Rhodes Fusion Fitness and Self Defense

Rhodes has a small size class for those who prefer more intimate atmosphere. I recommend the workout as an alternative to your regular routine– you will not be disappointed, since the instructor will guide you through the motions you have never done before. If you have never done kettle bells, you will be trained the basics of swinging by another instructor.
It is definitely worth checking out.

DID NOT LIKE THIS WORKOUT. First of all, we were stretching for the first 25min. The class I went to was only an hour long and we did not even pick up a kettleball for 30minutes. Next, the instructor was unorganized. He did not know how to manage a class with different levels of skill. If you are a young girl in your 20s, this is not the place for you. It was not up beat, there was no music, the instructors were not friendly. The only thing I got was a good story. Now, that being said, if you are more advanced in kettleballs, maybe you will have a better experience…

I have never written a review on Unilocal before but this place was so incredibly mind blowing that I felt very inclined to sign up and do so. DO NOT GO HERE! This was the most ridiculous fitness «studio» I have even been to. It was dirty, not well kept, and most importantly the workout was beyond terrible. I do not think either of the «instructors» present for my class have any business teaching a class of any sort. The main gentleman leading the class was rude and obviously not knowledgable– we spent 25 minutes «stretching» to start the class: i.e. rolling our ankles out and loosening our hips (like «hoola-​hooping»). The woman there had no knowledge what-​so-​ever about teaching an effective workout and only knew how to swing a KettleBell. Seriously though– my friend and I felt like we were in a bad movie or an episode of ‘Candid Camera” — waiting for someone to jump out and yell «Surprise! this is all one big joke!» The only reason I went to this place to begin with is because it is a studio included in the MetaBody Groupon deal. This place is a giant joke and was the biggest waste of an hour of my life… i should have walked out right when I got there and was given attitude/​sass for being a new customer. Not even exaggerating, they will probably be closed down before long as I am positive the people running this place have no business operating as a fitness studio.
You could not make me go there again, even if you paid me… it’s that bad.

I might possibly be the least coordinated kettlebell beginner of all time. But these are patient, patient people. And thank goodness. Because I was on the side learning the same basic move (which is the foundation for everything else so one needs to master it) for most of the class. Did I mention I’m uncoordinated? Yea. Well…
The facility is sparse but clean and with all the equipment you’ll need. The staff is knowledgeable. The other students are helpful and friendly.
Parking is a snap if you drive.

Atmosphere: Small place, but clean.
Service: The instructors were helpful and patient but I didn’t feel like they made the class at all interesting… I took the self defense class.
Conclusion– Pass.

I tried this place with a groupon deal. I feel I can only give it 4 stars as I haven’t tried any of the fitness classes, but the self defense classes are great. There is lots of one on one instruction and everyone is very friendly. Instructors are knowledgeable and very unpretentious. Parking is free in front of the building, a definite plus.
Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed the kettlebell classes offered at Rhodes Fitness Fusion. I usually need quite a bit of motivation to regularly attend any type of workout class, but the structure and support from everyone at Rhodes had me there regularly. Everyone is at their own level and everyone supports each other. The staff (Prentiss and Sonia) ensure a safe and intensive workout by providing individual attention as needed. If you are looking for a great way to cross train in a supportive environment, this is the place for you. I highly recommend kettlebell classes at Rhodes Fitness Fusion!

I arrived at Rhodes Fusion Fitness after research kettlebell instructors in the Chicago area via Dragon Door. I have spent the majority of 2011 training at DKB Fitness in Santa Fe, and wanted to ensure that I continued to grow in my skill set & strength. One of the reasons I chose to relocate back to Chicago is because there is a Master RKC instructor, Prentiss Rhodes, who has almost daily kb classes. Recently, he was named «Comrade of the Week» via Dragon Door TV, so that says it all in terms of qualifications, but to experience a class is to really understand kettlebells & Rhodes Fusion Fitness.
Prentiss teaches a thorough 1 hour (some days I think he goes over…) class that covers kettlebells, stretching & working towards pushing training to its limits. I’m in the process of training for my HKC & know that I’ve found the right place to train. I just wish I had time in my work schedule to spend some time in his Israeli FIGHT class, which seems to be another great workout.
I think this place provides a safe environment to learn & workout, because Prentiss is always aware of form & makes a point of correcting without singling out when form is not up to par. When it comes to training & getting the most out of a workout, this is THE place to go for all things kbs in Chicago. I know from spending just a few weeks at Rhodes Fusion Fitness that I still have a lot to learn in terms of kbs & the growth opportunity is here. I know I am fortunate to have landed at Rhodes Fusion Fitness for all of my kb training.

My fiancée and I have been regulars at Rhodes Fusion Fitness for about a year and a half now. We attend both of the programs — kettlebells and Haganah, and my fiancée also does the yoga program. I cannot say enough good things about both kettlebells and Haganah, as well as Prentiss himself.
First, the kettlebells. The training in kettlebells is rigorous — certainly the hardest consistent training program I have done since playing water polo in high school. The results, however, are well worth the effort, as I have shed pounds and added muscle and definition in a way never achieved through standard cardio work and weightlifting.
Kettlebell work is a great combo of strength and cardio training, and the benefits carry across to sports (I play football, basketball and soccer regularly) extremely well in overall strength and explosiveness. Prentiss watches the class intently to ensure that everyone is using good form, which is repeatedly emphasized in periodic reinforcement drills. It’s hard work, but highly recommended if you stick with it.
The Haganah program is also excellent, both as a standalone and combined with kettlebells. Haganah is a variant of Krav Maga, the Israeli self-​defense system. The focus here is on how to handle, and extricate yourself from, bad situations. We work on hand-​to-​hand combat, including strikes, kicks, throws and overall balance work, as well as work with both knife and gun situations (don’t worry — we practice with rubber dummies!). Cardio is a part of this class, as well, so don’t worry if you just choose to do this class.
As a Haganah instructor, Prentiss is great. He is a black belt in Haganah, but you would never guess, as he is patient, calm, and a great instructor and motivator. And God help the bad guy that ever tries to take him out…
Both classes are generally small, with a core group of regulars that make working out fun. Joking while working is a regular thing, and certainly encouraged by the group, who are more friends than classmates. Everyone is fun to hang around with, and social excursions outside of class are becoming a regular thing, as well.
Prentiss is a former personal trainer, and the attention paid in individual sessions carries across to the group setting extremely well. Everyone gets individual attention, so you never feel like you’re on your own, and the class itself is very good at motivating each other to work hard.
Although Haganah work is in cycles (to encourage repetition and muscle memory), a great thing about the kettlebell work is that the workouts vary constantly. It is extremely rare to see any particular kettlebell sequence repeat more than once every couple of months, and, as a result, the class never feels stagnant.
Finally, the studio is a little out of the way for north siders, but public transportation is across the street (the Grand and Western buses), and it’s easy to get back and forth from downtown on the Metra (the Western stop is two blocks away). If you can drive, street parking is always plentiful and easy.
Overall, a great set of classes and a great instructor, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to both get in shape and learn self defense.

Let me start off by saying that I am not a guy that is hardcore at working out. My biggest challenge is getting to the gym. I wasn’t always this way as I actually hold a 2^nd degree black belt in Isshinryu karate.
I meet many instructors, and very few impress me with their ability to actually teach. Many are great at whatever they’ve trained because of their own personal discipline, but it takes someone who is really wise to teach others.
I’ve learned a lot, and find the training to be exceptional. Every step of the way you are learning from true teachers that believe in what they are doing, and are wise enough to know what you need.

I took the kettlebell class and the self-​defense class.
The Kettlebell class incorporates flexibility, strength and endurance. What makes this class so great it caters to you as an individual as you progress at your own pace. Its fast paced, but even in a packed class the instructor finds time to make sure you get everything you need for your customized benefit.
The self-​defense class seem to have a life of its own. Previous martial arts experience is not necessary but if you have it, you’ll soon realize you should’ve started here. The system will give you the tools you’ll need if you are ever faced in the worst case scenario. We all hope that it never happens to us, me i’d like to do more than just hope, i’d like to be as prepared as i possibly can be.
Both classes are amazing, but this is something you have to see for yourself, give him a call, stop in, but i highly recommend you give it a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I have never felt or looked better!
The environment Prentiss creates is what really sold me on this place. The classes appeal to all fitness levels and to both males & females. If like me, you grew tired and board with the traditional gym workouts and were having trouble meeting your goals then this is the perfect solution. I have been attending kettlebell classes for just over 2 months and have lost A LOT of weight in my troubled areas. I have also noticed positive changes in my body as I finally started developing lean muscle. I think we all can agree that losing weight, developing lean muscle and having a clean, safe and fun environment to realize these goals is a win/​win!
Prentiss also offers a free class or two to those interested in checking the out the studio!!!

i take kettlebell classes here and they’re awesome! i use kettlebells as a great cross-​training working (they’re combine a great combination of flexibility, endurance and strength). what makes the workout great is the training and instruction that i receive. it’s like having a semi-​personal trainer. i feel like the instruction is customized to meet my needs.