How Strength Training Complements Endurance Training — and Vice VersaStrength training and endurance training are not mutually exclusive. And you’re building on both when you balance them together.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Thor Jaleco!Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Thor Jaleco, who joined Defined in 2024.
Cycle #3: The Foundation of Strength – 1,000lb Club & Murph PrepRead on for an overview of our next training cycle and the "why" behind what we're doing.
How to Stay on Track With Your New Year’s Resolutions After JanuaryHow do we create lasting change through healthy habits? In our latest blog post, we dissect the all-too-common challenge of sticking to our goals, well beyond the new year.
Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Sergio! Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Coach Sergio Valadez, who joined Defined in 2015 and our coaching team in 2021.
Cycle #2: The Peaking Phase – 2026 Open & IntramuralsOur second 4-week cycle of the year is here, marking the final stage of our 8-week macro-cycle. Read more to understand the "why" behind what we do.
Save 20-30% on Your Membership: HSA/FSA Benefit is Here!You may be eligible to use your pre-tax health dollars to significantly reduce your membership costs.
Defined Intramurals & the 2026 CrossFit Open: What to KnowEverything you need to know about Defined Intramurals and the 2026 CrossFit Open.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Muneeb Ahmed! Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Muneeb Ahmed, who joined Defined in 2024.
Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Robert!Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Coach Robert Olivieri, who joined Defined in 2022 and now leads our team as Head Coach!
15 Milestone Moments in Defined’s 15-Year HistoryOn January 3, 2026, Defined Training officially celebrated 15 years. To commemorate such a special occasion, we’re taking a trip down memory lane.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Leslye Swigert!Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Leslye Swigert, who joined Defined in 2013.
Coach’s Corner: Meet Coach Noal & Coach Cara!Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with our owner and founder, Noal Dubois and our general manager and head coach Cara Sabin, who both joined Defined 15 years ago!
Cycle #1: The Engine Room – 2026 Open Prep BeginsOur first 4-week cycle of 2026 is here! Read on for what's new, and why.
Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Ben! Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we're catching up with Coach Ben Raczka, who joined Defined in 2016 and our coaching team in 2018.
Recovery Yoga: The Hidden Weapon for Strength & Conditioning SuccessAt Defined, we’re thrilled to offer Recovery Yoga every Sunday morning — read on to learn how recovery yoga adds value to your training, and why we all should consider slowing down to speed up our recovery and our progress.
Cycle #10: Your Last 4-Week Strength & Conditioning Cycle of 2025Our final 4-week cycle of the year is here! It begins Monday, November 24 and runs through Sunday, December 21.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Lura Meisch! Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Lura Meisch, who joined Defined in 2023.
5 Ways Fitness is Built in the WinterDon't let winter’s chill and early darkness become excuses—make them opportunities. If you’re looking for some motivation, read on for 5 ways you can build fitness in the winter—and set yourself up for success in the long-run.
Cycle #9: Your Next 4-Week Strength & Conditioning Cycle: What's New & WhyOur next 4-week cycle is here, so read the breakdown below for what you can expect and the specific goals behind each training element.
A Beginner’s Guide to CrossFit: What to Do in Your First 3 Months at DefinedNew to CrossFit or our community here at Defined? Welcome! We’ve put together a roadmap for your first three months.
Coach’s Corner: Meet Coach Chandler! Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we’re catching up with Coach Chandler Lundgren-Clark, who joined Defined in 2023 and our coaching staff in 2024.
Cycle #8: Your Next 4-Week Strength & Conditioning Cycle: What's New & WhyOur next 4-week cycle is here, so read the breakdown below for what you can expect and the specific goals behind each training element.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Nicole Davis! Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Nicole Davis, who joined Defined in 2018.
CrossFit Lingo 101: Acronyms & Terms You’ll Hear at DefinedHere’s a breakdown of some of the most common CrossFit terms you’ll hear around the gym, so you can walk in ready to crush your next workout.
Cycle #7: Your Next 4-Week Strength & Conditioning Cycle: What's New & WhyHere's a breakdown of what you can expect and the specific goals behind each training element.
Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Drew! Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we're catching up with Coach Drew Saiz, who joined Defined in 2018 and our coaching team in 2024.
Defined Foundations: Meet Our Team! New to the gym game? Don’t sweat it. Our Defined Foundations program is the perfect place to start.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Chris Alabastro! Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Chris Alabastro, who joined Defined in 2024.
Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Emily!Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Coach Emily Rice, who joined Defined in 2024.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Sean Higgins! Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with Sean Higgins, who joined Defined in 2021.
What is the 1,000 Pound Club?Testing week for our 2nd Annual Defined 1,000 Pound Club is around the corner.
What Are Macros? 3 Easy Ways to Get StartedLearn more about macronutrients, or "macros," and whether our workshop is right for you.
That's a Wrap: Defined Intramurals 2025Thanks to everyone who made Defined Intramurals one for the books.
More Volume, More Problems: Why More Exercise Isn’t Always Better for GainsIn CrossFit and strength training, more isn’t always better — better is better.
The 2025 CrossFit Open and Defined Intramurals: What to KnowDefined Intramurals are modeled after the CrossFit Open: a series of workouts completed by athletes of all levels around the world.
The Benefits of Traditional Finnish Sauna and Cold Plunge TherapyLearn about the benefits of our new Recovery Room and how it can support your training at Defined.
Defined Recovery Club: Reserve Your SpotThe Recovery Room is our new Traditional Finnish Sauna + Cold Plunge Therapy benefit for members of Defined Training.
Defined Training Named One of Chicago's Best Gyms of 2025!Defined Training was named one of the Best Gyms in Chicago. Fist-bumps all around!
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Sam & Charlie!Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month, we’re catching up with siblings Sam and Charlie, who joined Defined in 2020/2024.
The Science Behind CrossFit: Why It’s Effective for Strength and ConditioningDiscover the science behind CrossFit and why it’s an effective approach to building strength and conditioning. Learn how functional movements, HIIT, and progressive overload enhance fitness and promote muscle growth in this comprehensive guide.
Coach's Corner: Meet Coach Lyss!Get to know the coaches who make our Community Strong. This month we're catching up with Coach Lyss, who joined Defined in 2021.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Katie!Get to know the people who make our Community Strong. This month we're catching up with Katie, who joined Defined in 2024.
5 Non-Physical Benefits of TrainingFor new mom and long-time coach Cara Sabin, it’s all about community. Her training takes place with others who share in the experience of doing something that’s hard for them, at any level.
We love Dog Days at Defined . . .Ollie and Stan share their o-paw-nions. We love Dog Days at Defined. To continue to keep our humans and paws safe, we ask that you take two shakes of a squirrel’s tail to review our guidelines :
4 Tips for Choosing the Gym Over ExcusesWe’ve all been there. Stress. Sore muscles. The comfort of the couch. A rainy day. Or worst of all, anytime running’s programmed. These are all possible reasons we might want to skip a workout.
What is Murph Day and How to Approach the WorkoutMurph Day at Defined is just around the corner. Use our FAQ to learn more and choose an approach that works for you!
Defined 2023 CrossFit Open IntramuralsDefined Intramurals are modeled after the CrossFit Open: a series of workouts completed by athletes of all levels around the world. The motivation to participate? Camaraderie, along with the shared belief that our training continues to make us better, together.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Nhil and Paris!Experience in training means having a template for moving a self-guided fitness needle. Unknown to most beginners, experience can teach us what we’re capable of, how to approach our training, and when to lean into healthy competition. In an effort to see progress, we follow our instincts.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet the Moms of Defined! There’s no shortage of strong women at Defined. And among them are a legion of moms, setting the standard for consistency, effort, and downright grit.
Defined Scholarship ProgramIn 2020, an athlete contacted us, requesting to donate a membership to someone in our community who had been negatively impacted by Covid. What began as one kind gesture, quickly grew into a community’s dedicated efforts to provide training opportunities for those who need it most.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet Jim and Judson!Jim Kenny and Judson Bernardo are two of our longest standing athletes: dedicated folks who have been with us since the opening of our earliest locations.
Athlete Spotlight: Meet our Strongest over 60!At Defined, movement is for everyone and age is an advantage.
We MAYed It | Upcoming EventsThe lanai is open for training, and we’re past the final snowfall of 2021 (fingers crossed). For the first time in over a year, we’ve planned events: a fun mini-series curated by your coaches, annual workouts we cancelled in 2020 but revived for 2021, and a tribute gathering that remains at the core of our values. As we look ahead, we hope you’ll join us for First Fridays, Murph Day, and Big Floyd.
What is “Lift Local”?Defined is a small business with a big heart. And we know we have our community to thank when it comes to our continued growth, authentic approach, and of course, our ability to navigate a global pandemic.
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