Chicago School Of Grappling
722 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Learn Grappling, Jiu-Jitsu and other Martial Arts in the city you love with the Chicago School of Grappling
722 S Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
Learn Grappling, Jiu-Jitsu and other Martial Arts in the city you love with the Chicago School of Grappling
absolutely amazing staff/coaches; not only was their knowledge in BJJ and Kickboxing top notch, they are phenomenal people and they always make you feel welcome. everyone there makes you feel like you belong to something more than just a gym, (members included) you’re guaranteed to not only know how to defend yourself, you’ll make a ton a friends and feel apart of something way bigger. anyone regardless of skill level in Jiu-jitsu or kickboxing should join this gym. also, i’ve tried out many many martial art gyms in chicago in search of a “good fit” (price, experience, etc.) and i can assure you you’re not gonna get a better price or experience anywhere else, $130/month can get you unlimited classes in either BJJ or kickboxing, so if you’re willing to put in the work then you are guaranteed to be better.
My experience with this class has been amazing. The instructors are very good and they teach very well. Highly recommend it to anyone that is interested in learning martial arts and isn’t sure of where to start
Great Place. All instructors tend to the students and create a fun, safe learning environment. Would recommend this place to anyone looking to get into BJJ.
The instructors here do an amazing job at creating a really comfortable and fun environment for learning and practicing self-defense! Whether you’re looking to brush up on some fundamentals to protect yourself, or you want to enter the competitive scene in martial arts, these guys are the pros. I highly, highly recommend this gym.
Great place to be, very accommodating to all skill levels. Instructors are great, they take the time to get to know you and how to improve as a fighter. It may be overwhelming at first to new people, but trust this a legit gym and you will get better if you put in the time. Highly recommend CSG, can't wait to go back.
Fun, safe, and welcoming environment. I walked in with no experience and I learned a lot in a short time. Great coaches. Great training partners. Definitely recommend for all levels beginner to advanced.
CSG is a great place to learn and practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The coaches are excellent, each offering a focus on foundational techniques, legwork, wrestling, takedowns, or a combination of these. The gym has a strong sense of community, thanks to the good training partners. Not only does the gym offer classes for a wide range of skill levels, but the contract is also flexible and affordable. It’s monthly-based, so you can take a break if needed without any worries. Love that philosophy. Highly recommend!
Great gym. I had never done kickboxing before and this was a great place to start. Each class we learn something new and then spar which i really like that we get to spar right away as thats the best way to learn. The community of people at the gym is also great. Highly recommend.
Amazing place to learn jiu jitsu and kickboxing!! Super clean and friendly environment, with great coaches and drilling/sparring partners! 10/10
This place deserves all the positive reviews for sure. Great instructors and excellent training partners. Good for all levels. Very fair and transparent pricing, which is a rarity in BJJ. The intro week is great too!
Never thought BJJ was something I would ever want to do but 6 months later, and I can't say I would have found a better place to start than at CSG. What I love about this place is that they encourage you to try out different things and are super helpful in accomodating to whatever goal you have in jiu jitsu. I have been to all of the classes by all of the instructors and I find that you can learn and adjust new things from how each of them do things. Derrick's fundamental class can get you comfortable with BJJ and he is a great person to talk to. John's class really gets you thinking about systems and how to link all of the pieces together. Matt is great in breaking down techniques and helped adjust a lot of the details. Marco's a really great instructor as well and really helped me out during my first few months. And shoutout to Tony who sometimes fills in for the classes and is a great person to practice with
Great gym, very welcoming to new members. Instructors are very knowledgeable and will help you grow regardless of experience level.
Really enjoyed training at Chicago School of Grappling! This is the best martial arts gym I've been to. Coaches are awesome, they adjust the training to your level and everyone's super welcoming. Both BJJ and Muay Thai classes were great, and I especially liked that almost everything is practiced with a partner. The classes also include sparring at the end where you can put everything you learned together. You get individual attention and they even provide equipment if needed. Highly recommend!
One of the best places to train. Every instructor communicates techniques in a clear way that is easy to understand. Skill levels are diverse and include beginners and advanced students. I started training here without any experience in martial arts and couldn't be happier. The instructors are welcoming and care for their students.
Genuinely cannot recommend CSG enough. Constructive environment, insightful feedback, and an overall great place to train. If you want to get better, this is a place to do it.
Awesome gym
Great place to learn grappling and kickboxing! The instructors are friendly and knowledgeable and the other students are eager to help each other succeed.
Fantastic, fun, and safe place to learn to defend yourself and kick some butt. Can’t recommend it more!
Chicago School of Grappling was my introduction to jiu jitsu and I instantly got hooked thanks to the friendly and respectful coaches, team, and environment that is fostered. I highly recommend this gym for anyone interested in jiu jitsu!
I could not recommend a martial arts gym anymore that I would CSG. All instructors are extremely patient, knowledgeable, and make learning/practice extremely fun. CSG is great for all experience levels and I have had the honor to roll with many people ranging from white through black belts. They are upfront about everything and ensure that the students grow to their potentials. I’m can’t wait to keep learning from John and the rest of his team!
Definitely the best gym I’ve been to so far. What makes this stand out are all the coaches which are all so knowledgeable making each class different. Shout out to coach Marco for the private classes which I’ll definitely be doing more often!
I came to Chicago School of Grappling with zero experience in sport or fighting of that kind. However, the instructors I met—John Le, Derrick Demaio, Matt Olivio, and Marco Jaimes—are not only clear experts but are able to accommodate all skill levels with ease. They are also very professional and ensure that everyone is conducting themselves safely and respectfully. I learned a lot in a short period of time: the instructors are very good not only at teaching sequences of moves but at explaining on a broader level what they are intended to accomplish. I would recommend this place to anyone with an interest in martial arts. It's also been really fun!
Friendly/welcoming environment; and truly committed instructors like John. If you have any doubts give them a try and I'm sure you'll agree
Loved the place, everyone’s super friendly and the teachers are very patient. Recommend going for the 7 day free trial at least. Wonderful experience!!
While I haven’t been to any other schools of grappling, and I came with no prior knowledge of BJJ, this place has been just great. Not just for beginners, but also for people with experience. The instructors adjust according to your level, and so do the seasoned students. This place just welcomes you with open arms. You have the freedom to ask, try and learn. This is a no ego school with ample recognition and appreciation for its students. Anyone looking to learn, this is definitely where you’d want to be. All you need, is the will to learn!
Great jiu jitsu / kickboxing gym with chill, fun and drilling-oriented atmosphere. John was a great instructor teaching us about various head and arm chokes and going over theory and in-depth technique. Felt very welcome here and looking forward to staying in touch. Maybe next time I wont get beat up as much 😉
Have been training for years, and one thing i've learned is how important the environment is for training. CSG, is relaxing and fun, egos are checked at the door and it's a great community. Highly recommend Marco's no-gi class!
I had a terrific experience working with Matt on technique. He is an excellent communicator, with an excellent grasp of the content but also highly skilled as an educator. He's also tough as nails. I give this gym and the team here the highest recommendation. (It's a double wrist lock).
This place is amazing. The gym has such a chill and positive atmosphere. Both the teachers and students have been welcoming, kind, supportive and respectful. All the teachers are attentive and make it around to everyone during drills. Gym fees are transparent, no required uniforms, and cross training is encouraged. Mats are cleaned after every class. Non-judgemental and female friendly. As a female who came into this with no prior experience I was pretty nervous, but I have felt safe here from day 1. Huge thank you to the CSG team and what they've built here!
Very chill place to learn martial arts
A great place for beginners. The staff are very welcoming and promote a very positive environment
Love that they just throw you into it on your first day. No ego's no machismo, friendly competition, learning and good training.
I've been going to CSG for a few years now. Theres a great training atmosphere, everyone is very welcoming. All of the coaches are top notch and cater to each person's skill sets very well. Its a great spot for anyone looking to get into brazilian jiujitsu.
Great place to train with no pressure. If you want to learn, come here! Great atmosphere and good people.
Derrick is a great teacher in the intro class. Place is real clean. Everyone has been super helpful. And Derrick's music playlist is fire! Definitely a place to check out
I started going to the jiu jitsu classes here just to try it out and I ended up coming everyday. The people and coaches are amazing and so supportive. My jiu jitsu has improved immensely and my confidence has greatly increased. I always have a great time while learning how to choke people!
Great gym! Amazing instructors for both gi and no-gi, very helpful and find time to help every student. Great vibes during practices with great music in a friendly environment!
I've had great experiences at CSG. Overall, I'd recommend the gym to everyone as they're welcoming to both newcomers and more advanced practitioners. Post-class chit-chats are also a plus.
I dropped in for a no gi class while visiting Chicago for work. I had a great time; coach and students were friendly and welcoming, and we had some awesome rolls.
CSG has been an amazing way to me to get a workout and make some friends as we crawl out of this pandemic. I continue to be impressed by how expertly they on-board new folks. Safety is their highest priority, but they also give you the vocabulary and mindset you need to survive a real round with your upper-level classmates, and the opportunity to use it with sparring at the end of every class. Highly recommend!
Had a great time and experience here! It's a very chill, non-intimidating environment; this is something I particularly value given that I am new to the sport. The instructors do a great job of reviewing the concepts and helping new folks feel comfortable.l also appreciate that they have transparent pricing, unlike other gyms. In my opinion, the monthly pass is very affordable given the area and the level of instruction.
The school I've been to in years. Some of the best people to practice martial arts with and the dopiest martial art teachers. Love this school. I just wish I could go more.
Very nice people cool and laid back thank you for taking care of me
Great place, good for UIC students. Teachers are fun.
The instructors catered to everyone’s needs, regardless of skill level. And more importantly, theres support from every student and instructor around. 0 shame in having no experience. Definitely a good workout and well worth my time !
Great place to start learning MMA!
CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN!!!!! and SAFE SAFE SAFE. These are two words that many reviews do not address. The instruction was great as well and the previous sentence will keep me coming and referring this place to everyone I know. FINALLY the best part of Chicago School of Grappling is the fact that you get LOTS of rolling time. I would spar way after class ended and rolled past into the dark. Some schools you only roll a brief time but I got ample rolling time and drilling. X2 X3 times more than other places Ive been. The instructors were great and the people were super nice to me. Many different body types and styles. Plus the RATES cannot be beat! Super clean, safe, and affordable!
Friendly people and great workout!
I had an excellent experience with Chicago School of Grappling, especially coming in with no experience. John, the other coaches, and students were all extremely welcoming and happy to help someone new. It was the perfect environment to try out a new a hobby and I will absolutely be back in future. I'd recommend anyone considering any of the classes at Chicago School of Grappling to sign the waiver, get the 7 day free trial, and try as many classes as you're able to!
Nick is an amazing instructor with a welcoming attitude who is patient and friendly. Great guy who is a legit BJJ blackbelt but makes it comfortable for all levels to train there. I would highly recommend.
My friends and I had a blast at Ana’s ladies night jiu jitsu class! Everyone at the class was very kind and patient in teaching us different moves. Ana spent time with each partnering to make sure we were doing the moves correctly. John was great about communicating options and keeping in contact about classes. They offer a great free trial as well! I highly recommend taking classes at Chicago School of Grappling!
Awesome gym, John is a great coach!
I want to take a minute or two, and give much respect due, to the men that have made a difference in my world, John Le and Nick Cimm. They are the blackbelt professors at CSG and I have never felt more welcomed. The environment is so friendly and supportive that my first day jitters disappeared immediately. They made a group class feel like a one-on-one with care and attention. If you don’t know if bjj is for you yet, they’ll guide you. If you want to get great at it and compete one day, they’ll coach you. Plus there is no contract like other schools and they even have a free trial for new people. Getting in shape has never been this fun and I feel confident that I can protect myself now! I give props to those who deserve it, and believe me y'all, they’re worth it. So here's to the future. They’re mighty good men. Thanks CSG
I've never done jiu-jitsu but John made it very comfortable. He's knowledgeable and walked us through everything. He makes sure safety comes first and everything is clean and in order. If you want to learn the sport or just get in shape and learn to defend yourself, this is definitely where you should go.
So I’ve trained on and off with BJJ for a brief period of time but had to stop because of work travel. Since my travel for work has been put on hold, I’ve been shopping around for a place to call home. I’ve been to places where I would’ve been charged approximately $600 before rolling with anyone and was losing a bit of faith in finding the right place for me. Lucky for me there’s google. I came across Chicago School of Grappling and communicated with John Le. I signed up for the 7 day free trial to give it the old fashion “try”. Upon my arrival, John pretty much knew my name and greeted me with utmost respect. Classes are properly structured with techniques that are applicable to every level of athlete. After instruction John takes the time to work with each student individually to track progression and provide more attention to detail. On my last day of my free trail I expressed my goals and John did the best thing ever by smiling, understand, encourage and welcome my challenge to be better. I can safely say I’ve found my home to achieve my stated goals and am looking forward to reaching my potential with John and Chicago’s School of Grappling.
Great learning environment and great coach!!!
I visit CSG while in town visiting family. The instructors and students are extremely welcoming and it is an awesome learning environment. Safe but challenging and competitive. I have been to classes with multiple instructors and have appreciated all of their teaching styles. If you want a place that has a tight nit, neighborhood feel but is also welcoming to new students, this is the spot.
I came to CSG as a 15-year-same-dojo martial artist who moved across the country and was afraid he’d never find a place that felt like home to train at again. But when I walked in to CPG John was super friendly welcomed me to the mat. I’m new to jiu jitsu, and it’s so great to learn a new martial art in a great place with a good group of hard working teammates. Plus, CSG has taken care of us all during quarantine like no other with libraries of FREE virtual classes, FREE weekly live virtual classes, and payment suspension for members.
REALLY fun and welcoming environment. Even if you're a hella brand new baby to BJJ, John and the other students in the class will make sure you are fully and safely participating. Highly recommend if you wanna mix up your routine or start learning BJJ!
I came to visit this BJJ gym from out of town. I came in for open mat and no gi class. The instructures and members were so welcoming and friendly. The upper belts gave me tips on improving my techniqque and helped me drill the details until I got the hang of it. I will definitly be coming back here when I'm back in town!
Great BJJ gym with a regular crowd - the instructors, owner and members are very welcoming to newcomers and beginners. Cool vibes too - I signed up to train there. The subscription model is non-predative: month based only.
I’ve been training for a while now and I had the chance to drop into CSG for an evening class. This place is awesome. The instruction was detailed and John made his rounds to make sure everyone was picking it up. Rolls with the students were fun. There was every rank on the mat from white to black belt and everyone was very welcoming. If you’re in the area, check them out!
Great gym for all experience levels! So far I've learned a lot. They have a great arsenal of different techniques.
Such a great place to train a and feel welcomed always.
I signed up for the 7 day free trial and had a great experience! The instructors were very helpful and patient as it was my first time. I look forward to going back and recommend to anyone looking to try out the sport.
CSG is a great place to train. I was able to fit in classes around my schedule, learn from John and the other instructors, and have fun. Everyone has a great attitude and is there to learn. The no contract is great too for my situation of having to be out of town for a month!
My three big worries whenever entering a new gym include: 1.) Getting swindled out of money by predatory business practices. 2.) A gym atmosphere that is too intimidating 3.) A gym that is taught by people who aren't experts or is taught by teachers that don't teach well. With that said, CSG eased all my worries with flying colors. The gym felt very welcoming and comfortable from the get go and the instruction was top notch. You not only learn useful techniques very quickly, you also have a lot of fun while doing it. In addition to that, doing jiu-jitsu here is eons better than any workout I would get at a conventional gym. The school also has a female specific class every week. So if you are a female that is worried about taking a physical martial arts class with mostly men, you can rest assured and partake in a class designed for females and taught by a female. If you have signed up for gym memberships in the past, you know that hidden fees and hard to get out of contracts come with the territory. But CSG, being the rare treasure that it is, has none of that. They offer an ACTUAL 7 day free trial. It is not one of those free trials that renews at full price if you forget to cancel, it is an actual free trial where you can just walk away at anytime. Also, the school had no hidden fees, whatever the price said on the website was the price that I paid, not a penny more. Anyways, Final Grade = A+++
An amazing gym for anyone looking to take on jiu jitsu as a new hobby. The instructors could not be anymore welcoming for beginners. They even let you borrow a gi! No annual contracts and highly affordable compared to other gyms. I thought I would feel intimidated when I first started out but I felt exactly the opposite, the vibe of this place makes you want to go back again and again.
Highly recommend the 7 day trial to anyone with even the tiniest bit of interest. The instructors were very welcoming and the classes were a good mix of technique and cardio. They offer more than just grappling as well.
This gym has respectful instructors and humble students. A real martial arts gym.
It was a great workout and also fun learning new shadowboxing techniques. I liked the small class size and you definitely work up a nice sweat! Would be back!
I tried a boxing class through classpass. It was a small class, so you get a lot of attention and feedback from the coach. Overall I had a great time, I would recommend it to anybody who wants to learn boxing in a fun environment.
Had a great time training at CSG. People are very warm and friendly. I especially enjoyed the JitFit strength & conditioning classes as well as the ladies BJJ class. Highly recommend this martial arts school for anyone looking to get fit and / or learn BJJ.
Great place to get in shape and learn martial arts. Everyone is welcoming and friendly. You will leave class feeling like you accomplished something.
Great place to learn and train jiujitsu and other martial arts, it has a relaxed atmosphere with great people teaching every class.
Tried out the 7 day free trial; everyone was very friendly and I felt welcome in the classes, even as a beginner. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking to try something new!
CSG is a great place that helps you accomplish fitness goals while learning in a fun and engaging environment. I would recommend anyone to train there regardless of your level of martial arts experience, as I ensure you will feel welcome.
Great instruction, class times, and variety of grappling types. Would highly recommend for anyone learning how to fight!
I’ve been training at Chicago School of Grappling for about eight months, and the experience has been truly wonderful and transformative. My schedule only allows me to train Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, but I roll with people who take a lot of the other classes and they have nothing but good things to say about the boxing, wrestling, Judo and Muy Thai programs as well! Of course, the testimonials coming from the #jitfit program speak for themselves. All in all, it’s just a great gym with great instructors and team mates.
Small school with big heart. Good guys and gals that train hard and are very welcoming. Nick had a ton of energy and John was equally energized. They let me borrow a gi since I was traveling from out of town. (Thank you.) Definitely a place to check out and get a couple rolls in. Will be back for sure when I’m in town. 5 stars all day! Thanks again!
This dojo is fantastic! If you want to learn Martial Arts under knowledgeable guidance this is the place to come. You will find yourself in a friendly surrounding where everybody help to progress each other.
I used the free 7 day offer on their website to check out the gym. I've never done any martial arts before, but the instructors and students made it very welcoming--there's clearly a sense of community at this gym. The JitFit class was a great way to get some cardio in, while building strength and agility. I recommend trying it!
Great place to learn and train. Nick was very welcoming and provided great instruction. Everyone in the gym were great to be around. I had fun and learned. If you were traveling like me or live in the Chicago area I would recommend giving Chicago School of Grappling a shot. You will enjoy it.
Such a great school! Fantastic instructors and an inclusive structure. Take advantage of the free week and try all their classes. Love this place!!!
great learning environment for all levels of experience with knowledgable instructors and friendly clientele. highly recommended!
I go train today in this place and everybody was very cool whit me, cool guys no egos and no bad attitud just roll and a have a good time, clean bathrooms and a clean mat. See you again soon, thanks
Great instruction. Great atmosphere. Would highly recommend this gym.
Excellent experience. Very welcoming. I enjoy training here. Thanks everyone
This school is one of the most welcoming gym I ever been to. All the instructors are approachable and very attentive to your goals and needs. This also extends to all of the members of the school as well. Everyone is willing to help and explain what you don't understand or want to improve upon. A couple of months ago, I told one of the owner and the instructor that I want to lose weight, and he was very open and acceptable to the idea. He reached out to help me personally to help me achieve my goal. Everyday, he would personally text or check up on me to see how I'm doing and to keep me on track. There is almost no commitment on your part. You can cancel your membership anything and come back anything. Everyone is very understanding that you, like them, are human, and you have you own situations going on. Most of the members are working adults and college students, but there are classes specially for women and children. The owners are always looking to accommodate to what would help the members best. The rotations of instructors are very beneficial in learning various moves and styles from a different perspectives.
Great school! Teachers give detailed instructions and are very patient with beginners. Classmates are welcoming and supportive. Great place to learn new skills and meet new people!
Chicago School of Grappling is one of the most welcoming, instructive gyms I've ever been to. Besides just being a top notch grappling talent, Nick Cimm is one of the best and most patient instructors in Chicago. If you're interested at all in Jiu Jitsu, I highly suggest you come by soon.
Great gym, very knowledgeable trainers and everyone here are really friendly. Probably the only gym with the most well rounded program in chicago. 3 words : BEST GYM EVER.
Since joining Chicago School of Grappling about a year and half ago, I've learned so much and have been in the best shape of my life! The gym is great for students of any background and experience. The coaches are awesome and really work with you and help push you to the next level. The students are very friendly and make you feel welcomed. I would highly recommend joining and trying out this gym if you are looking for a great workout and to improve your MMA/BJJ skills!
Being a student of UIC, the school is very close to campus and with it's student rates it is also very affordable. The instructors are clear in their instruction and friendly. The students are also just as welcoming! Never did I ever feel someone was out to get me. CSG is friendly filled with laughs and good times yet teach you no nonsense jiu jitsu!
I was looking for a gym to focus primarily in Jiu Jitsu since I was doing MMA for about half a year, this was my first choice and I love it (Joined Jan 2018). I signed up alone and was nervous, most gyms do not have a lot of females train but they made me feel comfortable and I go at my own pace. Any questions I have, have been answered in detail and I can tell everyone is very knowledgeable. I am looking forward to grow within Chicago School of Grappling. Side note they have Womens only Friday classes. Helps a lot!
Great instructors, great vibe, and a lot of support from everyone.
The worst Grappling Bjj school I have ever visited. I have visited many and it has taught me that these instructors are not good instructors. I had been training there for seven months consistently. Mitria who was training me acted unprofessional. Encourage inappropriate behavior with other men's behavior.. When I had a problem that was embarrassing to tell him. I had been training there since February 2017 till September 2017. The problem was not solved and just pointed the finger at me. The blame game. It was an unpleasant experience. I feel that this school is unsafe and hostile training environment. Such as some form of harrassment. An unfriendly female environment.
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