I've belonged to Main Event on-and-off over the past 10 years since it was called "Evanston Boxing…read moreClub" and was located on the N. Side of Downtown Evanston. The former head coach Dave was a solid trainer, and the current head coach Andrian is no different. tl;dr: it's a great place to train if you care about a good boxing/kickboxing workout with good people. The gym itself is well-stocked with basic equipment, respectably sized to handle classes of up to 20 people at a time, plenty of heavy bags, and boxing gear available to borrow (jump ropes, gloves, handwraps, focus mitts, although you should ideally get your own at some point if you join). It is extremely bare-bones and low on amenities beyond equipment - there is no shower, no water fountain (water bottles available for purchase), and there's a single half-bath. It is very much geared towards people who want to show up, get in a boxing workout, and leave soon after. The gym has evening classes five days a week (5:30PM, then 6:30PM) plus morning classes on Tues/Thurs/Sat/Sun. There's Muay Thai/Kickboxing on M/W evenings (soon also Fridays again) Andrian is also broadly available for private lessons at reasonable rates (one-on-one and small-group), and I've had little issue arranging to train on my own the few times I've wanted to go into the gym without class going on. There's also a very active kids boxing program five days a week at 4:30 (I don't know much about this, but it looks like Andrian has 1-2 parents helping corral the 15 kids or so - it's a VERY popular program). A typical boxing class has a 5-10 minute warmup, alternating rounds of heavy-bag work + conditioning, 2-3 rounds of partner drills (focus mitts or defense drills), more bag work, more conditioning, then cool-down stretches. Andrian is very welcoming of beginners and will spend time working with them during class to help them get the hang of things, and the people in the gym are all very friendly and glad to help as well. Most members are casual athletes there to workout, but there's a small cohort of more serious members who are amateur boxers. Cost is well under what most other gyms with combat sports would charge. The gym is also decent with COVID protocols (asking people to wear masks, everyone cleans the space after class, open doors), but it's still an indoor workout space with high-intensity activity, so you should still get your COVID vaccine if you haven't already.

This place is legit!!! They have great classes and Andrian is a great trainer to work with one on…read moreone. I am a type one diabetic and working out here has helped me get in great shape, my doctor was impressed with my blood results and my wife was impressed with my improved body and confidence. After working with Andrian for a few years, I decided to box in a charity boxing match not once but twice. It was a great experience and I would not have been able to do it without Andrian's help. I can't say enough good things about this place!

If you're not sure what to do for summer camp this year, I highly recommend Connelly's Academy Tae…read moreKwon Do Day Camp in Evanston. It's available for first graders on up. If you're looking for a NON CONTACT martial art experience where they focus on mutual support & respect, development of skills and personal growth, this camp is a winning option. Benefits to students include improvements in fitness, self-confidence, character and leadership. They teach perseverance, integrity, courtesy, and emphasize developing an indomitable spirit, as well as compassion and self control. It's a positive, inclusive, non-competitive environment where kids get to be both physically active, as well as having some calm activities (music, learning some history, yoga, etc.). I cannot say enough positive things about the experience my family has had with Connelly's Academy. Camp runs June 8 through Aug 7, and the nice thing is that you can register in one week blocks, so if you want to sign up for a week here and a week there due to travel or other commitments, it's more flexible than many other camps. Here's the link: https://www.connellysacademy.com/summer-camp/

Very odd experience with this summer camp program in July 2023 - some of the counselors were…read morefriendly but others seemed easily irritated by the kids and my son reported that a counselor yelled at one kid in his group, "Stop being a jerk!" (These kids are in elementary school). My 7 year son, who is a rule follower and good listener, reported that he was bending over to pick up a cone that he had knocked over during a lesson when - out of nowhere and without saying a word - the sensei grabbed him by the back neck of his uniform and roughly pulled him up. Then the sensei walked away without saying a word. My son wasn't sure if he had done something wrong. Beware. Weird vibes here. We are new to martial arts but this wasn't the beginner experience we were hoping for.

We had our daughters 6th birthday party at Agbon Martial Arts. They did a wonderful job, helping…read moresetup all the decorations, engaging all her friends to participate, and taking photos to share for everyone. Watching the kids faces to break a board was a highlight. Best birthday party. Master Mary Ann delivers great communication so it's very clear what to expect the day of the party. We can't thank Agbon Martial Arts enough for this wonderful party and what they provide each week in class for our daughter. Thank you!

**** We have been…read morepart of the Agbon Martial Arts family in Wilmette since 2020, and I can't say enough about how wonderful this experience has been for our two kids. Master Mary Ann and Master Fernando have been incredible instructors, guiding our children through private classes with a perfect balance of discipline, encouragement, and fun. Their expertise and dedication to teaching go beyond just the physical aspects of martial arts; they truly care about instilling confidence, respect, and perseverance in every student. Our kids have grown not only in their martial arts skills but also in their self-esteem and overall character, thanks to the supportive and nurturing environment that Master Mary Ann and Master Fernando create. If you're looking for a martial arts school that is as committed to your child's personal growth as it is to teaching high-quality techniques, Agbon Martial Arts is the place to be. We are so grateful for the positive impact this school has had on our children's lives!

Amazing workout and immediately built my confidence after just one self-defense class. I've tried…read moretheir CST and Tacfit programs and love the great workout and the way they can make strength training fun. An hour goes by so fast! I also organized a women's self-defense class for my business school classmates and we learned so much from that one session; I could feel myself walking down the street more confidently that same day. The owners and teachers are great at adapting programs for all skill levels and making every class feel customized. Highly recommend!

I've been going to Tier One off and on for just under a year now. They have strength and…read moreflexibility programs, boxing, and Krav Maga. So on any given day, you can play around with different classes. The instructors take the time to know your name, watch for injuries, and help you improve based on your own goals. It's really a neat community of people and a fun place to spend a few hours.

My brain feels like it got a bath. No, that's a good thing! I feel shiny and new and serene and…read moreblissful. And quiet. And still. And this is hours after leaving the Zen Buddhist Temple in Evanston. I attended their Sunday afternoon Zazen sitting. For those of you unfamiliar with Zazen, it's a meditation, or just sitting without thinking for a good long while. There's some guided chanting in English and Japanese with walking meditation thrown in for good measure. And that's a hell of a lot harder than it sounds. I fidgeted, I wiggled, my thoughts kept sneaking in reminding me of my undone laundry, unpaid bills, my misplaced shorts, unread novels. My knees ached, my nose itched, my hands were hot and sweaty. I prayed for the sitting to end. I kept sneaking looks around the temple. And yet I walked out in bliss, high on cloud nine. Yep, I'm a fan of Zazen meditation after the fact, even though I hated it 5 minutes earlier. While the congregation seems small, they're friendly and very willing to explain different parts of the service that seems alien to a Westerner like me, which is something that I haven't found in other temples I've attended. In my experience, Buddhists are a rare breed - they're the happiest campers on earth, but they really couldn't give a rat's ass about being friendly to newcomers. But not here. I'm not sure if I'll be back though - the service was well over 2 hours. Yes, that probably why I feel so sparkling clean and refreshed at the moment, but 2 hours of sitting and trying to clear the mind is an hour too long for this Westerner born and raised in our ADHD culture where we prefer everything at a million miles an hour. Which means I should be 2 million miles away from here.

[I feel weird rating this, because I feel like this is the last kind of place I should be judging,…read morebecause part of the point is not to judge...but here goes] One of my favorite quotes is by Gandhi: "Be the change you want to see in the world". Well, there has been a lot of conflict in my life lately, both from without and probably even moreso within, so I understand if I want to be a part of that change, it has to start with myself. I am the first one to admit how fallible and flawed I am, and hopefully as long as I am of this earth (well, beyond that too), I will not cease trying to remedy that. I have read many texts on Buddhism and been interested for years in the philosophy, and had tried meditation on my own, but had never been to a formal practice. I decided today was the perfect time to start (or I guess, in a way, continue). The Buddhist temple near me did not have a service today, so I decided to try this one. I drove by it at first, because it was not a temple like I was expecting, but was a storefront in Evanston. Lesson one, don't judge by first impressions or by outward appearances. As we walked in, this very kind grey bearded man greeted us and briefly explained how the afternoon would work. We began with a chant that at first I was taken aback because his voice was so deep and this was all so different for me, but as it went on I appreciated the words (part of it was in English) and the beat was comforting, like a heartbeat. Then we took our spots on the mats and began the first sitting. He gently came around and corrected our postures, and briefly explained proper breathing, etc. At first it was hard to shut out my thoughts, but it came much easier after a while, and I was surprised when he announced the end of the first sitting. Then we did a walking meditation around the room, which pointed out a lesson I well need to learn--that I need to slow down and be more patient with those around me, and that I don't always need to focus on getting to the end point... After that, we did a seated session again (which after walking, was hard to focus and settle into). During this, he briefly gave us what I guess would be the equivalent of a sermon, though in a very calm and soothing voice and not preachy at all, but thoughtful. I appreciated it. Then we finished our sitting, and we made an offering to the altar (totally voluntary, and it is not to any god) and bowed in thanks. I was shocked and amazed to find out the sittings had been 40 minutes--he said he does not tell people that, and I agree if I had known I probably would have been much more antsy. He also took the time to answer any questions, ask us how we felt about it, etc. They also have 10 hour sessions once a month, but I personally don't know if I will ever be that Zen! It left me feeling very peaceful and very hopeful...I then went to the lake with a friend to just sit, read, and be with our thoughts, and I am sure the session helped put us in that frame of mind. I want to check out other temples, but I may go back. And I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone interested in finding out more about Zen meditation. Namaste.

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.

I took an hour long train ride up to Evanston just to drop-in to the 6:30am class. This is by far…read morethe most beautiful BJJ school/gym I've ever been to. It is in a new shared space called Gym 1801. The gym is very modern and has locker rooms with all the amenities (towels, hair dryers, soap/shampoo/conditioner, etc.) The instructor and students in the class were both very helpful and friendly. There were also two other women there which was awesome to see. We started with a pummeling drill to warm-up then did about 30-40 minutes of drilling. We finished with some positionals then rounds of rolling. If you are visiting the northern Chicago/Evanston area you should definitely check out Serafin BJJ. The only downside is knowing what I'm missing out on when I go back to my home gym that's in a warehouse :'(

Jeff is the best coach I've ever had in anything. He's very kind and an outstanding teacher. You'll…read moreget high level training in a supportive environment. Can't recommend enough.

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.

Great environment. Sensei Oswaldo is great and so are the rest of the instructors. Both of my kids…read morehave enrolled and love to attend clases.