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Academy Of Self Defense

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

Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Cardio kickboxing Women's classes Competition 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
  • Membership memberships run around $200/mo — many studios also offer class packs, drop-ins, and a discounted first month, so ask about new-member rates
  • Beginner-friendly all fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
  • Cardio kickboxing classes high-energy cardio kickboxing on the bags and pads — a fun, sweaty workout built for fitness and weight loss, at your own pace
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Women's classes dedicated women's kickboxing classes — a welcoming space to start out and train
  • Sparring sparring and partner work for members who want it — always optional, eased in gradually, with the coach controlling the contact
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • 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 and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing 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.

🔥 Cardio Kickboxing 2 mentions

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

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🧒 Kids Kickboxing 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 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“I have always enjoyed women's kickboxing.”

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

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

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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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🏆 Competition Team 2 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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🦵 Muay Thai

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

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Other martial arts here

Kickboxing 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.

🦵 Muay Thai

“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 →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3 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 brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🥋 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 →

🛡️ 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.”

Other gyms that also teach self-defense →

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 muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, 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, motivating coaching 3 mentions

“Mike the head instructor and others are great trainers and very patient with new people.”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 3 mentions

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

🏆 active competition / fight team 4 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.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 7 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.”

From the reviews

I've been training at ASD for a decade and it's my second home. Everyone there welcomed me with open arms and all the instructors put emphasis on the training of each individual students needs.

★★★★★ — Kenneth, Jan 2025

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

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 49 reviews →

New to kickboxing? 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 class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness 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 kickboxing class at Academy Of Self Defense

Nervous about walking into a kickboxing 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 — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics 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.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, 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.