LIFT LESSONS

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...

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...

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...

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?...

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...

1 2

What People Are Saying About Lift Chicago

  • Looking for a great workout with Chicago’s best trainers, in an immaculate space in Lincoln Park or River North? Then do not delay and book an appointment at LIFT today!... read more

    Kristin Arnold Avatar Kristin Arnold

    Its always been a great experience with a professional environment, high quality and well maintained machines. I'd definitely recommend this gym to anybody wanting to reach personal goals for themselves.

    Francisco King Avatar Francisco King

    Hands down best gym for power lifters, strong men, body builders. Equipment is top notch and it’s very clean and well maintained.

    Katie Cunningham Avatar Katie Cunningham
  • Great coaching in an excellent facility.

    Rick Sudekum Avatar Rick Sudekum

    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 Liss Avatar Paula Liss

    I’ve been training at Lift for a year and a half - the workout, professionalism, facilities and trainers are the best of the best. Strength training at Lift has transformed... read more

    Alexi Zloof Avatar Alexi Zloof
  • 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

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

    Juana Fermin Avatar Juana Fermin

    The women's LIFT class has been a highlight of my week for a few years now. Sarah is a fantastic trainer who puts together great workouts and provides helpful feedback.... read more

    Christine Ryan Avatar Christine Ryan
  • I’ve been training at Lift since it opened, and with Pete prior to. Everyone here is always extremely professional and so very nice. They may not know it, but they... read more

    Jenny Gariepy Avatar Jenny Gariepy

    I have loved working out at Lift since my first visit and now go twice a week. I particularly like the welcoming friendly atmosphere - everyone is welcome regardless... read more

    Mary O'Broin Avatar Mary O'Broin

    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

    Jake Morrissy Avatar Jake Morrissy
  • I highly recommend Lift Chicago. I have been training here for a little under a year and love it! All of the trainers are extremely knowledgeable, motivating and welcoming. Every... read more

    Jessie Allen Avatar Jessie Allen

    Great experience. Had my 1:1 with Chad & Mike years ago pre-Covid. They tailored it to my needs. Give them a try, you’ll not regret it. ... read more

    E M Avatar E M

    I’ve been training at Lift since it opened (and with Josh elsewhere for a few years prior). As a middle aged endurance athlete, I used to think I should strength... read more

    Dana Rothschild Avatar Dana Rothschild
  • 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

    Danielle Spellman Avatar Danielle Spellman

    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

    Kenya Brockett Avatar Kenya Brockett

    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

    Samantha Allen Avatar Samantha Allen
  • 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

    Domique Bland Avatar Domique Bland

    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

    Daniel Seyyedi Avatar Daniel Seyyedi

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

    Anthony Samson Avatar Anthony Samson
  • 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

    Alexis Jawny Avatar Alexis Jawny

    The whole staff there is great. You cannot go wrong training with any of them. Plus, it is super clean. I feel complete safe going there with COVID-19.

    Timothy McAlister Avatar Timothy McAlister

    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