Forteza Fitness & Martial Arts

While the initial classes for sword fighting were great, and reasonably priced, the next level up is pretty expensive. Its $ 160 for a ten punch card, and I might spring for it if the gym was closer to me. Its definitely fun and unlike any other work out I’ve done!

Instructors are fun, and care a lot a out individual performance.
I’m taking a longsword class on the weekend and it’s great! Best part about the facility is that there’s ample parking!
Huzzah!

I agree with Brett P., Keith and Jesse ARE fantastic trainers! These guys are committed to giving you the best workout at whatever level you are…
They walk the walk, they educate without using complicated lingo, and they ask questions about your goals without lecturing… just all around good down to earth dudes. I’ve been training at Forteza for almost 3 years now, I’m 40 and in the best shape of my life:)

Jesse and Keith are fantastic trainers. Supportive, enthusiastic and always inventing new ways to push my training. Never thought I would do a Spartan race until I met them!
In my personal training with Jesse, he has helped me work through significant injuries by tailoring my workouts to push my fitness without reinjury. Highly recommend it!

I have been to a number of gyms before, but never found a «home.» I found that home at Forteza. The trainers are knowledgeable and passionate, but more importantly, for me anyway, is that they accept every student where they’re at, and build them up from there. If you want to get stronger, if you want to become more active and healthy, listen to them, follow their guidance – and you will be – no doubt about it. When I came in, the thought of 30 crunches was daunting. Now I can do 1000 in a set. What changed? Me. With their help. And on top of that, the staff and students at Forteza have become friends – a second family. It’s an accepting and caring group, all pushing and encouraging each other to reach their goals.

My friend and I just finished the «A Taste of the Knightly Arts» class this week and I am very impressed. Not only was it awesome to learn the fundamentals of sword play, but the instructors provided historical context to what they were teaching. This class was also a great way to kick-​start my (cliché) workout resolution I made at the beginning of the year.
The instructors are extremely friendly and passionate about their work; all of them dedicating years to mastering the various martial arts taught in this gym. Greg, the co-​founder of the gym and the main instructor of our class is also the founder of the Chicago Sword Play Guild. He did an amazing job in keeping all of his students engaged and entertained (and safe!) throughout the class.
Based on my great experience with this introductory class, I will definitely be returning for more! I highly recommend this to anyone interested in history, martial arts, or just looking for a unique experience!

Ive been affiliated to a greater or lesser degree with the instructors at Forteza since I studied with them at various locations around Chicago (Chicago Park Dist, College of Du Page, Oak Park Park Dist) while in the Chicago Swordplay Guild.
You will not find a better group of people, having more smart and brutally energetic fun anywhere. Ever.
Can’t say enough about this group.
Practicing the HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) here is the perfect blend of physicality and mental/​intellectual exercise.
You can get as deep into it as a (medieval or turn-​of-​the-​century) scholar, if you want, or focus simply on the physical challenge inherent in the forms presented.
The only thing you can’t do is zone out, phone it in or otherwise approach this exercise half way. Thats what I really love about it.
This is NOT an LA Fitness, Women’s Workout World or Chicago Health Club (are those still around?) experience. Much, much more than a gym.

LOVE LOVE LOVE FORTEZA! It quickly became my family after a couple of work out group sessions. I started with personal training with Keith, and ended with great friends and people I now love, and miss that I have moved out of state.
SPARTA!!!

My wife and I started coming to Forteza about seven months ago and have been addicted ever since. There is such a variety of options here. If you are just into working out, they got that. If you want to learn how to use a Medieval longsword, rapier, spear, daggers etc. yep they got that. If you are looking for a great modern self defense class, yep they got that (which my wife loves and i am thankful for knowing she has the tools should a not so good situation arise). If you are looking to train your brain, yep that is included too, after all they are teaching 600 year old sword skills from the Italian masters. The special seminars are great too, for example they ran an Italian knife and stick seminar, followed the next week with a tomahawk seminar. They were amazing classes. The absolute thing that makes Forteza head and shoulders above the rest is the staff. Every student’s growth is priority number one.
I have been in Chicago 13 years and I am now moving out of state. If there is one thing I wish I could do is take Forteza with me. I know much more about myself, both physically and mentally than I ever did before I started.
So the next time you you watch something like Game of Thrones and think to yourself «I think it would be really cool to use a sword», go on down to Forteza and start.

This really is my home away from home. I found this place a little over six months ago and at first I just thought it was just another gym. It really has become a second family. Not only can you get in shape, learn something fun, but also you’ll never find a better group of people to spend your time with.
Come by and check out what this place is all about.

Forteza is a great place to not only learn about past historical arts such as Bartitsu, Rapier, or Arming Sword, but it is a great place to learn about yourself. Working with these arts is real fun and a real challenge. It is a workout for the body and mind, you learn about the history of the moves as you learn the moves, and learn practical ways to apply them to modern times. There are several programs here that cater to a variety of people, and I only see this place moving up in the world.
The energy at Forteza is almost palpable, it has a true grasp of culture and comradery and is the perfect place to gain knowledge, self worth, and best of all meet fantastic people who share the passion for fitness, culture, and martial arts!!!