The Foundry – Union Station CrossFit

Coach Maria is very knowledgeable and friendly. Good/​modern facilities. Overall a good experience. I was a drop in, so one class is not enough to get a vibe of the community (at least for me). But it seems they are very cool and supportive.

This Crossfit gym is very well managed and coached. Coaches Maria and Zack really know their stuff and it is apparent that they love coaching. The programming is well periodized and will always challenge you. Overall, this branch seemed to be well suited for everyday professionals looking to push their fitness levels. No stereotypical Crossfit bros here, but there are plenty of really talented and supportive athletes. I have not been to any other Crossfit boxes in Chicago, yet I would venture to guess that this one is as good as they come.

I LOVE this place! Sometimes I feel like dying when I’m working out and I think «Omg I hate this» but when I finish my workout I feel AMAZING. The coaches here are so knowledgable. They help you out every way they can. They know how to push you and motivate you. Everyone is so friendly. I love that! This place is all results. I really wanted to become stronger. In my three weeks of being there, I can already see a huge difference. The coaches guide you step by step. They explain everything very thoroughly and show you how everything is done. Of course I was super nervous (but excited) when I first joined. I’m very petite so I thought I could never do crossfit but I am actually doing it! Maria and Zach are amazing coaches. I am super slow at all the workouts but everyone at the gym cheers each other on. It feels really great! It’s also awesome that they have nice, clean showers with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, towels, etc. I don’t like to sit in my car after I’m all sweaty and have to drive home so that’s perfect. My only regret is I did not join sooner when I first moved to Chicago. I joined so many different gyms too :(The Foundry Crossfit is exactly what I have been looking for.

I’m only couple months late on reviewing this box, whoops! Better late than never! :D ANYWAYS! I came here to get my WOD on since I was in Chicago to attend the HOW design conference. I made an effort to drop in to different boxes while there to see how every other culture is. Had a couple of my friends come drop in with me too and we all loved this box! Coach Maria was super friendly, great coach, members were super welcoming. EXACTLY what I love when I drop in a box in general! Very spacious location that had everything that you needed for a brutal WOD. They use WODify for their check in and their «white board» pretty upscale compared to back at my home box haha. But I’d definitely would come back to his location if I ever visit Chicago again! Thanks for the hospitality Union Station!!!

Honestly, I wish I could give them more than 5 stars.
I can’t even begin to explain how amazing this gym and these coaches are. I’ve been lifting for years and decided I should probably learn proper form– so I went to the closest CrossFit I could find and signed up.
The Foundry’s coaches are knowledgable, helpful, and friendly. I’ve been at this gym for a few months and I have learned SO much. From burpees, to snatches, to proper deadlift form, I’m already so much stronger. They have all the equipment you could ever need– med balls, sandbags, kettle bells, barbells (and if you’re like me and aren’t strong enough for a regular barbell– don’t worry, they have lighter ones).
They have a really nice locker room, with showers included, which is perfect for workouts in the morning before work.
As for the coaches– Maria, Zach, and Meg are all amazingly patient– and not to mention pretty talented athletes themselves. They explain things through demonstration before every workout, and are always offering helpful tips to improve form during the workouts.
I’m a pretty anxious/​nervous person in general– so group and pair workouts tend to freak me out. But all the athletes here are SO friendly and welcoming. I’m pretty much the slowest one in all of the workouts, but they never make me feel bad about it. In fact, the people that finish first normally cheer on those that take longer. It’s actually one of the things I like most about this gym– the sense of community.
So all-​in-​all, CrossFit is awesome. And if you want to do CrossFit, this is the place to do it.

I’ve been doing CrossFit for close to five years and have had the opportunity to visit boxes all over the country. There are typically two key factors that separate one gym from the next: the community and the coaches. When I moved to the downtown area of Chicago, I was dreading changing from my «home» gym to a new one. I had checked out a few boxes in the River North /​Loop area and none of them had the type of energy I was looking for. Luckily, I was referred to The Foundry by one of my old coaches. From the very first e-​mail exchange with the coaches at the gym, I already knew it was going to be the right decision. When I dropped in on my first class, I was given a warm welcome and introduced to the other members in the class. The instruction given prior to the workout was spot on and ensured everyone would stay safe with no one in the class left wondering what to do next or how to scale the workout if needed.
That class was about five months ago and since that time I’ve not only had the pleasure of getting to know the community at the gym, but I’ve also been hitting PRs consistently thanks to the programming. I can confidently say that I’ve never been so eager to jump out of bed at 5:30am to hit the gym. It’s not just about the great results I’m getting, but about the people that support those results and push me to be at my best all while having a great time.
If you’re looking for a gym that offers top notch results, solid instruction, and a great community, look no further. The Foundry is the right decision.

Dropped in while visiting Chicago. Box was well equipped, clean and walking distance from my hotel in the Loop. Coach Maria was fantastic — she and «Grace» kicked my butt and left me soaked and winded. I’m glad to have found my new home away from home in Chicago at the Foundry. Thanks.

How about 10 Stars! This is coming from someone who has struggled working out my whole life! I’ve been eyeing The Foundry for two years. I’ve tried other places, hired trainers, and sometimes gone months without exercising at all. The staff and community at the Foundry are the absolute best! The Foundations class was wonderful and very non-​threatening. Maria and Zach are awesome, patient coaches and spent a lot of time explaining and demonstrating many of the exercises. I am weak and overweight, yet not for one moment have I felt belittled or that I don’t belong. The coaches have helped me conquer fears that seem so tiny to the outside world but none the less real to me (jumping). I have spent most my time at the Printers Row location. Jeff and Andrew are two of the best coaches I have ever met! Their mannerisms, which seem so simple but are poorly neglected at other gyms, are genuine. They are quick to modify any exercise that is assigned, and still make it challenging for me. I honestly want to spend the second half of my life in a community like this one! Put all fears aside and go for it!

Ok… so I drank the Kool-​Aid.
I’ve been wanting to try CrossFit for about a year and a half. When I changed companies and buildings, I was out of a gym… crap! Unilocal to the rescue. What’s a good gym that’s close to my office? The Foundry. OMG, it’s a CrossFit gym… and now I’m nervous.
Let me put your nerves to rest, The Foundry is AMAZING. I walked into the Printers Row location to check it out and Justin answered every question that I had. After I get out of the Foundations classes, will you watch me to make sure I’m doing okay? Yes (and he does!). Am I going to be uncomfortable when I’m in class with a bunch of people that have been doing this forever? (He said no, because everyone is very helpful, nice, and has been the new kid in class. However, I was super nervous, so I found a friend from my Foundations class to help ease the pain of being the newbie in class on the first day. That helped a lot).
The coaches are amazing and will work with you when you just don’t grasp something. (Thanks Zach)
Zach and Maria teach the Foundations course. They are both very patient, nice, energetic, friendly, and funny. They will make you feel comfortable.
I’ve become a regular at Printer’s Row so I see Justin and Andrew. Both of them are very patient and work with me on my form. They give me tips on how to do things better. They help me modify to beginners moves so that I don’t kill myself trying to keep up with the big dogs. It’s nice to have people in your corner watching over you, and wanting you to do your best. Meg. Omg. She’s just hysterical. I’ve only been to one of her classes (I’ve only been with The Foundry since the beginning of the month). I will come to her classes as often as I possibly can. You’ll workout really hard and get a good laugh in.
Besides the regular CrossFit classes, I’ve come to mobility (ohhhh, I’m stretchy) and Team CrossFit (it’s a hard and awesome workout).
Both locations are very clean. They have top of the line equipment… everything you need to get your crossfitting ass in shape.
p. s. With your membership, you can go to both gyms.
Since I go to both gyms, I’m posting in both spots.

I was visiting Chicago for a week from Atlanta. I got the $ 60 one week guest pass. It was worth every penny. Great instructors. Learned a lot of new skills and fner points such as better grips and stances. Only been doing XF for 2 months and I made a lot of prgress during this week.

I am from Houston and was in Chicago working for the week and found a box walking distance from my hotel. I made a quick visit and met Justin who provided me information for a drop in. I did a crossfit workout the next day and was very impressed with the box and the group was very friendly as well. The WOD was great! I will definitely drop in again when I am in CHI town.

I have been to quite a few gyms and tested out a couple of crossfit facilities as well. I have not seen a cleaner, more organized gym yet! That’s only the beginning, the staff is attentive, knowledgeable and they sincerely care about the person they are working with. I came into the gym not knowing anything about olympic lifting aside from what I learned during high school football, which apparently is very little!!! Through the core Foundations classes and the 3 months of membership I have learned a great deal while increasing my strength by over 100% percent in some areas. If you are looking to change up your fitness routine and looking for a great atmosphere with friendly members and staff, this is the gym for you!
The facilities do not lack any crossfit materials, from Kettlebells to oversized tires, they have a locker room, clean showers and an upstairs lounge. They also cater to all levels of fitness. I find myself looking forward to my hour of work during the day and checking the website after waiting for tomorrows Workout of the Day!
Put yourself out there!

Dropped in this morning from NJ at the 7:00a class. the box itself is awesome-​clean, modern, Excellent equipment, and awesome locker room. Coach Maria was amazing. every other box I have dropped in at, drop ins are usually ignored. this was not the case at all today. Maria was super friendly and outgoing. I immediately felt comfortable and welcomed. Maria went above and beyond to make my workout great. she gave me extra mobility exercises and watched/​encouraged/​gave tips through my entire workout. I actually PR’d my 5RM back squat and double unders. after the class she even gave me ideas for what to do in the city since it is my first time here. I can not rave enough about my experience here.

If you’re like me, you got tired of feeling like a hamster on a treadmill and are ready to be engaged with your fitness routine. You’re an adult living in a big city and it’s time to treat your body appropriately.
This location is conveniently located to both Chicago OTC and Union Station. No excuses — you can get your workout in before you go to work or hop on a train. You won’t get bored here — the coaches at The Foundry keep you motivated, engaged, and best of all, challenged. The one hour spent in the gym here is one of the most satisfying hours of my day.
In terms of equipment, you won’t find a more well-​equipped gym. Sandbags, ropes, kettle bells, barbells, dumbbells, rowers, pull-​up bars, rings — they have it all.
Worried about being sweaty after class? No worries, there are showers and fully stocked locker rooms. There are even hair dryers and beauty products for the ladies!
As an additional bonus, you can get healthy meals delivered to the gym from CJK Foods. Abs are made in the kitchen, and it’s just another way that The Foundry supports your overall health and fitness goals.
There are classes all day long — stop by and find out why The Foundry is one of the best CrossFit gym communities in the city.

As a dedicated and loyal member of the Foundry’s first Crossfit facility (Printer’s Row Crossfit on Clark & Polk), I can’t speak highly enough about the quality of the staff, instruction, planning, and facilities. Having seen the newly constructed space that is Foundry West Gate, I can say with confidence that any individual, regardless of fitness level, gender, age, or physical ability, will be able to reap incredible benefits by becoming a part of the Foundry family.
While I can’t speak highly enough about the wonderful things that I know will happen at West Gate, any incoming member should have a healthy respect for Crossfit and what the program is all about. It will continuously test your limits and push you beyond where you ever thought possible. From olympic weightlifting to advanced gymnastics, you will have the opportunity to learn and move in all modal domains, but the beauty of the Foundry team is that they will ensure you are doing so in a same and effective manner.
Check them out, you have nothing to lose except 1 hour of your time, but I can promise even that first hour will make you better.