I spent two years at North Side Boxing, first training one-on-one with an absolute pro of a coach…read moreand then moving into the group classes, which I highly recommend. The vibe there is all about unity. When we ran, we ran together. When we partnered up, we hyped each other up. We constantly rotated partners, so you were always learning from different styles and skill levels. Rich, who runs the gym, is always there making sure everything runs smoothly and stepping in with veteran advice when you need it. Some fighters've been boxing for years, some who even compete in the Golden Gloves, and while that can feel intimidating at first, it quickly becomes incredibly inspiring. You can't help but pick up pointers and insider knowledge just by being around them. Whether you're a 20-year veteran or someone who's never thrown a punch, you're treated the same. It's a place built on respect, hard work, and community. I highly recommend to anyone looking to shed pounds, gain confidence and even make some new friends.

Been a member of this gym for almost 2 years now. Boxing, Muay Thai, Powerlifting, Weightlifting,…read moreStrongman, you name it. This gym is a jack of all trades and has it all. It is a unique experience you won't find anywhere else. Rich (owner of the gym) has built a one-of-a-kind community and I can't recommend this place enough.

Bottom line: Some really good trainers; but be mindful if you commit to a membership…read more Like many others have outlined, the trainers, especially Rami and Isa are excellent. Dawna, who is the main administrator, is helpful and engaging. I was going pretty regularly at the start but then took a pause after a medical diagnosis that required that I get more serious about strength training. I knew I needed time to get into the new routine and put my account on hold. As my hold was ending, I engaged Title to figure out the best plan to be on as I wanted to try to keep boxing as part of my routine even if it couldn't be my primary exercise. I had narrowed it down to 4xs a month but missed informing them by 1 day. I requested that they make an adjustment - especially given the series of texts indicating my need to downgrade. Despite that, they refused and are continuing to charge me for unlimited ($50 extra dollars). I decided to cancel and expressed disappointment about the situation. At first they followed their standard process and let me know I'd have to pay an additional month. However, after they received my feedback about the circumstances, they gave me some options for the added month in response t to my circumstances. So - great trainers - and be careful about committing - they have a lot of contractural rules and it can be tricky to navigate.

An update on my previous review:…read more I canceled my account with them, and they still charged me for an extra month. I found it on my credit card statement, and asked them to refund. They did refund in the end. However, I recommend people who canceled their account with them to check if you are charged.

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!

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!

My son has been in Taekwondo for over five years. This is the third school I've had him at. His…read moreteacher, we call him Master Z, is the reason we come here. Z was his instructor at his former school, and when Z went to Tier One, so did we. Z has taught my son for 4 of those 5 years. I trust him, and respect him. Tier One is farther from my house than the other school, but the instruction my son receives from Master Z is well worth the few extra minutes in the car. Z cares about my son, his development in Taekwondo, and his development as an athlete. Z is dedicated to the kids he teaches, and it shows - he's tough, but fair, and the kids respond very well to him. My son has increased confidence, balance, and is learning not only to defend himself, but he is learning the discipline and responsibility that comes with being a student of Martial Arts. This discipline, respect for self and others, and work ethic has shown itself in school, on other sports teams he's on, and at home. I don't want to oversell Z or Tier One, but if you're looking for a place to train for your kids or yourself that is clean, has state of the art equipment, and has a knowledgable staff of professionals, your search should start here.

I trained here a long time ago (I think 1990 or 1991 when I began) when it was in Skokie and then…read moreCicero. Rick Sollo was both an inspiration and a mentor to me and taught me authentic muay thai as he was taught in Thailand by the great teachers of his day. Rick has trained a whole lot of champions and some word champions. Best place in Illinois for sure as far as quality instruction goes. This place has a 35 year old history people--that is tough to find. I emphatically endorse Aiki.

Quite possibly the best place on earth…read more I've never written a review for anything, but you best believe I'm going to wax poetic about this place. You can't ask for a better place to train muay thai in the city of Chicago. This training facility has been my second home since I started here. It's one of the only authentic muay thai facilities near Chicago. A lot of places claim to train muay thai when they actually teach a glorified version of kickboxing. If that's what you want, great, but for real muay thai and amazing instructors, Aiki is the place to go. This is one of only two gyms in Cook County certified with the U.S. Muay Thai Federation, and the owner, Rick Sollo is a force of nature. This place has trained champions. If you want to take your fight career seriously they will get you in shape. They're also incredible with beginners as I started out with no martial arts knowledge. Dario, one of the trainers, took the time to make sure I knew the basics and sent me videos and training skills to practice. Here's the rundown. Reasons why you should train with Aiki: small classes, intensive training, experienced instructors, authentic muay thai, regular seminars with internationally renowned thai champions, excellent mix of pad work, bags, and conditioning, supportive environment. Most places will run you around $80-$100 a month. You pay half that with Aiki for more one on one training in a small gym environment. What this means: You'll improve quickly and leave class sweating, exhausted, and feeling awesome. If your goal is to fight, they will get you there. Just want a good workout? You'll get the best one of your life. But more than anything, Aiki's community is the warmest group of people. It's always hard walking into a tight-knit gym for the first time, but the Aiki family will welcome you like you've been there for years. Come check out this amazing muay thai gym in Rogers Park. If you're like me, you'll catch the muay thai bug and never look back.

Went once now I am hooked. Went out and bought boxing gloves so I am committed. Staff were nice and…read morevery helpful for a beginner. I am not saying anymore because the demand might grow and I might be able to get the classes on Sunday.

Great gym, great workout, great role model! Floyd Mayweather may be brash but his "hard work,…read morededication" mantra escapes most people and most people need to train for a REAL fighters' heart. Great for regular people who just want to get in shape and hone the right attitude. Floyd's presence and branding is felt here. Now if only there was a Pacquiao gym to top this though there is 1 in the Philippines but it's a lil' far

Great gym! The facility is always clean, well-maintained, and organized. The equipment is in…read moreexcellent condition, and there is a wide variety of machines and free weights available for all types of workouts. I never have trouble finding the equipment I need, even during busier hours. Highly recommend this gym to anyone looking for a clean, professional place to work out :)

Steel Fitness Club is a great gym. The equipment is top tier, and the place has everything you need…read morefor a workout. The club is always clean and has a nice atmosphere. The interior is spacious and well organized.

From about 2005 to 2010 Brian was my trainer. We would meet for an hour twice a week at a gym and…read moreworkout together. He motivated me like nobody else ever has. I've been trying to find someone that's even remotely as good for years but with no luck. Brian truly cares about his clients and takes the time to understand their personality and needs which vastly improved my workouts. I can't recommend him enough!

Still working out with Brian 3 years after writing the first review. He's a great guy and…read morepersonality. He really knows his stuff. He's always safety conscious. I never been injured working out with Brian and he's always sensitive about anything going with me like a sore wrist from tennis or a shoulder injury from something else. I've been benefited a lot physically and emotionally from working out with Brian. I can't recommend him highly enough. He's awesome!

Great place to go. The staff is very nice and it's a great workout where your picking up great…read moreskills. I wish I would have started a long time ago. Give it a shot.

Five stars all around! My only regret is that I didn't start 20 years ago. It's been more fun than…read morehumans should be allowed, and it's apparent that, if I stick with it , I will learn Muay Thai skills that could be very effective in a real world situation. I run marathons, Spartan Races, strength train and am in better condition than the average 55 year old. But hey....I'm 55, and a relatively fit 55 year old is not as fit or flexible as a 25 year old. I was very nervous about being too old to start Muay Thai. The owners have been fantastic and encouraging. Tony made it clear from day one that skills take a while to develop and not to judge myself against anyone else. I wrestled and did some Judo in the past, but have never formally trained in boxing or kicking. I have only been at EKF a month and already feel that with enough time, practice, attention, and repetition that I will be able to use my Muay Thai skills effectively. One of my major concerns before starting martial arts was that the other students would be a bunch of gruff, tough guy types. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The other students have been fantastic and patient when working with me. I still am surprised every day when one second another student is throwing punches and kicks that could do some real damage and the next second they are smiling at you and partnering up with you to show you something very basic. The facility is all business, and I mean that as a compliment. It has all the essential equipment and is really functional. On the days I drive, parking has been easy to find. With COVID, the owners at EKF have gone out of their way to keep the facility and equipment clean and disinfected after each use and have scrupulously followed all guidelines to keep their students safe. I am hoping to be at EKF for years to come.