I am a sucker for clean gyms, and this place gets top points for clean facilities…read more Other pros: - big mat space, plenty of room to roll - attentive head coach - laid back atmosphere - good sparring partner variety - drop-ins welcome This should be on top of the list of chicago bjj gyms to train at for any new or old members

Great and very welcoming gym! Dropped in on a random Friday and they made me feel very welcomed…read morequickly! Extremely talented folks over here

I have been a member here for just over a year and my experience has been overwhelmingly positive…read more Jay and his team of higher belts all give expert instruction and the classes are a good mix of technical drilling and physical challenge. I try to go daily if I can. As an older guy, it's important to find the right team. In 2023, I managed to train over 200 hours with this team while rolling in a safe but demanding environment. I'd recommend this academy to any one!

Best jujitsu gym I've been to since I started a few years ago. Been to a lot of gyms and this one…read morehas been the best atmosphere and training partners. Varying levels of "intensity" so always people at your level to roll with. Awesome instructors and solid group of brown and black belts that come in even for the fundamentals class.

My now 16-year old has been taking classes at Enso for 6 years -the twice weekly T/Th evening…read moreclasses held in Oak Park- and loves this program! Enso is such a positive, highly supportive and structured program run by two amazing Sensei and a group of wonderful teaching assistants. The Chicago dojo is beautiful and easily accessible from the suburbs but it just works out for us to go to the Oak Park location in SW Oak Park. There are opportunities for competition if the child is interested but no pressure if that is not their thing. My son adores Enso and our family is so happy to be a part of the Enso community and grateful to have such an excellent program here in Oak Park! PS: Also grownups can train with Enso. It is not just for kids!

Take the tai chi class in Chicago with instructor Chris Cinnamon! He has admirable…read moreand extremely effective teaching skills that combine elite yet effective verbal skills with an extensive martial arts background. He is fully present during his classes and conscientous in his efforts to assist the progress of his students. I have studied various arts over the years and have been exposed to over a dozen top flight instructors but I don't recall that any of them had the ability to articulate the art with the verbal facility that Chris has. It is so much easier to learn something when the instruction is clear. The collaborative and supportive spirit of the school/dojo is evident from the moment you walk in and the school is spotlessly clean.

I have been coming here 2 years now. Great trainers, great people, great facility. Some classes are…read moremore of a workout, and some classes are more about technique (it all depends on which instructor is teaching that day). They have a lot of knowledge, and you can share a dialogue about different moves and questions you have. I feel safer walking around the streets of Chicago knowing that I can defend myself. Plus, the owner Jeff usually has some good stories if you show up to class early.

Let me begin by saying that while I love how you feel and look when you work out consistently, I…read morejust can't muster up the motivation to make myself do it! I dislike running, and I push myself harder when working out with a group. Clark and I wanted to take some type of a workout class together...him acting as my new motivation to get in shape. When it came down to decision time, we were between yoga and Krav. We decided to check out Krav since both of us knew what yoga was, and the rest is history. I NEVER feel obligated to come to class - I always want to go! (This is NOT normal for me!!!) We began attending Krav Academy around mid-March and have thoroughly enjoyed it every step of the way. Not only am I getting a great work out in, but I am learning how to get out of a dangerous situation quickly and safely. My funds are limited, but I can certainly justify this work out as it is not merely to "get in shape." The Academy is hosted by FFC Old Town, which is a fine enough facility itself. What I really appreciate is that the Academy is SEPARATE from FFC, so I do not pay for an additional membership at the gym (great news for people on budgets!!). There is a $100 equipment fee when you first sign up and the unlimited monthly package is $130. I believe there is an option for a 2 classes per week membership, but I certainly recommend going w the monthly. As for the instructors: all are seriously great. Ivo and Erin in particular do an exceptional job at demonstrating, explaining, and teaching different moves and defenses. It is obvious that Ivo has been doing this for a very long time and is very passionate about it. While many can be considered a "professional" in something, not all can teach. Ivo makes things so easy to learn and keeps it fun! He pushes you, teaches you, and jokes with you. I've quite literally never met a teacher or coach that has been able to teach me something new as Ivo has taught me Krav Maga. As a previous reviewer wrote: the instructors here are incredibly helpful. They want to teach you and take on a genuine interest in your improvement. I typically need a lot of help going through drills and getting better at them, but I have not felt like I've been a burden to anyone teaching there. People in class are always friendly and it is easy to join and feel welcomed. It helps a lot that the other students in the class that have been there for a few months also help instruct you and help you improve. I seriously cannot write enough good things about Krav Academy. I have a ton of fun, I'm learning how to keep myself safe, and am getting in better shape than I have been in the last 7 years! Everyone involved is seriously great and I really look forward to continuing my involvement in Krav Maga here!

Fantastic gym and overall experience. I couldnt ask for more!! Super friendly and informative…read moretrainers for all skill sets.

I am still training here and I have only gotten better. This gym is not only legit but the…read morecoaches/trainers here are genuinely amazing people. Unlike other spots this place is welcoming and anyone of any age, shape, size, creed, background, hell, if you arrive on this planet in a spaceship you could train here! No one will ever judge you or try to challenge you to a fight. The only ones who challenge you are two people: Yourself and your trainer who works here. Ray, thank you for taking the time to help me grow into a better boxer and person.

Beeeeeeeeeeeeast Mooooooooooooode! Gino put in the work this morning, I'm spent! The morning crew…read moreworked out and getting closer to the goals.

I've been a member of the KMF family for over 4 years. Their classes are wonderful if your either…read morewanting to learn a fighting style, self defense, or just looking to get in shape. Classes are accessible for almost any schedule. Facilities are always clean. Staff and instructors are cool and knowledgeable

Been a member of this Dojo for three years and it has changed my life. It's an amazing, and…read morediverse, community that revolves around physical wellness, discipline, and camaraderie. You will be pushed, but it is safe for anyone to join no matter the experience level. There are adult classes every day: karate, kick boxing, or jiu jitsu; and kids classes for as young as 4 years old. Sensei Seijo and Sensei Joy and all the Senpais including Ciprian and Jose are amazing teachers of Kyokushin and mentors that go above and beyond to invest in each student's development. Legit love it here, it's become a second home and a second family. And I'm in the best shape of my life as an add on.

As a parent and student, I'd like to share my journey with martial arts. Three years ago, my family…read moreembarked on this incredible adventure at Imazaki Dojo, and it's been nothing short of life-changing. My kids had different goals. My 4yo needed to learn focus, while my 9yo needed to boost self-confidence. The dojo provided a safe and fun environment where they could work towards these goals with dedicated senseis and senpais. Seeing the positive impact they had on my kids, I decided to join as an adult student. I've found a welcoming and supportive community that's committed to helping each other grow. It's been a wonderful outlet for my mental health and well-being. Together, we've trained our minds and bodies, building strength and resilience through hard work and dedication. It's been amazing watching my kids blossom under the guidance of Sensei Seijo and Sensei Joy. I wholeheartedly recommend that anyone give them a try!

From day one, I have nothing but good things to say about GB West Loop. It is an awesome place if…read moreyou want to learn jiu jitsu in a friendly and safe environment! The staff is commited to great service and they are always willing to help with your jiu jitsu improvement. I started going there a couple times a week and now I feel that this place is like my second home.

My happy place!! I love training here and the camaraderie among the students. I always leave…read moretraining in a good mood.

I found a home at Pow gym. I signed up for the 2 week trial & opted to join as a full member after…read more1 day! The programming is challenging & constantly evolving. The caliber of the training staff & facilities are without question top notch. They are also extremely diligent & go above & beyond sanitizing & taking all the necessary precautions to keep members safe. Kudos to the independent, micro gym that has their s@#% together! Support small!!

We sent our very reserved son to their summer camp this year and he Loved it and keeps wanting to…read morego back! He is speaking so much more as his confidence has soared. As parents, we loved the structure, the ratio of staff to kids, and that the children were held accountable for their actions. The size of the space was great so that all the kids were able to be watched at all times. All of the staff were solid and sweet. We wish they had an after school program too!

Better than my experience with Equinox Dartmouth in Boston. That Equinox has a lot to learn from…read morethis Equinox The Loop branch.

Gotta be honest, I spent years and years living in Chicago running by this place imagining it as…read moresome epic amenity-packed gym for the wealthy. I left Chicago last year, joined Equinox in New York, and triumphantly returned to Chicago for a work trip, picking a hotel as close to this gym as possible. My take is that this location is a loss-leader used to placate business travelers who have multi-club access. It's a mediocre gym with a nice locker room. Great for blowing off steam after work in a largely uncrowded gym if your employer is subsidizing your wildly expensive gym fees. Mine is. Compared to East Bank Club, which costs $235 per month, the Loop Equinox is laughable, and I question whether the three Chicago Equinox locations combined actually stack up to EBC on any measure except sheer convenience or imagined exclusivity. I think what a lot of people miss, and certainly what I missed as I formed my first impressions of Equinox, is that the machines and basically everything else, except the quality of the locker room, is the exact same as any competent gym in a big city. In fact, you could make a compelling case that the overall variety is worse here compared to the downtown FFC locations. I found that the blueprint for the location I frequent in NYC was nearly identical to this location's--it's an ordinary equipment layout that can make it so that one other person wanting to rotate through the machines can impede your workout. If you are living in Chicago reading Yelp reviews as you assess Equinox ($???) vs EBC ($235) vs FFC ($160 all-access), I would put this gym toward the bottom of the list. It's just crazy how normal it is in reality compared to how people (including me) perceive the branding.