Evolution Strength and Conditioning

I can’t say enough great things of this place. It has grown so much since the grass roots days on Lincoln.
It’s truly an adult playground with every piece of equipment that you can imagine. Whether you do powerlifting, Olympic, Kettlebells, or pure bodybuilding, this place is amazing!
They also have turf available for sleds and lots of toys for athletes alike.
Their trainers are great and Mike is a fantastic owner. They are open to talk to and offer fantastic advice and coaching; nutrition, exercise, and much more. This place is not a big box corporate driven place, it’s truly a community where everybody helps. If you want pizza, gym/“bro” intimidation, this is not your gym. If you want results and a great atmosphere, make sure you stop by.
Can’t wait for the second floor expansion! Team EvoFit!

Great gym because it’s not only got every piece of equipment, but because it’s got specialty trainers who are the best in the field. They have an Olympic weightlifting coach, a physical therapist who’s a fighting coach, a kettle bell coach, a powerlifting coach and more. They’re about to open up a second story in the gym so they must be doing something right.

To my hardcore lifters I will describe Evo Fitness in three words… THE REAL DEAL!!! #GETSOME

If you don’t know how to work out or if you feel uncomfortable going to a big box gym this is the place for you. Before joining evolution I was out of shape overweight and pudgy, and had never worked out, but after working out with Mike Salazar owner and personal trainer at evolution I have lost over 40 pounds gained muscle and taught me how to eat better which has allowed me to maintain my weight loss I am stronger and healthier because of Mike Salazar. Thank you for helping me change my life.

Mike legitimately shows his passion of strength training and fitness by the way the gym is operated and maintained. Everything you could possibly want and more is in this place (and meticulous organized)… Kettle bells, bumper plates, prowlers… You name it they got it. Don’t know what something is? Ask Mike he’s there all the time and super helpful. I’ve tried plenty of Gyms and this one is miles ahead. Open 24 hours a day and never a wait for anything. I also think Evo is Rogue Fitness best customer. Take a look inside and you’ll agree. Top of the line everything equipment-​wise.

I am very particular about where I workout. I need kettlebells, bumper plates, prowlers, yokes, farmer walk handles and of course a lot of heavy ass weights. I need chalk, good music and good people. Evolution has all of this and then some. If you are serious about fitness this is the place for you. To top it off, Mike and Linda (the owners) are wonderful people.
I highly recommend Evolution!

Great place, great people :), especially Brittany :), she is awesome person, great at motivating people, you always feel great after a workout. GO SEE HER

Had the good fortune to work out here while visiting from out of town. What an awesome experience! Great equipment! Outstanding customer service! Mike really cares about what your fitness goals are and helping you achieve them. This is not a muscle head, frat boy environment… this is the real deal. Great workout. Lots of fun.

I love this facility. The owner, Mike Salazar, has figured out how to combine everything good about the «functional» fitness methodology with the warmth and fuzziness of a family environment, to create an OUTSTANDING fitness playground. Name it and it’s here: kettlebells, barbells, squat bars and racks climbing ropes, battling ropes, push-​sleds, artificial turf to push on, tires to flip, and tires to pound pound with custom sledge hammers, etc…
I LOVE this place. When I travel from Pittsburgh to Chicago, It feel as much of a need to visit Evolution Fitness as I do any famous Chicago restaurant!

Physical fitness and health are obviously much more than «hitting the gym» and «eating what’s ‘right’». Physical wellbeing is a mindset and a way of consistently living ones life. Welcome to EvoFitChicago.
I’m extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Michael Salazar, and ultimately EvoFitChicago, for more than six years now, and have learned more about how to wholistically to take care of myself than from any other trainer, book, or program. Michael’s philosophy is simple, «wholeheartedly and passionately focus on our goals and the results will certainly follow!» Michaels approach to physical fitness stands in stark contrast to fads and commercial enterprises, and truly engages each person as an individual; taking into consideration their personal goals, and then establishes a program that truly leads to success. Whether I have worked me Michael face-​to-​face, or via email and Skype from Berkeley CA., or South American, Michael’s fervor for his client’s success is unfaltering.
Personally, I’ve lost body fat, gained tone and muscle, and continue to eat like a champion. I learned what it takes to be strong, eat well, and to «work through the burn», all while reaching my personal goals of physical strength and health.
Want to really meet and exceed those pesky New Years resolutions, then head to EvoFitChicago … they are, without exception, the best personal training and physical fitness establishment in Chicago.

Love this place! The people here make me feel welcome, comfortable & pumped for the next training session. Most importantly I don’t feel frowned upon or judged, I’m there to train as everyone else is. Its NOT your typical commercialized gym where you feel like you’re being watched and NOT for good reasons but more as a piece of meat! If you want to feel like you belong and want more then this is your place!!! THANKS EVO FOR GIVING ME HOPE!!! ~Natalie A.

This morning I had my 2^nd personal training session here with my personal trainer, Leo — I had worked out at a different facility previously. I left the session feeling like I was ready to concur the world — for a Monday that is pretty awesome! The facility was super nice — they have equipment that I have never before had the opportunity to use because the other location I was at didn’t have it. The place has a great energetic vibe and isn’t at all overcrowded. I highly recommend checking this spot out — it is definitely a gem!

Visited this beautiful, spacious new gym earlier this week and I fell in love! Everything you could possibly need is inside these four walls without ever having to fight the crowds or wait for a machine. I trained with Leo and he was awesome! He gave me such a challenging full body work out utilizing the brand new equipment in the gym and even some that most conventional gyms don’t have. I look forward to visiting this place often! Truly a hidden gem!

It’s really intimidating working out in the big crowded gyms. The size of this place is just right and the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. I may have one trainer there, but everyone is extremely nice. It’s almost like being a part of a family. You can engage with conversation with everyone and get other tips on diet and working out. The facility is clean and is taken care of.

March 2012 I ruptured my patellar tendon. When I started rehab I needed a place to do more work. This was the perfect place. I became a member and did my rehab work but also worked my entire body with the help of the personal trainers there. Everyone there knows their craft and continuously work at being the best at what they do. They just don’t make you workout then leave, they change your mentality so fitness is a lifestyle not a fad. I wouldn’t be running and being active if it wasn’t for Mike and the staff. You feel comfortable at any level, hell I could barely walk when I first came in (8 weeks post surgery). So if you’re thinking about getting some training, this is your place. They’ll know exactly what you need to get to where you want to be, if you put in that work.

I started at Evolution in April, after looking to get a personal trainer and after reading Unilocal reviews I decided to try this place out. My boyfriend and I met Mike on a Sunday afternoon and our first trial work out got us hooked, we have been working out with Mike ever since. The past 4 months we have changed our lifestyle which includes healthier eating, training hard, and really committing to a new healthier lifestyle. We have become stronger and have noticed changes.
I have tried personal training before but haven’t gotten the results like i have now. Evo has taught me a lot and I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Just try it out and you’ll be hooked!

I first met my Evo team about 6 weeks prior to getting hitched last October. I was frantically trying to lose those last 10 lbs and NOTHING was working, I was desperate. I contacted Mike and he set me up with Brittany within hours. We sat down and discussed my goals, diet, workout, all of that. She put me right to work and I WAS able to lose those last few lbs I needed right before the wedding! More importantly, the team there has taught me what it REALLY means to be healthy– ie filling yourself up on 100 calorie snacks is more harmful than good, the importance of protein and how it will not make women bulk up, the list goes on and on.
I’ve enjoyed my transformation so much that I continue to utilize Evo and I’m actually hoping to compete in a fitness show in May– it’s become part of lifestyle and my Evo team are my friends now! I have learned so much about how to get healthy and how to stay healthy– and I owe it to Brittany and the hours she spent with me, and Mike’s nutritional guidance.

Last June, I was looking for a gym in my neighborhood. Previously I had found a personal trainer on craigslist, lost a little weight, but still struggled with getting to a normal body fat (I wasn’t looking to ripped… I just wanted to be healthy).
I had become overweight and was ready for some motivation. 8 months later, I’ve lost 50 lbs, I’m at a normal body fat %, I completed a marathon, and I’m training for a body building competition. All that and I worked out about 3 or 4 days a week! :o)
Evolution is the reason I’m where I am today. Everyone here is supportive and wants to see you succeed. When I walk in, people say hello and ask about my weekend. They truly care about you as a person and practice what they preach. My trainer, Brittany, is absolutely amazing and encourages me through the ups and downs. I couldn’t have achieved so much without her support.
No matter the fitness level or goal, the trainers at Evolution have all the tools to get you to your best. If you’re looking for a change and willing to put in the work, this is the place for you.

I’ve been to many gyms and fitness facilities, and Evolution is one of the best I’ve been to. Why? Here are just some of the reasons:
*They have a Jacob’s Ladder. I’ve only seen that watching «The Biggest Loser.»
*It’s super clean.
*They have the competition kettlebells that I am in love with. I also had a lot of fun with Mike Salazar as a classmate — we earned our IKFF Certified Kettlebell Teacher Certification Level 2 together.
*They have a phenomenal team of trainers who have expertise and genuinely care about you.
*Mike Salazar is a great person who knows how to foster a fun, positive community. He’s also a great cook, and will teach you how to make your own quinoa cookies :)
The list can go on… but I encourage you to go check it out and add your own favorite things about Evolution to this list!

Highly recommend Evolution! I have never written a review on Unilocal but had to do it now… You can’t go wrong with anyone on the Evo team, as others have posted they have a great energy and close-​knit community feel.
I have trained with Linda for over a year, thanks to her wealth of knowledge the results have been amazing.
If you’re looking for knowledgeable trainers and are willing to put in the work. this is the place to be.