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!
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Defined Training
January 21, 2025
Defined Training Named One of Chicago's Best Gyms of 2025!

Defined Training

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January 21, 2025

Girl ringing cowbell after hitting a new weightlifting PR at Defined Training.

High-fives, fist-bumps, and cowbell-ringing all around: Defined Training was recently named one of the Best Gyms in Chicago by Time Out Chicago! 

Whether you’re looking for private or group training classes, Lakeview gym Defined Training offers general fitness and specialty classes for all levels, like weightlifting technique and women-only sessions. This LGBTQ-friendly space has been touting “good vibes and high-fives” for over a decade and beyond training, the community gets together for events like Bingo Night fundraisers and recovery yoga. And soon, Defined will offer saunas and cold plunges for recovery.

We couldn't have said it better ourselves. This January, we celebrated our 14th birthday, and as we approach the 15-year milestone, we're full of gratitude for the people who make our Community Strong.

What are you waiting for? Tell your friends the good news! 

Ready to check us out? Book a No Sweat Intro today! 

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Monthly Newsletter // January 2025

Monthly Newsletter // January 2025

Get the latest on what's happening at Defined.

Monthly Newsletter // December 2024

Monthly Newsletter // December 2024

Get the latest on what's happening at Defined.

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Sam & Charlie!

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.

Monthly Newsletter // November 2024

Monthly Newsletter // November 2024

Get the latest on what's happening at Defined.

The Science Behind CrossFit: Why It’s Effective for Strength and Conditioning

The Science Behind CrossFit: Why It’s Effective for Strength and Conditioning

Discover 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!

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!

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.

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Nhil and Paris!

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.

We love Dog Days at Defined . . .

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 :

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Gio!

Athlete Spotlight: Meet Gio!

Meet Gio: strong, kind, dedicated, and really really tall.

What is Murph Day and How to Approach the Workout

What is Murph Day and How to Approach the Workout

Murph 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 Intramurals

Defined 2023 CrossFit Open Intramurals

Defined 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.

4 Tips for Choosing the Gym Over Excuses

4 Tips for Choosing the Gym Over Excuses

We’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.

5 Non-Physical Benefits of Training

5 Non-Physical Benefits of Training

For 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.

Athlete Spotlight: Meet the Moms of Defined!

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 Program

Defined Scholarship Program

In 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!

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!

Athlete Spotlight: Meet our Strongest over 60!

At Defined, movement is for everyone and age is an advantage.

Lift Off > USAW Meet

Lift Off > USAW Meet

HEY TEAM, We’re makin’ changes—and turning our USAW Meet into a Summer Lift-Off!

Big Floyd #2

Big Floyd #2

BIG FLOYD is almost here. We’re glad you’re with us.

Murph Day | Sunday, May 30

Murph Day | Sunday, May 30

MURPH DAY is just around the corner. And here’s what you need to know.

What is “Lift Local”?

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.

The Story Of Defined

The Story Of Defined

Get the backstory on how our community started.

We MAYed It | Upcoming Events

We MAYed It | Upcoming Events

The 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.