Krav Maga Illinois is not just a fitness or self-defense space. It is truly a school - a place…read morewhere our children have grown, learned, and improved both inside and out. The teachers and staff are welcoming while also firm, experienced, and superbly knowledgeable. They know children and treat them with care and respect that makes you instantly care and respect them in return. We have tried other forms of self-defense; Krav is the only one where we have actually seen real-life circumstances and situations addressed in concrete, actionable ways from day one. It's hard, it can be intense, and it demands focus - just what we wanted for our children. I cannot more highly recommend KMI, not just for the activity itself, but for the community in which its taught (arguably more important than any other feature).

The training and support staff are top notch. Friendly and patient students that don't judge and…read morewill go out of their way to help you progress. The schedule should work for most people. Reasonable rates and the instruction you get and fitness you obtain is worth it! 10/10

I remember someone telling me this program would "change my life" and I rolled my eyes. But guess…read morewhat...? This program will change your life. I've taken several different self defense courses and this was the only one I walked away from feeling confident that I could protect myself. It's a unique program that really teaches you how to use your strengths, set boundaries and push past your fears.

The Core program I took was absolutely life-changing. Every woman should take this course. EVERY…read more SINGLE ONE This organization has been around for thirty years, and it shows - they really know their shit. From sensitivity to past emotional trauma, to providing a safe physical and emotional environment in class, to methodically teaching verbal and physical self-defense techniques, you can tell that each step has been carefully planned with decades of feedback and reviews. You will learn how to defend yourself against multiple kinds of attacks/assaults with the help of their volunteer "assailants" who are the most woke and wonderful men you could imagine. And you can beat on them as hard as you would in a real-life situation thanks to the padded suits they wear. As one of them said, if he got hurt doing this, he wouldn't do it. The physical techniques you learn will become reflexes! I was heartened and impressed to hear a story or two of Impact graduates who successfully defended themselves against physical assault years after taking the program. They all reported that their body responded immediately, and that all the things they learned never left them or were forgotten. In addition to physical and verbal self-defense, there's also an emotional defense in repeated discussions about setting boundaries. This course doesn't happen in a vacuum - it takes into account all the obstacles that women have to face, from societal pressure to be quiet and non-troublesome to the fear tactics that assailants try to use. Not only were we taught to defend ourselves, but to stand up for what we want, demand what we need, and be unapologetic about putting ourselves and our life first. As their amazing shirts say, One day "no" will be enough. Until then, there's Impact." I think everyone should take this course, and if you've read this far, you probably do too! So just sign up already, and be able to walk through the city and navigate your life with confidence!

This is such an amazingly support and inclusive dojo! Started with zero martial arts background and…read morehave learned so much! Excited to keep learning! Osu!

I enrolled my granddaughter in karate and she loves it. It has brought happiness, discipline,…read morepride, knowledge and enforced her self esteem and confidence level on trying new things. And i started have financial problems and their scholarship program helped my granddaughter to keep on going to classes. They deserved your business. They care about each individual student. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS KARATE SCHOOL. They even have a special 2 MONTHS UNLIMITED CLASSES INCLUDES UNIFORM. THEY ARE A BLESSING IN MY GRANDDAUGHTER LIFE THANKS A MILLION WITH ALL MY HEART.

I had the amazing opportunity to train at HQ with Andre Madiz and had the amazing pleasure to meet…read moremr Carlson Gracie Jr himself. Great guy and extremely humble and welcoming. Will definitely come Back to train here everytime I'm in Chicago

Carlson Gracie Jr. aka "The Prince of Jiu-Jitsu" is hands down the best coach anyone could ask for…read more His name speaks for itself, but anyone from a beginner to a professional athlete, can accomplish anything they wish to training at his gym. 10/10, highly recommended.

Josh Bulak is one of the best instructors you could possibly have when training Muay Thai. I walked…read morein those doors new (and massively out of shape), and he helped me grow with zero judgement throughout my time at his gym. He is patient, very knowledgeable, and all around fun. Every friend i brought with me wanted to sign up after just one class, and the friendliness and atmosphere of this gym is incredible. If work life didn't get in my way, I'd still be going to this gym to this day. I could not recommend this gym more. If you're new to MMA or a veteran, go in for a trial, and see for yourself.

Being a MOM I was super reluctant when my husband said we should sign up the kids for Tae Kwan Do,…read moreBoxing and Wrestling. All I could think of was all the injuries my little ones would come home with. It's been a year and a half now and even though there's been a few bruises I can't imagine not being part of the Hybrid family. Everyone there has been so welcoming and they constantly encourage everyone to be their best. The kids have learned not just TKD, Boxing and Wrestling skills they are learning self defense and more importantly respect for everyone and everything. Hybrid will always be part of our family.

I recently contacted the owner, Pete, through their website to drop in and train while I was in…read moreChicago for business. He was very open about the idea (some gym owners aren't) and told me to download the class schedule off their website as it was modified due to Covid. After my visit I was pleasantly surprised by the level of Jiu Jitsu being taught by Pete as well as his students skill level. I was required to pay a small drop in fee, but it wasn't a big deal as I've been asked the same of several gyms I've visited. Overall I would definitely suggest you check out Rio Jiu Jitsu if you are in the Chicago area, I'm glad I did

So, to be completely honest I wanted my child to do martial arts but I didn't know the difference…read morebetween them all. Rio Jiu Jitsu opened up behind my house & I was still reluctant despite my husbands excitement to enroll our daughter there. Probably because I didn't know a lot about Jiu Jitsu. Well the first day we brought my daughter I fell in love with this place! Changed my mind in a second! They are so great there! Their kids classes are awesome! My daughter has grown so much in the short time she's been doing this! The coaches are so great with the kids! Firm but gentle. They give the children discipline & goals. I am so happy that we are there. There's a real sense of community there too. Everyone is welcoming! I can't wait to see my daughter grow there. She is determined to win a medal one day and I believe she can there!!

This is long overdue. I tried out movimento because I wanted to become more active, and wanted…read moresomething different. I found a Groupon for 2 weeks or one month of unlimited kickboxing classes, and I went with the one month. Israel was very helpful and all members were welcoming towards me despite me being a newcomer and complete beginner. I definitely learned a lot in the jiu jitsu classes. Isreal pushed me to learn moves even if I thought they were too difficult for me. In one day he had me flip him onto a mat! I really wish I could have come more often. Herc was amazing, too. He didn't take people aside and show them different beginner techniques like Isreal did. He was more as a learn as you go type teacher. The kickboxing classes really made me feel sore the next day, which made me feel like I put in a lot of effort. Overall, I had a very positive experience with this place and the people who run it. If I could, I would join movimento permanently! I would highly recommend this place to anybody who is interested in experimenting with martial arts.

I have trained at this gym for 3.5+ years…read more This was my 1st bjj gym and I was extremely new and naive to this world and the type of people in it. And in my opinion, and based on the years I spent training at this gym, I feel the owner took advantage of this fact. From my experience as a woman who has trained here, I do not think this gym is a safe place for any female. And I would not recommend any of my friends, specifically any of my female friends (of any age) to train under this gym or under this owner.

Everyone is very welcoming! The coaches are very supportive and always willing to answer any…read morequestions! My favorite part is the amount of class they have to fit anyone's schedules!

Terrible gym, still charging my money every month even after I left half a year and sending them…read moredozens of emails, and refuse to cancel my membership. Painful experience

Joining Redzovic Jiu Jitsu 6 months ago has truly changed my life. I was badly out of shape, always…read morewanting to do better - but failing constantly to get started, stay committed, or make real changes. I keep the "free trial class" tab open on my browser for 6 months before coming in - I was nervous I'd be too out of shape, too old to get started, just no good... Then I finally hit a breaking point and decided to just try one. While very very hard and extremely humbling - I was hooked right away. Felt incredibly motivated to get better... the kind of motivation you can only achieve by being repeatedly choked, swept, and submitted by people much smaller than you. Professor Greg and Coach Sandino have provided me consistent encouragement, education, and drive - they are great coaches, and if you are just starting out, their "fundamentals" weekday classes get ton of 1:1 instruction and depth. I've lost weight, improved my fitness levels, and generally feel a much happier and more confident person. Also been able to bring my 6yr old daughter along with me. She loves the kids classes, the hands on attention from the coaches, and learning self defense and discipline. I strongly recommend coming in for a trial class - the gym is welcoming, a great community, with tough competition but support along the way.

I love this place! The instructors are great, everyone is kind and there's no macho tough guy…read moreenergy. Everyone wants to learn and get better and there is a true sense of camaraderie. It's a cool mix of young and old, male and female and again, an overall great vibe. They also seem to go out of their way to keep the place clean which is vital for a BJJ gym. I am very glad I joined and I plan to continue for a long time.

I love this climbing gym! There's a surprisingly large parking lot here (despite being in the…read moremiddle of the city), and there's even some bike parking where cyclists can securely lock their bikes. Coming from a different gym, we had to get certified for belaying. Fortunately, through their membership system, we were able to take an extremely informative class, then take the belay test at our convenience at our next climbing session. These walls are probably the tallest I've seen in my cimbing time! Even my more experienced friends say they often get exhausted around 3/4 of the way through a route. Certainly a welcome challenge for top roping. With a membership (or day pass), you also have access to the full gym and bouldering upstairs. Members also have access to a host of yoga classes at different times. The locker room is super convenient with built in locks that you need to input a numeric combination. There are plenty of bathrooms and clean showers. Definitely worth checking out!

ALWAYS a great time at First Ascent Avondale! To celebrate my brother's birthday, he and a friend…read morebouldered and my friend and I auto belayed. We all had a great time! My friend and I are excited to take a belaying class at First Ascent so we can tackle even more climbs!