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Arctic Training Center
5 ★★★★★ 348 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Palos Heights, Illinois
Spacious gym focusing on boxing, kickboxing and martial arts classes held in a clean space.
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 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
- Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- 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 atcbjj.fitness — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 989-292-2545
Hours
| Monday | 10–11:30 am, 4:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 6–7 am, 5:30–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 10–11:30 am, 4:30–8 pm |
| Thursday | 6–7 am, 5:30–8 pm |
| Friday | 10–11:30 am, 4–8 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am–1:30 pm |
| Sunday | 12–2 pm |
The classes they run
“I take my three kids here, ages 11, 8, and 6, and each receives attention and *real* fighting training to defend themselves in a real fight.”
“I especially appreciate that they are women friendly and even offer women only classes for those who prefer a separate training environment.”
“Arctic Training Center is an amazing with a wide variety of classes for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced athletes.”
“I really appreciate the balance between focus on technique, and practical sparring that would help my children defend themselves in a playground/street fight.”
“Whether you’re looking to compete, improve your self-defense skills, or just get in shape, this is the perfect place to train.”
“As a teen growing up in such a harsh world, Arctic has been a place we’ve relied on to help her cope with stress, bullying, anxiety, and so much more.”
Other martial arts here
“Whether you're just starting your Jiu Jitsu journey or looking to take your training to the next level, you're in great hands here!”
“Whether you’re looking to compete, improve your self-defense skills, or just get in shape, this is the perfect place to train.”
What members say
“What really set it apart was the amazing coaches who were so knowledgeable, attentive, and so passionate about what the do.”
“Arctic Training Center is an amazing with a wide variety of classes for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced athletes.”
“Also their kids program is called "little wolves" which is adorable.”
“Whether you’re looking to compete, improve your self-defense skills, or just get in shape, this is the perfect place to train.”
“The mats are always clean, the classes are well-structured, and the attention to detail in coaching makes a huge difference.”
“I especially appreciate that they are women friendly and even offer women only classes for those who prefer a separate training environment.”
From the reviews
Arctic Training Center is hands down the best place to train BJJ. The coaches are not only high-level practitioners but also excellent teachers who break down techniques in a way that’s easy to understand and apply.
I am in awe and completely amazed by how incredible this gym is. The instructors truly feel like family. It’s an environment built on comfort, resilience, and genuine care. My daughter has become a huge advocate for training here.
We can’t say enough amazing things about Arctic! The owners are black belts in BJJ who personally teach the classes and they pour their hearts into what they do. They give every child so much individual attention, making sure each one feels seen, supported, and challenged in the best way.
Walking into a new gym can be intimidating, but I’m so glad I stepped back on the mats at Arctic 🐺⚔️🐺⚔️. It’s one of the cleanest gyms I’ve ever trained at, super safe, and female-friendly. They have a work hard, play hard attitude… think less traditional bowing and more having fun flowing.
New to kickboxing? Start at Arctic Training Center
Arctic Training Center comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. 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.
Your first kickboxing class at Arctic Training Center
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.
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