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Staley Martial Arts, Carlson Gracie North Shore
4.5 ★★★★★ 79 Google reviews · Kickboxing 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 fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
- Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
- 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 staleymartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 847-242-1305
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
“Gus is a fantastic teacher and treats the kids always with respect and demands respect back.”
“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.”
“There is now a comfortable lounge area where I watched my niece and nephew spar.”
“They were wonderful coaches to me at my first tournament and I would say I did well because of their skillful coaching!”
“My 11 year old son started with BJJ and now wants add Muay Thai.”
Other martial arts here
“My 11 year old son started with BJJ and now wants add Muay Thai.”
“We were very pleased with the treatment we received from the sensei and Laurie for our Little one's first Jiu Jitsu class.”
“A great place to start learning self-defense and martial arts; it feels amazing to work hard here and see it pay off.”
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.”
“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!”
“The coaches (Darrin, Jim, and Arthur) have been high quality as they empower and equip each person training.”
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 had been looking for a jiujitsu school for my kids for a long time. All of the schools I came across seemed to teach kids as an add-on but did not seem to have a truly kid friendly program.
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.
New to kickboxing? 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 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 Staley Martial Arts, Carlson Gracie North Shore
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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