Starting Strength Chicago Introduce
For anyone in Illinois looking to get serious about their fitness journey, there comes a point where a generic gym with cardio machines and a few free weights just won't cut it. This is where Starting Strength Chicago steps in, offering a specialized and highly effective approach to building true, foundational strength. As a boutique fitness gym, it's a place designed specifically for those who want to get stronger, safely and effectively, under the guidance of expert coaches. This is not a place of fads or gimmicks; it is a serious training facility with a clear and proven methodology.
The core philosophy of Starting Strength Chicago is based on the principles of the renowned Starting Strength program by Mark Rippetoe. The gym's approach is centered on the basic barbell movements—the squat, deadlift, press, and bench press—which are highly effective for building strength. The focus here is on a progressive overload model, which means you incrementally increase the weight you lift as you get stronger. This is a simple yet powerful concept that has helped countless individuals, regardless of their age or current fitness level, achieve impressive results.
What truly sets this gym apart is its commitment to individualized coaching. As one member shared, you receive "custom feedback on the movements based on your specific body type, unique history, and goals." This personal attention is what makes the gym so effective for everyone, from a novice who is new and intimidated by barbell training to an experienced lifter. The coaches are "knowledgeable, encouraging, and supportive," ensuring every single repetition is performed with perfect form for safety and maximum effectiveness. This hands-on approach is a huge reason why members "get stronger than I ever thought I could be."
Beyond the excellent training, Starting Strength Chicago is celebrated for its strong and positive community. It is a place where clients become friends, and everyone is "very encouraging." The owner, Jon, actively fosters this sense of camaraderie with regular member outings outside the gym, which contributes to the "fun and approachable" atmosphere. This community aspect is a major part of what makes members feel comfortable and confident, turning a workout into a cherished social event. The gym is also a proud LGBTQ+ friendly space, further reinforcing its inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone in the Illinois community.
Starting Strength Chicago is located in the vibrant city of Chicago, Illinois, at 2550 W Addison St, Suite A-18, Chicago, IL 60618, USA. This location makes it a convenient option for residents of the surrounding neighborhoods and even for those traveling from other parts of the Chicago metropolitan area, with a free parking lot available for clients.
The gym is committed to accessibility, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to access their services. In addition to a standard restroom, the facility also provides a gender-neutral restroom, highlighting its dedication to creating an inclusive and welcoming space for everyone. The gym's location is also well-connected to public transportation, making it easily reachable for those who prefer not to drive.
Starting Strength Chicago offers a highly specialized range of services, all centered on its core methodology of strength training.
Personal Training and Strength Coaching:
This is the heart of the gym's offering. The coaches are professional strength coaches who provide one-on-one and small group training sessions. They coach every single rep, ensuring clients learn to lift safely and effectively, leading to guaranteed, measurable progress.
Strength Programming:
The coaches don't just guide you through a workout; they provide a comprehensive strength program tailored to your unique needs, goals, and body type. This programming is evidence-based and is designed to produce continuous improvement over time.
Online Coaching:
For those who cannot make it to the physical gym, online coaching is available. This service allows you to get expert guidance and programming remotely, ensuring you can still follow the Starting Strength method and get stronger from anywhere in Illinois or beyond.
Nutrition Consulting:
Recognizing that proper nutrition is crucial for strength gains, the gym offers nutrition consulting to help clients fuel their bodies correctly to support their training.
Senior Strength:
The gym specializes in helping older adults build and maintain strength. Their weight training programs for bone density and strength training for osteoporosis are particularly valuable for seniors looking to improve their quality of life.
Health & Performance Coaching:
The gym's services go beyond just lifting. They provide holistic coaching for general health and athletic performance, helping clients achieve their full potential.
Starting Strength Chicago stands out from other gyms due to its unique features and high standards.
Expert and Highly Educated Coaches:
The staff are not just trainers; they are certified professional strength coaches with extensive knowledge and experience. Their expertise is what guarantees results and ensures safety.
Individualized Attention for All:
Whether you're a novice or an experienced lifter, the coaches provide personalized feedback and attention, helping you improve your performance in every session.
Welcoming and Encouraging Community:
The gym has a fantastic, supportive community where members feel encouraged and comfortable. The friendly atmosphere is a huge motivator and makes working out enjoyable.
Specialized Equipment and Facilities:
The gym is equipped with all the essential tools for strength training, including high-quality power racks and barbells, and none of the unnecessary equipment found in a typical big box gym. The focus is on a streamlined, effective training environment.
Inclusivity and Comfort:
The gym is an LGBTQ+ friendly space, and with amenities like a gender-neutral restroom, it is designed to be welcoming to everyone in the community.
To learn more about Starting Strength Chicago or to book an initial session, you can use the following contact information.
Address: 2550 W Addison St Suite A-18, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
Phone: (312) 448-6548
Mobile Phone: +1 312-448-6548
For anyone in the Illinois region, choosing the right gym is a crucial step toward achieving your fitness goals. Starting Strength Chicago is worth choosing because it offers a clear, evidence-based path to getting stronger that is missing from many traditional gyms. It's not about complex classes or a variety of machines; it's about a simple, effective, and guaranteed way to build strength that has been proven to work. The fact that the gym is for everyone—from an elderly person looking to improve bone density to a college-aged athlete—speaks to the universal applicability and effectiveness of their method.
The professional coaching and personalized attention are the most valuable assets of this gym. You're not just paying for access to equipment; you're investing in the expertise of certified strength coaches who are dedicated to your success. This level of guidance is what makes the difference between spinning your wheels and seeing real, life-changing results. The strong sense of community and the encouraging atmosphere are also powerful motivators that will keep you coming back. As one member said, it is a "pleasure to spend time with people who have become friends."
Ultimately, Starting Strength Chicago is for anyone who is tired of generic workouts and ready to embark on a serious journey to get stronger. It's a place where you'll receive the best guidance, become part of a supportive community, and see tangible improvements in your lifts and in your life. For locals in Chicago and the surrounding areas of Illinois, this gym is a top recommendation for anyone who believes that a stronger you is a better you.
Starting Strength Chicago Gym
Gym
- Nutrition consulting
Nutritional guidance to improve health, performance, and body composition. Improve eating habits through small actionable steps working with a Coach. Personalized plans with regular check in's to help Members meeting their goals.
- Personal training
Members work with a personal trainer one-on-one or in a small group setting to meet their strength goals. Coaching is tailored to the individual and their ability level.
- Online Coaching
Train and get stronger from anywhere in the world with an online Coach. Exercise programming, footage review, and technique feedback provided.
- Starting Strength
A systematic approach to barbell training designed to help people get stronger. The Starting Strength Method provides trainees with measurable results by progressively increasing resistance in exercise movements that train multiple muscle groups and mimic everyday human movement.
- Strength Training
Training and exercise programming designed to make your body stronger.
- Barbell Training
Strength training using barbells.
- Strength Coaching
Personalized coaching to make you stronger.
- Senior Strength
Strength coaching for older adults. Get stronger, improve quality of life.
- Lifting Gym
Gym focused on helping lifters get stronger. Barbell training equipment available. Coaching for lifters.
Fitness center
- Boutique Fitness Gym
One of a kind fitness experience. Boutique strength gym designed around the Member and their goals.
Personal Trainer
- Resistance Training
Training that uses resistance to increase strength.
- Weight Training for Bone Density
Training designed to increase bone density and prevent age related bone loss.
- Strength Training for Osteoporosis
Strength training designed for individuals with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Safely improve bone density and muscle mass over time working with a Coach.
- Professional Strength Coach
Strength coaching and programming conducted by expert professional strength coaches.
- Health & Performance Coaching
Work with a Starting Strength Gyms Coach to improve your health and performance. Stronger is better.
Physical Fitness Program
- Strength Programming
Personalized exercise plans to increase strength. Programming is designed to help Members reach their goals, whether they're quality of life focused or competition focused.
- Group Classes
Starting Strength Chicago Details
Service options
- Online classes
- Onsite services
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
Amenities
- Gender-neutral restroom
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Swimming pool
Crowd
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Planning
- Appointment required
- Membership required
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Parking
- Free parking lot
Starting Strength Chicago Photos










Starting Strength Chicago Location
Starting Strength Chicago
2550 W Addison St Suite A-18, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
Starting Strength Chicago Reviews
barbellliftinglearnedcommunitycoachingdeadliftinjuriesstrength trainingteamoverhead press
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I cannot recommend this gym enough! I love that throughout your training you receive custom feedback on the movements based on your specific body type, unique history, and goals. Whether you are new to barbell training or an experienced lifter, the coaches give you individualized attention and expertise that help you improve your performance both safely and effectively. As a novice in the gym, I was nervous and intimidated to start training but this gym community and encouraging atmosphere has made each session fun and approachable.Alex is not only very knowledgeable but extremely encouraging and supportive. He really takes the time to assess your individual needs while challenging you to maximize your potential. Alex has helped me train through an injury, recover from surgery, and I’m now stronger than I ever thought I could be. Highly recommend!
July 31 · Kami DavisI have been going to Starting Strength Chicago for 3 years. The coaching staff is fantastic! Alex is always helping me improve my lifts, and most importantly helping me to get stronger.The clients are fantastic as well. It is a real pleasure to spend time with people who have become friends. Everyone is very encouraging.Jon, the owner, fosters this sense of camaraderie with regular member outings where everyone can meet outside the gym.This a great place to get strong, I highly recommend!
July 08 · Steve MillerMy 2.5 years at Starting Strength Chicago have been, without a doubt, a highlight of my adult life. I came to the gym after long periods of disordered eating that consequently depleted my muscle mass and rendered my body emaciated. I had never followed a training program before, let alone exercised with the intention of getting stronger, instead of smaller. My first couple months were really rough, I was sore in places I didn’t know I could be sore in and I really struggled learning the correct form for all the lifts. I wouldn’t have persevered through these uncomfortable months if it weren’t for the wonderful community the gym fosters and Head Coach, Alex Ptacek’s, sincere kindness, genuine encouragement, and non-judgmental coaching style. While I wasn’t excited to awkwardly learn the mechanics of powerlifting week by week, I was excited to see friends, get stronger, and heal my relationship with food. Every session felt challenging but manageable and I came back each week with a renewed sense of confidence. Starting Strength has become such a staple in my life, I look forward to every session and I miss it whenever I’m out of town. As I begin to wrap up my six years in Chicago, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on how I’ve changed and grown. Starting Strength has taught me that I can do hard things, especially things that don’t come naturally to me. It has also taught me that progress takes time; it’s only now upon reflection that I’m truly taking in how much better I feel, physically and mentally. Thank you Starting Strength Chicago for changing my life!!!!Tessine xo
August 30 · Tessine MI LOVE this gym. I had been thinking about joining for years and finally committed to it 6 months ago. Evelyn has made a huge difference in my bench technique and confidence. I never thought benching 100lbs would feel easy, but it does. Jon continues to figure out the best ways to coach me in the power clean. I look forward to it now instead of dreading power clean days! I cannot recommend this place enough… I only wish I joined sooner.
July 13 · Liz MooneyHonestly I love this place. Been working with Alex as my coach online for almost a year. He's a fantastic coach. Iv gotten so much stronger. I try to come visit him in person whenever I can, its just so much better to have him there giving cues in person. I wish I had a Starting Strength gym near me cause this place is the best. Always clean. Has everything you need. The vibe is awesome, people from all walks of life just trying to get stronger. Feels like home. Thanks Alex and the other starting strength coaches/ members for always welcoming me when I come to town!!
October 07 · Aaron Mansoor
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