Keller’s Martial Arts

Having attended Keller Marial Arts for a trial class I can only say I can’t wait to go back! I am now registered for a full six week MMA class, the facility is super clean and the equipment brand new, the instructor was helpful to answer any questions after my session and my fellow classmates were warm in welcoming me. At the end I gained an awesome workout and knowledge for self-​defense which can’t be beat, I was skeptical at first, but glad I went and I look forward to broadening my kick butt skills and discipline!

I work out here 4 – 5 times a week, I guess you could say that I’m a believer.
Staff is fun and personable, the cardio kickboxing class is one hour long and took me 6 months to get strong enough to actually make it all the way through to the end.
It’s the people that really make Kellers a special spot. I love this place. Try it out.

This place does not even deserve one star but since this is the lowest rating possible, I guess it will do. Let me start off by saying that this place is a complete waste of time, money, and space. The classes themselves are not helpful by any means, the instructors and the owners are very unorganized and can’t seem to get things going. All they care about is having you sign a contract so they can try and use that to get money out of you. The classes and any membership or anything they sell is not worth the prices. It was a terrible experience all around and I regret ever setting foot in this place. Gladly I didn’t waste too much time there and was able to realize that this place is a scam. There are better more legitimate places out there. Avoid this place at all costs.

I tried a free class before trying to purchase the groupon deal. The class was alright, I was told that the person who taught that day was not the usual instructor. So I cant judge the class itself. I didnt feel like that specific class focused on kickboxing. We just did alot of core workout/​ab excercises.

I have been training for few months before returning to my country. Here are my conclusions that engage only me.
1) 5 stars for the MMA instructor, Gary. If you go training to KMA, just go for him.
I don’t think that you will find someone like him in all MMA chicago club that is so pedagogue, professional and patient. This is exactly what i was looking for.
MMA is not easy and can take time to learn, specically Brasilian JuJitsu techniques. But he had always taken time to show and repeat catch techniques. You will learn much.
After class, he even spent time with some of us to fight on the ring. Awesome to progress. It’s like a private class.
2) For the club and their one-​year enrollment, I would recommend you to be sure to be able to go for it for one year. Otherwise, you can not cancel your contract unless you move out from the city… and then collection agency will knock your door…

I went today to retrieve a groupon and had no expectations. Oh my! My ass was kicked and I left after a full hour of kick boxing full of energy and I wanted to do more, I wouldn’t be able though because I was really worked out.
Maria, our instructor was a great motivational trainer, very knowlegable and she knew how to work with me, a newbie to the MA anything.
This is definately the school for me, clean, motivational, professional and personable at the same time. Loved it.

First time here & it was amazing!!! MMA mixed with some cardio was the best workout. During the day seems to be more private less people better training better concentration. Can’t wait to come back and have my ass kicked again. It definitely is amazing to feel the pain & embracing it. Never quit.

Marian, Lilia, Gary and Shonie are all great! I have been going since November and will be a long time member!

Owner is a gossip queen she will act friendly to your face and then talk about you and spread horrific lies. She will over charge you also and even after your done with what you signed up for she will continue to charge your credit card. Money hungry. She starts class 15 min late and ends 10 min early well I paid for a whole hour are u kidding me. Place is dirty and small not enough room for all the people that go for class. She will stop mid class for new clients that come in to sign them up and take their money.

Now I always thought I was in great shape, but after 2 work outs here (UBC, and Cardio Kickboxing) I could barely walk for a week! I have never sweat that much in my life, you really get your money’s worth. The instructor’s treat you like family and they push you to your limits, and definitely don’t let you give up when it gets too hard. Gret place, I’ve introduced many friends to this gym and they all still keep coming

Keller’s Martial Arts is now under new management.
Gary is revamping Keller’s business model and is making every effort to rebuild its credibility tarnished by past management. Gary took the time to meet with my husband to resolve the credit collection issue from 2010. He was attentive, open, and very understanding. We appreciated his willingess to take the time to hear us out. We came to a very amiable solution.
Based on his sincerity of speech, passion for the industry, and the high level of quality programs he is looking to build, I encourage you to give him a call to schedule a visit and find out how Keller’s Martial Arts can help you meet your fitness goals.

I must update the review and give them 1 star instead of 2. I left several messages stating I wanted to cancel my account, but they never returned my calls. I then went their physically to meet with the owner but she was out of town. I met with the owner’s sister who was running the business to put in writing that I wanted my account cancelled immediately after showing proof of my new address on my drivers license. Guess what? I was charged not once the next month but TWICE! So not only did they resolve my issue, but they exacerbated the problem by double billing me! These people are unbelievable!
To update the owner finally called because I cancelled my credit card so she can’t charge me. She asked why I left I said I moved and tried to get a hold of her and she had the audacity to tell me that I only have 5 more payments left! LOL!

So, we walked in here to discuss the UBC program. Upon our arrival, we were directed to small office to talk to the «manager.» We met with a very young girl who didn’t bother to introduce her self or stop chomping on her veggie dinner when we entered. Her first question was, «Have you ever exercised?» I was immediately turned off. What does that mean? I know I’m slightly overweight, but have I ever exercised? In my life? That day? What does that mean? It felt awfully judgemental in the way it was delivered. After clarifying that she was asking if we ever participated in an «exercise program» (again, EVER?), we moved on to discussing the UBC program.
I told her I was emailing someone there by the name Lilia. She said that was her. I was like, ok, so you knew we were coming? She said she never saw any of the emails, never heard of me, and her sister sometimes uses her email address to correspond with potential customers, signing as her. WTF? Why? Bad business, if you ask me.
Now, I must have missed something on their website, because from what I could see from their schedule, UBC was M, W, F. Come to find out, it’s every day. Every day. Who has time for that, I wonder? I sure don’t. When she saw our confusion and hesitation, rather than encourage us to sign up & give them our money, she went on and on about how we really should be dedicated to making a life change and dedicated to our bodies. But it wasn’t encouraging. It was a little judgemental, again. As if we walked in the door for shits & giggles rather than to get in shape. Sorry if we were totally thrown by the idea of having a very rigid, daily workout routine when we have lives to tend to outside the gym.
She then went on and on (still with veggies in mouth), goggling over Shoney Carter and how he is part of their team. The gushing was a bit overwhelming. I have to say, though, he was really the only one in the whole place who seemed remotely friendly. She continued to say she would be teaching some of the mandatory kickboxing courses for the UBC challenge. Um, no.
Overall, we were both completely turned off to this place. I might suggest to the owners (who I believe are this girl’s parents) to maybe have someone else deal with potential customers. We were ready to drop a total of $ 700 right then and there to sign up and possibly more in the future for kickboxing, but now we won’t be back.
Remember, remember, remember… first impressions are everything!

Keller Martial Arts (July 2009)
I’m writing to testify to the efficacy of Keller Martial Arts. July 2009 marks my one year anniversary at Keller Martial Arts; I’ve remained focused on weight control and fitness. I’ve lost an additional 8 pounds and the waist continues to shrink (I dream of slipping into my old 30 inch pants). My energy and endorphin level are high; I haven’t felt this good on a daily basis since my mid-​twenties.
I’m party responsible for my success (I average three to four sessions a week). But the lion’s share of credit goes to Keller’s for providing a convenient, effective and competitively priced opportunity for people to get all the focused, vigorous, supervised exercise they can possibly handle. KMA staff are all good role models. They’re all very fit and confident and «in charge» of course. They’re «true-​believers» in the benefits of physical culture — they never let you forget that this is good for you — but they’re not harsh or dismissive or preachy. They empathize with their pupils and have an intuitive sense of individuals’ ability and limits. They only push (and tease) the people who can handle it; they coach and coax the others along. No-​one feels overlooked or out of place, even though classes mix beginners and veterans. I feel very comfortable there.
My experience at Keller’s Martial Arts has been very rewarding; again I recommend them without reservation.

I loved this place and am looking forward to going back just as soon as my schedule lightens up. I took 20 weeks of the UBC training and also attended kickboxing classes. The UBC training cost far less than most health club memberships do and I felt it did more for me than the personal trainer I use to go to. I also loved the energy and comeraderie of their kickboxing classes. I liked all of their instructors including Maria and her daughter and I had absolutely no complaints about their bookkeeping or the cost. Actually this places charges less than any other health club or martial arts studio that I’ve attended.

I have been going to Keller’s on and off for years now. I always end up going back to the cardio kickboxing classes no matter what my current routine entails. Maria pushes me harder than I ever push myself. She is a crazy maniac!!! And I love it!!! I would definitely recommend her classes and UBC to anyone looking for a challenge and to look better. These classes will help you achieve all that and more.
Shoney Carter (of UFC fame) has been teaching our classes lately and if you want some killer ab and squat routines go see him. Also, if you want him to he will do a profile on you and give you nutrition advice, for free! I only go once a week, but in addition to my weight training and regular cardio I have seen a definate improvement. If you want to lose some weight you have no excuse, go to Kellers!

I’ve been going to Keller’s for 3+ years now and I think they are a great team over there. I took kick boxing until I had to take time off to get my right knee problem fixed. Unlike Jennifer G. in ’06, Maria Keller was cool about letting me put my membership on hold until I could come back. I felt she was very understanding, then again, I wasn’t trying to get out of my contract, just put it on hold. I’m back there now, taking the UBC course in strength training. I’ve lost 40 pounds and am doing really well thanks to the support and proximity of Keller’s to my home near Irv Pk and Hamlin. PS. The place has changed a lot during the past year since Maria’s two daughters have stepped in to liven it up & make it more homey & fun. I say try it out, –sample classes are free. They have «Little Ninja» classes too, –so-​oo cute to watch the kids tumbling and kicking their little bums off.

i give them 1 star only because 0 stars is not an option. i signed up for a membership with them and was told at the time it was a $ 300 fee to cancel. i have been trying to cancel my membership with them for four months now and they are beating around the bush and now threatening me with a collection agency. turns out they do not list this $ 300 fee on the written agreement, but rather verbally state it when signing up. they will not admit to offering a $ 300 fee. now they want 50% of my total 3 year membership to cancel. That will cost me over $ 1,000. i have been to numerous martial arts schools and theirs was not outstanding by any means. their shady business does not make them look any better.