I'm just going to put it simply, this place changed my life. I decided to try something new, way…read moreout of my comfort zone. Little by little I grew stronger, more confident and I learned the techniques. The people here believe in me, coach me and encourage me to push further, be braver. They are talented, kind and strong. At the age of 43 I just registered for my first tournament and it feels amazing. Just try it, you never know what will come out of it.

If you are looking for a legit BJJ gym with top notch instruction, facilities, and value, then look…read moreno further. Coach Carlos and Patty have a great culture of respect, honor, team, family, and friends. LCBJJ is an affiliate of Professor Leo Viera's Checkmat Team. I've been around BJJ since 1998 and started martial arts in 1990, and LCBJJ really is a quality location I am proud to be a member of their school. Brand new location with a large new mat and training area, beautiful!! Beginners 101's 6 week program is excellent and a great, easy paced, we'll instructed, and cost effective way to see if you enjoy the art. A high quality Gi is included with an entry level white belt. Evening, Noon, and Saturday classes for us with the busy or flexible schedules. Check your ego at the door and come learn the best martial art, get a great workout, have fun, and meet great people at LCBJJ!!

My son Chris practices BJJ here. I cannot recommend this place enough. The teaching is excellent…read morecovering details and nuances in such a way that small children are engaged and get the movements. Outstanding. If I could give more stars here, I would!

From the owner: Constrictor MMA is a martial arts studio that primarily focuses on Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai. We…read moreprovide a fun, competitive, and safe learning environment for everyone.

Coach Edward is an excellent instructor and a talented practitioner. His children's program is…read moreexcellent as well!

I can't say enough great things about coach Edward. I've been training for around 15 years and…read morevisited gyms from coast to coast. Ed is the real deal and I always feel heard, respected, and at home when I'm at 333. I'm very happy to call this gym my new home!

My brothers go here they say it's a lot fun I would recommend this place for gym and jujitsu!read more

Amazing place to train huge mat space, weight lifting and a big bathrooms with showers, the…read moreinstructors are amazing and some of the best in Chicagoland. If you want to learn BJJ this is the place to go

Very welcoming atmosphere -- clean and professional. Professor Marcelo and his team run a top notch…read moreoperation, and you won't find a better place around to learn BJJ, for either an adult or a child! My only regret is that I sat on the sidelines, waiting for so long, before giving it a try. "The best time to start training BJJ is 10 years ago. The second best time is now!"

I travel a lot and have had the opportunity to train in a lot of gyms. This is by far one of the…read morebest I've ever been to in the US. Everyone in the academy is all smiles all the time and it feels like a big family. It's one of the most rookie-friendly places I've been and also has an incredible talent pool in the students and coaches. Lots of freedom and encouragement to ask any question you want and it's easy to find a partner that either wants to go easy or is willing to ramp up the pace. Prof Marcello is a world class professor and kind of a legend. He was a multiple time Brazilian National Champion before moving to the states, and of all places, ended up teaching in Deerfield, IL. The depth of knowledge he has when asking about details of positions is insane and is a gentle reminder of how little I actually know. So cool to have been able to spend time in this academy.

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've been training at Fit 2 Defend and it's been fantastic. The system is really effective, and the…read moreinstructor teaches structured series instead of just random moves every class. Great people, awesome rolls, and a positive environment overall! Highly recommend.

I love training here! Great training environment and high level instruction. Very welcoming toward…read morenewcomers and all levels of experience. Come check it out.

Brazilian Black Belt Academy has been one of the best decisions we've made for our kids. From day…read moreone, the atmosphere has been welcoming, supportive, and truly family-oriented. Filipe is an outstanding instructor--patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and amazing with kids. He keeps classes structured, engaging, and fun while still teaching discipline, focus, and respect. My children are not only learning real self-defense skills, but I've also seen their confidence and self-esteem grow tremendously. They stay active, build resilience, and actually look forward to every class. If you're looking for a place where your child will gain confidence, discipline, and lifelong skills in a positive environment, I cannot recommend Brazilian Black Belt Academy enough.

I've had the privilege of being one of the founding members of the school, and it's been incredible…read moreto watch it grow under the leadership of Professor Felipe Costa. He's not only a world-class competitor but also a passionate and thoughtful teacher who truly cares about passing on the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. What sets this school apart is its well-structured class format and inclusive environment. Felipe offers a dedicated fundamentals class for adults that focuses on self-defense and foundational jiu-jitsu techniques--perfect for beginners. The all-levels class is ideal for those with experience and offers deeper technical instruction. Classes begin with a brief stretch, followed by a movement-based warm-up tied to that day's technique. Felipe often breaks down a sequence into an entry, core technique, and counters or reactions, which we drill before moving into positional sparring and full live rounds. Safety is always emphasized, and Felipe fosters an atmosphere where exploration and learning take priority over ego or "winning." The facility is clean, the mats are top quality, and the culture is incredibly welcoming. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your game, I highly recommend this school.

No Joke is the best place for MMA/BJJ/boxing!! Phenomenal with kids and great gym for adults. Vinny…read moreis the perfect mix of chill and having expectations. I love the diversity of all the people that go there too. Professional, welcoming and fun!

I've been going here for years and never had a bad experience. There's a variety of classes to fit…read moreinexperienced and experienced fighters, and you can learn/practice valuable skills while getting a great work-out. The staff are very friendly and give great suggestions. I would highly recommend No Joke!

I was only in the Grayslake area for a couple of days...but I had to get a roll in…read more Ohana was wonderful. They were very welcoming, despite the fact I was not able to call ahead prior. The coach was excellent - he provided great instruction and...just to really drive the point home the instructor even rolled with me and demonstrated the techniques he taught in class by applying them to (on?) me! That was a great way to see/experience the lesson in action. All-in-all everyone was super nice, no one tried to smash me down because from a different place, but everyone still gave me a good roll and I had a great experience!! If you're in the Grayslake, Il area I highly recommend Ohana Martial Arts!!

I've been here for a little over a 2 years now. One of the biggest things which pointed me to…read moreOhana was the Instructor. Chris Lund is really laid back and there are no formalities here, which make it really easy to ask him for help with techniques or questions about how to do moves. Actually you can walk up to anyone for help and they'll be more than happy to do so. The quality of instruction you receive here is amazing. I am a science teacher at a local High School and even I have to admit the instruction/organization of the classes at Ohana are the best. The classes don't feel like a canned lesson and Chris likes to point out the finer details that I feel other places didn't spend time covering. Also while you're practicing, Chris will spend time with most everyone pointing out these details or answering questions. Another great thing is that you also spend time drilling what you've learned in class which reinforces what you've learned. I also really like that the adult class sizes stay small around 20-30 students from white to brown and mostly blue and purple belts who are all very friendly and humble. Check your ego at the door is the sign you'll see as soon as you walk in. Both the instructor and students pride themselves on their hospitality, and the camaraderie can be seen as you first walk in. If you are a beginner to the sport or an experienced grappler this is the place to take your game to the next level. Also, Ohana hosts a great seminar 2x a year with BJ Penn's BJJ coach Renato Verissimo. "Ohana" is not just a catchy name but more so a true representation of their philosophy and teaching. There is no need to feel pressured or intimated; your first class is free! I've been training at the school for over 2 years and still can't wait to attend class each week. BJJ itself is an outstanding martial art for self-defense, physical fitness, and overall wellness/confidence. The school also offers an excellent curriculum for kids. I urge anyone that is curious or considering BJJ to stop into the school to watch a class or jump in to try it for themselves.