CrossFit Lake Zurich

Eight weeks ago, I joined CrossFit Lake Zurich (shortly after they opened). Since that time, here are some changes I’ve noticed (prompting my review):
* I have lost weight
* I have gained muscle
* I am leaner
* I am stronger
* I am faster
* I’ve lost at least one dress size
* I eat healthier (because I want to believe it or not — I feel better when I do)
* I’m sore a lot of the time (ok, most of the time)
* I don’t care how stupid I look (trust me I look stupid) — the results are worth it
* I realized how out of shape I truly was
* I see how out of shape others are too
* I enjoy working out
* I no longer feel the need to belong to a health club
* I realized there are people around me who inspire me
* My soon to be husband has now joined
* I LOVE how I feel every single day — I walk taller, I sit straighter, I feel stronger, I feel better than I ever have mentally
* I will never quit
While I am no stranger to health clubs– from Ballys to Midtown Club and others in between (I once was competitive myself — marathons, tri’s, etc.), I fell into work and into a boring day to day grind of boring workouts — I never saw results (which also got to be boring).
Walking into CrossFit Lake Zurich was one of the best decisions I have ever made and let me just say that when I did walk in this place, it was just a «box» — some weights, kettlebells, barbells, not a whole lot. So obviously there is a lot to be said about the person behind this place but that is something you cannot figure out unless you give it a chance by walking in and trying it.
By next year at this time (my 48^th birthday), my goal is to be able to do a pullup — maybe even a few — and not something to be taken lightly.
There are true athletes who work out here every single day and then there are people like me. Never rule out anything until you try it — that’s all I can say. CrossFit Lake Zurich has changed my life in a very positive way.
And to think… it’s just a box. ;)

I have been training with Karl for about 4 to 5 days a week for almost one month now and I am very happy with this Crossfit gym so far. I would definitely recommend this gym and Karl to anyone who wants to train with a fitness expert at a very reasonable price. My husband and I love the smaller classes and individual attention. We did our research before finally deciding on training with Karl. We really didn’t want to be 1 of 20 to 30 people who probably only gets the trainer’s attention once or twice per WOD. Karl is very fit but also very smart, definitely not a meat head. His scientific approach to fitness and health really sets him apart from other trainers.
There are a couple of things that makes this place stands out when comparing with other gyms: 1, Karl the trainer is not just a gym owner. He has been training and coaching professionally for 10 years. When I say professionally, I mean fitness has been his job for 10 years and he has degrees plus key certifications that enhances his expertise in this. I know Crossfit is trending right now, anyone with ANY background can start a Crossfit gym easily. All he or she has to do is look the part. Can they help you lose weight and get fit? Sure. But a lot of the time, they train you base on how they train themselves. It might work, but it might not be the most effective or safest. All you have to do is Google Crossfit fail on YouTube and you can see how dangerous it can be to train with an amateur trainer who has no idea the physiology or the scientific basis behind every move. Karl, on the other hand, is a fitness expert with a heart of a teacher vs. the heart of a salesman. He tailors the workouts to each individual’s abilities and experiences, and he wants you to learn and understand. He is professional yet fun and easy going. He pushes you hard yet never let you get discouraged. 2. His education in biological sciences and physical therapy makes him an expert when it comes to making sure we have got the forms down correctly, it’s quality over quantity. He knows the names and functions of all the muscle groups. And he knows the correct ways to work them. I am a pharmacist and I was very impressed with his knowledge on the human body and fitness. I used to suffer from backaches when I worked the kettle bells, after his corrections on my form, not only is the pain gone, I am now able to swing a lot heavier KBs and I feel and am so much stronger. 3. Most Crossfit trainer only has 1 certification: Crossfit level coach, which is very easy to get. He is a National Academy of sports medicine certified personal trainer, and corrective exercise specialist, which my husband told me were a lot more difficult to get. He is also a United States weightlifting sport performance coach, which is awesome because I love barbell training! I know I am in safe hands here, God knows how easy it is for one to get injured working with heavy barbells.
So schedule a free class, you will not regret it! :)