Forteza Fitness and Martial Arts

Founded in 2012, Forteza Fitness, Physical Culture & Martial Arts is Chicagoland's most unique martial arts and fitness studio:

* The Midwest’s only full-time school for the study of traditional Western martial arts and historical swordplay - the art of the longsword, rapier, arming sword;

* Home of our unique Forteza Combatives System - a modern, self-protection method that combines bare-knuckle boxing, Catch Wrestling, and Asian kicking methods, with Martial Blade Concepts (MBC) – a nationally renowned system of hand, stick and knife defense designed for modern people with limited training time;

* Home to the Bartitsu Club – the martial art made famous by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved character, Sherlock Holmes;

* A fitness studio combining functional fitness training with 19th century “physical culture” – workouts using calisthenics, Indian clubs, medicine balls, therapeutic gymnastics, body-weight exercises and games designed to create natural strength and grace with athletic performance;

* A “Gymuseum” of antique exercise equipment and 19th century prints portraying combat sport athletes in training;

* An international center for education on the rich, sophisticated martial traditions of Western Civilization;

* An innovative, eclectic series of workshops, lectures and unique social events.

New to historical swordfighting? Forteza Fitness, Physical Culture & Martial Arts offers our ever-popular introductory classes in the medieval longsword and the Renaissance rapier every six weeks!

Contact us for more information and to be put on our list for regular updates on fitness training, swordplay classes and other western martial arts offerings!