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Santiago Training Center
5 ★★★★★ 25 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Lombard, Illinois
Plan your first class
- 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
- 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 myarconnect.net — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 224-623-2369
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–8 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–6 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–3 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Whether you want to compete or just want to be healthier, he’ll push you to make sure you get the best from it.”
“Mike is extremely skilled in Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling and has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”
“Mike is extremely skilled in Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling and has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”
“I highly recommend reaching out to him if you're considering joining a gym or doing 1:1 personal training work.”
Other martial arts here
“Mike is extremely skilled in Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling and has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”
“Mike is extremely skilled in Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling and has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.”
“I’ve been training with santi for 2 years now and coming from wrestling and transitioning to jiu jitsu/MMA I’ve learned so much from him”
“I’ve been training with santi for 2 years now and coming from wrestling and transitioning to jiu jitsu/MMA I’ve learned so much from him”
What members say
“Coach Santiago is incredibly knowledgeable and does an excellent job breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-understand instructions.”
“Coach works very hard to help teach you good technique and conditioning and the harder you work the more you get out of it.”
“His new gym has everything needed to start either your weight loss journey, or your fighting career!”
“He creates a welcoming and supportive environment for newcomers, making it easy to feel comfortable and motivated.”
From the reviews
I’ve trained with santi (Mike) for 5 years now. He’s been my trainer, coach and occasional therapist as well. His new gym has everything needed to start either your weight loss journey, or your fighting career! I walked into his old gym pushing 200 lbs. he’s gotten me down to 130lb.
AMAZING GYM WITH A FAMILY VIBE. So many different people attend this gym from different backgrounds and different age groups. Santi (coach) is amazing! If you can’t do something, he provides you with alternative options. He now has a class for littles (up to age 9). My daughter loves it. He is AMAZING with kids!!
This gym is phenomenal!!!! It’s one of the greatest places in Illinois to learn MMA from a pro! Mike Santiago is very friendly, and everyone at the gym is super friendly. Mike is extremely skilled in Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling and has a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Been to all the local gyms and can confirm that you will learn the most here. The coach pays attention to all the people and makes sure you learn everything. This is a great place if you want to learn Jiu Jitsu, boxing, kickboxing, MMA, or even have personal trainings. HIGHLY recommend.
New to kickboxing? Start at Santiago Training Center
Santiago 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 Santiago 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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