About
Krav Maga Illinois offers Krav Maga self-defense training, including Krav Maga for kids, Krav Maga for self-defense for adults, and reality self-defense. The program also offers KMI Boxing and boxing, as well as Women’s Self Defense, Domestic Violence awareness, Close Quarter Defensive Tactics, Israeli Tactical Knife, and Kardio Karate. All classes are one hour long.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: All classes are one hour long.
Krav Maga Illinois is an Official Krav Maga Worldwide Training Center and a Registered USA Boxing Gym. It offers authentic Krav Maga reality self-defense and awareness training for adults and children ages 10 and up, along with a boxing program for enthusiasts and competitive fighters. The program offers group, private, and on-site training, as well as monthly seminars, and provides a special introductory offer of one free self-defense class, plus family, military, law enforcement, and student discounts. Krav Maga Illinois is on a curriculum shared with over 150 Krav Maga Worldwide Training Facilities internationally, allowing students to step into any Krav Maga Worldwide training center and be on track with the curriculum.
Krav Maga Illinois was established in 2009 and is a female, locally owned business led by Instructor/Owner Susan (Sue) Garstki. Instructors have been officially certified through Krav Maga Worldwide, and the boxing program is taught by Official USA Boxing Coaches. Susan Garstki is a certified Expert Level Krav Maga Worldwide Instructor, an Official USA Boxing Coach, a 2nd degree black belt in Shorei Goju Karate, certified as a Haganah/F.I.G.H.T. instructor, one of only two female Commando Krav Maga instructors in the Midwest, and a Level 4 instructor in the Raven Method Close Quarter Defensive Tactics System. She is certified under NDEITA as a personal trainer, was one of the first instructors certified to teach the NAPMA Kardio Karate program, is the founder of the Women’s Martial Arts Alliance, and is a member of the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation and the American Women’s Self-Defense Association. She is also a personal trainer specializing in self defense, stamina, strength training, endurance, and fight preparation.
Krav Maga Illinois states that its programs, guided by Susan Garstki’s expertise, focus on instilling discipline, enhancing confidence, and nurturing resilience, and that participants learn self-defense techniques and life skills. The facility is described in a parent testimonial as incredibly clean, with students active and involved 100% of the time during a self-defense class. Multiple testimonials describe high-level, certified instructors with years of experience, friendly and approachable staff, organized activities, and classes with students from many levels and age ranges.
Krav Maga Illinois works with the Chicago Police Department, schools, and other organizations to spread awareness in self defense, Women’s Self Defense, and Domestic Violence issues. It has been awarded the Go2 Karate Distinction Award for Chicago, IL for community enrichment through martial arts training and describes itself as deeply rooted in the Chicago community and proud to be a local martial arts school. Krav Maga Illinois has been voted BEST Self Defense Training 2015 by Chicago Magazine and has been awarded the Go2 Karate Distinction Award for Chicago, IL. Susan Garstki was nominated Female Reality Self Defense Instructor of the Year by the Global Network of Reality Based Self Defense Systems, nominated Civilian Close Quarter Combat Instructor of the Year in 2012, and was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2013, 2015, and 2017, where she was named Krav Maga Expert of the Year.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
• Ages: 10–18 years old
• Schedule: All classes are one hour long.
Krav Maga Illinois is an Official Krav Maga Worldwide Training Center and a Registered USA Boxing Gym. It offers authentic Krav Maga reality self-defense and awareness training for adults and children ages 10 and up, along with a boxing program for enthusiasts and competitive fighters. The program offers group, private, and on-site training, as well as monthly seminars, and provides a special introductory offer of one free self-defense class, plus family, military, law enforcement, and student discounts. Krav Maga Illinois is on a curriculum shared with over 150 Krav Maga Worldwide Training Facilities internationally, allowing students to step into any Krav Maga Worldwide training center and be on track with the curriculum.
Krav Maga Illinois was established in 2009 and is a female, locally owned business led by Instructor/Owner Susan (Sue) Garstki. Instructors have been officially certified through Krav Maga Worldwide, and the boxing program is taught by Official USA Boxing Coaches. Susan Garstki is a certified Expert Level Krav Maga Worldwide Instructor, an Official USA Boxing Coach, a 2nd degree black belt in Shorei Goju Karate, certified as a Haganah/F.I.G.H.T. instructor, one of only two female Commando Krav Maga instructors in the Midwest, and a Level 4 instructor in the Raven Method Close Quarter Defensive Tactics System. She is certified under NDEITA as a personal trainer, was one of the first instructors certified to teach the NAPMA Kardio Karate program, is the founder of the Women’s Martial Arts Alliance, and is a member of the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation and the American Women’s Self-Defense Association. She is also a personal trainer specializing in self defense, stamina, strength training, endurance, and fight preparation.
Krav Maga Illinois states that its programs, guided by Susan Garstki’s expertise, focus on instilling discipline, enhancing confidence, and nurturing resilience, and that participants learn self-defense techniques and life skills. The facility is described in a parent testimonial as incredibly clean, with students active and involved 100% of the time during a self-defense class. Multiple testimonials describe high-level, certified instructors with years of experience, friendly and approachable staff, organized activities, and classes with students from many levels and age ranges.
Krav Maga Illinois works with the Chicago Police Department, schools, and other organizations to spread awareness in self defense, Women’s Self Defense, and Domestic Violence issues. It has been awarded the Go2 Karate Distinction Award for Chicago, IL for community enrichment through martial arts training and describes itself as deeply rooted in the Chicago community and proud to be a local martial arts school. Krav Maga Illinois has been voted BEST Self Defense Training 2015 by Chicago Magazine and has been awarded the Go2 Karate Distinction Award for Chicago, IL. Susan Garstki was nominated Female Reality Self Defense Instructor of the Year by the Global Network of Reality Based Self Defense Systems, nominated Civilian Close Quarter Combat Instructor of the Year in 2012, and was inducted into the U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2013, 2015, and 2017, where she was named Krav Maga Expert of the Year.
Last updated July 30, 2026.
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