Bulldog Bootcamp & CrossFit

Nice place and instructor. I dropped in for a crossfit class and loved it. The instructor made sure the class stayed on pace so we could get our workout done in less than and hour. He was attentive to the individual needs of each athlete and never let anyone do more than was safe for them. The class was also capped at a certain number so that the instructor could give individual attention.

I have been going to bulldog crossfit for the last 2 years. I would/​do recommend bulldog to everyone no matter your age or fitness level. The trainers there are great, friendly, and always willing to help. I walked into bulldog knowing nothing about crossfit. The trainers make a point to help you build a great foundation of form and flexibility that will help you accomplish things you never thought possible. Even the members are great. It is a tight/​friendly community that cheers you on and helps you push to new limits. But hands down the best thing I have received from my membership is how the trainers and fellow members keep you accountable. Often there are days that I just don’t feel up for working out. But the trainers and fellow members will send me texts or facebook messages helping me get butt in there to hit a great workout.5stars

I’ve been going to Bulldog for about a year & ½ and love it! I love the people and the trainers (Gio & Greg are awesome!) and the fact that no workout is ever the same. It is always challenging but fun. Definitely one of the best parts of my day!

I’ve been going here for 4 years, and have accomplished things I never thought were possible. Pull-​ups, for one, were never something I thought would be doable and by my 2^nd year I was able to do numerous kipping pull-​ups in a row. The community and excellent coaching are the other reason I love Bulldog and think its likely better than most boxes out there. Gio is an amazing trainer and if you are dedicated you will definitely see results. I also crossfitted through a pregnancy and now post-​pregnancy and the strength I have already regained is awesome. Highly recommend!

I will give 3 stars because the coaches are very knowledgable. Class times can be inconvenient and tough to get to during the week as there is never anything later than 6:30, and members are generally «kicked out» by 8. Wods never contain a legit warm up– you will have to do that on your own if you want one. Also missing the loud, fun, crazy community energy I’ve experienced at other boxes. Really wish there was more of that, as well as more individualized attention during the wods. The coaches stand to the side and watch, rather than circling through cheering and helping members. In these aspects, Bulldog does not compare to the many other boxes I’ve been to.

Shortly I’ll be starting my fourth year at Bulldog. I travel from Logan Square 3x a week or more. The thought that goes into creating workouts that develop skills and abilities over time is really beneficial. The emphasis on personal challenge, but NOT to the point of injury really helps with the motivation.
I would say, though, that the thing that most keeps me making the 1 hour round trip is the people here. The air of genuine support and friendship even makes the work hurt a little less… okay, it hurts. But after all… if it were easy, everyone would do it. ;-)

Bulldog is great! I joined in June of 2014. Everyone had a great attitude and really supported each other. Unfortunately I have a crazy work schedule and in the fall for a little over 3 months I wasn’t able to get to any classes till the first of January. I was so scared about coming back because I knew it would be starting from the beginning, again. And worried people would think I was just being lazy and didn’t want to come in. But as soon as I walked in I had a great welcoming with some hugs and high fives! Kinda felt like I was on Cheers… Everyone knew my name ;). The first few classes were challenging but I got through them! I’m now going 4x a week (till fall hits) and I couldn’t be happier. The support you get there is great! The friendships you form are amazing! It really is a community.
–The only thing I do wish is that they offered classes after 6:30pm a few times a week. :(

I’m going into my fourth month of Crossfit training at the Forest Park location and so far I love the results. I was a little intimidated when I first walked into the gym and I saw the type of exercises that people were doing. I didn’t think that I could ever endure or even perform the things I saw. When you join you have to attend 2 weeks of pre-​training before you get to join in with the other members, but this is a good thing because you learn the basics, proper posture and techniques. The gym is not fancy but they have all the proper equipment you need, and who needs fancy when all that matters are the end results. The trainers know their stuff and Gio is awesome! He is so knowledgeable and patient. I’m so glad I joined!

This review is for the Forest Park location :
After leaving a few voicemails and emails, they finally emailed me.
But they only offer classes during evenings. I told them that is unheard of as most gyms have classes during mornings and evenings.
I never heard back from them after that email.
BTW– I went and looked for the studio at the address give above but couldn’t find anything.

This is for the Lincoln Park Bootcamp…
I started with a Groupon some years ago and haven’t stopped going since. If your looking for a routine that will consistently kick your butt, no need to figure out your workout and will keep you committed. Then this is the place for you!
Trust me this bootcamp isn’t going to be easy, or some version of a gym bootcamp. It’s tough work and a lot is expected from you. Srgt. Friday requires everyone works, and pushes themselves whether its 100 squats, up a hill, or Fun Run Fridays (you don’t want to know about this one).
I can’t say enough about these guys and after having a baby, has made my body stronger, healthier, and alllllllllmost back to where I was pre-​baby. It’s one of the best ways to get my day going! I highly recommend the three days a week, for three months purchase.

Been seeing Sgt. Friday for 18 months now. I did miss a couple of months due to a foot injury but for the most part I’ve been some sort of a regular.
I show up for the 5 am class in Lincoln Park. Tough at first (actually always hard if you give 100%) but you get the hang of it. There is also a 6 am class for those that want to sleep in! Naturally there is an additional evening class 3 days week at 6:30pm.
The work changes daily so there’s plenty of variety. Upper body, lower body, core, cardio. You get it all. I love it because I don’t have to think about my workout. Sgt Friday takes care of that. All I have to do is listen to the instructions and then execute them. You’re in a group setting but at the same time you are getting a customized workout plan each day as Sgt Friday follows a regimen that targets specific parts of your body each day over the course of each month building you up one day at a time.
Going to a gym, puttering around thinking about what to do or plodding away on treamill is NOT how to get fit. Also, hiring a personal trainer (expensive!) and spending ¹⁄₃ of your time chit-​chatting is also ineffective. Bulldog Bootcamp gives you a terriffic workout, the chance to meet other people from all walks of life/​fitness levels and the plan to get you to reach your goals. You’re never embarassed if you’re just starting out. We’ve ALL been there and will encourage you. How effective is the workout? When I started, I was on blood pressure and cholesterol meds. Not anymore. I’m 20 pounds lighter and I feel good about myself. If you show up consistently and apply yourself to the best of your ability you will see changes both in body and mind. Hope to see you soon!

Was really eager to start a bootcamp at the Forest Park location, so I called and left a message. On their voicemail greeting they said the best way to get a hold of them was via email… so I emailed them through their contact us page.
Never heard back. Womp womp. I guess I’ll continue to jiggle.

After being bullied and harassed by coworker, I decided to bite the bullet and go to the Baseline class at Bulldog, which by the way is totally FREE! I knew it would be bad, not working out regularly in ages, but I did not know how bad… I literally threw up after leaving and it was only a 10-​minute baseline. They always have Groupons, the current one is 39 dollars for 4 weeks… I will try it, because I need to get myself in shape and they were very nice and supportive as everyone has said. I will post an update after going to the regular classes for a while.

I’m still new, but I have had classes with all the trainers.
Great customer service skills, these people are the most welcoming I have ever met. The workouts are tough and challenging, and you get out in an hour or less. The price is right, and free parking!!!

It’s time that I «weigh in»… with my opinion of the Bulldog Boot camp — Forest Park, IL
I brought a group-​on for forty dollars with the intent of empathizing with my daughter who had recently completed «real» boot camp.
I had twelve sessions, (three times a week for four weeks). This, of course, was just a tasting of what my daughter had to go through. I’m an early riser so I went for 5:30 in the morning — which is great that health facilities are «waking-​up» to those of us who like to get a work-​out before work! Although, I was on vacation, (I’m a teacher).
I also think that it’s important to note that I’m over 50 and I have a chronic health condition — that affects my lungs, joints, and soft tissue. I was also on chemo and steroids for eight years, as this all factors into this review.
When I called to register for the sessions I explained that I checked the reviews on Unilocal and checked out the videos and I didn’t see any one like me, but I was assured that I was not alone — and I was not. There were others who had weight issues, but no over 50 woman, some close, but not so much but…
…Let me emphasize — EVERYONE WAS VERY KIND! EVEN THE OTHER «campers». My initial visit was a shock after not really having a routine program for about the entire school year. I could do NOTHING!!! BUT! EVERYONE WAS VERY KIND.
So, I returned! :-)
Three days for four weeks — just to hear my last name barked out… Such sweet music to mine ears. It reminded me of my high school ROTC days — I often saluted with my left hand. I was easily flustered then as well, when barked at:-) Still, the exercise routine, although very rigorous, was great to get me up and moving.
I can do squats, which translates into normal life in that, I can go up and down the stairs relatively without pain and without taking one stair at a time, (this was my life as recent as two months ago). I can do push-​ups, sit-​ups that are like crunches, and I have more energy — I can stay awake pass 10. Wow! I used to fall asleep around 8:00 — 8:30. My daughters numbers one and two, (number three is in the army — I also have sons one, two and three — YES! That means I have six children); noticed that I have some muscle tone/​definition in my arms. I lift ten pound weights everyday now.
There is much more that I can do that I could not do, thanks to those twelve sessions of boot camp. Sadly, I had to stop because as a teacher there is a real threat of striking, (no, I’m not with CPS, but another district), and I could not justify paying money that could be needed later for things like food, the mortgage, utilities, gas… The boot camp rate is fair, although, I did ask about a discount, (there are discounts for public servants, police and fireman, veterans and students — not teachers).
I’ve continued pretty much the same routine that was presented to me and it does produce results. Something that the boot camp did that I don’t, is time myself. I never cared if I came in first, (which I never did) or last — which was always me. I guess I’m not very competitive. At my stage of the game I care about moving forward, (I was NEVER one for not moving — I am always busy, but busy and exercise are not synonymous — you may quote me :-) The owner always said that we were better than the guy that never gets up and does anything — that we were off of the sofa, (I rarely sit on my sofa and I don’t watch t.v.).
Overall, this is a great social sports fitness program for the young to middle aged adults who like competition and direction, (like from a drill sergeant — Gio, I know you’re a softy and Wendy — you are prefect at encouragement and enthusiasm). Hopefully, I’ll be back during a break from school, (even if we don’t strike I leave for school at 5 in the morning to get to school for 6 to set up for the dears that come at 7 and then I don’t leave until about 5 in the evening — I think this alone makes me a public servant :-).
Carry on troops!

After 5 month of Bootcamp at the Lincoln Park location, and before taking a small winter break, I think it’s time for me to give my feedback.
I cannot define myself as a sporty guy and, even though I’ve always been careful with my diet and I have done some workout in the past, this time I finally found something that I really love.
Yes, it is painful; yes, it is exhausting; and yes, sometimes it is even frustrating. And yet, the Bulldog Bootcamp workout make you feel accomplished and, in a few months, you will see an amazing progress and real results.
In addition, Bulldog Bootcamp is also a lot of fun! It feels really good to workout outdoors in the park with a different set of exercise every day.
To top all of that, there couldn’t be a better instructor than Sgt. Friday: she is demanding, but very helpful, attentive and, she never lets you down.
Now, what are you waiting for? Go and sign up for the first available session. Careful, though, Bulldog Bootcamp is highly addictive!

Sargent Friday was very nice and got me into her 630 Lincoln Park class at the last minute, then she got mean… good mean. Kicked my ass every day and it was exactly what I needed. After day 3 I thought I was going to die. But then after resting over the weekend I pushed through week 2. Week 3 got better. Week 4 was the middle of record breaking heat, 107 degrees out and I’m doing Burpies, Deep Squats, Arm Haulers and running in between.
I will be attending again.

(for Lincoln Park location)
I’m going to sound like an infomercial, but I“m not as annoying as those weird hard-​bodied models on TV at 4 AM with their «fat blaster» or thingamabob. So please trust my word!
Bulldog ROCKS. YOUR. BOD.
I’m no athlete, never played sports my whole life. But as an individual, I’ve tried dozens and dozens of workouts. swimming, boxing, aerobics, dance, cycling, treadmill, jogging, pilates, yoga, blah blah, ALL OF IT.
I’m not dissing those other workouts, those are great.
But with Bulldog, your body changes. From the inside out. I’m actually in it right now and did it last summer, too. I just had my second workout, and I swear to you, my body is warmer. I literally feel myself radiating heat. I’m a MACHINE, BABY! Something to do with waking up at 5:15 AM and working your ass off for an hour really changes your metabolism. At the end of my one month session last year, I was at my lowest weight since age 17.
So, the workouts. It will make you hate life, and want to quit everything at the moment. Sometimes, you will swear at the instructors under your breath. Sometimes, you will be scared that you’re going to vomit all over someone. But you do get used to it, mentally and physically.
Bulldog is run-​heavy. I’m not a runner, so maybe that’s why I get so nauseous sometimes. But try to prepare with running before you start a session. It’s not JOG-​centric. It’s RUN-​centric. They will make you sprint, even after doing 200 pushups and army crawls across north beach. If you can’t keep up, you lose the group.
I don’t recommend this for anyone with injuries or prone to injuries. I don’t recommend it to anyone who needs to lose more than 50 pounds. (Great to try, but the couple people I’ve seen try this just can not do the workouts, seems like a waste of money to me) It’s great for athletes who want to train differently, normal non-​athletes like me who workout regularly, and people who want to lose 10 – 15 pounds.
Oh, and one or two of the instructors actually did military boot camp, for realz. So they kick your booty. They seem to notice if you skip, take attendance, and will remember your last name at some point. I’ve done other bootcamps, and they do not compare, even a little bit.

Ok, it’s late January, there’s freakin’ ice all over the place, and I’m STILL working out at Bulldog??? Yep. This rocks. Yeah, the cold hurts, but the workouts hurt more. You know what makes it all better? Looking at all those flabby co-​workers, going to the gym twice a week, getting winded on the second floor staircase, yeah, that’s right, suck it up!
I am still trying to talk everyone I know to join, and I think a few people are listening… Still, this is still a great workout, the instructor is awesome (hey Friday!), and I’m only going to keep getting better. I totally recommend.

Now having finished my 4-​session stint of Bulldog Bootcamp (last day was inclined suicides in the snow), I am still enthusiastically recommending it. I took a month off for the holidays, but will be starting another 3-​month re-​enlistment on January 10. Yay!
Regarding winter time exercise. make sure you have a good base layer (I use TNF midweight base layer) and waterproof pants for the snow (mine were from Target). Water resistant gloves are really useful since you’re doing stuff like pushups in the snow. Also something to shield your face from the wind is SO helpful, and Goretex (or some other kind of waterproof material) shoes are a must. I actually shed layers during the workout, so the winter thing is not really so bad. the worst part is getting there. After that. they’ll make sure you stay warm. =]