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Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview

4.9 ★★★★★ 68 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Glenview, Illinois

Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth Karate classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Competition team a competition team for students who want to test themselves at kumite tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule fonsecamartialarts.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (847) 866-0200

Hours

Monday 4–8 PM
Tuesday 4–8 PM
Wednesday 4–8 PM
Thursday 4–8 PM
Friday 12–1 PM, 4–8 PM
Saturday 7:30 AM–12:45 PM
Sunday 9 AM–12:45 PM

Hours shift for holidays, belt tests, and seminars — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Karate classes on the schedule at Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview, confirmed in students' own reviews and the dojo's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Karate 40 mentions

“We enrolled our entire family (2 adults + 2 kids) in Fonseca 2 years ago as a way to get away from screens and to do something together as a family.”

All dojos that run kids karate →

🐉 Little Dragons 3 mentions

“I enrolled my son for the Little Dragons program about 3 years ago when he was 6 years old.”

All dojos that run little dragons →

👤 Private Lessons

“We've taken advantage of the private lesson opportunities (at my son's request) so he can perform at his best in competition.”

All dojos that run private lessons →

🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“Our 4th grade Girl Scout troop recently attended a self-defense class here, and I couldn't be more impressed.”

All dojos that run self-defense →

Other martial arts here

Karate dojos are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else students mention training under the same roof at Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview — mined from their reviews and the dojo's own info.

🥋 Jiu-Jitsu 5 mentions

“Fonseca Karate and Jiu Jitsu has been an incredibly positive influence in our family’s life.”

Other dojos that also teach jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 7 mentions

“Our 4th grade Girl Scout troop recently attended a self-defense class here, and I couldn't be more impressed.”

Other dojos that also teach self-defense →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the dojo's own info — they show what students have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, or kickboxing alongside your Karate, confirm the current schedule with the dojo.

What students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 68 Google reviews — in their own words.

expert instruction from a great sensei 5 mentions

“He has his team Fonseca gear, he knows he has the best coaches supporting him & he loves every moment.”

friendly, respectful dojo 10 mentions

“We enrolled our entire family (2 adults + 2 kids) in Fonseca 2 years ago as a way to get away from screens and to do something together as a family.”

strong technique, kata & fundamentals 3 mentions

“Each of my family members have our own goals (strength, flexibility, confidence, technique, competition, etc.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“We’ve been sending our kid here for a few months! We love it and the teachers make karate fun while teaching the principles of discipline and commitment.”

active competition / tournament team 16 mentions

“In less than two years, she has excelled in both the physical and mental aspects of karate, achieving silver and bronze medals at the National Championship.”

builds confidence, discipline & respect 26 mentions

“I am so impressed with how my daughter has been both physically challenged but also how they instill a sense of respect, responsibility, and striving for improvement in these kids.”

From the reviews

Honestly I cannot say enough good things about Fonseca Martial Arts. I enrolled my son for the Little Dragons program about 3 years ago when he was 6 years old. The transformation I have seen in him through his development in karate is nothing short of incredible.

★★★★★ — Shana, Apr 2024

My daughter has been practicing karate for several years, and I truly don’t have enough words to describe how wonderful, professional, and highly skilled the teachers are at Fonseca Martial Arts. The Sensei's are incredibly dedicated and genuinely care about every student’s growth and success.

★★★★★ — Zolbayar, Feb 2026

Who knew a trial karate class for our 4 year old son in 2008 then again with our daughter 5 years later would take our family on a whirlwind adventure all around the world in a 15 year time span?! The training curriculum at Fonseca Martial Arts is top notch from white belts all the way to elite level black belts.

★★★★★ — Eavon, Mar 2024

BLOWN AWAY! Fonseca hosted a self-defense course for our 4th grade Girl Scout troop. It was everything I had hoped for and more. Our 10 year old girls left educated and empowered - not scared. The instructors took great care to connect with each young girl and help each understand how to better defend herself.

★★★★★ — Renee, Apr 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 68 reviews →

New to Karate? Start at Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview

Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview comes up as a beginner-friendly dojo, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a dojo, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and the sensei scales the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable dojos build fundamentals (stances, blocks, punches, and kicks) for weeks, and kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, with pads and control. Third, all levels and ages 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 dojos are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first Karate class at Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview

Nervous about walking into a Karate dojo for the first time? Almost everyone is, and a good sensei expects beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, punches, and kicks — not hard sparring. Step to the side whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot. What to bring: water, and a mouthguard if you have one — many dojos lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi and the belt your dojo awards you. Kumite (sparring) eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the sensei. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Karate is a contact sport. Ease in, train within your limits, listen to your instructors, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find Fonseca Martial Arts - Glenview

1976 Tower Dr, Glenview, IL60026

Get directions

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this dojo? Claim your listing — it's free.