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Academy Of Self Defense

4.7 ★★★★★ 49 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Evergreen Park, Illinois

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fitness classes Fight team

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule team-asd.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 708-247-1466

Hours

Monday 3:30–9 pm
Tuesday 3:30–9 pm
Wednesday 3:30–9 pm
Thursday 3:30–9 pm
Friday 3:30–9 pm
Saturday 10 am–2 pm
Sunday 12–1 pm

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Muay thai classes on the schedule at Academy Of Self Defense, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 2 mentions

“Whether you’re a first time beginner or a seasoned veteran, there’s something here for everyone.”

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🧒 Kids Muay Thai 7 mentions

“I enrolled my son in their Kenpo Karate classes when he was 4 and it has been nothing but a wonderful experience!”

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💪 Women's Muay Thai 2 mentions

“I have always enjoyed women's kickboxing.”

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🔥 Muay Thai Fitness 3 mentions

“However most of the students there are just good people who want to get in shape, learn to defend themselves, and have a good time with no negative energy.”

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🥊 Sparring 2 mentions

“I have taken their MMA classes,Jiu Jitsu, sparring, grappling, Muay Thai, Systema and knife skills and loved them all!”

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🏆 Fight Team 3 mentions

“ASD is a great place to train whether your looking to loose a few pounds and just looking for something different then the treadmill, or your looking to compete.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 5 mentions

“I started training at Academy of Self Defense in 2006 and quickly realized that they had a lot more to offer me than just women's kickboxing.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Academy Of Self Defense — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing 5 mentions

“Just this last week 3 students fought, one kickboxing, and two mma, and all three won decisively.”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 3 mentions

“I have taken their MMA classes,Jiu Jitsu, sparring, grappling, Muay Thai, Systema and knife skills and loved them all!”

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🏟️ MMA 9 mentions

“I have taken their MMA classes,Jiu Jitsu, sparring, grappling, Muay Thai, Systema and knife skills and loved them all!”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🎽 Karate

“I enrolled my son in their Kenpo Karate classes when he was 4 and it has been nothing but a wonderful experience!”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 49 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 4 mentions

“The coaches are unbelievable and due a great job breaking down techniques while ensuring you get a great workout.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

“Whether you’re a first time beginner or a seasoned veteran, there’s something here for everyone.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 8 mentions

“haha The owners are very family oriented, the staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, the patrons are super nice and they are constantly striving to improve the experience.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 5 mentions

“The coaches are unbelievable and due a great job breaking down techniques while ensuring you get a great workout.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 11 mentions

“ASD is a great place to train whether your looking to loose a few pounds and just looking for something different then the treadmill, or your looking to compete.”

💗 welcoming to women 4 mentions

“As a girl too I’ve always felt safe and comfortable partnering and sparring with the guys.”

From the reviews

I’ve studied here since 2001 and have experience training in many schools. Just this last week 3 students fought, one kickboxing, and two mma, and all three won decisively. Great program!

★★★★★ — Matt, May 2019

Great place, great students, great instructors!! Comfortable atmosphere to learn and train in. Classes are well suited for beginers and more advanced people. Been here for over 10 years and wouldnt train any other place! Top notch!!

★★★★★ — M, Jul 2017

My home away from home!:) I love it here! I have always enjoyed women's kickboxing. I had taken it at other places before, but this place far exceeded my expectations. I started training at Academy of Self Defense in 2006 and quickly realized that they had a lot more to offer me than just women's kickboxing.

★★★★★ — Megan, Oct 2013

ASD is a great place to train whether your looking to loose a few pounds and just looking for something different then the treadmill, or your looking to compete. The coaches are unbelievable and due a great job breaking down techniques while ensuring you get a great workout.

★★★★★ — George, Dec 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 49 reviews →

New to muay thai? Start at Academy Of Self Defense

Academy Of Self Defense comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or a kick, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first muay thai class at Academy Of Self Defense

Nervous about walking into a muay thai gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Academy Of Self Defense

3753 W 95th St, Evergreen Park, IL60805

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.