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Bender Martial Arts and Fitness
5 ★★★★★ 96 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Chicago, 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 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
- Website & schedule bendermartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 773-655-6305
The classes they run
“My kid was taking martial arts at Bender Martial Arts studio and he was having “too much fun” in there as my kiddo said during his first lesson.”
“As a beginner, I really appreciated how patient he was with me, and I’ve seen firsthand how well he coaches people at all skill levels.”
“Bender has really created a unique environment for his students, a place where they can learn, grind hard (but smart) and do well when they compete or in personal life.”
“I mainly train in jiu jitsu but I’ve also spent a few months taking Muay Thai classes and both experiences have been excellent.”
Other martial arts here
“I mainly train in jiu jitsu but I’ve also spent a few months taking Muay Thai classes and both experiences have been excellent.”
“Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, Judo, Wresting, Functional Fitness and more.”
“If you are thinking about trying jiu jitsu or if you've done it for years and you're looking for a new home, you cannot go wrong with BMAF.”
“We recently hosted a self-defense class for our team at Bender Martial Arts & Fitness, and it was an incredible experience.”
What members say
“Amazing gym, super friendly people, and Jason is a great person and an excellent coach.”
“As a beginner, I really appreciated how patient he was with me, and I’ve seen firsthand how well he coaches people at all skill levels.”
“Whether you’re looking for a great workout, a new hobby, or a welcoming community, I highly recommend checking out Bender Martial Arts and Fitness.”
“The students and coaches are all very friendly and the coaches have a wealth of knowledge to share from years of experience in competition, and traveling around the world.”
“I was lucky to attend a workshop at BMAF and I was welcomed with open arms into this clean and accommodating space.”
“From the moment we walked in, the community made us feel not just welcomed, but truly part of their family.”
From the reviews
Beginner friendly, fun atmosphere, tons of classes, great community. Bender Martial Arts and Fitness is an outstanding place to learn and practice combat sports in a judgement free community. Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, MMA, Judo, Wresting, Functional Fitness and more. Go to as many classes as you want.
I’ve been training at Bender Martial Arts and Fitness for a little over a year now, and I can’t recommend it enough. I mainly train in jiu jitsu but I’ve also spent a few months taking Muay Thai classes and both experiences have been excellent.
I've travelled to dozens of countries and lived in four — and I've trained in dozens of martial arts gyms and dojos. But only four have been home. Bender Martial Arts & Fitness is home. It has a great community, great teachers, and a beautiful new — and clean — facility.
As a Capoeira enthusiast, I seek out training opportunities in every city I have the joy to visit. My visit to Chicago was no different. All morning I was driving around to classes, seeking opportunities to train and I kept running into obstacles. Wrong address.
New to kickboxing? Start at Bender Martial Arts and Fitness
Bender Martial Arts and Fitness 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 Bender Martial Arts and Fitness
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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