LIFT LESSONS

Immediately Improve your Squat with this Modification
April 15, 2020

Immediately Improve your Squat with this Modification

(Read and Video Time - 5 mins) By: Jared Blincow At LIFT we pride ourselves on not forcing clients into movement patterns that they aren’t ready for. There’s nothing in the gym that we absolutely have to do, and it makes little sense to try and shove a square peg into a round hole. One of the most common modifications you’ll see in our weight room is elevating the heels for squat/lunge patterns. We will get a little bit more...

Surviving the Pandemic Game and Staying Fit at Home – By: Jared Blincow
April 13, 2020

Surviving the Pandemic Game and Staying Fit at Home – By: Jared Blincow

It’s hard to believe that less than a month ago we were all living our normal lives, with nothing but our normal worries and problems to think about. With the COVID-19 pandemic upon us and national quarantine guidelines it’s very easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you’ve lost all of your structure in your day to day life. Chad, Pete, and I sat down for another episode of the LIFT Bodcast and we all shared some great strategies to...

5 Lower Body Stretches to Work on at Home
April 8, 2020

5 Lower Body Stretches to Work on at Home

While the majority of us are working at home, it’s easier now more than ever to find yourself sitting around for most of the day. Spending extended amount of time in a seated position can wreak havoc on your hips and lower back, especially if you aren’t setting aside 30-60 minutes of movement/training a few times per week. Starting off your day with a little movement is an easy piece to add to your daily routine and will help alleviate...

March 25, 2020

How Detraining Affects Your Strength and Muscle Mass

With the COVID19 pandemic hitting the country and forcing us inside, it’s easy to get frustrated and come up with a number of excuses as to why our training should take a backseat. Although training at home may not be the most ideal solution, something is always better than nothing. If you think your “gains” you’ve been working so hard to develop over the last few months/years has been for nothing, I’ve got some good news for you… Previous studies...

Food labels – How to read to avoid unhealthy ingredients.
March 22, 2020

Food labels – How to read to avoid unhealthy ingredients.

Written by Jamie Sabel, Nutritionist Why does it seem like food labels and ingredient lists are written in morse code? We don't know the names of half the ingredients, and the ones that we are familiar with are often disguised under alias names.  The good thing, we don't have to worry about ingredient lists when we eat whole foods. But sometimes our schedules make it impossible to turn away from the convenience of packaged food items. Life gets busy, and...

Building a Bigger & Better Deadlift
December 27, 2019

Building a Bigger & Better Deadlift

By: Jared BlincowWith December comes DEADcember and another opportunity to build and develop one of the big three lifts! The deadlift is one of the most important lifts in our training arsenal and comes with a handful of benefits. The posterior chain of the body often gets neglected by gym goers even though our largely sedentary lifestyles means we need to train and strengthen this part of the body more than ever. The posterior chain is a group of muscles...

Is Cardio Really Bad for Your Gains?
November 22, 2019

Is Cardio Really Bad for Your Gains?

One of the biggest myths and common training misconceptions that you’ve probably heard at one point in your life is “cardio kills your gains.” Every statement needs some context, but what if I told you that aerobic training could compliment a well-designed strength training program and even enhance some of the gains you’re making in the weight room? Here’s a few benefits of adding in some conditioning work to your weekly regimen and how to best implement it:-Work Capacity: Better...

How Training to Failure is Ruining Your Gains
November 13, 2019

How Training to Failure is Ruining Your Gains

By: Jared Blincow CSCS, FRC, Coach at LIFT ChicagoHow many times have you heard that if you’re leaving reps on the table and not training to failure then you’re missing out on some serious gains? What if I told you there was an alternative approach that was just as effective, allowed for greater recovery, higher quality reps, and still yielded the same results? I’m not saying there isn’t a time and place where training to failure fits into a well-designed...

5 of 1,000 Reasons Why Women Should Strength Train
October 30, 2019

5 of 1,000 Reasons Why Women Should Strength Train

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1365.0"] Schedule your last “first session'“ : Get Started [/caption] If you’re not, you’re missing out.  For some reason this topic still get resistance from the media even when there is tons of favorable evidence. It is ridiculous to think women shouldn’t strength train, but men should. Let’s hash this out right now…Burn more calories: Strength training builds more muscle mass. Having more muscle mass has been proven to increase overall daily caloric burn.Get “toned”: The term...

Five Exercises Every Runner Should Be Doing
October 21, 2019

Five Exercises Every Runner Should Be Doing

1.     Dead Bug + Banded Hip FlexionThis is a great bang for your buck exercise. The dead bug exercise teaches pelvic control and trains the abdominals to resist extension and protect the lower back. The banded hip flexion challenges the core even further and provides the added benefit of strengthening the hip flexors at the same time. Focus on keeping your lower back in contact with the ground (push your belly button into the ground), and hold each...

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What People Are Saying About Lift Chicago

  • I have been working out at Lift Chicago for over 10 years. I love that the trainers create a new personal workout every couple of months for members and on... read more

    thumb Kenya Brockett

    I have always been a very active person but I have seen the biggest difference in both my strength and physique since working out at Lift. I’ve been to many... read more

    thumb Alison

    Positive: Communication ,  Professionalism ,  Quality I’ve had such a great experience here, especially training with Coach Abby! The trainers here are very attentive and helpful, which... read more

    thumb Linda Quizhpi
  • LIFT is fantastic!! The trainers are motivating and push you to your max but not in a way that you would injure yourself. The work outs are challenging but... read more

    thumb Julie Scott

    I also love the open gym and the equipment. They are constantly adding new things to make the best experience for their customers!

    thumb Juana Fermin

    I've been going to LIFT for over a year and a half and I cannot say enough positive things about this gym. The minute you walk in, you are personally... read more

    thumb Stephanie Silverstein
  • The best gym in Chicago area. Highly recommended. The sessions are super efficient and you are always working out under supervision of best coaches in town. It is super clean... read more

    thumb Daniel Seyyedi

    Great coaching in an excellent facility.

    thumb Rick Sudekum

    These deserve more stars. Ive been rocking with these guys for years. Always fun and professional. They have help me achieve my body goals by coming 3 days a... read more

    thumb Domique Bland
  • Very attentive personal trainers. Very helpful in health and diet guidance.

    thumb Phillip Hernandez

    Started working out here a couple years ago. Love the instructors and the variety of classes offered.

    thumb Anthony Samson

    Love LIFT!!! What a kind, professional and motivational group of people! Thanks for making me feel so comfortable as I begin my strength training journey.

    thumb Allie Hurwich
  • I have been coming to Lift for a few months now. Staff is incredibly knowledgeable, flexible with schedules, and are great people to train with. I have noticed a significant... read more

    thumb Matthew Brunstrum

    I started attending the women’s lifting class and absolutely love it! It’s exciting, fun and welcoming for all different ability levels!

    thumb Lainie Augensen

    The trainers are extremely helpful, creating programs tailored to each individuals need. They have created an atmosphere that is inviting and fun!

    thumb Isaac Wolfe
  • Love the Lift classes- they are really unique, with 5 circuits and a mix of weight stations with some cardio, too (rope pulls, sleds, etc.). The coaches are the best... read more

    thumb Carrie Sweeney

    I’ve had such a great experience here, especially training with Coach Abby! The trainers here are very attentive and helpful, which I definitely appreciate since I’m pretty new to weight... read more

    thumb Linda Quizhpi

    This best place to work out in Chicago. Intelligent trainers with a great atmosphere. You can tell they love what they do and are passionate about creating the best gym/workout... read more

    thumb Danielle Spellman
  • It’s always been difficult to get into a steady routine and stay motivated, until I started training at LIFT seven months ago with Coach Isaac. Not only do I... read more

    thumb Gabriel Garcia

    Positive: Communication ,  Professionalism ,  Quality These deserve more stars. Ive been rocking with these guys for years. Always fun and professional. They have help me... read more

    thumb Domique Bland

    Great variety of classes, the instructors are awesome! All very helpful and help you with any questions you may have.

    thumb Allen Hernandez
  • Lift Chicago is an incredible gym. Unbelievable equipment that you cannot find at big box gyms. I’ve been working with Pete for the past two years and he consistently challenges... read more

    thumb Jason

    I have trained with the guys at Lift for a long time and consider my sessions to be some of my best long-term investments. My workouts there are sustainable, enjoyable... read more

    thumb Brigid Sweeney

    When businesses understand what matters, it makes a world of a difference and Lift Chicago understood that it’s not just about providing a place to workout, it’s about creating a... read more

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