South Loop Strength & Conditioning – Home of South Loop CrossFit

SLSC is awesome. I’ve box jumped a lot (see what I did there?) and I feel really at home here. Took a little bit to get settled in coming from a new gym, but after a month or so, I feel like I’ve got my routine down and met some great people. I can’t say enough great things about the coaches/​owners. There is always someone there which shows they really care, and they’re cool dudes too. Paul has helped me with my nutrition and health. I used to be a fat slob and now I’m feeling great. Ok, that may be a little extreme… I’m still a slob but just less fat. I love being a part of a growing community and look forward to being here for a long time.

TL;DR — 3 months into my first Crossfit gym experience, SLSC has exceeded my every expectation.
I’ll add my voice to the chorus of others saying laudatory things about South Loop Strength & Conditioning.
My background: played team sports my whole life through college (Division 3). College ended and I had a few brief, unproductive stints with normal gyms. For some, they work great. I’m probably less self-​motivated and just really enjoy working out with a group. I was reluctant to try Crossfit for the same reason many are: it ain’t cheap. In my case, I took the plunge on their no-​commitment monthlong trial and, at the end, couldn’t think of not continuing.
It’s my first real Crossfit experience and so I have less to say in comparison to other boxes. I will say, amongst other members with experience at other boxes, the prevailing opinion seems to be that this is a top notch business. My experience has been consistent with that.
Specifically:
1. Commitment — The owners are around, present, approachable, and genuinely seem to care about the members beyond just collecting dues. They seem to do doing it «the right way» and building a place that people will want to stay with for the long term.
2. Knowledge — Coaches, owners, and other experienced members seem educated and committed to not only teaching, but teaching the right way. They stress safety and form, knowing that once those are in place the results inevitable follow.
3. Versatility — There is a range of fitness and experience levels here, and they do a really good job of helping you get out whatever you want to put in. Crossfit games ambitions? Great. Busy with work and want to pop in a couple of times per week to blow off steam and stay healthy? They’ve got you there, too.
4. Community — As a first-​timer, I was naturally a little unsure. Owners, coaches, and members are universally friendly and approachable. They really made a new guy feel welcomed.
5. Results — It’s easiest to improve when you’ve been drinking beer on the couch for six years, as I had been, but even after 3 months I’m seeing very tangible results basically just by showing up and doing as told.

Ive been at this gym for seven months now and I feel the necessity to share its greatness with the internet. SLSC has taken me on an absolute ride for the first half of 2015, and what a positive experience it has been. SLSC takes a holistic approach to getting you to achieve your genetic potential. These coaches are very qualified teachers and motivators. There is rarely a question that gets past them. They will show you your limits, and then show you how to overcome them. It is hard to ignore their passion. They want you on their level.
At first, I was very intimidated by this place when I first started. However, I soon realized that the most respected person in the gym is the one that just walked in the door for the first time. Then it was easy to feed off the atmosphere and take the daily challenges in stride. This place has made me stronger physically, and tougher mentally. My time here has been very rewarding.

Being active has always been a priority for me, so I take pride in finding the best of the best. South Loop Strength & Conditioning goes above and beyond being just a gym. The programming is phenomenal and you can cater it to your own skill level. They also offer individual programming to reach whatever goal you’re trying to achieve. The actual best part of this gym — the community. Everyone here is warm and friendly and you’re excited to go to your workouts to see your friends. Todd and Paul, the owners of the gym, go above and beyond what’s expected as a coach/​owner. Not only do they want to help you achieve your best form and goal, they help you with your overall lifestyle. I’m so happy I found this gym — it’s changed my life!

Very welcoming environment – it doesn’t matter whether you are an avid athlete or haven’t hit a gym in several years. It’s a very team-​oriented atmosphere and each individual is there to further his or her health goals while encouraging his/​her peers along the way.
Many of the workouts involve Olympic lifts and the coaches stress the importance of proper technique before the athlete adds weight. Technique is a fundamental to succeeding in crossfit.
Overall, the coaches and athletes are wonderful. I would strongly recommend checking it out.

There are a thousand different gyms and fitness fads out there. Most of it is crap. None of the noise or marketing or Reebok commercials will get you in shape. The single most important thing you want from a gym — any gym you decide to give your hard-​earned dollars — is to have highly qualified trainers who understand (and respect) your fitness goals, who can create and help execute a plan to achieve those goals safely and efficiently. Simple, but rare.
Enter South Loop Crossfit.
I’ve participated in a lot of sports over the years. I’ve spent time in lots of gyms, with lots of trainers. The training I’m getting at South Loop Crossfit is as tough and rewarding as anything I’ve ever done. I’ve never seen a group of trainers as tuned-​in to their athletes (SLCF doesn’t care for the word «clients») as Todd, Kevin, Paul and the rest of the South Loop crew. They know each of our strengths and weakness, they know when to push and when to hold us back or substitute out an exercise in one of the daily workouts. While there is no shortage of crossfit gyms that let people act like idiots while throwing weights around recklessly, the Olympic lifts require training and technique. The South Loop coaches aren’t about doing it heavy, until you’re doing it right. That’s what you want.
I also have to say, after years and years of mostly lifting on my own and finding most gym people to be fairly insufferable, the group class environment is pretty great. Everybody jokes around, encourages each other, and commiserates over particularly tough workouts. And it’s a pretty good mix of former and current athletes and folks who have just decided its time to get off the couch and into the gym.
To be honest, the only «problem» with this place is that it will pretty much ruin you for just about any other gym experience. I was just in NYC for two months on a job and joined the local standard neighborhood gym. It sucked so hard. I couldn’t wait to get back.

Far from a gimmick… SLSC, is where it’s at! I’ve known Todd and Kevin, since March 2011. I’ve seen them go from Coaches and Members, to top-​notch business owners. They, along with Paul, are committed to offering their members the best product possible to help them achieve their health & wellness goals. Well-​rounded businessmen and workout enthusiasts, that are willing to do whatever it takes… travel any distance they need to go… in order to attend fitness seminars and learn from other fitness professionals; enabling their members to achieve high levels of fitness success, while helping their business thrive. Their members, are their business… and being able to offer the best in customer satisfaction, is the objective of SLSC. You’ll only get that at South Loop Strength & Conditioning — a Premier Chicago CrossFit Gym.

I am fortunate to have met Todd Nief and Paul Wagner, (owners of the gym) and join their gym. I have been going through some health issues, and between Todd and Paul, they helped me make adjustments to my workouts, my nutrition and lifestyle habits. I know I am in good hands when the focus is not only on training hard and heavy, but what is best for each individual person. I appreciate their brilliant training/​nutrition knowledge and know that no matter what stage (or age) I am in my life, the goal is overall health. The atmosphere is not intimidating, and open to all levels of people. I heart South Loop Crossfit!

I love so many things about this gym.
1. The space — it’s big for the city and I love the garage door open to Clark Street. Great equipment, clean, and cool atmopshere.
2. Location — Great South Loop location but close enough to downtown that I can actually walk here from my office if I want to squeeze in a lunchtime WOD.
3. Programming — this is a big one. I always research a box before I go by looking at their programming online. If you can’t find it or if it’s lame, I usually won’t bother. The programming is really one of the things I think that makes SLSC stand out amongst other boxes in the city. They offer something for every fitness level — they have a fitness, performance, and competition option each day that allows you to pick the right thing for your skill level and desired results. Honestly I’ve never seen another gym fit so much into an hour class time, but at the same time you aren’t rushed get through it and you still get a lot of individualized attention and assistance (more on that below). It really allows you to build a good foundation.
4. Coaching — The coaches here are awesome. They care so much about you and want to help you meet your goals. The classes are small enough that the coach can actually watch you and give feedback and help. That should be a given, but let’s be honest it doesn’t happen everywhere. I’ve been doing crossfit 5 – 6 times a week for 2 years, and every single time I’ve come here I have learned something new that I’ve wondered why no one ever told me before. 5. Finally — and this may be my favorite thing — the pride in ownership. The owners are just wonderful people. They aren’t people that started a business to make money. They are in it because they just genuinely love crossfit. And that really comes across which I think is really rare.

The atmosphere is amazing. If you are not a regular or even if it is your first time trying out Crossfit, there will always be someone there to assist you. The coaches and other attendees are friendly and dedicated. If you are uncertain about your form or nervous about trying out a new exercise, just ask one of the coaches and they will gladly demonstrate the proper approach to any technique. I highly recommend this gym, you will love it!

Best gym, hands down. I’m a former collegiate athlete so my main goals in finding a good gym are: an excellent training program and a competitive atmosphere, (if so desired). SLSC has the best trainers out there. Keenly knowledgeable in both fitness and nutrition. A lot of people out there don’t realize BOTH are necessary for optimal performance and wellness. Seriously, google the gym owners/​trainers: Todd Nief and Paul Wagner to see for yourself.
I’ve tried (and enjoyed) many other cross-​fit boxes out there. But SLSC is uniquely preferred because of the science and care they put into the training program. It’s not about stroking your ego, nor over-​working yourself inefficiently and ineffectively. It’s about customized results.
Last, but not least. I’m a sucker for that Mom-​N-​Pop style small business energy. Good people. Great energy. Everyone knows your name. It’s everything minus the glitter. :)
I love this gym.

I do a lot of trade shows at McCormick Place. This is a wonderful location to get your work out in. Paul is welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable. The space is great and the equipment is top notch.

I love this gym. I came here for the first time while the staff was mid-​meeting. I stood off to the side and waited for them to be done and eavesdropped in the meantime. It was really interesting and comforting to see some behind the scenes action– you can really tell they know their stuff and they’re passionate about your health and safety.
My boyfriend and I had a session with Todd and it was phenomenal. He took the time to assess our individual mobility and catered each of our workouts accordingly. He really took the weirdness out of wandering into a gym for the first time– talked to us like we’re regular humans and not some maximum output seeking meatheads.
The vibe in the gym is interesting– it’s like a fitness-​log cabin-​medieval times hybrid. Vaulted ceilings and the garage door open out to Clark St keep the space inviting and bright.
Highly recommended.

Awesome community and proficient coaches! The facility is sick! The best box in Chicago!

Im what you’d call a «sometimes athlete». Like most people I go through phases where Im annoyingly dedicated to working out and then other times I half ass it for weeks on end.
Crossfit always intimidated me (mostly because the thought of pull-​ups and lifting HUGE weights over my head isn’t exactly inviting). But after walking by SLDC for weeks on end my curiosity got the better of me so I went in to see what it was like. I was immediately greeted by Paul (one of the owners) who couldn’t have been more welcoming.
Paul took the time to answer all my questions (even the ones I was too embarrassed to ask my crossfit friends). He even offered to put me through a free workout and assessment. After that he recommended I go through their Elements program which taught me all the basics of how to move to lift properly and prevent injury.
It brought me up to a level where I felt comfortable going all the lifts and exercises and more importantly it gave the confidence to do it. That was about 6 months ago. I’ve gone from being a «sometimes athlete» to now being a daily athlete. The sense of community you build working with a great group of trainers and the group of people you workout with is the thing that keeps you going.
It’s made a pretty remarkable change in my life. I’d recommend it to anyone.

Dropped in here on a visit to Chicago, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable, and the people were friendly. Even though I’m not a regular member, I still felt welcomed with open arms. Being a regular crossfitter at another box, I can tell this gym really focuses on it’s members and they program with real foresight. I’ll definitely drop in again if I’m travelling back to Chicago, as my experience was nothing but positive.

Todd and the coaches at SLSC are top notch. I have had the pleasure of being coached by many members of their staff over the years and am continually impressed by the focus on technique and the care they place into everything that is happening. The space of the new location surpasses what one would normally find in a busy city such as Chicago. If you are traveling, they are very flexible with the schedule and will allow you to get your workout in with no issues. Drop in and check things out, you won’t be sorry!

I’ve been a member at SLSC for about a year and a half and will continue to be for a very simple reason — THEY CARE!
From the moment I started, I could tell that Todd, Paul, and the rest of the coaches were interested in helping me not just as an athlete but as a person as well. They take time to get to know each of their members and care about what our personal goals are. Their coaching is top-​notch, but it’s also very personalized because of this, and that translates into a community of CrossFitters who keep coming back for more.
Beyond the touchy-​feely aspects though, the results are incredible. I know I’m going to get my butt kicked every day and I can’t wait to come back the next day. There is intent and strategic thought that goes into every cycle of WODs (just ask them and they’ll happily tell you the theory behind the madness!), another indicator that THEY CARE about making all of us better. Show up consistently — which won’t be hard because of the touchy-​feely stuff — and the results will follow in short order.
If you’re looking for a CrossFit gym that gets beyond the buzz factor associated with CrossFit, where your coaches care about you, I can’t recommend South Loop Strength & Conditioning enough!

Love this box and love the coaches! I drop in when I’m in Chicago and the coaches are the best. They make the time to help and have allowed me to come in with a flexible schedule. The programming is fantastic with a blend of strength programs and endurance/​fitness workouts. The main reason I enjoy coming to workout here is not only I get a sweaty workout, but the people are so hospitable and friendly and really go the extra mile to make it feel like home. The community aspect really rounds this place out, plus its just a cool looking box with the street art. Keep it up guys, doing great! :)

Came here on a visit from out of town. Friendly people. Good equipment. Very welcoming.