mrgman3190

I am done with my first year of college and have the summer off to work and do what I want. I am transfering schools and don't anylonger want to play college football. I have always been fascinated with MMA and thought that I could give what it takes to fight. I live in the Chicagoland area, Park Ridge, if you know where that is and I need somewhere to start training. I have researched it and the best I can come up with is a combination San Shou/ Wushu facility in Evanston. I have read threw some posts here and a FEW, not many, people like San shou for MMA. I have basically no experience, except for the occasional brawl. Please get back to me with a place to start and what you think of San shou please. I HAVE read the "best style" thread and can't seem to find a place near me with any of the popular styles. When I leave for school again, I have researched and should be able to find a good MMA facility nearby and can always train there, once I leave.

kamikaze145

I know you probly cant do this over the summer but when you get back to college see if they have a wrestling club. They are usually not too serious but they have people who would be glad to show you basics of wrestling and you could get a decent wrestling base. If you are a good athlete you might even try joining the college's wrestling team if they have one. Wrestling is not like a lot of other sports, if you are willing to show up everyday, work hard, and give an extra body for their wrestlers to work with then a lot of coaches would be glad to have you. Also, there has to be a jiu-jitsu place in your area you could get into. Good luck.

IMPALED 666

kamikaze145

Yea, and Stephan Bonnar goes up there to. I think it is a pretty good boxing gym. If it is not too far away that would be a good place to work on your hands. When AA was on all access he did jiu-jitsu lessons somewhere in chicago and there were quite a few people training with him so wherever that is would be good

JuggNuttz

I live in Chicago, close to the park ridge area myself too. Stephan trains more Downtown, and AA in the North suburbs mostly, and a lil bit downtown. i dont remember the names of the places though. ill ask one of the guys at work, he's a purple belt in BJJ and knows most of the guys in Chicago.


My friend trains at a Gracie Barra on Lincoln just off Western. be about a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic, i pass it on my way to work, and usually never takes me longer then 30 minutes.

mrgman3190

Thanks guys for the feedback, I am going to look into Gracie Barra and, after your post jugg, I looked up their location and it seems pretty reasonable. I also saw a site for a "top notch" fitness in Elmhurst that offers muay thai, boxing and an overall gym, has anyone heard of them?