General Chat & Info Board

Hey. I have a few questions for you guys. I’ve been looking into kendo for a while now and did some digging to see what's out there. I live in Chicago, over by the North Side, and the only kendo club I could find is Agatsu over in the West Loop. I was wondering if they take older students? Not that I’m old or anything—I'm 17. Also, would it even be worth my while to try kendo considering I’m about 6'1" and weigh around 250 lbs? I’ve been playing tennis for six years and wanted to try something involving actual combat, which is what led me to kendo. Does anyone know how much monthly training costs, or which train line gets me out there? I’ve lived in Chicago for three years now, so I’m still getting the hang of things.
Thanks a lot 😁

rapidbear4 said:Hey. I have a few questions for you guys. I’ve been looking into kendo for a while now and did some digging to see what's out there. I live in Chicago, over by the North Side, and the only kendo club I could find is Agatsu over in the West Loop. I was wondering if they take older students? Not that I’m old or anything—I'm 17. Also, would it even be worth my while to try kendo considering I’m about 6'1" and weigh around 250 lbs? I’ve been playing tennis for six years and wanted to try something involving actual combat, which is what led me to kendo. Does anyone know how much monthly training costs, or which train line gets me out there? I’ve lived in Chicago for three years now, so I’m still getting the hang of things.
Thanks a lot 😁

Just shoot them an email at agatsu@kendo.hr. I'm sure they can walk you through the details and give you directions on how to get there 😁

Thanks for the input, everyone. I took a quick peek at their website and decided I’m heading out there tomorrow. Fingers crossed they're still taking 😁

rapidbear4 said:Thanks for the input, everyone. I took a quick peek at their website and decided I’m heading out there tomorrow. Fingers crossed they're still taking 😁

Man, you're only 17

Bet you'll be hanging with the kids, even if you aren't the youngest one there...

He won't be the youngest, obviously, but he’ll likely find someone in his own age bracket. Right now, the heavy lifting is being done by the college students.

Sam Roberts said:Man, you're only 17

Bet you'll be hanging with the kids, even if you aren't the youngest one there...

Heh, and here I was thinking we’d see some even younger faces...

Sam Roberts said:

Back at it again with another brain fart. I checked that link you sent, and yeah, it mentions two spots where training might happen, but honestly? It’s super vague. No actual details, nothing. Is there anyone around here who actually trains at one of those places? If so, could you drop some real info? Like, names, phone numbers, or anything useful about the instructors. Just trying to get my act together here.🤷

Keith Sullivan3 said:Does anyone have any info on women's Muay Thai classes in Suburbia? If you know anything, please let me know.

I’m a total beginner—never actually stepped foot in a combat sports gym before—but I’m planning on joining a local club over in the suburbs soon, and I had a few questions:

Can I just drop in whenever, or am I stuck waiting for a new semester to start? I was thinking about heading down there toward the end of February... do you think I'll be able to catch up, or will I be totally lost?

What's the gear situation like? Do people train barefoot or is it more of a sneakers kind of thing?

Cheers,

Yeah, you can drop in whenever you feel like it. Just reach out to the main instructors, or specifically the girl who runs the ladies' sessions. You're more than welcome to just come by and watch a class first, then stay if it clicks. As for catching up on the technique... honestly, it all comes down to how much effort you put in. Everyone starts from zero, regardless. It’s basically your own individual journey. The vibe there is great, the crew is legendary, and the price is practically nothing— $30.

Regarding footwear, I believe the women usually train in sneakers... though sometimes being barefoot is actually better... because if a high kick lands unexpectedly... well, it hurts a lot more in sneakers than it does barefoot 😁😁😁😁

If you have anything else on your mind, just ask... I've been going for about five months now and I'm beyond satisfied... the only time I miss training is when college finals are looming 😁

Hey, sorry to just jump into a thread like this without checking if there was an existing Goju Ryu karate club in the US first—I couldn't find anything in the previous posts. Does anyone know if there’s one located near 😢 downtown Chicago? I thought there was a spot over by the park, but it looks like they might have closed their doors for good. I really just need to swing by and ask them a couple of quick things... if anyone happens to know where they moved or if they're still around, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks so much! 👍

Scott Reyes84 said:Hey, sorry to just jump into a thread like this without checking if there was an existing Goju Ryu karate club in the US first—I couldn't find anything in the previous posts. Does anyone know if there’s one located near 😢 downtown Chicago? I thought there was a spot over by the park, but it looks like they might have closed their doors for good. I really just need to swing by and ask them a couple of quick things... if anyone happens to know where they moved or if they're still around, I'd really appreciate it! Thanks so much! 👍

Wait, did you perhaps mean Uechi Ryu? We actually train that specific style of karate!

I was just wondering if anyone might know where I could go to train in some Chun Kuk Do
maybe even some krav maga
or possibly kickboxing
and maybe even aikido

ps. ideally somewhere in the Los Angeles area

Seriously, check out Google.com
and then they have the nerve to point the finger at us for running ads like this😂>

First off, sorry for reviving this old thread, but it feels like the best move here.
I was wondering if it actually makes sense for me to sign up for Muay Thai at 18?

Why not? It’s your drive that matters, not how old you are. I suppose you should just go for it👍.

Hey everyone—quick question. If anyone knows where I can get some solid Jiu Jitsu or MMA training in the city... I thought about Muay Thai too, but honestly, I don't think I'm flexible enough for that kind of stuff.🙂 Basically, I checked out some sessions over at Cikatica and it just didn't hit the mark for me. I also spent a few months training with Leonard over in Dubrava, but the whole vibe felt pretty amateurish... totally unprofessional. Today I headed down to the Kvartric area to try out Dennis Survivor, but they told me their registration isn't even open for another few months. Now that I'm stuck without a plan, I figured I'd ask you guys for advice.🙂 Can someone recommend a club where people actually take things seriously? Ideally somewhere with separate groups—I'm not looking to train in a mixed class with women or kids all mashed together. Thanks.
Oh, and I'm 22, got some money to spend, and would prefer something near the Kvartric/Downtown area if possible. Thanks.

Thanks🙂

wiredscout38 said:Hey everyone—quick question. If anyone knows where I can get some solid Jiu Jitsu or MMA training in the city... I thought about Muay Thai too, but honestly, I don't think I'm flexible enough for that kind of stuff.🙂 Basically, I checked out some sessions over at Cikatica and it just didn't hit the mark for me. I also spent a few months training with Leonard over in Dubrava, but the whole vibe felt pretty amateurish... totally unprofessional. Today I headed down to the Kvartric area to try out Dennis Survivor, but they told me their registration isn't even open for another few months. Now that I'm stuck without a plan, I figured I'd ask you guys for advice.🙂 Can someone recommend a club where people actually take things seriously? Ideally somewhere with separate groups—I'm not looking to train in a mixed class with women or kids all mashed together. Thanks.
Oh, and I'm 22, got some money to spend, and would prefer something near the Kvartric/Downtown area if possible. Thanks.

ULTIMATE FIGHT CLUB is looking for people interested in MMA, Muay Thai, and boxing.
Training is held at: Vile Velebita 1 g, Students City, Dubrava, Metro Area.
For info on membership and schedules for specific sports, call 095/903 7079.

Tyler Edwards53 said:Wait, did you perhaps mean Uechi Ryu? We actually train that specific style of karate!

Major respect to Uechi Ryu karate!🙂 👍 🙂
Hmm, maybe I just got my wires crossed, because
instead of finding what you guys are doing, I ended up landing right on what I'm actually looking for.
Are you all training regularly? Whereabouts is the dojo located? Would it be alright if I swung by sometime to check things out?
+
Thanks anyway, but no, I'm specifically hunting for Goju Ryu karate.
If anyone happens to stumble upon anything at all, could you please let me know?
Feel free to shoot me a private message too. 👍

Scott Reyes84 said:Major respect to Uechi Ryu karate!🙂 👍 🙂
Hmm, maybe I just got my wires crossed, because
instead of finding what you guys are doing, I ended up landing right on what I'm actually looking for.
Are you all training regularly? Whereabouts is the dojo located? Would it be alright if I swung by sometime to check things out?
+
Thanks anyway, but no, I'm specifically hunting for Goju Ryu karate.
If anyone happens to stumble upon anything at all, could you please let me know?
Feel free to shoot me a private message too. 👍

We train over at the Multicultural Center near Jarun, located at 1 Nasicka Street, though we’ll most likely only be there until the end of this month. After that, we’re moving a bit further out, right near the Super Target on Ljubljana Avenue. For all the details regarding our schedule and location (both current and future), check out www.tai.hr.

Hey everyone,
I’ve been pretty much obsessed with kickboxing for a while now and I'm dying to actually start training, but I’m completely lost. I have no clue where to go, what kind of schedule they run, what gear I'm supposed to show up with, or even what the damage is going to be regarding monthly fees. If anyone knows anything, let me know.
I’m from the Midwest, and in about seven months I’ll be turning 15. I’m currently standing at 5'8" and weigh around 143 pounds. I stay active by working out at home and I’ve been playing soccer for six years now, but I’m looking to switch things up and try something different. If anyone knows of anything nearby that might fit, I’d really appreciate the lead. I’m a total beginner, though I do have some basic knowledge regarding pro wrestling.🙂