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Staley Martial Arts, Carlson Gracie North Shore
4.5 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Wilmette, Illinois
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
- Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule staleymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (847) 242-1305
Hours
| Monday | 4–8 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 6–7 AM, 4–8:15 PM |
| Thursday | 4–8:30 PM |
| Friday | 4–8 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–1 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–1 PM |
The classes they run
“Since then, their family has grown into a wonderfully complex operation of learning for beginners and advanced students alike, with a handful of very experienced instructors.”
“Gus is a fantastic teacher and treats the kids always with respect and demands respect back.”
“There is now a comfortable lounge area where I watched my niece and nephew spar.”
“I have met many friends, always feel welcome, and have grown as a fighter to a significant confidence.”
“A great place to start learning self-defense and martial arts; it feels amazing to work hard here and see it pay off.”
Other martial arts here
“We were very pleased with the treatment we received from the sensei and Laurie for our Little one's first Jiu Jitsu class.”
What members say
“It is a bit of a drive for me but it is absolutely worth it to have my kids learning jiujitsu from a great instructor in a safe and welcoming environment.”
“Since then, their family has grown into a wonderfully complex operation of learning for beginners and advanced students alike, with a handful of very experienced instructors.”
“Since then, their family has grown into a wonderfully complex operation of learning for beginners and advanced students alike, with a handful of very experienced instructors.”
“Unfortunately their class schedule were being temporarily changed from Saturdays to Mon&Wed due to competitions, which was not good for our schedules :( .”
“I have been training with them since they opened, and followed them to the new location (which is big, clean and inviting!”
From the reviews
We were able to attend Staley with my 3 year old daughter. We were very pleased with the treatment we received from the sensei and Laurie for our Little one's first Jiu Jitsu class. They were very patient and encouraging with my daughter.
I take my kids here and absolutely love it! I was hesitant to have my girls try martial arts before. They are very girlie and to be honest I was a little concerned about them getting hurt.
Professor Gus and Laurie have managed to create the best environment to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have been training with them since they opened, and followed them to the new location (which is big, clean and inviting!). I was a complete newcomer to Jiu Jitsu and I am in my late 40’s.
I have really enjoyed taking BJJ lessons with Laurie and Gus!!! They were wonderful coaches to me at my first tournament and I would say I did well because of their skillful coaching!!!
New to muay thai? Start at Staley Martial Arts, Carlson Gracie North Shore
Staley Martial Arts, Carlson Gracie North Shore 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 Staley Martial Arts, Carlson Gracie North Shore
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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