Titan Gym - Krav Maga, Martial Arts, Fitness, Yoga

Reviews 4

SA

Sandi Em

I took a womens self defense workshop here and was really impressed with the instructors skill level, the supportive environment AND IMPORTANTLY the attention to safety. (Theres a reason they have a 5* rating). ** Background ** Ive been doing KM for about 2 years. I have no background in combat or martial arts of any kind, but fell in love with KM the first time I took it -- the skills and feeling of empowerment that come with knowing youre able to defend yourself are unparalleled. ** Why safety is important in KM ** Now, if you havent done Krav Maga before, you should know that you can get _badly hurt_ if youre not being properly instructed or there is too much emphasis on aggression over skill. I was a member at another KM gym which had good instruction, but at times I felt unsafe during drills as there was not enough emphasis placed on safety/skills over aggression/fighting. Some of the guys would get overly aggressive with no one checking them. It was annoying at first, then that turned to a gnawing feeling of being exposed. Then, I ended up with a broken foot after partaking in a drill that was pretty darn unsafe and seems pretty unrelated to KM in my opinion (it was a conditioning drill). I was then out of the game for 8 months. Also, a fellow student had an elastic break during another drill and hurt his back pretty badly. That sucked. Things happen in any exercise but in KM you really need good instructors who ensure youre training the right way so you dont get hurt! We are training to fight --we are not actually fighting. Any good KM gym will tell you that skils + safety = training success. ** Why Im giving Titan 5* ** When I took the workshop at Titan, I saw that the instructors really know their technical stuff, break down combative and tactics step-by-step PLUS they pay attention to safety. The conditioning was INTENSE, and the 3 instructors went over the skills in detail, walking around to ensure everyone was doing things right. They offered tips on form, and were encouraging but tough. Overall I left really impressed and decided to join even though theyre a pretty far jaunt from my house. The trek is worth it for great instruction, a supportive environment and an attention to detail & safety. One improvement Id suggest: I do wish they had mirrors on the walls. Helps with shadowboxing & checking your form/technique.

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CO

Comerade P.J

I absolutely loooooove this gym.....7 months ago I wouldnt have stood a chance defending myself or standing up to violence or injustice. While I know I have a long journey ahead to master one of the many fighting arts or combat systems they offer, I have so much more confidence and a solid base of practical skills to draw from. Before finding Titan Gym, I tried 3 other places to see if I could learn some of the martial arts they offered relatively quickly and I felt that some were very difficult to learn or impractical to use to defend myself in any plausible real-world situation. The main thing, however, that made me look elsewhere was the instructors inability, or unwillingness, to teach to many different people at varying skill levels. While masters of their art they were unable to translate their skills to a beginner with little or no matrial arts background. The main instructor at Titan Gym, however, was born to both teach and master many different arts. He is adept at addressing everyone in the room simultaneously and breaking it down differently according to each students method of learning.Whether it be by example or working with someone one on one in the middle of a drill to quickly and thoroughly break down a technique or correct an error. He is also amazing at using analogies and other figurative examples. Both of the owners are extremely friendly, personable, encouraging, professional and extremely easy to get in contact with. I also love the ability to take all of their different classes unlimited for a monthly flat rate. While I am primarily interested in learning Krav Maga they also offer Muay Thai, Savate, Cardio Capoeira, CardioYoga, Kali (Escrima), Boxing Fundamentals, and conditioning classes aimed at helping you reach and maintan your peak performance. I would never train anywhere else but here. I absolutely love this place and the people!

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JO

John Basile

I usually dont write a review about a gym, as I feel that any type of fitness facility can be highly subjective and based on ones unique goals. That being said, Titan Gym is NOT YOUR TYPICAL GYM. Where a lot of todays "gyms" are glorified spas or coffee bars with equipment, Titan Gym is all about building skills, building self-confidence and building lasting relationships. From the first time I stepped foot into the facility, I was greeted by a polite, barefoot, gentleman (Ivo Boykov) who was as welcoming to me on my first day as he was to others who have spent years studying under him. Ivos friendly demeanor, combined with his impressive skill set, and genuine (and apparent) love for teaching, is infectious and made me want to learn more than just Krav Maga. After several sessions, I found myself staying around for the other classes he offered as well. What started as a simple one hour a day, three day a week, fitness activity, quickly morphed into a now crucial part of my daily routine. The Titan Gym experience extends far beyond Krav Maga, it encompasses other forms of martial arts and general fitness, that can be easily applied to any real-world situation. It is not just Ivo (and Daniela too) who add legitimacy to Titan Gym, it is all of the instructors who bring their unique skill sets and personalities to create an environment that allows us to sweat (and sweat you will), but also allows us to feel safe. The whole core group of gym members are a good lot of people who are helpful and work hard to make each class meaningful. If you want to sip a smoothie and "work out" on a treadmill for an hour; go somewhere else. However, if you want to learn real-world self-defense skills, get a serious sweat going, and meet great people who might positively change your life; then welcome to Titan Gym.

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ST

Stamatia Ress

I love this place! From skill set to community, this gym has a lot to offer. I was never super active until I found MMA. Its a workout for the mind because theres technique, the body because its literally full body workout, and the soul because it makes you feel capable and empowered! I previously was at a different studio which was pretty good, but their Krav was the only class I liked. At Titan, I do boxing with Jay-R who is patient and skilled! He wants to see his students succeed and become better. I also do the Krav Maga which is a great workout, but also fun because the partner work makes the time pass and experience more worthwhile. The Bando Yoga is one of the best thing ever. Master Ivo is one of few people who is able to teach it in the Chicagoland area. He has experience in multiple martial arts but also has studied eastern medicine and the body. This form of yoga is more a medical type of yoga that focuses on certain parts of the body that are sore or in pain. His Bando Yoga class is phenomenal. On Sunday after a long week of working out, its perfect. Now, this gym ranges from students who have no skill set yet to students who have experience. The classes are for both. This is an MMa gym that is not intimidating at all and is very welcoming. The environment at this gym is also so community-based. We have multiple events that Daniela and Ivo organize. They care if you come to class and they care to see you outside of class! If you want to try something new, you wont be disappointed. If you want to get fit, you wont be disappointed. If you want to be involved in MMA, you wont be disappointed.

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