Before you read this as a barbell gym, read the reviews. Ekim's is a martial arts school in Silvis, Illinois - karate, kickboxing, BJJ, and MMA - with some workout equipment on the side. Google files it under "sports school," and every single review here is about coaching, not machines. If you want a rack and a treadmill, this is the wrong listing. If you want to learn to fight or get your kids into a disciplined class, keep reading.
The strongest thing said about it
A member who wrote in January 2026 gave the review that does the most work: "I've been with Ekim's since I was 12 years old on and off," and "all 5 of my children have also learned under" the head instructor. Two generations, one school. That's a length-of-relationship signal you can't fake with a marketing line, and it's the single most useful data point on the page.
The instruction gets named again and again. An adult kickboxing student writing in April 2022 described herself as "a lazy couch potato with no endurance, no physical fighting experience, and a handicap," then said that after a few months she'd "noticed positive physical changes." Another adult, in August 2024, said the classes "improved my mental health and my physical strength to feel safe and able to be out alone." That's the recurring theme: this place works on adults who felt intimidated walking in, not just competitive athletes.
What the rating is measuring
A flat 5.0 across 87 reviews is unusual, and it's fair to ask what's behind it. Martial arts schools tend to draw a self-selecting crowd - families who commit to belt tracks and stick around for years - so the sample is loyal by design. That doesn't make the score fake. It means you're reading reviews from people who chose to keep coming back, which is exactly the population a beginner wants to hear from, but not a neutral cross-section of walk-ins.
There's an equipment note too. A member in January 2026, in his 40s and on the black belt track, mentioned the karate, kickboxing, and BJJ classes and added, almost in passing, "there also work out equipment." So the strength gear exists. Nobody reviews it. That tells you what the place is really for.
What's missing
No review lists a price, a trial cost, or a monthly membership figure. Nobody states which age groups run at which times, though the Places hours show it opens at noon most weekdays and closes early Saturday. If class scheduling by age matters to you, call +1 309-755-5425 before you show up.
Who it's not for
Anyone hunting for a 24-hour access gym, a big cardio floor, or solo lifting will be disappointed. This is instructor-led, class-based training. The equipment is a bonus, not the product.
FAQ
Is Ekim's a gym or a martial arts school?
A martial arts school. It teaches karate, kickboxing, BJJ, and MMA, and reviewers describe class instruction, not open-gym lifting, though some workout equipment is on site.
Is it good for beginners and kids?
That's most of what the reviews describe. Adults who called themselves out of shape and parents enrolling young children both report positive experiences, some spanning years.
What are the hours?
The Places record shows a noon opening on most weekdays and a 10am Saturday session. Call ahead to match a class to your age group.