Escape 2 Fitness

A friend recommended Karen from Escape 2 Fitness to myself and another friend to get on a good workout program. We have been a part of E2F for over 5 months with dual training sessions and have enjoyed them. I have never worked with weights before but Karen and Ali have shown me how important it is to incorporate them in a workout routine. They are very knowledgeable and have created a program that works for me and I am seeing results. Karen has been great at helping us keep committed to our training schedule, to push ourselves, and to set higher goals. Working out with a friend always pushes you to show up and the dual training sessions have been ideal. I recommend them if you are serious about maintaining a rigorous exercise schedule to help you achieve your fitness goals. I can say it has been more than a good experience, it has been GREAT! Thank you.\r \r Pros: Very accommodating training team more

As a satisfied client of Escape 2 Fitness for the past 5 months, I wanted to take a minute to share my experience. My friend and I have truly enjoyed our dual training sessions. We workout with either Karen or Ally who are both great and have unique approaches to helping us meet our fitness goals. They are passionate about what they do and do their best to make working out fun while also ensuring we push\r ourselves to the limit each and every session. E2F is structured perfectly with multiple trainers (so there is always a trainer available to meet your schedule), registered dietitians (who work closely with the trainers to provide nutritional guidance and tips) and massage therapists (who are there to soothe away my aches and pains and reward my hard work and progress in meeting my fitness goals). While I haven’t yet attained all of my goals, I am moving in the right direction and am grateful for the encouragement, guidance, challenging workouts, and genuine interest the staff at E2F provides. Working out is not my favorite thing to do but it’s more palatable with the company of a friend and the guidance of a highly qualified trainer.\r more

I'm an overweight, overworked mother with an endless ""to-do"" list and no time to myself. I'm so fortunate to have Karen, Lizz and the other Escape2Fitness team members in my life. They are extremely knowledgeable, professional, punctual, reliable, non-judgemental and honest. I have known Karen for over 8 years, and she has become a member of my family. Karen listens to me, and customizes programs that are specific to my needs. I love my sessions with her! Though Karen is a superstar when it comes to working with me, she is truly a magician when working with my daughter. She has transformed her from a young girl who hated physical activity and was heading towards obesity and health problems to a tween who has made exercising a priority and healthy eating her way of life. I'll never forget my daughter hiding under her bed when the time came to exercise. Whereas I failed, Karen was able to coax her out, and and used extremely creative techniques such as animating her stuffed animals who became her motivational workout buddies. My daughter's whining has transformed into giggling as she shares her crushes on boys and other secrets with Karen as they build up a sweat. Now, on the days I feel like hiding under my bed, my daughter motivates me to work out with her. Thanks Karen! You're a lifesaver. Pros: Customized to meet your needs, knowledgeable, professional, more

I first came across Escape2Fitness through beach yoga classes on the beach last year. (Can you get more zen than sunrise yoga looking over the lake and the Chicago skyline?"" The instructor told me about the Beach Body Makeover and I thought ""this is what I need - a way to kick start me and keep me accountable for I know I need to do, just don't do on my own"". I did one session last fall and was happy enough with the quality of the trainers and the commitment of the entire E2F staff to do personal training sessions with them over the winter - my first experience with a trainer. My body transformed over the winter. I remember struggling to do 15 pushups when I started, did 26 when I started personal training and did 100 by the end of the winter (okay, they were girl push-ups, but still... compared to 15 - Wow!). My confidence grew, I became more motivated, chronic back pain disappeared. I felt in better shape than when I ran a half-marathon a few years ago. \r \r Once this spring came around I was eager to see my comrades on the beach again and am in my third session this year. I started less than 10 lbs from my goal weight. The combination of trainers, peer support and nutrition consultation has brought me to yet another level. The right support has brought my body fat percentage back into the normal range, - 4% loss last month. 4%!!! I lost 13 inches last month. 13 inches!! (Only downside - having to buy new clothes because my shorts and pants from last summer are hanging on me now. Shopping as a downside - does it get better than that?). Anyone who feels they've reached a plateau, this holistic program is going to show you things and get you through it.\r \r The calibre of the E2F staff is outstanding. Their standards are very high and the commitment of the staff comes through. They love sharing what they do and seem almost as excited as we are when we reached our goals. Pros: Can you get a better venue than Chicago's lakeshore or within your own home? Cons: Some days 6am is early... but I (almost) always get there. more

When I talk about Escape 2 Fitness with people who don't know the program, I begin with the same story -- about my not having seen inside a gym for over 20 years. Tho my comments are met with laughter, the unfortunate part is that it was true. Not having parttaken in any fitness program caused me a great deal of anxiety and embarrassment, which in turn caused me to continue to avoid the exercise I knew I needed.\r \r Once I joined, I didn't commit to buying any new gear (not even shoes) until I lasted a week in the program -- something I was sure I wouldn't do, considering the 6:00 a.m. class and the fear that everyone else in the program HAD seen the inside of a gym within the last 2 decades and was therefore far more fit than I. My fears and anxiety vanished within the first two days, EVEN THO I fell on my bum and tripped over the pajama pants I insisted on wearing until I rode out the week and reached the holy grail of workout clothes.\r \r The positive energy of the program keeps me going: the folks who join all have fears, weaknesses, strengths, and days where performance is blah. But, knowing that I'll be supported while getting a MEAN workout is what makes me jump out of bed at that hour; being at the beach and seeing the sunrise during crunches, while most of the city is still asleep, gives the overwhelming feeling of power, commitment, camaraderie, and most importantly, accomplishment. \r \r The group becomes a group friends; that's what makes our efforts honest and ongoing. The trainers are fearless in taking on any goal we want to achieve. I have truly been pushed to my limits and have exceeded my expectations in terms of stamina, weight loss, physical health, and overall well-being. \r \r Escape 2 Fitness is a complete experience. The staff guides clients through fitness routines, nutrition, and tips/support to reach personal weight loss and health goals. It's an unbeatable program for anyone who isn't scared of being their absolute best. Pros: tireless and knowledgeable staff support, group camaraderie, intense and current program, RESULTS Cons: No cons. You get out of it what you put into it. more

The Beach Body Program by Escape2 Fitness takes your workouts outdoors which offers an added challenge, eliminating the boredom and routine often experienced with indoor workouts. The 4 day per week workouts are different each day and the small groups provide for more personalized attention. I have been dedicated to the program for several months now and have lost inches, body fat and gained endurance and muscle. It is a balanced and sensible program designed to ensure long lasting success and its fun to boot. I highly recommend you give it a try.\r Pros: Outdoors -Never the same workout Cons: After all its Chicago so the weather can be challenging but its BOOT CAMP after all right? more