The best place to train jiu jitsu in Chicago. Elite instruction and a great place to learn and…read moregrow. The techniques are broken down so you understand why they work and so you can beat black beats, not white belts. It's also no gi, so it's more practical than gi gyms. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed

If u want to train with one of the best local schools look no further…read more Josh is a class act and u won't be disappointed !

We have been part of the Fonseca family for over 3 years now. Sensei Jaime has an amazing ability…read moreto joke / mess around with the kids while still requiring them to focus and do their best while in class. For our 3 year old, I am genuinely shocked at what he is able to do during the tots class. A few weeks ago, Sensei Jaime had an entire class of tots successfully walk their feet up the wall and go into a wall-supported handstands. They have so much fun, all while building confidence and practicing impulse control. It has been really incredible to watch Sensei Jaime work with our 9 year old and the various ways he keeps his lessons engaging and motivating. Both of our sons love going to class and to say they are elated whenever they reunite with Sensei Jaime would be a huge understatement. While most of our experience with Fonseca has been with youth karate, we often have the opportunity to watch the adult classes as we are coming and going and from what I have witnessed, the adult classes share the same infectious, positive energy as the youth classes. I cannot finish this review without highlighting the warm, friendly community that comes with Fonseca. We are so grateful to know the fellow Park Ridge families and for the whole team of instructors at this dojo.

On a whim we did a free introductory karate class at Fonseca in Evanston. Seeing our son with as…read moremuch intensity and focus as he had during that first class was inspiring! We knew almost immediately we would be enrolling! When we heard they were opening a location in Park Ridge, we were excited about the shorter commute! Sensei Jaime teaches the kids' classes in Park Ridge and is absolutely incredible with them! He knows when to challenge them to try harder and when to be humorous. It was at the top of my list to find a dojo (Karate school) with a sensei (instructor) who connected well with kids, making learning fun but also challenging each child. Sensei Jaime has exceeded that. The studio itself is clean and minimal, which I think is the norm. It just opened in December and I can't wait for them to peel the paper off the windows! Your kids will learn about more than karate in class. At the end of each class they kneel, breathe and say, "Be the best person you can be! Respect the rule! Be truthful! Never give up! Self-discipline!"

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.

Last review of the decade! Gotta make it for one of my favorite businesses of all time. Top level…read morehas a little bit of everything for everyone. From kids to adults of all ages, beginner to training for matches or competitions, they have it all. They offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, conditioning classes and a yoga class. The owners, coaches and professors are knowledgeable and eager to share and teach. Every one is so welcoming and it's like one big family here. From time to time they also have seminars with professionals in Muay Thai, Kali; I've been to several and they were such great experiences. If you're looking to compete, looking to get in shape, looking to learn some self-defense, or all of the above this is the place to go! Love Top Level!

Great gym with amazing people. Always talent in the room, and always tough rounds. Bernie and the…read moretop level team do a lot for the MMA and Martial Arts Community.

We just started taking our son who has been having behavioral issues at school and we have seen a…read moremajor attitude shift since we've started coming here. I've done martial arts since I was a kid and it changed my life so I was hoping my son would love it as well and I'm so happy to have found this place! He was so nervous the first day but everyone took such great care of him and immediately seeing him smile and enjoy himself was enough for me but the staff is great as well! Instructor Paul is absolutely amazing with all the kids!! If you have kids and want to get them into a great program this is the place!

We are happy with our experience at Max Martial Art! Master Jeong has made taekwondo enjoyable for…read moreour 4 and 7-year-old kids. As parents, we couldn't be happier with the positive impact this martial arts class has had on our children. It's more than just a physical activity; it's a meaningful experience that helps shape their character, discipline, and confidence. Master Jeong has done an exceptional job in making taekwondo enjoyable for them. We highly recommend Max Martial Art.

I have to say I am extremely impressed with Master David's ability to connect with, and inspire…read moredeveloping children to focus so intently on finding a positive center in the martial arts. My son Rocco has been attending Summit classes since August 2016 and has not only slimmed down CONSIDERABLY, he has found balance; both on his feet and in his level of self confidence. His progress and performance in TKD have been consistantly remarkable. I can say, without reservation, that the effects of my son's new focus on health and school have paid dividends that far overshadow the cost of enrollment and his understanding of the concept of "success by merit" is priceless in an "everyone gets a trophy" world. The levels of concentration and discipline present in a class of 6 - 15 year olds still occaisionally leaves me in awe. I have been training Law Enforcement for 14 years. I sometimes feel like I have spent my entire adult life teaching officers and instructors the nuances of interpersonal violence. In that time I have experienced every shade of talent and capability in the world of trainers. I feel incredibly lucky to have found such an incredible TKD studio in Park Ridge!

I paid for a two week trial, my 8 year old is a beginner white belt. The Master is a very focused,…read moretalented instructor who puts kids of all ages through their paces. He is both supportive and challenging, a great teacher. The fees are very reasonable for the amount of instruction time he offers - he wants to see as much of his students as they can commit, it's a flat monthly fee. It seems like his students have lots of opportunities to attend competitions if they choose.

I passed by several times, always reluctant to go in or learn more about this Taekwondo studio. Now…read morethat I've been attending classes for about a year, my only regret is that I didn't have the courage to check them out sooner. The instructors and students are a wonderful group of people. Beyond just teaching martial arts, they've helped me feel more confident and happy, welcoming me into their supportive community. I started with Saturday kickboxing--which was a lot of fun! --but I soon realized I wanted to go more often than once a week. I'm now working toward higher belts and attending two classes a week, which are about 45 minutes in length. The instructors are fantastic and incredibly welcoming. Having seen them work with both kids and adults, I'm impressed by the patience and respect they show everyone. Whether you are four or forty-something, I highly suggest stopping in for a class. I feel more physically fit, my mental health has improved, and I've also found a great group of people to spend my evenings with.

Great place - time to practice form for upcoming belt test in October 3rd degree boundread more

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!

AWESOME!!! Great staff, awesome people, great training environment, supportive environment,…read morewelcoming etc. They take care of first responders and military personnel with their special pricing structure. Also, they allow you attend "FREE" for 30 days in order for you to sign a contract. I mean who does that???? This place ROCKS!

I've been here for a little over a year now and since I'm leaving soon I feel like it's time to…read morewrite an update. A lot has changed here since then. New location, change in programming. The new facility is HUGE, a definite upgrade over the old place. Not only is there more mat space but a weights area and heavy bags. More than one classes can run at the same time which means a larger variety of classes, more advanced level Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and even two dedicated MMA classes a week. What has NOT changed is the quality of instruction, the friendly, laid back atmosphere and it's competition focus. All of the instructors there are really laid back-there are no formalities here, which makes it really easy to ask them for help with techniques or questions about how to do moves. Walk up to anyone for help or even some practice and they'll be more than happy to do so. A couple months ago, Mark the head instructor said it best: "this isn't a business, it's a family." You can tell from the beginning that this isn't just a school to just learn but a place where people come together to share a common interest, almost like a clubhouse. While I like the new facility and the space what I'm going to miss most is the people I get to see week after week.