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!

Our kids have been going here for just about a year now. In an effort to get our kids a little…read moremore physically active (and mentally disciplined), we started looking around for a martial arts class. After doing trials at a couple of places, we settled on Longman, and could not be happier with our choice. Instructor Bret has built an exceptional program at Longman Martial arts. His teaching style is patient yet firm. He understands when to be strict and when to be compassionate, and the results are undeniable. My kids both love going to class, and their progress has pretty remarkable. They are both so much more coordinated and confident in their bodies, and I see progress in their discipline as well. Perhaps the most important thing that separates Longman from other martial arts studios is the flexible scheduling. The tuition includes up to 3 days a week, and kids' classes are available 5-6 days a week, depending on which class you're enrolled in. That flexibility makes it so much easier for parents, because you're not tied to a rigid schedule.

My son has attended Longman Martial Arts TKD for over 3 years now. The discipline, confidence, and…read morerespect taught at this school is worth every penny!

My family has attended classes at Villari's in Edgebrook for about 4 years. Great for physical…read morefitness and self-defense. Fun and rewarding for both kids and adults.

We absolutely love Villari's martial arts. My son Is very shy and has a hard time opening up and…read moreparticipating in classes. Master Rick and his team are amazing. They are so supportive and encouraging. Karate is now my son's favorite activity and I am so grateful for this school and all they do!

Authentic enchiladas 10/10!! Friendly service and delicious food, this place is a gem. Will…read moredefinitely return.

Love this neighborhood dojo! My child has been doing well and I love the mix of skill levels that…read morecome to their class. Even though we are still a white belt we get to work with and learn things that the yellow, green and blue belts do as well. This place is a real community and very supportive, amazing instructors!

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

I had the privilege of training at this academy. This is by far the cleanest academy I have ever…read moretrained in. The professors are great. The training is tailor to your needs and they are very patient with people who have never done any martial arts. I cannot say enough about the people that train there. They are some of the best human beings I have ever met. There are policemen, doctors, firemen, construction workers, students & moms to include a few. They also have guest BJJ professionals like Nicky Rod. Highly recommend giving this place a try.

Amazing academy, with amazing professors, and a clean environment. However, some of the members…read morethat wear a public safety uniform are unprofessional, and get their feelings hurt if they train hard, or practice hard. Professor Luis and Professor Wasa are a true class act and very professional... Unfortunately, I had to part ways to questionable behavior by some members. Please try them out you may have better luck than I did!

I've been a member and friend of Degerberg Academy since 2007, but over the past 5 years or so Jiu…read moreJitsu has become my absolute favorite martial art. It's something of a healthy addiction. The more I roll the happier I get. I am a green belt under Robson Moura Nova Uniao so when my favorite teacher Branko announced he was opening his own RMNU school I followed him and his family over to the new Irving Park location so I can train at least 5x a week minimum. About Branko; he's unbelievably supportive. A few months ago he encouraged me to compete at the IBJJF Chicago Open and I took him up on it. We trained hard to get ready and the experience was life-changing. I lost 22 pounds and 3 pants sizes in just only 6 weeks. No crazy diet, no starving, Just healthy foods and Jiu Jitsu. Oh, and I gave my opponent at the tournament a very difficult time : ) Branko is a great teacher for anyone from absolute beginner to advanced blue and purple belts. He has limitless patience and loves the game with so much passion you can't help but get caught up in it yourself. He and his family are very friendly also so you get the feeling you are welcome right away.

ML is one of the best places to study Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Chicago. It is conveniently located on…read morethe north side and easily accessible by car or public transportation (there is even parking in back!). There are classes several times a day, which is super convenient for those who have busy work/school/home schedules. There is always a time to train, and the facility is super clean with excellent equipment. Branko is a fantastic bjj coach and instructor. He has a very deep knowledge of the sport and is extremely supportive of all of his students. He is very friendly and puts in a lot of effort to make everyone feel right at home regardless of how much they have trained. If you are new to the sport, or have been training for years you will enjoy training here.

Frank's Martial Arts has helped build my kids confidence. Every class runs on time, follows a…read morewell-organized curriculum, and offers a balanced mix of challenge and progression. Master Frank and Miss Amanda are always prepared, professional, and consistent in their teaching methods, which has helped my kids steadily improve both technique and confidence. It's clear they're committed to maintaining high standards week after week. My kids have been going for over a year now and Master Frank has never missed a day of training!! The dedication they have shown to the students is incredible.

We love Master Frank! He is committed to his students and genuinely wants them to grow not just in…read moremartial arts, but in life! He is intentional about students taking what they have learned in class and applying it to their daily lives. He has excellent communication, is passionate, and knows how to work with students of all ages.

Love these guys, the instructors and students and amazing. Great martial art community I would…read moredefinitely recommend

I had very minimal experience in Muay Thai and Kickboxing going into Mac's gym. Coach Mac, his…read morestaff, and the everyone in the class is extremely helpful and always emphasizes technique first. I highly recommend this MMA gym to anyone at any experience level. Pricing is fair too! I personally bought the punch pass because of my scheduling vs. buying a monthly pass.

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.