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Chicago School Of Grappling
5 ★★★★★ 142 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Chicago, Illinois
No-nonsense studio for martial arts instruction, including boxing, kickboxing, Jiu-Jitsu & more.
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
- 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 chicagoschoolofgrappling.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 773-482-1255
Hours
| Monday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30–2 pm, 6:30–9:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:30–9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30–2 pm, 6:30–9:30 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 11 am–1:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“I took bjj classes here as a beginner and fell in love with the sport, largely due to the community of other students and awesome teachers.”
“Trained in BJJ, Kickboxing/Muy Thai Sparring and Training, and Kickboxing/Muy Thai fundamentals here.”
“I would absolutely recommend this gym to anyone, whether you are looking to compete, learn self defense, get a work out in, etc.”
“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.”
“The instructors here do an amazing job at creating a really comfortable and fun environment for learning and practicing self-defense!”
Other martial arts here
“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.”
“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.”
“The coaches are excellent, each offering a focus on foundational techniques, legwork, wrestling, takedowns, or a combination of these.”
What members say
“Marco's a really great instructor as well and really helped me out during my first few months.”
“The people are warm and welcoming, and you can tell how passionate the teachers are about teaching grappling.”
“The people are warm and welcoming, and you can tell how passionate the teachers are about teaching grappling.”
“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 would absolutely recommend this gym to anyone, whether you are looking to compete, learn self defense, get a work out in, etc.”
“Non-judgemental and female friendly.”
From the reviews
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.
I’m new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and this place has been incredible from day one. The instructors are top-tier — they genuinely care about your progress and make sure everyone gets the attention they need. The vibe is super welcoming, and you feel like part of the team right away.
Phenomenal gym, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in trying out Muay Thai or BJJ. The instructors are great and all members share a mutual respect with one another. I've been attending for a few months and it has been the most accommodating experience.
I would absolutely recommend Chicago School of Grappling (CSG)! The people are warm and welcoming, and you can tell how passionate the teachers are about teaching grappling. I took bjj classes here as a beginner and fell in love with the sport, largely due to the community of other students and awesome teachers.
New to muay thai? Start at Chicago School Of Grappling
Chicago School Of Grappling 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.
Your first muay thai class at Chicago School Of Grappling
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.
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