My friends and I signed for a beginners women's self defense class. It runs for 8 weeks on…read moreThursday's. They did move locations in January and some of the gps platforms have not updated their address yet. Make sure to grab their address from their welcome email. Two women teach the class and they are very informative. They also have multiple Bobs where you perform the moves on. The instructors help you walk through each movement. We learned a lot on Day 1 and I'm excited for what's to come.

Looking for a place to learn self defense, WARRIORS EDGE IS…read moreTHE PLACE. It's a martial art suited for anyone. Aiki Ninjutsu teaches its students to use the momentum of the attacker to one's advantage. I joined Warrior's Edge to learn self defense and also to provide a cardio workout. Starting out as a white belt can seem overwhelming training with higher belt levels, but not at Warrior's Edge. It's a great bunch of people that are eager to help you progress. Any doubts, sign up for a free class and you'll be hooked.

Back again for the kid's jiu jitsu class on Friday nights. Quality instruction and my son learned…read morequickly the backpack move. Ross's gym was clean and instructors were good with the young ones

I've been going here for Muay Thai lessons for over 2 months now, and I love it! Rey and Sonny are…read moreexcellent teachers who deliver a strong emphasis on the basics and know how to slowly break-in the beginners. Their assistants Debbie and Nicholas are also great and will constantly push you and give sound advice. There is a friendly family atmosphere for the most part, but these guys know when to get serious, command respect from all students, and push the physical limits of the class. Like Kristen B. noted, the first class is free for any martial art you want to try out, and you can try them all. For newbies, there's a pretty mixed crowd in the beginner and intermediate Muay Thai classes. I'd say about 35-40% of the class is female, and the age spread is very wide from age 10 to people in their 40s. Many of the advanced and intermediate level students go to the beginner classes to brush up on their basics, and it gives the new students some experienced partners to help them progress. Most of all, EVERYONE is just really chill. If there's anything that might need improvement, the gym itself could use a water fountain and an interior refresh here and there. At least they sell cold beverages and bottled water for relatively cheap. Other than that, it's a pretty good size gym with a full-size ring, weight-training area, a big class mat area, and a heavybag area. You can also order your equipment through them. Test yourself and feed that inner beast. It's great fun and being with good people makes it even more worthwhile!

Great School. If you want to learn some self defense or just want a fun way to get in better shape…read moreB1 BJJ is a great option.

Great location to train. Kind people, drills are thoroughly explained, and all levels of experience.read more

John Mazzola is amazing! When I contacted him about setting up a karate demonstration for students,…read morehe offered to lead 2 self-defense classes!!! John found ways for every student who wanted to participate, to do so on their own terms. He showed patience, kindness, and acceptance for all. Everyone had a great time and they are still talking about their experiences at National Karate. Thank you John!!!

From the owner: National Karate & Martial Arts is a top-rated, family-friendly martial arts school that has been…read morevoted the best for 13 consecutive years. We offer a wide range of programs for all ages, including youth and adult martial arts and Krav Maga self-defense. With locations in Aurora, Bartlett, Elk Grove/Roselle, Naperville, and South Elgin, our dedicated instructors are committed to helping students build confidence, discipline, and physical fitness. Join us and discover why we've been the best choice for martial arts training in Illinois.

The best training and instructors. Grandmaster McGee is the most knowledgeable person to with.read more

This is going to be a little long, hopefully you'll find the background relevant…read more I've been disabled for 20 years. Severe chronic back pain from a car crash. I've gone through the pain management program at MarionJoy three times to no avail. Some of their docs really tried to help, others not so much. I've been to most if not all of the major pain specialists in the Chicago area, as well as several out of state, including Mayo Clinic. Tried every non-invasive procedure I could find (I wasn't a candidate for most surgical options): acupuncture, acupressure, chiropractic, various shots, etc. On a good day (once every month or two) I could go grocery shopping, but would be exhausted afterwards. Needed a cane for the past decade if I was going to walk more than 15-30 minutes. Walked like an 80-year-old most of the time. Everything took effort. Then I started at UMA for Qigong with Grand Master McGee. I've still got a ways to go, but have made vast improvements. I can go shopping most any time now, errands aren't usually a big deal, and I can usually cook once a day. Able to be more social, can sit and talk with company without too much discomfort, where it used to be completely exhausting. Haven't used the cane since. In short, I'm feeling human again. Grand Master McGee as well as the other students are a big part of that. Self-defence hasn't been a priority for me, but I'm learning quite a bit in addition to getting me healthy. I'm able to do most of what the rest of the class does, which I honestly didn't think I'd ever be capable of. Grand Master McGee really knows his craft.

Although it was an intimidating experience going to a self defence class for the first time,…read moreperhaps decades younger than the other members of the other class, it was a valuable experience and I have plans to commit to it again. As soon as you walk in at 6 for the intro class, it is very obvious that the instructor knows her stuff. Her name was Riya, and her mannerisms and her teaching style all suggested that she had a lot of experience under her belt. The other members of the class were courteous and offered advice for each drill. They made me feel as if I was a part of their tight-knit group from the very beginning, rather than just starting that very day. As a person that will soon go off to college soon, self defence is a tool that is very necessary. I'm glad that I started my journey of leaning how to defend myself here!

From the owner: Krav Maga Self-Defense Trainingread more

SUDA International is truly something special. The owners and staff are amazing -- welcoming,…read moregenuine, and incredibly knowledgeable. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the laid-back and friendly atmosphere they've created. What really sets this place apart is the community. Everyone -- from beginners to advanced students -- is supportive, encouraging, and there to help each other grow. You can tell the owners have put a lot of heart into building not just a dojo, but a real family. If you've ever thought about trying it out, just go. You'll feel right at home from day one.

This self-defense school is wonderful! Our child began attending about a month ago, and he…read morefrequently asks when his next class will be. We feel so fortunate to have chosen this school for his instruction.

Disorganized & Frustrating Cancellation Process…read more I signed up in May for a $89/month membership after taking a free class. Unfortunately, I never made it back, so I submitted a cancellation request through their app about two months later. That's where everything went downhill. I received a vague one-line email saying my request was "initiated" but needed more information. I replied multiple times asking what was needed--no response. I called, left voicemails, and sent several text messages over the course of months. Still nothing. Meanwhile, I continued to be charged for August and September despite actively trying to cancel. I eventually had to stop payment through my bank. Even after that, I kept reaching out about using the credits I had already paid for. Every time, I was told "Rich will call you back." It took two more months to finally speak with him. Then I was told I only had 30 days post-cancellation to use my credits--something that was never disclosed when I signed up or during my attempts to cancel. Even worse, I was told the only way to use the credits I already paid for was to reactivate my membership and start paying again. To top it off, I found out my account had been sent to collections with no prior notice. This entire experience was frustrating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable with proper communication. Make sure you fully understand their cancellation policies--and get everything in writing--before signing up.

Krystin was very friendly, helpful, and encouraging. Unfortunately, I only lasted 10 minutes during…read moremy introductory class. I received 2 minutes of one on one instruction about punching combos and then joined the class to be thrown into complicated, intermediate cardio regimens that quickly overwhelmed me. I am a larger girl, I am not in the best shape, nor am I very athletic. If you are like me and you are attempting to get your feet wet in a new fitness option, I don't recommend an intro class at Title Boxing club. There might be other boxing classes that are more beginner friendly and more adept at catering to beginner skill sets. Also, if you don't already own a pair, you will need to buy $10 hand wraps prior to starting class.