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Very professional and fun for all ages! My oldest child started a year ago and has become obsessed! Can't say enough good things about all of the programs offered at Core!
I highly recommend Core to anyone looking for an amazing and positive experience for their child. We love all of the coaches and Tommy has been amazing!
Core Combat Sports has been a God send for the Parkinson's community. Coach Tommy has run the program since early October. I feel that in my case, it has slowed the progression of the disease and has improved my determination to keep on fighting. Thank you Coach Tommy and all of the volunteers for making a huge difference in our lives.
I’ve been training at Core for one year now and I’m currently 28 years old. I was looking for something different to do that would keep me in decent physical shape for my career. Prior to signing up with Core, I was nervous about starting because I had absolutely no experience with Jiu-Jitsu or any other martial art for that matter. The beginner’s class is great and no one at Core gives you any problems for not knowing how to do certain drills and/or for being slow at performing the drills. I have found that training Jiu Jitsu at Core is a great work out and is fun as well. In my opinion, it beats the ordinary gym membership by just going in and running on a treadmill and/or lifting some weights. At Core, you get a great work out and you learn how to defend yourself at the same time. Like I stated before, I started with no experience (and I still have a ton to learn) but it’s been an excellent adventure thus far!
I have been with core for about 10-11 months and i love it. There were times i was losing hope in myself mentally and physically but core pushed me and motivated me to be the best me i can possibly be. I highly recommend this place to anyone who wishes to learn martial arts!!
Currently I am training in Brazilian ju-jitsu and Muay Thai and couldn't be happier. Core combat sports is by far an amazing place for many different people with different goals to come to. Weather it's to lose weight, to get into shape, or learn self defense. I'm happy to be fighting underneath the core name and to have the great coaches that train me and my fellow fighters/peers. As well as being a great place to train, it is also a very friendly environment for any age. I strongly recommend core to anyone else who's considering taking classes in the martial arts
I have been training BJJ at Core Combat Sports for about a year and half now. This being my first bjj/martial arts experience, I was a bit apprehensive about trying it out but Tommy and the rest of the students were very welcoming.
I think the single greatest thing about the gym is that through jiu-jitsu and muay thai, we are helping each other work towards our individual goals. Whether its self defense, sport, or conditioning. Someone will always help you drill, work on breaking down a technique, or roll until your heart gives out. That's what keeps it fresh for me and keeps me coming back.
Core Combat Sports is the best place to train at in the 815. I have been training at Core for about 3 years, and my love for the martial arts has only grown. Since my first class, I have excelled in Jiu Jitsu, my wrestling skills for high school improved, and it also taught me many things. I became focused on things on and off the mat, including my schooling/homework. I have also completed an Instructor's Course, and I became the head coach for the Core Kids classes. This role was a great responsibility, after all, I was going to be a huge impact on some of these little guys/gals. In the end, teaching became a thing I loved to do, so it didn't even feel like a hard responsibility. I have also competed in Jiu Jitsu and MMA, and I was successful in both. Core Combat Sports will definitely, without a doubt, prepare you to do whatever it is that you want to do: Competing, getting in better shape, losing weight, and most importantly learn how to defend yourself. As soon as you walk in the door, you are greeted by coaches and other students. Everyone is really nice which creates a very safe and friendly environment. The walls are all murals which adds another element to the academy's atmosphere. There are plenty of training options, and at least one is bound to fit you! Whether it is Jiu Jitsu, MTK (kickboxing), wrestling, fitness, you name it! Core has it! There are just too many great things to say about Core, just check it out and see what it's about! Finally, since August 2015, I moved off to college in Iowa City, and I really miss Core and all of my Core friends! Thanksgiving and Christmas break can't come soon enough!
My son has had some long standing issues. Since joining Core he has drastically improved 2 of his toughest problems. I appreciate how the Core Team does their best to get to the Core of problems beyond just what happens on the mat! Thanks Tommy & Chris! Samuel still needs much help in multiple areas but I trust you will continue to provide positive insights into whatever issues arise.
Been going to kickboxing for a month now and couldn’t love it anymore than I do now great people and atmosphere incredible coach just all around awesome place!!!
Great facility! My husband and myself were driving through and looking for a place to train. Found the perfect spot. Not only was everyone very welcoming, but the intermediate GI class was awesome. Great sequence of techniques and instruction taught by a top notch Black Belt, who is diverse in self defense and sport BJJ. If ever in the area we will stop back by.
I have studied Martial Arts for a very long time. The thing that was missing in my life was ground game. I did some research and found Core Combat Sports. I have known coach Tom since I was little. I knew the passion he has for BJJ. I called him up and without hesitation he said "come try it out". I am in my 40's now so the body wasn't in great shape (totally my fault). My first workout with the adult class was very tough. I'm not going to lie about it. Everybody encouraged me to push it in a positive way in which it made me work super hard. I am in 3 months and have lost 27lbs. I am getting ready to do my first BJJ competition (which isn't required but why not?).
Tom has some highly skilled coaches on staff. Coach Ryan and coach Chris are excellent all around. I am to the point where I cant wait for class. Come give Core a chance and hopefully see you on the Mat. You won't be disappointed.
What 55 Years of Life and Martial Arts Training Have Taught Me About Staying Engaged In my previous article, I wrote about the stories we tell ourselves and the gap that can exist between our narration and reality. The mat has a way of exposing that gap. It shows us the difference between who we […]
How Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and Martial Arts Training in Rockford Reveal the Gap Most people carry two versions of themselves. The person they believe they are. And the person their actions reveal. It’s easy to tell yourself you’re disciplined, resilient, or committed when life is comfortable. It’s harder when you’re tired, frustrated, or facing […]
When most people think about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, they think about self-defense, fitness, submissions, and skill. When they see a black belt, they assume years of technical knowledge and hard-earned ability. They’re right. A black belt often represents thousands of hours of training, learning, problem-solving, and perseverance. But after decades of training, coaching, competing, and […]
Why Adults Need Hard Things Modern life has become incredibly convenient. Food arrives at our door. Entertainment is available instantly. Most discomfort can be avoided with a few taps on a screen. At first glance, that sounds like progress. But there’s a problem. When life becomes too comfortable, people often become less capable of handling […]
How discipline, action, and training help kids build real strength under pressure It shows up fast. Right when something gets hard.Right when it doesn’t go their way. “I can’t.” At Core Combat Sports, we don’t ignore that moment. Because that moment matters. What “I Can’t” Really Is “I can’t” isn’t always true. Most of the […]
How Discipline, Awareness, and Martial Arts Training in Rockford IL Shape Who You Become Most people think they lack discipline.They don’t. They’re already disciplined… just not always in ways that move their life forward. You wake up at the same time You follow the same routines You respond to stress the same way You avoid […]
You Are Not Too Late. You Are Just Not 22 Anymore. Most people think martial arts is for the young. Fast. Flexible. Fearless. But Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was never built on speed. It was built on efficiency. Timing. Leverage. Patience. That is where adults win. Why Adults in Rockford IL Are Starting Jiu Jitsu Later Something […]
Most kids don’t lack confidence. They lack the confidence to fail. They hesitate.They overthink.They avoid anything that might expose them. Not because they’re weak. Because they’ve never been shown what to do when things don’t go their way. At Core Combat Sports, we don’t avoid failure. We teach kids how to use it. That’s where […]
Comfort feels good. That is why it is dangerous. Comfort does not challenge you.It does not test you.It does not prepare you. It slowly weakens you. Not all at once.Not in a way you notice. But over time… It softens your edge.It lowers your standards.It makes hard things feel harder than they should be. And […]
“Iron sharpens iron.” Most people hear that and think it sounds good. Motivational. Positive. But they don’t stop to think about what it actually means. Because if they did, they would realize it is not comfortable. IRON DOESN’T SHARPEN WITHOUT FRICTION Iron does not get sharper sitting still. It sharpens when: It meets resistance It […]
Walk into almost any gym or academy and you’ll hear it: “It gets easier the more you do it.” It sounds good.It’s meant to motivate. But it’s not the truth. The Better Answer The better answer is this: The truth is…It never gets easier.You just get better. Stop Chasing Easy Easy is not the goal. […]
The Art of the Practice Most people train. They work out.They sweat.They check the box. That is training. But training does not change who you are. Practice does. Practice puts you in positions where you cannot hide from yourself. Training vs Practice Training builds skill. Practice exposes the gaps. In Jiu Jitsu and MMA, you […]
It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”— Frederick Douglass That line has been around a long time. But most parents still wait too long to act on it. Most Parents Don’t See It Until It’s Too Late No parent sets out to raise a child who struggles with confidence. No […]
Most martial arts programs build skill. Few build identity. And identity doesn’t just build better athletes.It builds better people first… and athletes because of it. Most parents in Rockford, Loves Park, and Belvidere start by searching for kids martial arts. They think they’re signing their child up to learn moves.Maybe Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Maybe MMA. […]
Most parents say they want their child to be more confident. But confidence is not the real goal. Confidence comes and goes. It depends on the situation. A child can feel confident one moment and completely unsure the next. Self-esteem is different. Self-esteem is what your child believes about themselves when things are not going […]
Most people use the word training. The Spartans lived something different. They practiced. And there’s a difference. What Practice Really Means Practice isn’t something you do when you feel like it.It’s something you return to daily. It’s repetition with intention.It’s showing up whether you’re motivated or not.It’s refining how you think, move, and respond under […]
Jiu jitsu builds skill. It builds discipline. It builds confidence. But that is not enough. At Core Combat Sports, our kids jiu jitsu program in Loves Park Rockford and Belvidere Illinois goes beyond the art. Jiu jitsu is the vehicle. Character is the outcome. The Art Is the Foundation Not the Finish Line Brazilian jiu […]
Strength. Focus. Perseverance. Respect. Discipline. Camaraderie. The list could go on and on about the countless benefits of martial arts for children. But for now, let’s focus on one in particular: strength, and how strength is the source from which focus and perseverance flow. Coaches at Core Combat teach jiu-jitsu in […]
Aging does not mean surrendering strength. It means training with intent. At Core Combat Sports, we see older adults step onto the mat for one reason. They want to stay capable. Not fragile. Not idle. Capable. Martial arts training gives structure to that goal. It demands focus. It requires effort. It rewards consistency. And it […]
Heart strength is built through effort. Not shortcuts. Each year, Heart Month brings attention to cardiovascular health. Most conversations stop at walking, light gym routines, or passive movement. Martial arts training goes further. It demands controlled intensity, focus, and consistency. That combination is what builds a heart that works under pressure. At Core Combat Sports, […]
School tests more than academic ability. It tests focus. Discipline. Emotional control. Social awareness. Martial arts training reinforces those traits through structure and accountability. At Core Combat Sports, kids do not just move. They listen. They follow direction. They learn how to handle pressure and responsibility. Those habits carry directly into the classroom. Focus and […]