Home › Illinois › Park Ridge › Fonseca Martial Arts - Park Ridge
Fonseca Martial Arts - Park Ridge
4.9 ★★★★★ 41 Google reviews · Karate dojo in Park Ridge, Illinois
Plan your first class
- Free trial / intro class most dojos welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- 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
- Adult classes adult Karate classes — training built for grown-ups, from fitness and fundamentals to kumite (sparring) at your own pace
- 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 | 12–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–8 PM |
| Thursday | 12–1 PM, 4–8 PM |
| Friday | 4–7:30 PM |
| Saturday | 8:30 AM–3 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“Fonseca in Park Ridge is an amazing space for children to boost their confidence, gain self discipline, exercise and have fun all at the same time.”
“For our 3 year old, I am genuinely shocked at what he is able to do during the tots class.”
“He is also very willing to wok one-on-one with each member of the group.”
“The karate senseis and BJJ professor all work hard to prepare their students for every possible situation, in competition and in terms of practical self defense skills.”
Other martial arts here
“The karate senseis and BJJ professor all work hard to prepare their students for every possible situation, in competition and in terms of practical self defense skills.”
“The karate senseis and BJJ professor all work hard to prepare their students for every possible situation, in competition and in terms of practical self defense skills.”
What students say
“Sensei Jaime has an amazing ability to joke / mess around with the kids while still requiring them to focus and do their best while in class.”
“My son is sometimes reluctant to try out new things but had a blast on his first day and couldn't wait to come back.”
“They are knowledgable and friendly, and Jaime Gamboa has done amazing work on instructing our children, helping them to learn to focus and learn karate”
“They’ve created an environment where kids not only learn martial arts techniques but also build character every step of the way.”
“They are knowledgable and friendly, and Jaime Gamboa has done amazing work on instructing our children, helping them to learn to focus and learn karate”
“The karate senseis and BJJ professor all work hard to prepare their students for every possible situation, in competition and in terms of practical self defense skills.”
From the reviews
We have been part of the Fonseca family for over 3 years now. Sensei Jaime has an amazing ability to joke / mess around with the kids while still requiring them to focus and do their best while in class. For our 3 year old, I am genuinely shocked at what he is able to do during the tots class.
Highly recommended. My daughter and I have taking the Jiu Jitsu classes. They offer adult and kids Jiu Jitsu, as well as adults Gi and No- Gi. Cannot say enough good things about coach Tony. Solid game plan each class. Goes over moves and brings real life/match situations on how to implement them.
My kids and I all train at FMA and the instruction is top notch. All the instructors are amazing. They truly provide individualized guidance to each athlete and help each participant bring out their very best in each and every class.
This review is for the adult BJJ program run by Tony. Tony has a very deep martial arts background in striking and grappling, which I great. His classes offer a nice balance of gi, no gi, self-defense, and sport-oriented training. His instruction is clear and he maintains a safe and supportive training environment.
New to Karate? Start at Fonseca Martial Arts - Park Ridge
Fonseca Martial Arts - Park Ridge 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.
Your first Karate class at Fonseca Martial Arts - Park Ridge
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.
More Karate dojos near Park Ridge
Gen-Ki Karate & Fitness Center
4.8 ★★★★★ 33 reviews
MBD Martial Arts Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 158 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Karate Academy
4.9 ★★★★★ 33 reviews