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Tier One Training Center
5 ★★★★★ 27 Google reviews · Krav Maga school in Evanston, Illinois
Physical training center specialized in krav maga self defense, boxing & various fitness systems.
Plan your first class
- Free intro class most schools welcome newcomers with a free intro or trial 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 & teens Krav Maga classes for kids — built around confidence, focus, and staying safe
- Level classes Level 1–5 classes on the schedule — a graded curriculum that builds your skills step by step as you progress
- 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
- LE & military training for law enforcement, military, and security professionals — ask about dedicated or group programs
- Phone (847) 905-0448
The classes they run
“Instructors offer perfect balance of encouragement and pushing to make sure first timers and experts learn a lot and get a hard workout every class.”
“And while you can have fun hanging in Level 1 classes for a while, for the serious students there is testing for Level 2 (and 3) and even more techniques to learn.”
“All the 'veteran' class members are so welcoming and helpful, and the Trainers are very knowledgeable, patient, and friendly.”
“And you will get your turn one-on-one with the instructor few times throughout each class.”
“Great workout to get in shape!”
“You learn very practical and useful self-defense while also getting a workout that seems to combine weights, resistance training, yoga, and cardio.”
Other martial arts here
“I have taken their Krav Maga, Circular Strength Training, TacFit Training, and Boxing classes and every class will definitely give you an efficient workout.”
What students say
“Instructors offer perfect balance of encouragement and pushing to make sure first timers and experts learn a lot and get a hard workout every class.”
“The owners are very approachable, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable in all they offer: Tacfit, CST, Boxing & Krav Maga -always, always encouraging.”
“I have taken their Krav Maga, Circular Strength Training, TacFit Training, and Boxing classes and every class will definitely give you an efficient workout.”
“You learn very practical and useful self-defense while also getting a workout that seems to combine weights, resistance training, yoga, and cardio.”
“I am very glad I was able to find such a great gym!”
“The trainers are experienced, helpful, supportive and patient - I honestly couldn't think of a better environment for learning Krav Maga.”
From the reviews
The instructors here are the best I've ever met. The facility has one big dividable room with plenty of space for the good-sized classes where the instructors can come around and help everyone.
The boxing and Krav Maga classes at Tier One have been outstanding and a lot of fun. The instructors are highly skilled and knowledgeable, the atmosphere is friendly and comfortable, and the facilities are very new. I am very glad I was able to find such a great gym!
Great workout to get in shape! Also, awesome knowledgeable staff that really helps you learn the techniques!
This is a great place to train if you are interested in trying self-defense, martial arts, or even just general conditioning. There are Krav Maga, Boxing, and Tacfit classes for adults and Taekwondo for the kids.
New to Krav Maga? Start at Tier One Training Center
Tier One Training Center comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never thrown a punch or set foot in a self-defense class, 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 athletic to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build the fundamentals (stance, movement, and core self-defense techniques) over weeks, and controlled pressure-testing eases in gradually so every drill stays safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or Level 1 class time so your first session is alongside others who are also just starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first Krav Maga class at Tier One Training Center
Nervous about walking into a Krav Maga school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling a few core techniques with a partner — controlled and at your own pace, not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move in — there's no uniform or special gear you need to buy to get started. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — most schools have everything else you'll need for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call what to bring. Pressure-testing eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid — you won't be sparring hard on day one. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign in and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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