FitWit

I had a great experience here. It was a good workout that included both running as well as strength training. Everyone there was very friendly and treated you like you belonged, even if it was your first time there. They clearly had an understanding of what everyone was capable of since they had different expectations for their members. Some were told to keep going and that they were not allowed to quit (those they knew they could push) and others were told to keep up the good work, even if they walked to the next station and got there just minutes before everyone else was about to leave. They had a great group dynamic.

Truly the best fitness center around. The studio side offers small group classes in an encouraging environment, with classes from 6 in the morning to 7:00 or so in the evening, so you can find a time to workout every day. The boot camp side is full of amazing coaches and campers who keep everyone motivated and coming back.
I really never thought I’d be a person who wakes up to work out at 6 or 7am. But I love doing it at FitWit.

How do I love FitWit? Let me count the ways. It’s fun! I actually want to get up at 5:30 in the morning and go (something I have never felt before) 4 days a week! The trainers are knowledgeable, encouraging, friendly, and there every day — no gym turnover rates here! The people who do FitWit are super friendly and welcoming and also encouraging. i fell like everyone is working hard but super supportive at the same time, the perfect balance. Just enough push to make me want to reach goals, but no punishment or shaming, just massive support along the way. The workouts change daily and (with the exception of wall ball and burpees), I love all of them! My strength has increased incredibly. My mood is through the roof! Total mood pick me up! My energy is up. I feel really good about I am accomplishing. I am losing fat and weight. I am gaining muscle and a sense of what I can do. Oh, and I am making friends. I could not love FitWit more!

Best fitness routine, really keeps me accountable. I will never go back to the gym, this is much more effective… & fun!

I’m sure the program itself is great and the coaches and trainers are fantastic. However, my initial experience left a lot to be desired. Based on all the outstanding reviews, I got in touch to schedule an initial assessment and consultation. Things started off well, but rapidly got sidetracked when the issue of monthly rates came up. I understand they have a certain rate range for their services, and that’s fine. I was not expecting to be shut out so quickly as soon as I mentioned the prices may be slightly out of my budget. I was hoping to at least have some of my questions answered, and I could have then made an educated decision to increase my budget or not. However, I was promptly told that this program «may not be for me» without any regard to my other questions or queries. Not sure if the person on the other end was just having a bad day, but it was enough to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

A great group of folks/​utopians of all fitness levels, who motivates and encourages you to push yourself beyond what you think you’re capable of. Who else but utopians could create utopia.

I joined FitWit in 2012, making this one of my longest-​running fitness commitments to date. I had no idea what a burpee or wall ball was starting out, and now I am a proud owner of a incredibly dusty, stinky yoga mat. Although I have not tried out all the various bootcamp programs around town, here are some qualities I’ve grown to love in the Midtown location:
1. Knowing your name. The first day that you walk in, expect the trainers to call you out by name. I used to think the head trainer was a former teacher with her incredible recall, but it seems to be the common requirement of trainers. And I like it! It makes you feel more invested when you feel like you have a personal cheerleader. And having trainers know your name make it easier to get to know other people in your workout crew.
2. Tracking. Ideally, we’d all improve in the weight we can lift and the time we run a mile. FitWit makes it easier by keeping track of certain workouts that you can check online. For me, it’s a good way to see long-​term progress.
3. Goal-​setting. We regularly set goals and work on improving them. Whether it’s training for a 5K or working on the perfect push up or tackling those elusive double unders. I can’t say I’ve done really well on these goals, but it is nice to set aside time to work on a collective goal.
4. Working out outdoors. Confined to an office space, it really is nice to get outside to work out, even if we are at the mercy of the weather. We probably need to apologize to all the neighbors when we all run through or take over the sidewalk…
5. Variety of workouts. Workouts throughout the week are typically pretty varied, so I never get bored. Also, dare I say they are usually fun? Sometimes there are AMRAPs (as many reps as possible), timed workouts, or skill building. There’s music and there’s talking (when it’s possible) and there’s a lot of pushing us to our edge. After trying out another bootcamp, I’ll say that there must be a lot of forethought and programming for the workouts.
6. Trainers. The trainers and helpers do not hesitate to drop down to the ground to show you how to do an exercise. They are always walking around and you never feel that they are whiling away the time — they are so necessary.
7. Equipment. Granted, these types of classes are already a monetary commitment. So it’s extra nice that they provide all the equipment that we need. Kettlebells, heavy ropes, med balls, and a pull-​up station — all these items keep the workouts varied.
Okay, so this list has gotten a bit long. But you get the gist, no? This is a well-​organized camp that cares about your progress and the «family» feel, such that you feel welcome each day that you show up. There are a lot of other benefits of this camp (Fitwit Foundation and extra Saturday workouts), but if you want a camp that caters to a wide range of fitness levels, I can’t think of a better option.

I have been a member of the «Fitwit Nation» for quite some time. When I joined Fitwit, I had a desire to improve my fitness level, and knew very little about how to do that correctly. Upon joining, I discovered that the exercise regimen is changed daily.
Not only do I not have to come up with my own fitness routines, but the trainers give ALL of us individual attention. In every workout, the trainers work with me to improve my form, posture, and ability. And working out in a group is the most effective way I have found to push myself beyond my physical limits without risking injury.
I am in the best shape of my life. My confidence has skyrocketed. I can dance for hours at a time, to the point that people regularly photograph me in public. My energy levels through the day are higher than they have ever been, and I am as energized at 10pm as I am at 8am. Joining Fitwit is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Workouts, Community, Giving back!
I have been coming to FitWit for over a 1 year and I just love it. The trainers are top notch, the group atmosphere creates competition against yourself while in the company of others, holds me accountable, provides me encouragement and support, keeps me coming back every day. I would highly recommend if you’re in a rut or bored with a gym.
The best part about FitWit is part of my monthly membership goes straight to The FitWit Foundation. A wonderful non profit helping Teens learn about fitness and eating healthy.
Highly Recommend!!!

I love FitWit! I found this program through a ScoutMob deal, and it’s not like your typical cross fit or boot camp program. Everyone is friendly which I feel has been missing from some of the other programs I’ve tried. I’ve built some strong relationships in just a few months.
FitWit is the only exercise I can commit to, show up on time to, and do week after week. There is enough variety that it keeps me interested, and it’s been so good for me emotionally and physically. My relationships have improved, I feel better. .. I can’t say enough good things!

Look, I’ve never ever been what you’d call sporty. I’ve been known to do some spin classes or hit the elliptical from time to time, but prior to starting Fitwit, I had never had a consistent fitness routine. I’d never done a single pushup in my entire life (seriously… this is embarrassing to admit publicly), couldn’t imagine running a whole mile (possibly even more embarrassing), couldn’t jump rope without doing that weird double-​hop thing ingrained in me from doing Double Dutch in elementary school, and thought a burpee was something terribly rude people did at the dinner table.
Last September (2012), I noticed a Unilocal Deal for Fitwit at right about the same time I’d figured out that I was going to have to do something about my fitness level, or lack thereof. The Unilocal reviews were glowing, so I investigated further, analyzing the photos on Fitwit’s website and Facebook page to try to see if anyone else looked as out of shape as me. I saw a pretty wide variety of shapes and sizes, so I bought the deal, figuring that I’d only have to make it through four weeks.
Ten months later, I’m still at it. Nobody is as shocked as I am. It’s no exaggeration to say that Fitwit has completely changed my life, my body, and my health. Hurrah! If you’re worried that you might not be able to keep up, don’t be. Believe me, if I did it, anybody can. Everyone cheers for one another, and it’s one of the most supportive environments I’ve ever experienced. You’re only competing against yourself, and you’ll see measurable progress fast. The trainers are remarkably knowledgeable, non-​judgmental, and adept at dealing with people of all fitness levels, providing all sorts of modifications when necessary to help you work your way up to where you want to be.
Fitwit also does an amazing job of fostering the community aspect of fitness. You’ve got to love any boot camp that organizes monthly socials so that we can all drink together and chat about non-​exercise-​y stuff. Oh, and part of your money goes to the Fitwit Foundation, which helps kids get fit, so that’s nifty too. There are several camps a day in Decatur, Midtown, and Grant Park.

Holy hell — why did I think this was a good idea again?!?
I had the privilege (?) of trying a FitWit workout during In It to Thin It. At 8 am on a Saturday. I’m a morning person, so the time wasn’t really an issue. But working out at that time — big issue. I would have much preferred to be enjoying some coffee and a book on this frigid morn. But I battled the freezing temps and a hike all the way to Decatur to punish myself on this day. After arriving, we were walked through some warm-​ups which actually provided very little warmth. Next — run a lap. Sure, I can do that. Now onto the fun part…
We were separated into 2 groups randomly to complete two different circuits. My first circuit consisted of 4 stations (reverse push ups, burpees (HATE), resistance bands, and star jumps), backpedaling between them, followed by a lap after the 4^th station. Effective? Probably. Fun? Not even close. The second circuit wasn’t nearly as bad (in my opinion). Only 3 stations this time — heavy ropes, planks, and some jumping thing. I’m pretty sure I was doing the jumping part all kinds of wrong, but the trainer guy didn’t seem to mind so I just went with it.
The group on this morning was really good — a nice mix of enthusiastic motivators and «why the hell am I here right now”-ers. I, on the other hand, chose to focus my attention on bribing the trainer (totally ineffective FYI). The regulars in attendance were very helpful and encouraging to a lot of us newbies. I’m a big fan of this group dynamic and would consider doing FitWit again. Just not at 8 am on a Saturday when it’s 32 degrees out.

I was able to try FitWit through the In It to Thin It program. We showed up at 8 am on a Saturday morning at Decatur High School’s football field. It was freezing that morning (for real! 32 degrees). I showed up in 4 layers of clothing, a fleece jacket and gloves.
We ran a lap around the field and did some calisthenics to warm us up. This warmed me up a little bit. Just enough to ditch the fleece jacket. I still kept all 4 other layers on throughout the remaining workout.
There were two trainers and they split the group into two. For one group, we rotated between doing a plank for 60 seconds, doing frog jumps (no clue if that’s what it’s really called or not), and working with these huge ropes. We cycled through each station about 6 times. After about the second or third cycle, I couldn’t keep up the plank position. I started collapsing on my stomach and kind of just laid there for a bit to catch a break. The ropes were a lovely torture device. The gloves really helped out with these to protect your hands. You had to do something different with the ropes each time you came up to the station. My arms felt like they were about to fall off after the third go round.
The second group had four stations set up. Reverse push ups, star jumps, resistance arm bands, and burpees. I had never done most of these before. The reverse push ups were a bit challenging because the ground was wet and it was still very cold. It was hard to concentrate on lifting my body due to thinking about how wet I was getting. Burpees are a special kind of fun. I did discover that it helps to make this fun «wheee» noise when doing star jumps. We had to run backwards between each station. Do 5 of the selected exercise and then move on to the next station. When you hit all four stations, you run around the entire track forward. You hit all the stations again and increase by 1 each time until time runs out.
There were a lot of people there and everyone was at a different fitness level. I am not the most athletic person but I didn’t feel like I was out of my league. Everyone was super supportive and encouraging. Some of the regulars even stayed with me to help me with the various stations. The trainers did a great job of being supportive yet trying to push you just a little more.
I thought this was a great workout. I would consider doing the program on a regular basis if they had a location close to me. Unfortunately the three current locations are not convenient for me to go to multiple times during the week. Maybe they’ll expand to a close location and I can pick this up.

Tried FitWit today. My thoughts? Wow, this is a special kind of abuse.
It’s a Saturday morning (8am) at Decatur High School Stadium. It’s 32 degrees and the field is shaded from the sun, it’s cold!
We warmed-​up with those funny calisthenics you see in those 70s sports movies. They sorta worked, I was still freezing. After a lap around the field, jumping jacks, various leg lifts, and walking lunges… the REAL fun began.
The workout was two circuits with multiple rotations that we switched half way through. None of the activities were the highlight of my day. The rotations sucked as would any physical exertion like this first thing in the morning, it required a lot of energy and effort. Wait… they weren’t too bad, I’ve had much worse workouts.
It was a large group of folks with varied levels of athleticism. It didnt feel like a competition and the participants were very encouraging and supportive, not just the trainers. I like the group dynamic versus doing your own thing in a gym, it was nice.
Battling the cold was challenging. As folks were stripping off clothes from overheating I was still suffering from cold chills. It was hard to get motivated while being so cold. Between the temp and the workout I lacked the energy to keep warm and go full force.
Overall, it was a good workout. I would like to do it again under different conditions. I would suggest you eat something first and have a lot of water with you. My only complaint, I would have preferred to have done this indoors.

I have always fought exercise tooth and nail, and I signed up for FitWit thinking I’d just do it for a month as a jump start kind of thing to get me motivated. Two weeks into the first month, I was hooked and signed up for a membership.
They’re the hardest workouts I’ve ever done, but It’s worth it. I find I actually enjoy what we do, and even when it’s something I don’t like (I’m well-​known for my hatred of running) I am still motivated to push myself and do my best.
I love that the trainers push us hard but aren’t like bullying drill sergeants. They are encouraging above all. The group setting adds a certain level of accountability in the competitive sense, but also because you get to know your fellow campers and notice when they aren’t there, so you don’t want to skip a session and feel like you let them down. There’s a real «team» feel in the group — we all cheer for each other and help each other out, which is awesome. I’m often the slowest one in my group, but nobody has ever made me feel bad about it. I’m always met with cheers, high-​fives, and the overall encouragement and motivation it takes to stick with something like this.
I’m finishing my third camp this week, and I feel so far ahead of where I was when I started. I ran two miles in Grant Park last week even though I could barely get through one lap on the track when I started. I finally moved up from knee push-​ups to doing push-​ups on my toes. I’m using kettlebells 10 or sometimes 15 lbs heavier as well as a heavier medicine ball than when I began. Best of all, I’ve lost weight, gotten a LOT stronger, and I feel much better overall. I can’t recommend FitWit enough!

Joining FitWit in February of this year was one of the best choices I’ve made for my health and fitness in years.
FitWit is entirely worth the cash for a few simple reasons.
You will work harder, and therefore get better results, than working out alone in a gym. I’ve done it, I know. Training for half marathons, lots of hot yoga, etc have never gotten me the results I see now — muscles and the ability to run a mile or more without panting.
The community makes a difference. Working out with friends and familiar faces who are struggling just as much you is beyond helpful, even if they’re struggling with a weight that’s twice as heavy as the one in your hands. The regular socials and trainer check-​ins are also fantastic tools and motivators.
The trainers will not yell at you, say negative things, or be assholes. This is also huge. This is not military training camp — this is a (mostly) fun way to get fit.
Highly recommended!

A couple of months ago, I was stuck in a rut with my usual 20 miles a week running and occasional weightlifting and tennis playing. I was invited to the free friend week where I got to participate in 4 tough workouts with the rest of the veteran campers. I was hooked. The 7 am trainers at the Grant Park location (Jackson High School on Glenwood) are awesome! They encourage, are cognizant of form and make sure you get the most out of your workouts. Shout out to Josh, Lindsay, Gabe, Kevin, Stacy, Ben, Cassie, Whitney and Julie!
Not only are the trainers effective, but there’s a sense of community with the campers. Newbies and veterans alike are treated with respect and everyone encourages one another. It’s hard not to show up every morning knowing that you will enjoy yourself. There’s also the FitWit Foundation that part of your membership goes to. Helping the local community get fit is definitely a worthy cause.
Now, already being in decent shape, there wasn’t a lot of weight for me to lose, but I know I wanted to strengthen my core and I am well on my way to doing that. The variety of exercises, especially the kettlebell training, really gives you a total body workout. The trainers also assist with personalized goals for every camper so that you can get the most out of the workouts.
There’s flexibility to fit busy schedules. Most people go 4 times a week, but you can go 3 or 2 times. Each session consists of 4 weeks. If something comes up and you can’t go to your normal time slot, that’s okay. They want to make it as convenient as possible. There’s also camps in Decatur and Midtown.
Before I joined, I was wary of the fitness «boot camps,» but it seems like FitWit is really unique. It’s not as cult-​ish as CrossFit seems to be, but it contains some of the same elements. It’s a really good way to get in shape. Totally worth the 5 stars!

I’m coming into my 1^st FitWit anniversary so I figured it was high time to review my favorite early morning «hangout» spot.
A. I’m a team player and my checking account gets hit once a month. If I had to sign up for this shit monthly it just wouldn’t happen so I just go ahead and get that money deducted.
B. 6 am workouts suck, but what sucks even more is getting fatter all due to lying to yourself about how you are going to workout AFTER work. Not so much. waking up a hour earlier isn’t that hard and your work out is over before you know it.
C. The trainers are super upbeat and always willing to give you modifications in case your body can’t do something.
D. Working out daily with others brings you closer together. Team huddles make you wish you were standing a bit further apart.
E. I can brag to my friends about all the shit I accomplished before 7 am… mainly 150 jump ropes, 50 kettle bell high pulls, 40 wall balls, 30 supermans, 20 star jumps, 20 push ups, and back up the pyramid (that’s just one day out of 260).
F. During the week there is some muscle that is always sore, which for me is a good thing. If you’re not sore then you didn’t work out hard enough.
G. If you miss your time slot workout, you can always jump in on another time slot. i.e. if you oversleep like I am sometimes known to do I can hit up the 6 or 7 pm workout. Most other boot camps don’t allow this.
–FitWit is no longer done in 6 week sessions; it has gone down to 4 week sessions with less time off than before. You can choose between a 2, 3, or 4 day workout structure after you have gone through your newbie month.
–All profits go to the FitWit foundation so you are working out AND helping the community.

I always secretly scoffed at people who did fitness boot camps because I thought they were an easy out for those not disciplined enough to work out on their own. I also had this idea that they were half-​assed workouts targeted solely at horribly out of shape people who paid a ton of money and didn’t really try very hard. So when my wife (who was already in shape) joined FitWit and began singing its praises, I decided to go to «bring a friend day,» mostly to show her I didn’t need any silly boot camp…
The workout completely shattered my misconceptions. It was not a bunch of lazy people waddling around making excuses for themselves, as I’d imagined. It was a terrific group of trainers with a specific and challenging plan for the day, and everybody was motivated and on board. The campers are from a wide range of fitness levels but the workouts and trainers push every person to their personal limits. I ran, lifted weights, played soccer and basketball and train in mixed martial arts so I figured I’d breeze through the 60 minutes 4x /​wk. Once again, I was very wrong.
Even if you’re already in shape, you will be amazed at the strength and endurance progress FitWit provides. I’ve now done three camps and the results have been remarkable. I cannot overstate how much more pleasant it is to exercise when you’re surrounded by the positive, supportive attitudes of trainers and fellow campers.
I’m reluctant to sing FitWit’s praises too loudly because I selfishly don’t want a ton people to find out about it. It’s a fantastic program not just for getting in shape, but for meeting people, networking, and just good vibes. They’re now in Midtown as well as GP and Decatur. I am stingy with 5-​star reviews, but happy to dole one out here!

I think FitWit is an amazing program! I just finished my first 6-​week Camp at Grant Park (6am) and am looking forward my second camp (starting Tuesday ⁵⁄₃₁). The trainers are knowledgeable, dedicated, and motivating. They are great at modifying workouts to meet individual needs while encouraging each camper to maximize their potential. The other campers are an integral part of the success and longevity of the program. Many of the vets have several years of FitWit under their belt and provide a great source of motivation and inspiration. There were definitely times when I wanted to throw in the towel, but was motivated by someone shouting, «C’mon Amanda» or «You can do it. You’re almost there!» It’s very hard to give up when you know others are watching you and rooting you on.
Although I have not yet conquered my nemesis «The Jump Rope», I definitely feel like I am on my way to a trimmer, stronger, and healthier me! I went in for my weigh-​in at Weight Watchers on Saturday ⁵⁄₂₁ and my total loss for my first FitWit Camp is 14 lbs. (FYI — My total loss through WW /​FitWit is 66 lbs.)
I definitely think that you get out of FitWit what you put into it. While I didn’t always love what we were doing, I knew that I would reap the benefits and rewards later and that’s what kept me going. Knowing that there was a finite end to every session definitely helped :) Team Week was probably the most challenging aspect of FitWit for me. Growing up, I was always the heaviest and shortest in my grade so P.E. was my least favorite class and I hated Field Day. Team Week really forced me to get out of my comfort zone and face some of my lingering childhood anxiety.
I really liked how the Newbies were integrated into the program. I liked being «quarantined» for the first week to do an initial assessment, learn some of the core exercises, and slowly ease into the main group. I liked having a follow-​up assessment at the end the camp to see if and how much I improved. I was amazed at how much progress I had made in 6 weeks. Also, I liked being matched up with others who were at a similar physical level as it helped me gage where I was /​where I wanted to be, and also encouraged some healthy competition.
I’m thrilled that I found FitWit and had such a successful first camp. I could not have done it without the support of the trainers and the 6am campers. I’m really looking forward the next camp and building upon what I’ve gained (and lost) so far. Many thanks to the FitWit Community much their motivation, support, and encouragement!

I just completed my 1^st camp of FitWit 1 week ago and I’m hooked! If you have to exercise, why not make it fun! It’s not only fun, but extremely competitive which makes you work harder. Let’s face it… None of us would push ourselves nearly as hard working alone. It’s always good to have a little friendly competition.
The classes run 4 days a week, M, T, Th, Fr with Wed off. Trust me, you’ll appreciate the mid week break. I love the combination of cardio and weight training. It’s tough but the best part of it all is that my workout is over with at 7am! No more dragging into the gym at 5pm doing a subpar job. I never thought I would agree to wake up for anything at 5am and sometimes 4:30a depending on how sore I was, but I did it. The motivation for me of course is money. I don’t waste money! Just ask my husband, he’ll confirm that I’m quite frugal.
Did I lose a massive amount of weight during my 1^st camp? No, I didn’t lose any weight, but I did lose inches and I feel really wonderful about my accomplishments. However, I wasn’t looking for a quick weight loss program. I wanted to build up endurance and build more muscle tone. We all know muscle weighs more than fat. I can see a difference and so does my husband. You MUST change your diet. No one ever hears about starting any exercise program without a good diet as well.
We work out in both Grant Park and Jackson High School. The bulk of our time is spent at Jackson High School. I love that this camp incorporates the kettle bell weights, which is an awesome workout. The groups are large and there is a ton of encouragement from everyone, which I need on those HOT & HUMID weekday mornings! I didn’t drink water like I should before, now I can’t get enough of it.
The Trainers are all so personable. I’m amazed at how quickly they remember everyone’s names. I FitWit at 6am and there were approximately 60 people in my class. I can’t even remember my name sometimes, let alone that amount of people! This was impressive to me because it means that we ARE NOT just a number. When I started, there were only 10 «newbies» as they call us. This sent a strong message to me because it means that 90% of the class were campers who returned.
Socials:
FitWit has about 2 socials during each camp session which gives everyone an opportunity to get to know your fellow campers. It’s good to have a conversation with someone without prefacing it with «Don’t come too close, I stink!»
To wrap this up, I’ve enrolled as a FitWit Member because I enjoyed myself so much! I’ve come to the realization that I prefer to work out in a group setting. The FitWit Member Club is available after you have completed 1 full camp. It is the most affordable option at $ 115 per month, which is MUCH better than $ 259 per month. I’m going to work out anyway, so why not lock in on the better pricing option and stay on track with my Fitness program. It’s fun and hard work, but it does pay off.
Hope to see you at FitWit soon!

I’ve completed my first camp and now I’m back for more as a vet. I’m absolutely amazed with the results. I can lift more, run longer and faster, and I sleep like the dead. It’s that good. I lost 4% body fat in 8 weeks. I only lost a few pounds of scale weight, but I tightened up like nobody’s business. Everyone was commenting that it looked like I’d lost even more weight when really I was just taking up less space. I love it. As if the results weren’t enough motivation to keep going, the trainers make you accountable. I can always count on an email from Stacy if I didn’t make a session. In the same vein, they’re also more than happy to help you set goals and keep the same motivation when you hit a wall (sometimes literally).
Even though they no longer hold my hand, they still keep an eye on form and aren’t afraid to bust out a few burpees or push ups with me to keep me going. I don’t know what else to say other than run, don’t walk, to FitWit if you’re looking for the hardest, but most rewarding, workout of your life. I’m not the least bit convenient to Decatur. It takes me about 35 minutes to get there. However, it’s totally worth the drive.