Chicago Primal Gym

Pretty much everybody has already said it– but I will say it again.
This place is amazing. The people and the coaches are also amazing.
I had just moved to Chicago when I came across CPG. I was looking for a great gym with friendly people.
I joined in October and have been coming pretty much 3−4X a week since.
I never wanted to pay more than $ 100 a month (which is already pretty expensive) for a gym and with the $ 200+ price point, I almost didn’t even bother going to the free class.
But Sean (the owner) convinced me to try it (I was also doing ClassPass at the time and was trying to find the right gym for me).
I was hooked after that class. The 1-​on-​1 instruction, the variety of the workout, the people, the enthusiasm and the laid back vibe… I couldn’t wait to go back. And it has been the same ever since. I am so bummed if I am too sore to go back the next day, or if I am out of town and miss a class.
I have been to a few different gyms, tried class pass, did my own workouts, insanity, etc…
But I am in love with CPG. And I don’t even question the price because to me, it is worth it.

This gym is absolutely amazing. I’ve been raving about this place to my friends and family ever since I started back in May. Everyone is friendly, approachable and positive — we all come in to work hard but we have a little fun along the way. While CPG has amazing equipment, it’s really the trainers that make me want to come back every other day (Grant, Sean and Steve are rockstars — they’re supportive, knowledgeable and are always there to help). I actually look forward to coming to class, which I’ve never been able to say about a gym or training program. Because of CPG, I’m consistent about working out & eating right, more so than I’ve ever been before in my adult life. Since May, I’ve lost 30+ pounds (no joke) as I’ve consistently lost 2lbs per week since joining. It started with the Detox Challenge and I haven’t stopped since. I feel faster, stronger and healthier than I’ve felt in a really long time. This place was a game changer for me so I’d be remiss if I didn’t recommend it.

This is a great gym, I love going here, and I recommend it to everyone (my fiancée goes here now too). Grant, Sean and Steve are awesome trainers, and they always make class fun.
The Results:
–In 5 months I’ve lost 14.8lbs (about 10% of my weight), I also lost 5.2% off my body fat
–I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in… My cardio is great, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, my flexibility and balance is good and my back problems have gotten sooo much better
The Atmosphere:
–Everyone is friendly, you’re not competing with anyone
–When you’re about to reach a goal (say 5 pull ups), everyone in the gym cheers for you!
–You get to know people, which helps with accountability «oh I didn’t see you last week»
–You make friends, class is more enjoyable
Other:
–During the first 2 – 3 months my cardio and strength really improved; I lost weight but not a ton (my body fat dropped about 2−3% which is significant)
–During the CPG Detox challenge I lost 8−9lbs in 3 weeks (I’ve kept the weight off). For me, they key to sticking to the detox was having a group of people that were doing it with me.
–If your primary goal is weight loss, train here and work with Sean to improve your nutrition

I just joined Chicago Primal Gym and I can already tell that when you go to the gym, you’re in great company. The staff are friendly, the facilities are open, the equipment is top-​notch, and the atmosphere is superb. Sean, the gym owner, places the highest value on your personal development. So far, he’s helped me change my eating habits with easy-​to-​follow instructions that he custom tailored to my needs. He is not like a typical trainer because he goes the extra mile and, for me at least, custom tailors your workouts based on your communicated needs.
TL;DR — Go here, get swole, get happy!

I joined Chicago Primal Gym in May 2014 with encouragement from a friend who was already a member. I attend Primal Boot Camp on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Full disclosure: the class is at 6am and I am NOT a morning person, but I actually look forward to going to class. That’s really saying something for anyone who knows me and my love of sleeping in.
I remember walking in that first day feeling very nervous and unsure what to expect, but it didn’t take long before I felt at home. The gym owner, Sean, is very focused on building not just a gym, but a community, based on fitness, nutrition and lifestyle. The personalized attention I receive is like having a personal trainer in a small team setting. The class is programmed with focus on strength/​skills and cardio endurance, completing high intensity circuits of various exercises. It’s amazing how much we can accomplish in an hour. It’s a good option for people at all fitness levels as we are free to do what we can do at our individual levels, focus on personal improvements, and do it as a team — there is no worry of not being able to keep up.
I didn’t really start exercising until about five years ago when I lost a significant amount of weight and took up running. I kept getting injured because my body wasn’t strong enough to do what I wanted it to, so I was looking for a cross training option that would help me improve my overall strength and balance. CPG has been a game changer. Thanks to Joanna, Sean, Grant and my fellow boot campers I discovered that I actually enjoy strength training (dare I say it’s fun?). They put a lot of focus on quality movement and proper form so I have learned how to do a bunch of new exercises correctly and safely; and have developed a bit of a crush on kettle bells (who knew?). My core strength and balance has improved significantly since I joined CPG and as a result I have finally managed to make it through the high mileage of marathon training without injury! I know it is in VERY large part thanks to the training and advice I’ve received at CPG that I am strong enough to make it happen. I am very proud to be part of the CPG community.

There is a saying that states that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Well, you definitely won’t repeat the same workout twice at Chicago Primal Gym (been here two months, and I don’t think we’ve even come close to doing so). This is what makes CPG different from the big box gyms. At a regular gym, you put your headphones in, hit the elliptical, maybe lift some weights, do a light stretch, then get on with your day (at one point in my life this was effective for me). At CPG, you are constantly moving about in different directions and different planes, challenging yourself in a way you may never have thought possible if you have never done a high intensity functional workout.
Sean (owner/​founder) and Grant (strength coach) are very creative, welcoming, funny and encouraging. This makes them ideal people to run this place especially if you are new to the gym. They provide a Functional Movement Screening which can pinpoint weaknesses and muscle imbalances so that you can continue to perform injury-​free. The group setting of the workouts (and a headphones-​free zone) make you conscious of your movements and force you to perform the exercises correctly while getting to know your fellow gym members.
Although I joined this gym for something new, I got back so much more. And, I can only imagine what will keep happening as I continue to work out at CPG.

I can’t say enough good things about CPG! In October I participated in the Primal 360 Challenge. After that I officially joined. My favorite thing about CPG is the amount of support I get. I can’t be trusted to work out on my own, and Sean and Grant lead each training and give everyone one-​on-​one feedback and support. CPG also have a very holistic view on health– there is an emphasis on proper nutrition and and rest. CPG is more than just a gym, it’s truly a community of great people who want you to be your best self.
Prior to joining CPG, I had been to other gyms, and tried Barre Workouts, but CPG really focuses on building strength, something that was missing from the other places. I feel such a sense of accomplishment when I am able to up my weights during workouts.
Most of all CPG is a really fun place to be. I never thought I’d have this much fun working out!

I stopped in to Chicago Primal Gym in late December, hoping to find a gym that offers high quality group classes with a great community. Sean, the gym owner, is very knowledgeable in all facets of primal nutrition and becoming healthier through functional movement exercises. He places the highest priority on his members doing exercises correctly and to the best of your ability.
I joined the gym after just one class and have been going four days a week for about 2 months now. I have not only noticed myself getting stronger and faster, but really enjoy the comradery of all the members inside and outside of the gym. Since adopting a primal eating lifestyle, I wake up in the morning with tons of energy, get better nights of sleep, and better focus throughout the entire day.
I encourage anyone who is interested in CPG, to talk with Sean and see if the gym is the right fit.

I’ve been training at CPG since November (2013) and I cannot be more grateful for the impact Sean and the community has had on me.
I started working with Sean to help prepare me for a race that I had the following month: a 14-​mile Spartan Race (the longest I had ever attempted). In the time we worked together, he introduced me to the «primal blueprint» and helped me adjust my diet and exercise to maximize my results and improve my fitness.
When the race day came, I could feel the difference that Sean/​CPG made and ended up having an awesome time on the course. From that point on, I became a believer in primal/​paleo.
My story isn’t rare at CPG, either. I’ve witnessed many people transform themselves through the group training classes each week. No matter where you’re starting from or how much experience you have, Sean works with you to determine your strengths and weaknesses; not only to help you achieve your goals but also to ensure you do so safely.
Lastly: The community is incredible. I guarantee that you will feel welcomed and comfortable from your very first day. I’ve made some great friends there and I know you can to.
So stop in for a free trial week and see what it’s like. I promise you, you won’t regret it.

I was very excited when I heard there was a new gym in the neighborhood. I was in a work out rut and when I went to CPG for the first time, I knew it was the right fit for me. Sean has you go through an assessment to find out your strengths and weakness and then really focuses and individualizes exercises to your ability. I have always had hip flexor pain when doing either lunges and squats, a few little tweaks and now I can do them pain free. Sean pushes you every class yet makes sure you are doing each exercise correctly. Having been an athlete, it’s nice to finally have someone tell/​show you the correct way to lift and make sure you get most out of each exercise.
Not only is Sean a great trainer, CPG is a great place to work out at. The people there are very friendly and like to have a good laugh. Having been a member since December, CPG has built up a great community and will only continue to grow. I’m excited to be apart of this gym and look forward to going each week!

Joining CPG is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Sean has combined the necessary aspects of health — training right and eating right and brought it together in a very cohesive way at Chicago Primal Gym. The environment is friendly, fun, and Sean adjusts exercises for all abilities so that everyone is adequately challenged.
I have been doing team training 2 to 3x per week for the past 2 months and I have seen great results (on top of an already rigorous exercise regimen). The best part about CPG is that my twin sister, who has just started working out again, is just as happy with CPG as I am.
Sean has an innate ability to work well with all skill levels, and has cultivated a really fantastic group of clients. It’s the kind of environment where people are able to accomplish personal goals and feel really, really good about themselves.
bottom line is, I love it!

Chicago Primal Gym is fantastic! I joined in the beginning of February and I have never felt more energized and better about myself. I was a member at a bigger gym for a few years and found myself getting no results, therefore having no motivation to even go anymore.
CPG is so much different. Sean’s classes are built for each individual person that walks through that door. At CPG it is not just about working out, it is about understanding your body and changing your fitness lifestyle. Sean’s classes are fun, tough (in a good way!) and leaves you looking forward to the next class. I have learned so much about my body in the few months that I have been there. Not only does CPG offer great classes, but Sean is also an expert in nutrition. I joined his nutrition program and it has taught me so much. I thought I was eating somewhat «healthy» and when we went over what I was putting into my body, I found myself, realizing that I needed to change my habits. Sean is so supportive and truly cares about each person at CPG.
I have nothing but great things to say about this gym and am very pleased with my decision to join! I highly recommend this gym to anyone that wants to focus on gaining a better fitness lifestyle, along with a supportive group of people to work out with! Come check out CPG-!

Chicago Primal Gym is a unique gym with a goal everyone can get behind. It’s not all about getting ripped, (however it can be about that) it’s more about getting your health in order. Sean Griffin can help you with all of it, from fitness to nutrition. My experience over the last month has been great. Sean is always willing to help when able and is amazing at following up and making sure you are on the right track. I would recommend this facility and trainer to anyone looking to maximize their healthy lifestyle.

Chicago Primal Gym caught me off guard as as a new approach to working out that I hadn’t experienced before. I have always just done the whole «lift weights and try and bulk up» thing without having a real plan of attack at big gyms around the city. CPG takes a much more comprehensive style of leading a healthy life combining small class or personal training workouts with thinking about the kind of things you are putting into your body. The workouts are very unique using ropes, rowing machines, kettle bells, etc. which strengthen your muscles starting at your core (which I have since learned isn’t quiet as strong as I would have led myself to believe). It also helps that the owner Sean is really knowledgeable and passionate about fitness, training, and healthy living. He brings a lot of positivity and friendliness to the workouts that make you want to push yourself. He also helped me with exercises focused on rehabing and strenghtening my shoulder that I separated a couple years ago that never fully healed. Give this place a shot. It’s worth it.

Since moving to Lincoln Park, I’ve tried out everything from big gyms to specialized classes. So when I learned about Chicago Primal Gym I thought it would be just another gym. As soon as I met the founder, Sean, I knew it was anything but. From the personalized attention you get in class, to the great community he’s building at the gym everything about CPG creates a comfortable, friendly atmosphere that’s focused on personal fitness.
I was nervous about working out in a group setting — the last thing anyone wants other people to see is how out of shape they are, right? That was the last thing on my mind as soon as I met the other great people that Sean has brought on at CPG. While each person has their own individual fitness goals, the focus of the gym is motivate each other to get healthy and achieve our personal best.
One of the best things about working out in a group setting is that you’re able to learn from your fellow members. One member is an experienced rower, and he’s helped me on my form and sent me videos to improve my training. Several other members have adopted the Paleo diet and shared some of their experiences. Everyone wins.
I would highly encourage anyone who’s looking for a great group of people to work out with, and personalized training to help achieve your fitness goals to try out Chicago Primal Gym — I’m really glad I did!

I have been telling myself for about a year now that I needed to try something different in terms of fitness. I have always been active and enjoyed working out, but I was doing so in the big «box gyms» like LA Fitness, and not getting anywhere, stuck in the same routine for years. So when I met Sean, the owner, a few weeks ago and he told me to come check out his new gym (for a week free), it couldn’t have been better timing.
Not only do I already feel better in the few weeks I have been at Chicago Primal Gym, the atmosphere is so welcoming. Everyone who participates truly cares about helping each other out. It’s a great community to be a part of, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision to join. I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a gym that is focused on living healthy lifestyles, meeting great people, and having a great time, all while generally feeling better about yourself.

CPG is a different type of gym. It’s rooted largely in group classes and semi private sessions — so its a different experience than going to any other ol’ barn of a facility, putting on your headphones, and working on your own. And that’s one of the best things about it: when you work out at CPG with Sean (the owner/​founder/​trainer extraordinaire), you are very much NOT on your own. You have a real partner working with you to help achieve your goals.
Before I started working out at CPG, I always found going to the gym to be somewhat frustrating. I’ve always exercised regularly and eaten well, but I’ve never *really* gotten the results I’ve been looking for. And that’s been mystifying! I’d be at the gym — lifting, or running or whatever — and I’d be doing the exact routines as the person next to me, and I’d wonder: what is this guy doing that I’m not?
Then I started working with Sean, and it completely changed and improved the way I exercise.
After hearing about my goals, he catered specific fitness and nutrition routines for me, which is something he does for all of his clients — rather than just try to lump them into a one-​size-​fits-​all regimen. He had me do a lot of stuff that was different than what I was used to (working with more kettle bells, explosive motions, medicine balls), but he explained it all to me, so I understood the benefits of each specific exercise, and what should happen when I combined them all. I gave it a shot, and was very quickly happy that I had.
In the past three months, I’ve lost about 15 pounds, have gotten loads stronger, and have further improved the way I eat.
CPG was, and continues to be, an unqualified success for me. Sean became a real partner in fitness and health. The more I work with him, the stronger I get, the more I understand nutrition and about how how what goes into my body affects it, and the healthier I feel.
There’s loads more to gush about here, but I doubt you’ll take some stranger on Unilocal’s word at face value (I wouldn’t, Unilocal is weird). So if I were you, and you are at all interested in what this type of experience has to offer — I would just call CPG. Sean does a free assessment, and a few free trial classes. It’s immediately evident how thorough he is, and how meticulously thought out his workouts are.
Seriously, the experience speaks for itself. Treat yourself well. Check it out.

I love working out here. The key is the group class setting and the comfortable atmosphere Sean sets.
In these group classes I feel like I’m working out with a team. We’re all in it together and motivating each other to get healthy. And healthy is the key word here. The goal isn’t to lift more weight and do more reps to beat someone else at the cost of overall health and safety. We all encourage each other to get better together.
All that is possible because of the comfortable atmosphere Sean, the owner and founder, creates. I’ve worked with trainers before who beat you up, physically and/​or emotionally. He’s there to encourage you and help you use correct form to get the most out of everything you’re doing.
I couldn’t recommend checking this place out more highly.

Chicago Primal Gym is unlike any other gym that I have been to. I was tired of getting no where on my own at a big gym like LA fitness or X-​sport and not wanting to pay an arm and a leg for personal training. I stumbled upon Sean and Chicago Primal Gym. I told Sean what I was going through and told him that I hit a plateau and wanted to get fit, and generally just look better! What happened next was unexpected. Sean asked me my health history, any past injuries, and did a total assessment of what my general state of fitness. I’ve never had anyone that had a great interest in helping me, and this was before I even started a class!
The group classes are awesome! Everyone in there is going for the same goal, and Sean is always there to help out and lend you his hand on where its needed. Sean really wants to focus on proper form which really helps me with my past injuries.
I recommend Chicago Primal Gym to anyone who wants to have a great experience and have someone who really wants to make you feel better!