Gym is pretty run down and limited in what it offers (a lot of heavy bags, some plyoboxes and one…read moresquat arch and "joe welder" bench. I dont know if they're even still doing classes, but it's nice to go in, put your headphones on and hit a heavy bag

Highly recommend!! Very supportive atmosphere and knowledgeable caring coaches! Serious trainings…read moreand people are committed to what they are doing

My child has gained so much confidence and self control since he's joined Yong-In USA in Glen…read moreEllyn. If you're looking for martial arts for your child I highly recommen. All of the masters in the dojo motivate and inspire all the kids.

This is an excellent studio for teaching martial arts! They are serious about the practice,…read moreexpecting hard work and discipline, but all the masters are extremely kind, gracious, and encouraging to the children. My boys have loved their experience and as a parent I appreciate the bonus teaching of respect and obedience. Would highly recommend!

This place is hands down the best BJJ gym in the western suburbs. I've trained at multiple gyms in…read morethe area (Compridos, BJJ lab, Gracie Barra, B1, All Star, 10th planet) and this gym is something special. Coach Amir and Lexi cares a lot about their students and it shows during class and competition. This place is great for competitors and hobbyists and the kids program is good too. The curriculum is well structured. It covers both Gi and No-Gi and is focused on helping you build a strong game. Everyone is warm and welcoming here.

Best jiu jitsu gym in the area Amir was super knowledgeable and helpful . I came in looking for…read moresome tips before my fight and he gave me everything I needed and more !

Excellent experience. The instructors are really great and very thoughtful in their approach, feels…read morelike family. They truly care about building up each kids' character and confidence. They serve as amazing positive role models for the kids, which is a stark contrast to the style of many local sports clubs we tried. My son loves going to the dojang and is proud to have earned his blackbelt. As a parent, it has been REALLY FUN watching his and his classmates' strength and confidence grow. If you are looking for a rewarding and positive activity for your kid/teen, you have to give this dojang a shot. We feel blessed to have found such a great school. My son says, "everyone should do it."

U.S. Martial Arts Academy is a fabulous school. Grandmaster Lee is a very skilled martial artist…read moreand teacher. He is kind and patient with students of all ages. I highly recommend the Academy for beginners and accomplished high level black belts.

I'm not from around here, but I dropped in today and I just have to say, this gym is absolutely…read moreamazing. The people here are great to train with, and the atmosphere is so welcoming and clean. I honestly couldn't recommend this gym enough! If you're ever in town, definitely swing by or consider becoming a member. You won't be disappointed! Deep bow to all

No respect for these guys at all. They cancel comps and refuse to give refunds only credit! Dog…read more$hit

My daughter started at TBK last month and the entire experience has been top notch! The staff are…read morenot only well-versed in the skill sets but they also know how to capture and maintain the attention of the students.

We started our middle 4.5 yr old son in TBK during the summer to give him a new athletic experience…read moreand work on his self control at the same time. I've been very impressed with TBK's system and welcoming attitude to a new martial arts family. He started out very shy, needing me on the mat with him. He's now confident and vocal in class. I look forward to his continued progress and fun at TBK.

Absolutely great for kids!…read more I can't comment on their adult programs, but we take both of our boys here and the instructors are fantastic. Super patient, but reinforcing discipline and great behaviors. And our kids are picking up karate very quickly with their guidance! Great place!

From the owner: Amalgam Martial Academy provides Downers Grove and the greater Chicago-land area with one of the…read morebest martial arts experiences for the whole family available today! Looking for Fitness? Self-Defense? Anti-Bullying? Predator Prevention? We can help! Children and adults alike get to improve mind and body under a staff of degreed educators and seasoned martial artists. Whether you're looking for a real martial arts education, or would like to have your Birthday Party or Special Event with us, Amalgam Martial Academy is the place for you!

My nieces have been taking Taekwondo classes with Master Al for about 2 years I believe and have…read moreaccomplished receiving their black belts within that time. The training they've gotten has been AMAZING! I'm always in awe whenever I'm in town visiting. I visited from Hawaii and Master Al has always remembered me whenever I drop in to watch their classes. He truly cares and loves what he does. My nieces truly love coming here! And they love showing me what they've learned! My nieces have gone to Nationals and he even scheduled for my nieces to do their Black Belt Promotion for when I was able to be in town for a visit.. which meant a lot to me! I recommend this place to anyone looking to put their kids in a sport because they will truly learn a lot.. not only about exercise and discipline.. but a lot they can take with them in life. Now I want to take Taekwondo! Thank you for all you do Master Al! Maddie & Kailees Aunt (Melanie)

You'll find many martial arts programs in the Chicagoland area, but you'll be hard pressed to find…read moreone as exemplary as ABBC Taekwondo. The do-jang is warm and welcoming and strikes the perfect balance of athletics, discipline and respect. Master Al and Miss Jill model the behavior they expect, and in turn the students work hard to follow their good example. ABBC Tae Kwon Do has been the best thing I've done for my focus, discipline, skill, endurance and strength - both physically and mentally. Master Al and Miss Jill are great examples of how martial arts can improve everyone's life. They care and show respect for each individual and their enthusiasm makes demanding workouts and lessons a joy. I look forward to going to the do-jang every chance I get.

There are many martial arts schools today. Some focus on perfecting forms, others on competitive…read moresparring, but very few offer training that prepares students for real life situations while also instilling true martial arts discipline. Strive Martial Arts is not simply a school, it is a path. A path open to all ages, where training evolves with the student and instruction adapts to the individual. Under the guidance of Master Bill Thompson, Taekwondo is revealed not merely as a collection of techniques, but as a discipline for life. Each movement carries intention. Each lesson asks for presence. Training is designed to develop awareness, restraint, and responsibility alongside strength and skill. Techniques are explored not only for their precision, but for their relevance beyond the dojo where judgment, self-control, and courage matter most. Every class and every test becomes a mirror, offering lessons in perseverance, humility, and resilience. Progress is measured not only by belts earned, but by the growth of character and clarity of purpose. In time, the question changes. It is no longer about how high you kick, how fast you react, or how perfect your form becomes. What matters is what you carry with you into daily life, the discipline to act wisely, the confidence to stand firm, and the integrity to choose the right path.

A Master in Every Sense of the Word…read more There's a reason he's called Master Bill. Since the day our daughter Noa first stepped onto the mat at Strive Martial Arts, Master Bill has been a steady, positive force in her life. Over the years, we've watched her grow not just as a martial artist, but as a young woman with grit, confidence, and quiet strength--all nurtured and shaped by the leadership of Master Bill and his extraordinary staff. Recently, Noa earned her Second Degree Black Belt--a major milestone that reflects years of effort and countless hours of practice. But what stood out most was a moment during testing that perfectly captured what makes Strive and Master Bill so unique. At a critical point, Master Bill handed Noa adult boards to break. He didn't ask if she could. He simply showed her he believed she could--and she did. That belief, that kind of knowing leadership, is rare. Master Bill doesn't just teach technique--he builds confidence. He doesn't just oversee students--he sees them. Especially those who need a little extra encouragement to believe in themselves. The culture at Strive is one of excellence, discipline, and care. Master Bill and his team of instructors create an environment where students are held to a high standard but are never left to face those challenges alone. They're guided with skill, patience, and genuine personal investment. We feel incredibly fortunate that Noa has had such a powerful mentor in her life. Strive Martial Arts is not just a school. It's a community. And Master Bill is at the heart of it. Thank you, Master Bill, for believing in our daughter--and for helping her believe in herself.

When people met me before I started working out, I was treated like just another person. Other…read morewomen would approach me for conversation if I was at the bar, and I'd exchange casual smiles with people while passing them in the grocery store--just typical daily interactions. Rarely did I receive compliments on my looks or get hit on. But when people met me after I got "sexi smexi," it was a night-and-day difference. As some of my best friends have told me, I come across as "intimidating" and "mean." I've had people tell me that before they got to know me, they thought I'd beat them up. I've had guys tell me that other guys wouldn't date me because they're too afraid--that I'm "too sexy." I can walk straight to the front of any VIP line at a nightclub and get in. I get hit on significantly more, and I've even been offered a lot of money in exchange for my "time," which never happened before I joined UFC. People offer me jobs more often and try to recruit me for marketing. Rich men and athletes have taken me out on very luxurious dates... and let me tell you, it's slightly exhausting. I used to work from home and didn't see many people, so going into busy places made me anxious. Before, I just wanted to blend in. Now, all I do is stand out I'm not even wearing lip gloss, but I be poppin', and all these boys' lips be droppin'. I know it's just human nature. People are attracted to a juicy Caboosey--the compliments are endless. It's almost as if I can say nothing wrong. I assure you, I'm an awkward person, and I do say awkward things--but people jump in to save the conversation when that happens. Before I started working out, people were still very nice to me. I didn't get approached as much--especially at night--but I still received compliments. Just nothing compared to how I look now. My friends have even asked me to "dial it down" at the gym because they're tired of all the guys hitting on me and leaving none for them. To me, though, it doesn't matter what you look like. It doesn't matter if you go to the gym to build muscle, lose weight, stay in shape, or whatever--what matters is whether you're comfortable with yourself. If you want to be 10 feet tall and that makes you happy--do it. If a certain workout is too much for you and you love being the way you are--don't do it. Don't follow what others are doing--just be you, and let everyone else be them Because regardless of shape, size, or anything else, underneath it all, we're all 10s. What really matters is what's on the inside. "Maybe if we loved ourselves, it wouldn't be so hard to love each other." -- Skizzy Mars The whole point is not to value everything based on your looks, but instead on your achievements and how you feel physically and mentally. Working out has made me more physically fit , which has given me more confidence--but that confidence should have always been there, regardless of how I looked. Some people only notice your appearance, but there's so much more to a person than that. Maybe in a galaxy far, far away, there are people who are just specks of light with no bodies... because when we're 80 , we're all going to look the same ‍ I've definitely been my own biggest hater before--fueling myself with negativity because of how I looked, how clothes fit, and how I compared myself to others. It's an uphill battle to love yourself 100% of the time. There's a lot of negativity and pressure to be a certain way. It's okay to not know where to start. It's okay to take a step back or take a break. Don't let your mind play games with you--you are stronger than you think and capable of things you never thought possible. So baby gorl (or boi), wear whatever you want, treat your body like a temple, and just be you. Thank you, UFC, for being awesome and for being a place where people can grow and have fun.

I've had such a great experience at UFC Gym Yorktown. The classes are consistently high-energy,…read moremotivating, and honestly something I look forward to. The atmosphere is welcoming and positive, which makes a huge difference when you're trying to stay consistent. Elena at the front desk is awesome--always friendly, helpful, and makes you feel right at home the moment you walk in. The entire staff is warm and approachable, which really sets the tone for the gym. I also have to give a big shoutout to my trainer, Ben. He's exceptional! He's taken the time to understand my goals and has tailored workouts specifically for me, which has made all the difference. I'm not just working out--I'm actually seeing real progress because of his guidance. If you're looking for a gym with great energy, supportive staff, and trainers who truly know what they're doing, this is the place.