LIFT LESSONS

Why Runners Should Lift Weights
October 17, 2019

Why Runners Should Lift Weights

Most runners have heard that lifting weights can make you slow and bulky. Not only is this a falsely perpetuated myth, but strength training is a great way to reduce injuries and shave precious seconds off of your race times involves weight training. Strength training is also a great way to complement your 5k or marathon training and can have a positive effect on your daily life as well. Here are a few reasons why every runner needs to be...

October 8, 2019

6 Back Stretches/Exercises You Need To Be Doing.

By: Jared Blincow, CSCS, Strength Coach LIFT Chicago The average person spends eight hours of their day sitting at a desk only to get home and sit on the couch watching tv, surfing the internet, or scrolling through their phone. This daily pattern can wreak havoc on your posture and is a popular culprit for a number of different injuries and might be the source of your chronic pain. The “rounded shoulders” (shown on the left) look is caused by...

September 19, 2019

7 Benefits to having a Strength Coach/Personal Trainer 

It’s educational. Sessions are much more than you just working out. You gain knowledge of what to do, how to do it, and how it benefits your health and fitness. You learn the most important things you need to concentrate on to be most successful and what things are fitness myths that are very irrelevant. Education is going to help you focus on your goals and develop a strategy to get there.They perfect your form. Don’t think it’s that important?...

May 8, 2019

5 SMARTER WAYS TO TRAIN YOUR ARMS 

If you have ever train here at LIFT you may have noticed we don’t always directly train the arms because compound lifts (just a fancy word for 2 or more joints) are more efficient for our clients. Having said that, we do believe there are benefits to hitting the arms when programmed correctly.Benefits:Improve compound liftsImprove shoulder healthImprove arm growthThinking about how you program arm training can do wonders to consistent and sustainable growth. Here is what we like to consider…What...

May 4, 2019

REAL STRENGTH SERIES: SHOULD YOU BE SQUATTING? HOW TO SET UP THE SQUAT…

The squat is a functional movement that our bodies naturally begin to develop from infancy. Unfortunately, some individuals begin to regress in this movement over time and now struggle to perform it properly. It is one of the foundational bilateral movements we use here at LIFT to build strength in the lower body and core. It’s rare for us to complete a training session with a client without having them perform some variation of a squat at least once. Let’s...

April 8, 2019

REAL STRENGTH SERIES: LET’S RETHINK YOUR CORE TRAINING

Core training may be, simultaneously, one of the most overused and most commonly misunderstood concepts in the fitness world. Whether we are at the gym, taking a yoga class, or simply scrolling through social media, we see countless fitness influencers performing incredibly complex movements and slapping them with labels such as “functional” and “core” training. Some of the most common examples include people throwing themselves to the floor and jumping back up, swinging their legs to pull up over a...

4 Exercises to Help You Get to a Push-Up
March 1, 2019

4 Exercises to Help You Get to a Push-Up

When it comes to push-ups we tend to see a massive array of form choices and/or habits that create problems left and right for the trainee. Whether it is the “lazy seal”(hips sagging to ground), the “head nodder”, or the “butt up wonder” the form is wrong and may be dangerous. Progressing into a full push-up can be difficult, but definitely not impossible. Here are a few exercises you can do to hold fantastic form while building that push-up strength.Wait…we...

February 6, 2019

Quick Tips to Maximize Strength

If you have been exercising for quite some time and feel you aren’t getting any stronger try concentrating on a few of these pointers! Maximizing strength is a lot more straight forward than people make it out to be. Let’s take a look at what I am talking about. First, simplify everything! If you want to be strong at deadlifts don’t waste your time doing 4 sets of 20 chest flies and start deadlifting! Too many times people become too...

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What People Are Saying About Lift Chicago

  • I've been training at LIFT since they opened and the trainers here are second to none. They are highly skilled, consummate professionals, and just all around nice guys. ... read more

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    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

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    I have been training at Lift for over a year and I can easily say it is the best personal training experience I have ever had. Josh and the rest... read more

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  • Abby is great! I’ve been training with her for almost 2 years and it’s been great! The set time forces me to workout. Lift is a great option for beginners... read more

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    Highly recommended. If you want a personalized, thorough, concise workout this is it. Each personal trainer is excellent for listening to your fitness goals, celebrates your achievements and accommodates any... read more

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    It has been challenging for me to find the motivation to workout since the beginning of the pandemic. Lift has helped me to get back into a routine in a... read more

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  • Amazing Gym! All the instructors are incredible! I'm hooked! Never a dull moment! Every single second is used! Scheduling Training! One of the easiest and most transparent... read more

    Erik Fogel Avatar Erik Fogel

    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

    Jason Avatar Jason

    Can’t recommend LIFT enough. If you’re looking for challenging, yet functional, strength training program to look and feel your best, LIFT is the place. All of the coaches there are... read more

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

    Anthony Samson Avatar Anthony Samson

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

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    Love everyone here and they all get to know you even if you aren't their client. I train with Abby twice a week and it's always a great experience. She... read more

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  • I have a very busy schedule, so my training sessions need to be very efficient, staying under an hour at all times. LIFT provides a highly “efficient” workout protocol—... read more

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    I’ve been training with Sarah at Lift for almost 2.5 years and it has been a great experience! I had never been able to maintain motivation for a consistent workout... read more

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    Anthony Gayles Avatar Anthony Gayles
  • 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

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    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

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    Positive: Communication ,  Professionalism ,  Quality

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  • I recently joined Lift ~2 months ago and it's been an incredible experience! Whether you're a beginner (like me) or seasoned pro, this gym caters to all. Victoria, my coach,... read more

    Lauren Dicken Avatar Lauren Dicken

    Lift is THE place to go to perfect your training, perfect your form, and have an incredible time while doing it. Josh and the other coaches are the smartest and... read more

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    Hands down the best gym and the best trainers in the city. The entire experience from start to finish is outstanding. The staff is friendly, the equipment is... read more

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  • WOW!!! I cannot say enough great things about Lift Chicago! Truly a fantastic experience. First off, with all things COVID, I felt very safe and comfortable using the equipment. Every... read more

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    After working out at LIFT for a year now, I can't say enough good things about this place. My trainer, Isaac, is kind, knowledgeable, experienced, and careful, making sure... read more

    Paula Hoste Avatar Paula Hoste

    Amazing Gym! All the instructors are incredible! I'm hooked! Never a dull moment! Every single second is used! Scheduling Training! One of the easiest and most transparent sign up... read more

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