About Total Impact Martial Arts & Fitness

Looking for Fitness Kickboxing, Karate, and Self Defense in Arlington Heights? Look no further than Total Impact Martial Arts & Fitness!

Creating Confident, Strong, and Healthy Students in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, Wheeling, and surrounding areas!

Take the First Step with Total Impact!

The Total Impact System blends multiple styles together to create a well rounded system which utilizes techniques of American, Chinese, Israeli, Japanese, and Korean origins, including: Karate, Kickboxing/Boxing, Krav Maga, and more.
It’s all about growing and continuing the evolution of martial arts by combining the best techniques from the various styles into one program. We are confident that our martial arts classes are the BEST around and offer the most WELCOMING community for all ages and skill levels!
Total Impact Martial Arts & Fitness offers EXCITING, innovative programs for the entire family to help you reach all of your health, fitness and martial arts goals. What are you waiting for? Try a class at our dojo today!

Claim Your FREE Trial!

Do we have your interest? Experience the magic of Total Impact for yourself with a FREE introductory week!

Total Impact Teaches the Attributes of a Black Belt
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Perseverance
  • Hard Work
  • Self Control
  • Teamwork
  • Indomitable Spirit

Total Impact School Founder

Total Impact Martial Arts - About - Shihan Briam Baim - Serving Arlington Heights & Buffalo Grove

Brian Baim

Head Instructor & Owner, 5th Degree Black Belt

Shihan Brian Baim has been studying martial arts for almost 40 years. Shihan Brian is a 5th degree black belt and a master instructor for Total Impact Martial Arts. Shihan Brian is a certified Krav Maga instructor and is certified through the Martial Arts Teachers Association. Brian is also certified through COBRA Self Defense Systems. Brian started his Martial Arts journey at the age of 9 years old first studying Tae Kwon Do before transitioning in Shotokan Karate, and wrestling a few years later.

It was at Z’s Martial Arts Academy (formerly the premier kickboxing and karate school in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling) where he studied American Bu Kyoku Ryu Karate, a mixed martial art that combines Okinawan and Japanese Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing, Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. Here, Shihan Brian was mentored by Master Rob Zbilski and the late, great Master Jim Zbilski. Shihan Rob Zbilski (WAKO U.S.A president for Kickboxing) is a 7th Degree Black Belt and is ranked Grand Master in Bu Kyoku Ryu.

Shihan Brian became one of the first to achieve the rank of black belt and is currently one of the highest ranked black belts under Shihan Rob Zbilski and Z’s Martial Arts! Shihan Brian managed Buffalo Grove Martial Arts and served as head instructor for 10 years.

With almost 40 years of martial arts & kickboxing experience and over 30 years of teaching in the community, Brian has coached, trained and cornered many amateur fighters. He is also the Co-founder of Total Impact Self Defense Systems (along with his business partner Jeff Nelson) and co-founder of Total Impact Global & Fitness an online training university. Total Impact is an innovative, exciting, family oriented Martial Arts and Fitness Center in Arlington Heights Illinois.

Click for Full Bio

In 1992 Shihan Brian began working for Z’s Martial Arts Academy as a martial arts and fitness kickboxing instructor. It was not long before Brian was promoted to program director and head instructor. While teaching full time, Shihan Brian earned his 2nd degree Black Belt in 1999. It was in this moment Shihan Brian decided to dedicate his life to his passion and dream of owning and operating his own Martial Arts and Fitness school. It has taken many years of hard work, during which Shihan Brian continued to train, study, teach and manage along side his instructor, Shihan Jim Zbilski in Lake Zurich, Illinois and other martial arts schools within the community. In 2002, Brian was promoted to 3rd degree Black Belt and by 2005 he achieved the rank of 4th degree Black Belt. Shihan Brian was promoted to 5th degree black belt in January 2017 by Shihan Rob Zbilski and Z’s Martial Arts Academy.

For more than 27 years, Brian has also been training with his father- in- law, Master Kirk Herrig. Master Kirk has been a martial arts instructor for over 40 years and holds Black Belts in many styles including Taekwondo, Karate and black sash in Kung Fu.

With 40 years of martial arts & kickboxing experience and over 30 years of teaching, Brian has coached, trained and cornered many amatuer fighters. He is also the Co-founder of Total Impact Self Defense Systems (along with his business partner Jeff Nelson) and co-founder of Total Impact Global & Fitness an online training university. Total Impact is an innovative, exciting, family oriented Martial Arts and Fitness Center in Arlington Heights Illinois.

Brian says: “At Total Impact we teach martial arts, self defense and fitness classes to children and adults. However, its so much more than just classes. The confidence you and your family will gain the energy and positive training environment is unlike anything you have ever seen before.” Shihan Brian wants Total Impact Martial Arts to positively impact the lives of his students and truly make a difference in all peoples lives. His goal is for Total Impact to become an important part of the community and to be known as “The Family Martial Arts and Fitness Center of Arlington Heights and surrounding communities.” Shihan Brian also encourages students to make a positive impact in the community and in everything they do.

Shihan Brian lives and has grown up in the local area. He is married to his beautiful wife Angela for over 27 years, and they have two wonderful children and a French Bulldog named Leo. Shihan Brian says, “family is so important and my family has been my support during this journey.” Another interesting fact, Shihan Brian’s sister in-law is one of the top UFC women fighters in the world, Felice ‘Lil Bulldog’ Herrig.

Our Total Impact Instructors

Total Impact Martial Arts Instructors - Sensei Kirk Herrig
Instructor

Sensei Kirk has over 50 years of martial arts experience, and 40 years of teaching. Kirk has blackbelts in Taekwondo, Northern Shaolin & Cobra Kai Kung Fu, and Bu Kyoku Ryu Karate. Kirk is also a certified Krav Maga instructor. Kirk is a master instructor in the martial arts and is ranked 4th degree under the Total Impact Systems. Kirk has trained with Shihan Brian for over 27 years and is Brian’s father-in-law.

Total Impact Student Creed

I will IMPACT my mind by staying positive and motivated.

I will IMPACT my body by working hard and striving for excellence.

I will IMPACT my life by making healthy choices and uplifting myself and others.

I will IMPACT my family by treating them with respect and courtesy.

I will IMPACT my community by being an example of integrity and honesty.

I will have a TOTAL IMPACT on MINDBODY, and SPIRIT.

More About Total Impact Martial Arts

Total Impact Children’s Martial Arts is a blended, well-rounded, system that utilizes techniques from several martial arts. All testing and advancement is at the instructor’s discretion and is not based upon time. Actual testing times will vary depending on attendance, student effort, and skill. All Black Belt Club Members receive a discount on belt testing fees.

Children’s Martial Arts
Total Impact Martial Arts - Arlington Heights Buffalo Grove - About Our System - Belt Rankings - Kid's Program
Adult’s Martial Arts
Total Impact Martial Arts - About Our System - Belt Rankings - Adult's Program - Serving Arlington Heights & Buffalo Grove

Ready to Make an Impact?

We have the best introductory programs for people seeking karate, kickboxing, krav maga, and other self defense and fitness programs in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, and Wheeling! Call (224) 248-8692 or sign up today for a free introductory week of classes!