A few months moving to the western suburbs, my family and I were very excited to learn about a…read moreGracie Barra jiu jitsu studio right around the block from our new home. I knew jiu jitsu would be the perfect sport for my five year old son. Little did I know at the time, but we had also found the perfect academy. The coaches here are excellent with the kids, teaching them discipline, skill and a love for the sport in a way that does not put too much pressure on them but allows them to individually cultivate their physical and emotional knowledge in a very healthy way. I have seen great change in my son in many positive ways, and he is always very excited for class, now attending up to four or five times a week. GBDG has become almost like a second home for him, where he has made good friends and learned much about life, even if he may not yet fully understand all he has learned. After about 7 months of his being there, I myself decided to join the team. My personal experience in training has been excellent as well. I do not have background in martial arts, but this has not overly impaired my development as the training program is very methodical, helping me slowly come to understand the inner mechanisms of jiu jitsu as opposed to just being expected to utilize brute force. Professors Carlos, Pedro, and Coaches Alex and Vince (who brings incredible energy to his work with the kids!) really live up to the Gracie Barra motto: Jiu jitsu for everybody.

Great staff and teaching. They keep you involved and spend the time one on one to improve your…read moreskills

I'm not from around here, but I dropped in today and I just have to say, this gym is absolutely…read moreamazing. The people here are great to train with, and the atmosphere is so welcoming and clean. I honestly couldn't recommend this gym enough! If you're ever in town, definitely swing by or consider becoming a member. You won't be disappointed! Deep bow to all

No respect for these guys at all. They cancel comps and refuse to give refunds only credit! Dog…read more$hit

Love it here!! The environment is very welcoming. The entire place is always very clean. The…read moreprofessors are kind, encouraging, and teach patience, discipline, and self control, kindness, and leadership. It's honestly the best investment I have made for my son. He loves it here. Hes grown so much and has built strength, and is learning every week on kindness, leadership, and skill. They teach the technique in a way the kids remember and understand. I always recommend this training facility to everyone! Its so worth it! Professor Bruce and his family are awesome! Youll love it here!

Great School. If you want to learn some self defense or just want a fun way to get in better shape…read moreB1 BJJ is a great option.

I've been taking my two kids to Coach Ramses for several months now and he's been providing very…read moreeffective coaching for them. He's flexible when needed and strict when needed. I'd recommend this studio and Coach Ramses to others.

It has been an absolute pleasure training at Living Art. I joined a few months ago as someone with…read moreno experience in BJJ and quickly found an awesome group of guys ran by a super knowledgeable and personable coach in Ramses. It's a mix of hobbyists and competitors who train at Living Art and I've had an awesome time rolling with both types of people. Everyone is helpful, welcoming, and interested in making a beneficial and productive environment. The coach is also super knowledgeable and accessible. He'll always give you his time to answer questions, work through positions, and roll. Pretty cool considering he's a competing black belt. All in all, really happy with the quality of the instruction and the people at Living Art. I plan on sticking around for a long time.

I checked out all of the schools in the area before I decided to finally sign up with Bodhi…read moreCollaborative, and I couldn't be happier. First and foremost, the instructors Juan and Tristan are exactly what I was looking for. Simply put, they're fantastic! They're incredibly knowledgeable, structured, and approachable. So much so, I feel like my jiu jitsu is getting better than I had anticipated because these guys will actually roll with you even if you're a white belt and a true beginner...something that I hear you don't get in most schools. There are also beginner classes that are taught by Vince, Angel, and sometimes Fernando. These guys are also awesome. There is no rolling in the beginner classes(which is the most fun), however, I have learned the most technique in these classes because they're taught properly. I can't say enough good things about the beginner classes. I feel like I can ask them anything and they always take the time to help. This gym also has a great atmosphere. Being a new guy I can see the great relationships that have been developed throughout the years prior to me joining. Everyone is really laid back and accepting. I'm starting to realize that it could be very easy to dismiss white belts in jiu jitsu, but at Bodhi they seem to be embraced. All of my new teammates are so helpful. There are no bullies here, which I hear can also be a problem in some schools. One of the main reasons why I also joined Bodhi is because I wanted to learn Gi and No Gi jiu jitsu, which are both very cool in their own way. Some schools do not offer both, just one or the other. I've been wanting to learn jiu jitsu since I saw skinny little Royce Gracie choke out dudes bigger and stronger than him in the early 90's. It took me a while, but I finally decided to do it. I couldn't be any happier with my decision. I'm here to stay until Juan and Tristan put that black belt around my waist someday. It's gonna take a while because I really suck, but I am addicted! Look nowhere else if you're considering jiu jitsu. It's high level and fun at the same time at this school. What more can you ask for?

Instructors here are highly skilled, accommodating and attentive. Those that wish to learn the…read moregentle art of jiu-jitsu in a safe and non-judgmental atmosphere, this is the place to be. I highly recommend!

This academy definitely emphasizes safety and solid technique. The kids class starts with…read moreunderstanding the best techniques to avoid or escape from physical conflict and then leads to techniques that can be used to keep you safe if your in an unavoidable situation. Once these basic skills are mastered you learn sport jujitsu techniques that can be applied in a tournament situation. The initial emphasis on self defense without permanently hurting your opponent is a great skill for all kids to learn. If there is an interest in competition the academy can get you there. Adult classes are accelerated with an emphasis on flow drills that can get you to the point that you can walk into any academy, train with confidence, and not worry about getting hurt or hurting others. If you're a goon or a bully, this is not the place for you. If you want to be a great training partner, stay (or get) in shape and be safe; this is a great place to begin your jujitsu journey.

From the owner: Right here in good old wheaton! Learn how to keep yourself and everyone around safe, healthy, and…read moremore fit!!

This will be my third review of APEX. I did one when I first started, a couple months in and now,…read moreafter 1 year of training. APEX is truly a special place. It is more than a gym, more than good training, it is like an extension of your family and a band of training brothers. There is not another gym like this around and I stand on that. Coach Nick Spacek is the best grappling instructor in the Chicagoland area. Black belt in Jiu Jitsu, black belt in Judo and high level wrestling, on top of 20 years in the sport. You will be very hard pressed to find a coach like that who teaches every class and works with students individually. It just doesn't happen that often. Nick truly cares about his students and their progression through the sport. Whether your a grappling competitor, an MMA fighter looking to improve your ground game, or a 40 year old hobbyist like myself, he works with you and you will learn. He has a laid back vibe and is really good at breaking down the basics. His students compete and they win. I've mentioned it in other posts but the kids program here is the best in Chicago area. I truly believe that you will not find a better place to take your kids. They will get in shape, be disciplined , have confidence and the skills to handle any situation thrown at them. They will not only have skills on the mats, but they will be on the path of being a good human and citizen. If you want your kid to benefit and take something away from a hobby/ activity, look no further. I always hear people say "I'd love to do Jiu Jitsu." All it takes is for you to walk into the door and try. Try a week of classes and see for yourself. You won't regret it, you'll only benefit from it. See you on the mats.

I can't recommend this gym highly enough. Nick is an exceptional instructor with literally two…read moredecades of grappling experience. He motivates and challenges students while also making classes fun and accessible for all levels. The beginner classes are excellent if you are just starting out or want to refresh on the basics. Nick always focuses on safety and ensures that everyone has appropriate training partners based on their skill level and size. As a woman, I have felt welcomed at every class. Whether you are looking for just good workout or want to compete at the highest level, APEX is the place.

Pretty empty on a Wed between 11 am and 1 pm. It's like this most of the time I'm here. Maybe 1 or…read more2 other people at the most. People mostly work on their stuff and leave. Only a couple high school/young college kids just come to play on their phones which is why they haven't gotten any gains.

An incredible private gym, right in the middle of Four Lakes in Lisle! State of the art equipment,…read moreincredible coaches & programs. If you're sick of the "mega gym" corporate feel, this is the spot for you. Eric has years of expertise & knowledge that he shares with all of the members. It's a real community feel in here, with people helping each other learn new skills and achieve new heights in their training, performance & health. In a world full of cookie cutter gyms that value the almighty dollar over everything, TK Gym Four Lakes is a breath of fresh air for any serious fitness enthusiast.