a punch, you're treated the same. It's a place built on respect, hard work, and community. I highly recommend to anyone looking to shed pounds, gain confidence and even make some new friends.

Been a member of this gym for almost 2 years now. Boxing, Muay Thai, Powerlifting, Weightlifting,…read moreStrongman, you name it. This gym is a jack of all trades and has it all. It is a unique experience you won't find anywhere else. Rich (owner of the gym) has built a one-of-a-kind community and I can't recommend this place enough.

I love to train here and I would definitely recommend going here if you are in the area and want to…read morelearn martial arts. Professor Catherine and Professor Nick are very nice people and I hope to keep training here!

Pure BJJ has a cool vibe. I visited from out of town for a week and had the pleasure of training in…read morethe gi classes. The instructors, Catherine and Nick, are very welcoming and attentive to their students. They give verbal during the rolls. I found all their students - white, blue, and purple - to be intelligent and courteous partners. On the nights I was there, it was 15% instruction, 40% drilling, and 45% open rolling. I thought that was a great distribution. The school is home to both hobbyists and competitors. I also greatly admired that there were almost equal numbers of women and girls in the class compared to the men. It seems to be an environment in which women can flourish. Lastly, I was impressed with the willingness of the instructors to teach leg locks to their white belts with proper instruction and safety. I look forward to returning to Pure BJJ in the future.