About Us
About Our School
Welcome to Krav Maga Illinois! We are proud to be an Official Krav Maga Worldwide Training Center. Established in 2009, Krav Maga Illinois is a female owned business featuring authentic Krav Maga Reality Self Defense and Awareness training for adults and children ages 10+. In addition to our civilian program, we also offer a Force Training class for Law Enforcement and Military personnel, taught by a highly decorated Chicago Police Officer, and officially certified Krav Maga Force training instructor. Krav Maga Illinois is also a registered USA boxing gym with an outstanding Boxing program for enthusiasts as well as competitive fighters. Fitness is a by product of Krav Maga Training as we will strengthen your entire body in order to survive a violent attack. Let our officially certified Krav Maga instructors teach you how to PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY. Change your life today, with Krav Maga Training, our Instructors will show you how.
WE ARE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN CHICAGO
Instructor/Owner Sue Garstki
Sue Garstki is a certified Expert Level Kravmaga Worldwide Instructor. She traveled to the Kravmaga Worldwide National Headquarters in Los Angeles, and was certified as an instructor by the best Krav Maga instructors in the world. She is presently the highest level female Krav Maga Instructor in the midwest. Enjoying and believing so much in the simplicity and ferocity of the Israeli Reality Self Defense systems, she traveled to Florida to train under Mike Kanarek and was certified as a Haganah/F.I.G.H.T. instructor. Sue most recently worked with Moni Aizik at an instructor certification here in Illinois and has become one of only two female Commando Krav Maga instructors in the Midwest. She is also a Level 4 instructor in the Raven Method Close Quarter Defensive Tactics System, having had the honor of working with the Chicago Guardian Angels. This year, Sue was nominated Female Reality Self Defense Instructor of the Year by the Global Network of Reality Based Self Defense Systems. In 2012 she was nominated Civilian Close Quarter Combat Instructor of the Year. Sue works with the Chicago Police Department as well as schools and other organizations spreading awareness in Self Defense, Women’s Self Defense and Domestic Violence issues. In June 2013 Sue was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame, and again in 2015, where she was named Krav Maga Expert of the Year.
Sue has over 35 years of teaching experience and is a 2nd degree black belt in Shorei Goju Karate. She was also certified under NDEITA to be a personal trainer and was one of the first instructors to be certified to teach the National Associations of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA) Kardio Karate program. She is the founder of the Women’s Martial Arts Alliance, member of the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation, and the American Women’s Self-Defense Association.
Sue has consistently trained in many different arts including Jiu Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Taekwondo, Arnis, Jeet Kun Do, Pressure Point Fighting (member of The Dragon Society) Israeli Tactical Knife, Aikido, Capoeira and weapons defenses to name a few. She is also a personal trainer specializing in, self defense, stamina, strength training, endurance, and fight preparation.
Why Choose Krav Maga Illinois?
Violence in our community is not going away any time soon. Get the tools needed to GET HOME SAFE
Everyone deserves quality self defense training. Whether you are an athlete or non-athlete, Krav Maga training is for you. No experience is necessary. All classes are one hour long led by instructors who have been officially certified through Krav Maga Worldwide. In each class you will learn combatives, punches, kicks, knees, elbows, along with self defense techniques against common chokes and grabs. Reaction, response and awareness are also components of each class. What are you waiting for?
Let our Instructors teach you how to protect yourself and your family
Krav Maga training will prepare you for the worst, while increasing your stamina, strength and self confidence. W strengthen your entire body in order to survive a violent entounter. Krav Maga training is for everyone, it is another form of life insurance. Don’t Let Self Defense be an afterthought!
LISTEN TO WHAT OUR HAPPY STUDENTS ARE SAYING
I started Krav Maga just a few weeks ago and I can’t get enough of the training. The staff are extremely friendly and they do a great job of adjusting the class to meet the abilities of the participants. They’ll push you, but only because that’s what it’s going to take to improve your skills. This is truly an environment where people help each other out and work together, and there are students from all levels and age ranges. There was absolutely no pressure to join or buy anything- signing up was a very pleasant experience. As someone who has worked in gyms for many years I really appreciated this approach. All in all if you are even remotely interested in what Krav Maga Illinois offers, make an appointment for a free trial, these trainers are the real deal.
I was 24 years old and in the worst shape yet. I was hesitant to join at first. It was something completely new and the free trial really gave light into what we would actually be doing in the lessons. Now I am 8 months in and feel like a completely different person. I have more energy, newfound strength and feel more confident in my abilities to fight and defend against attackers. They call it realistic self defense for a reason and the trainers have drills and the training to make you ready for anything. The trainers not only prepare you, they mentor you and nurture you to being better at your technique and placing more power in your strikes/defenses/counters. They are all truly fantastic trainers and the students are proof of that.
Best Krav Maga school in the Chicagoland area. High level and certified instructors that have years of experience. Taking classes here gave me confidence, strength and self-defense knowledge and skills.
