Reviews

Hot Ground Gym is an amazing program that offers tons of fun for the kids while instilling important life skills. The Hot Ground team builds confidence and helps establish discipline in a patient and respectful way. My son looks forward to going every week. I've seen him do things he was once very scared to do because he's believing in himself more and gets lots of encouragement from the team! I cannot say enough good things about Hot Ground!

My boys (ages 11 and 7) go to HGG every week and they LOVE the missions Sam and James develop. I've seen an increase in their physical and mental strength over the time we've been going and the boys have made new friends as well. We also did a Good Friday Camp recently and appreciated the fact that 8-hour or 4-hour camps are available on days the kids have off school to accommodate working parents (and overstretched Easter brunch hosts too!)

I was looking for an alternative to martial arts for my son, and learned about Hot Ground. I'm extremely impressed by what they do. In addition to challenging parkour, which he loves, they teach practical life skills that go beyond anything I've seen elsewhere (except possibly the Boy Scouts). My son has been learning first aid and other life-saving skills, survival techniques, and more -- and I'm seeing a big improvement in both his physical confidence and emotional maturity. The coaches are great with kids, striking a nice balance between good-humored and no-nonsense, which the kids definitely respond to! The facilities are very well-maintained, and I like the fact that they take the kids outside when the weather's good. I've decided to try a week of the summer camp this year as well, and we'll see how that goes. Hot Ground isn't inexpensive, but the price (especially for the camp) is in keeping with most other after-school activities.

Best kids program ever. BEST Summer Camp EVER. My son Martin loves it. He was at HGG Summer Camp for 8 weeks and he grew up so much. He became more confident , organized, strong mind and body, he learn archery, knife throwing, defense , working in team and so much more..... I cannot say enough good things about HGG Arlington Heights. Sam the manager and all the team members are awesome with the kids. Thank you guys and keep it up :-)

Hot Ground is an amazing program for kids of all ages. Sam is excellent with constant new challenges. The kids are exhausted after each class and always want more. We started out with just one visit a week and after the first week, switched to 2. My son is definitely more focused and disciplined after only a month. We use the classes as incentives for him to achieve better days in school. He loved the day off camp his only wish was that he did the full day vs half.

Sam is the reason why my daughter LOVES Hot Ground Gym so much so we moved to this location with him. I am floored that there is a bad review of this place. Hot Ground Gym has been a godsend for my daughter. It has helped her to be healthier, it has increased her self-esteem, it has done amazing things for her spirit and SHE LOVES GOING! The staff have all been nothing but fantastic in every way! Thank you Sam and team and keep up the amazing job you are doing. You are making a HUGE difference in these kid's lives! Thank you!

Hot Ground Gym has been such a great experience for my son. We have seen tremendous difference in his confidence inside and outside of the gym. He loves going each week and the staff is truly dedicated to all of their students (and the parents!). We are SO glad they’re in the area and look forward to seeing even more growth in our son’s development. If you haven’t been, go check them out!! It’s worth it!

Hello everyone! My 8.5 year old daughter has been attending the Arlington Heights location for about a year now. She absolutely loves it! I stay and watch every class, and I couldn't be more proud of the skills she is learning. She is pretty athletic, but shy and quiet at the same time. Since she has been enrolled, I've really seen her confidence level change for the better! Being in the safe environment and learning skills out everyday lifestyle, has helped complete the human she is today. We also love the teachable moments of respect, teamwork, and discipline. Marty has been the operations manager since we started and is absolutely fabulous. I can't say enough wonderful things about hot ground gym. Have your child try it, and I'm sure you won't leave disappointed.

We have been bringing our seven-year-old son to Hot Ground Gym for several months now, and we couldn’t be happier. First of all, he loves it. We sought out HGG mainly for child development reasons, but that doesn’t change the joy it brings us to see our son so happy there. Even after a long day of school and other demands on his time, he always wants to go. Most importantly, though, we’ve seen a lot of development in a relatively short time. His confidence has grown, and he’s shown development in his listening skills and ability to work in teams. His leadership skills are still a work in progress, but he did recently advance to a higher “rank,” and it’s easy to see a path forward where he would fully embrace leadership responsibility. My wife and I have also noticed that, with the instructors being military vets and first responders (and, regardless of that, just really stand-up guys), it is nice for our son to have such positive male role models in his life. Veterans Day was a little more meaningful this year for our son since he now considers a former Marine amongst his friends (one of the instructors who has made a particularly strong impression on him). HGG is so much more than just a fun obstacle course. The instructors clearly put the children's development above all else. They’ve created a culture that is incredibly positive while at the same time demanding; they won’t let your child get away with anything less than his or her best effort, but they will also make sure your child leaves feeling loved and respected. I only wish we had found HGG sooner.

My son struggles with ADHD, anxiety, and sensory sensitivities so I was nervous about enrolling him in Hot Ground Gym. It turns out that my concerns were completely unnecessary! Sam Simpson, the General Manager and Junior Boots Instructor, is amazing. Each week, Sam works with my son and the other members of Alpha Company to develop confidence, courage, discipline, and leadership. Sam offers endless patience and gentle motivation, even when my son is feeling especially nervous or overwhelmed. I cannot say enough positive things about Sam and Hot Ground Gym!

We moved here nearly a year ago, and started our son shortly after the move. Since then, he has grown in confidence, independence, compassion, trust, and respect. He has the diagnoses of ADHD, oppositional defiance disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, and anxiety. He hasn’t had a single tantrum since his third week with Sam at Hot Ground. He is kinder, more respectful, and genuinely wants to have better and more meaningful relationships with peers. The teamwork and relationship model offered here is unique in that the kids depend on any random group as the class days vary. The outward focus seems to be physical development, but the true focus is mental, social-emotional, and community growth. Sam absolutely loves the kids as they are, wherever they are, and is building up each person as that individual needs to be built up. He is a true gem, and my son looks forward to each class, excited about each one.