Nice clean gym. Has everything you need to get a good workout. The staff is extremely friendly & very professional. I like that they have their own private parking. Showers available too. The trainer I was assigned with is a perfect fit for me. So they really do listen and pay attention to your wants and needs. Prices are competitive and fair. read more

I want to begin by saying if you have specific strength goals this definitely is the place to go. This facility is amply equipped with the essentials necessary to improve strength, agility and endurance. Athletes, this is an ideal place for you. If you're looking for a wide variety of selectorized units and other shiny objects you might be a little disappointed. Now if looking to build a body thats both fit and strong Evolution most certainly deserves a look. Personally this place has incredible potential if they ever decided to expand to a more "traditional" gym. But then again that's what makes this place special. read more

This space is PACKED with all the necessities to feel like a cool hipster. I cannot describe all the toys because I don't really know what I'm doing. Fairy godmother - I want a dream guy to workout with me here! My dream gym is this place. read more

I first met my Evo team about 6 weeks prior to getting hitched last October. I was frantically trying to lose those last 10 lbs and NOTHING was working, I was desperate. I contacted Mike and he set me up with Brittany within hours. We sat down and discussed my goals, diet, workout, all of that. She put me right to work and I WAS able to lose those last few lbs I needed right before the wedding! More importantly, the team there has taught me what it REALLY means to be healthy- ie filling yourself up on 100 calorie snacks is more harmful than good, the importance of protein and how it will not make women bulk up, the list goes on and on. I've enjoyed my transformation so much that I continue to utilize Evo and I'm actually hoping to compete in a fitness show in May- it's become part of lifestyle and my Evo team are my friends now! I have learned so much about how to get healthy and how to stay healthy- and I owe it to Brittany and the hours she spent with me, and Mike's nutritional guidance. read more

I am very particular about where I workout. I need kettlebells, bumper plates, prowlers, yokes, farmer walk handles and of course a lot of heavy ass weights. I need chalk, good music and good people. Evolution has all of this and then some. If you are serious about fitness this is the place for you. To top it off, Mike and Linda (the owners) are wonderful people. I highly recommend Evolution!! read more

I started training with Mike at Evolution because I wanted a personal trainer to work with on a one-on-one basis. Someone who would do more than just spot me on the bench and count my reps. After 15 weeks I am thrilled that I found Evolution. The training sessions that Mike designs for me are both challenging and creative so I'm never bored with the exercises. He knows just how far to push me so that my body feels it the next day but can still function. He also takes a personal interest in my diet and life outside the gym, which I appreciate. I receive several emails from him throughout the week offering advice on a variety of fitness topics, which serve as a nice reminder to stay on track. The facility is very clean and is spacious enough for the number of people who are usually there. The equipment is top notch and works perfectly for the style of training they offer. The atmosphere is very comfortable and all of the trainers are friendly and encouraging. I recently moved to the sticks but I drive two hours into the city each week just so that I can train at Evolution. I could have found another trainer closer to home or work, but I feel that Evolution offers a unique experience and would be hard to replace. Highly recommended. read more

Highly recommend Evolution! I have never written a review on Yelp but had to do it now... You can't go wrong with anyone on the Evo team, as others have posted they have a great energy and close-knit community feel. I have trained with Linda for over a year, thanks to her wealth of knowledge the results have been amazing. If you're looking for knowledgeable trainers and are willing to put in the work.. this is the place to be. read more

Physical fitness and health are obviously much more than "hitting the gym" and "eating what's 'right'". Physical wellbeing is a mindset and a way of consistently living ones life. Welcome to EvoFitChicago. I'm extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Michael Salazar, and ultimately EvoFitChicago, for more than six years now, and have learned more about how to wholistically to take care of myself than from any other trainer, book, or program. Michael's philosophy is simple, "wholeheartedly and passionately focus on our goals and the results will certainly follow!" Michaels approach to physical fitness stands in stark contrast to fads and commercial enterprises, and truly engages each person as an individual; taking into consideration their personal goals, and then establishes a program that truly leads to success. Whether I have worked me Michael face-to-face, or via email and Skype from Berkeley CA., or South American, Michael's fervor for his client's success is unfaltering. Personally, I've lost body fat, gained tone and muscle, and continue to eat like a champion. I learned what it takes to be strong, eat well, and to "work through the burn", all while reaching my personal goals of physical strength and health. Want to really meet and exceed those pesky New Years resolutions, then head to EvoFitChicago ... they are, without exception, the best personal training and physical fitness establishment in Chicago. read more

Last June, I was looking for a gym in my neighborhood. Previously I had found a personal trainer on craigslist, lost a little weight, but still struggled with getting to a normal body fat (I wasn't looking to ripped...I just wanted to be healthy). I had become overweight and was ready for some motivation. 8 months later, I've lost 50 lbs, I'm at a normal body fat %, I completed a marathon, and I'm training for a body building competition. All that and I worked out about 3 or 4 days a week! :o) Evolution is the reason I'm where I am today. Everyone here is supportive and wants to see you succeed. When I walk in, people say hello and ask about my weekend. They truly care about you as a person and practice what they preach. My trainer, Brittany, is absolutely amazing and encourages me through the ups and downs. I couldn't have achieved so much without her support. No matter the fitness level or goal, the trainers at Evolution have all the tools to get you to your best. If you're looking for a change and willing to put in the work, this is the place for you. read more

I can't say enough great things of this place. It has grown so much since the grass roots days on Lincoln. It's truly an adult playground with every piece of equipment that you can imagine. Whether you do powerlifting, Olympic, Kettlebells, or pure bodybuilding, this place is amazing! They also have turf available for sleds and lots of toys for athletes alike. Their trainers are great and Mike is a fantastic owner. They are open to talk to and offer fantastic advice and coaching; nutrition, exercise, and much more. This place is not a big box corporate driven place, it's truly a community where everybody helps. If you want pizza, gym/"bro" intimidation, this is not your gym. If you want results and a great atmosphere, make sure you stop by. Can't wait for the second floor expansion! Team EvoFit! read more

Ronnie is an excellent trainer! He makes me sweat but doesn't push harder than I can handle. Easy to talk to and makes you feel comfortable even if you are new to working out like I am. See Ronnie if you want to lose weight and get in shape. read more

Awesome gym, great community and fantastic trainers. These guys have everything...all the cool fitness toys. Take advantage of their drop-in rate and try them out. Highly recommended! read more

24 Hour access. Kid friendly. All the equipment and weights you'll ever need. Always clean. Owners and other trainers always willing to chat and give advice. Serious people training who want to make serious gains. Oh yeah, forgot to mention they are doubling in size within the next couple months. What more can you ask for in a gym? read more

Mike has taken a once empty space and turned it into THE premiere place to train and work on your body. The top notch equipment is perfectly supplemented with the amazing staff that work there, especially Mike. I have never met someone more determined and organized - both as a person and a personal trainer. When in doubt Mike motivates you, when you are not sure where else there is to go Mike shows you the possibilities you didn't even know existed. Working out at Evolution not only helps you physically but also mentally for any endeavor you may face. Try this place out! read more

Highly recommend. This is the first gym that I've been to where I feel like my money is well spent. Equipment: if you need something, it's probably already here. I never had to substitute anything in my programming because I didn't have access to equipment. Environment: the members are cool, and Mike (the owner) is awesome. He's also an athlete, so he understands the training grind. The temperature is always perfect. Bathrooms are always clean and smell good. Bonus: they have chalk and tape! I never had to wait for a squat rack or platform. Bumper and steel plates. Olympic, powerlifting, and other specialty bars. You can also store your own bar there. Towels to wipe sweat and towels to clean equipment. Group classes. read more

Who is better that Mike and Linda. You are family here not just client that comes in and out. If you have fitness goals there are your answer. Check them out I guarantee you will love it read more

Evolution is hands down the best gym I have trained at during my 5 years in Chicago as a powerlifter and weightlifter. First of all, the owner, Mike, is an athlete first, a businessman second, and a salesman last. Or I suppose he's a family man first and then all that other stuff--if you become a member you are welcomed to the Evo Family. While there's no childcare staff, there's a separate play area on the 2nd floor for children to hang out while you train. The gym is always kept clean and organized, and the equipment is maintained on a regular basis. You'll never see a bent bar or an out of order sign, and if you do you can bet it bothers Mike more because he takes extreme pride in his gym. There are no contracts or initiation fees, and he never pressures anyone into fads or supplements. Mike intentionally caps the non-personal trainer/client membership so the evening rush doesn't impact anyone's training. The gym is accessible 24/7 if you're a member. If you're just passing through town or can only drop-in, the drop-in fee is also very reasonable. So, the equipment. Mike is a competitive kettlebell athlete and hosts competitions in the gym so I don't think I can say much more on that. There are 3 weightlifting platforms with 2 sets of Pendlay bumper plates, a squat stand, enough Rogue jerk boxes to stack on 2 platforms, and at least 2 women's bars and a few men's weightlifting bars, plus some power bars. There's an additional rubber Rogue platform with hooks for bands, a lot of assorted black rubber bumper plates, and several sets of X Training Equipment bumper plates. There's something like 4-5 power racks plus a Rogue rig upstairs, and one of the members just acquired a monolift and calibrated Rogue KG plates for powerlifters to use. The gym has one designated bench rack that's a Texas Strength System competition bench; otherwise there's a couple free Rogue benches that can be put in power racks. There's also a yoke, sleds, prowler, farmer's carry handles, wheelbarrow, GHD, safety squat bars, a buffalo bar, macebells, circus dumbbells, gymnastic rings, monkey bars, peg boards, soft plyo boxes, unidentifiable cardio machines I never knew existed, about 150 devices to inflict pain on your body in the name of mobility--and I'm definitely missing dozens of other things worth mentioning. Evo is not just for lifting heavy but also for becoming a better athlete--whatever your specific modality may be. If there's something missing that's crucial to your training Mike is always open to adding more equipment. The membership is a mix of gym goers and personal trainers/clients. Evo's got powerlifters and weightlifters, athletes supplementing their football/wrestling/etc training, and just general fitness folks so you'll fit in no matter what your thing is. If you're totally new to fitness this is also a great place to find an independent personal trainer to help you out who isn't focused on meeting sales quotas like you'd find at a globo gym. Everyone is generally friendly and considerate, so you're free to chat or if you want to keep to yourself no one will bother you. One thing I will say is this is not a bodybuilding gym--that's not to say that competitive bodybuilders don't train here, but while the dumbbells do go over 100lbs you won't find a dozen machines to hit your delts from different angles. The members here work their butts off training but you probably won't see anyone posing half-naked in front of a mirror. As I said before--this is more than just a lifting gym, so chances are if you're looking to kick your training up a notch then Evo is your one-stop shop. read more

Mike has changed my life!!! I have been training with him twice a week for about 10 months now and I can't imagine ever stopping. He is great at motivating you and keeping you positive. My workouts with him are about more than just lifting or breaking a sweat - he gives me guidance and cheers me on throughout the week. He is into unconventional methods of working out, so if you're up for a challenge he's definitely the one to keep things interesting. I've also taken some boot camp classes with Linda and she's a firecracker! All of the trainers that I've met there have great attitudes and the place is perfect for personal training because you're not fighting for space or machines with a huge gym clientele. This is like my second home. read more

I love this place! The atmosphere is so friendly, so encouraging...you're immediately put at ease (especially helpful if you're used to the big impersonal gyms!). The trainers are all highly qualified and really work with you and your personal needs. I train with Lara and have for several years now. She really listens to me, to my needs and adjusts the workouts depending on my current goals. As a dancer, I need specific types of workouts and she knows exactly what fits me. She pushes me to my limits, and has taken me to a level of fitness I've never been able to achieve on my own. Lara's expertise, the equipment, and the amazing atmosphere at Evolution makes me really look forward to my work-outs -- what more could you want? read more

Had the good fortune to work out here while visiting from out of town. What an awesome experience! Great equipment! Outstanding customer service! Mike really cares about what your fitness goals are and helping you achieve them. This is not a muscle head, frat boy environment....this is the real deal. Great workout. Lots of fun. read more

I started at Evolution in April, after looking to get a personal trainer and after reading yelp reviews I decided to try this place out. My boyfriend and I met Mike on a Sunday afternoon and our first trial work out got us hooked, we have been working out with Mike ever since. The past 4 months we have changed our lifestyle which includes healthier eating, training hard, and really committing to a new healthier lifestyle. We have become stronger and have noticed changes. I have tried personal training before but haven't gotten the results like i have now. Evo has taught me a lot and I would highly recommend this place to anyone. Just try it out and you'll be hooked! read more

Great ownership, clean environment, solid equipment, unprecedented knowledge. This young man gets the spirit of fitness and the spirit of entrepreneurship. The days of wasting your time at the large workout facilities of the world should be over, spend less but more valuable time working out with Mike and his team, you will be sure to notice immediate results. Would love to give six stars if I could!!!! read more

If you don't know how to work out or if you feel uncomfortable going to a big box gym this is the place for you. Before joining evolution I was out of shape overweight and pudgy, and had never worked out ,but after working out with Mike Salazar owner and personal trainer at evolution I have lost over 40 pounds gained muscle and taught me how to eat better which has allowed me to maintain my weight loss I am stronger and healthier because of Mike Salazar. Thank you for helping me change my life. read more

This place is as good as it gets. Quick stop from my office...easy - efficient - with ample amount of street and back lot parking. Great equipment, always clean and well placed. Two floors. Open 24/7 per your membership. Based on the honor system. Because it's a local, everyone-knows-one another-kind of place...everyone is very respectful to this gym. Great trainers. Efficient facility. Plus, the owner Michael, is an awesome person. read more

March 2012 I ruptured my patellar tendon. When I started rehab I needed a place to do more work. This was the perfect place. I became a member and did my rehab work but also worked my entire body with the help of the personal trainers there. Everyone there knows their craft and continuously work at being the best at what they do. They just don't make you workout then leave, they change your mentality so fitness is a lifestyle not a fad. I wouldn't be running and being active if it wasn't for Mike and the staff. You feel comfortable at any level, hell I could barely walk when I first came in (8 weeks post surgery). So if you're thinking about getting some training, this is your place. They'll know exactly what you need to get to where you want to be, if you put in that work. read more

Mike legitimately shows his passion of strength training and fitness by the way the gym is operated and maintained. Everything you could possibly want and more is in this place (and meticulous organized)... Kettle bells, bumper plates, prowlers... You name it they got it. Don't know what something is? Ask Mike he's there all the time and super helpful. I've tried plenty of Gyms and this one is miles ahead. Open 24 hours a day and never a wait for anything. I also think Evo is Rogue Fitness best customer. Take a look inside and you'll agree. Top of the line everything equipment-wise. read more

I started working out with Mike at Evolution Fitness about 8 months ago, usually going in about twice a week to train with him. I've known Mike a long time - I met him as a customer at the restaurant that I work at - and he encouraged me to stop by his studio to get into better shape. Since then, I've lost about 20 pounds, and I feel healthier, more energetic, less stressed out and overall more confident. Not only did he help me with my workout regime - cardio, strength training in certain areas, or full-body workouts - but his strong background in nutrition meant that he also helped me improve my diet. I'll admit I haven't exactly followed the diet completely (sorry Mike!) but I am now eating much better than I used to, and I still feel pretty good even when I skip a few workouts! Once you get to know Mike, you become more than just a client to him, but also a friend. I can honestly say that he genuinely cares about me and my wellbeing and engages with me about more than just my exercise habits. I live in the Northwest suburbs (about a 35 minute drive from Evolution) and I still think it's worth driving to Evolution to train with Mike. (Parking is on the street, but I don't ever really have a problem finding a spot nearby.) I'm glad to have met Mike, because since I've been training with him, I've seen results, know I can be in better shape and healthier. Mike does more than just train me, he takes an interest in my life and his motivation is really helpful - even though I may miss some sessions or trail off my diet plan, he's still overall provides positive reinforcement! read more

To my hardcore lifters I will describe Evo Fitness in three words...THE REAL DEAL!!! #GETSOME

Great place, great people :), especially Brittany :), she is awesome person, great at motivating people, you always feel great after a workout. GO SEE HER read more

Visited this beautiful, spacious new gym earlier this week and I fell in love! Everything you could possibly need is inside these four walls without ever having to fight the crowds or wait for a machine. I trained with Leo and he was awesome! He gave me such a challenging full body work out utilizing the brand new equipment in the gym and even some that most conventional gyms don't have. I look forward to visiting this place often! Truly a hidden gem! read more

Great gym because it's not only got every piece of equipment, but because it's got specialty trainers who are the best in the field. They have an Olympic weightlifting coach, a physical therapist who's a fighting coach, a kettle bell coach, a powerlifting coach and more. They're about to open up a second story in the gym so they must be doing something right. read more

It's really intimidating working out in the big crowded gyms. The size of this place is just right and the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly. I may have one trainer there, but everyone is extremely nice. It's almost like being a part of a family. You can engage with conversation with everyone and get other tips on diet and working out. The facility is clean and is taken care of. read more

Mike is a great trainer! Being a high school student, I'm always active, whether it be extra curricular activities, sports, or homework; you name it, which means i don't always have the time to go to the gym and get my workout in. This is why evolution is great because they cater to YOUR times and needs. I am a runner and mike has helped me develop muscles that i didn't even know existed! His workouts are very unconventional which makes a boring workout become a fun and uplifting experience. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for mike, i wouldn't be the same person i was today. So give this place a try, i guarantee accomplishment and success! read more

I'm a huge fan of Evolution and I highly recommend it. After moving to the neighborhood, I was so happy to discover it on a random drive down Pulaski. I'm an early morning guy and I see mostly trainers and clients, but there are others like me who use it for individual membership. Evolution has everything you'd ever need. It's a pro setting. Always clean. 24 hr access. Everyone is friendly. Mike, the owner, is visible and treats you like family. Always impressed he greets me by name. It's pricier than a chain/corporate gym, but you get what you pay for IMHO. If you're looking for amenities, social scene, and/or "to be seen", this isn't your place. read more

I could not think of a more uplifting place to be. The trainers here really give you their full attention and support. My trainer (Mike) has pushed me to be my best. After my sessions, I know I have worked hard and I feel really good about myself. The staff is concerned with your over all wellness, and it shows! The place is clean, there's easy parking, and in general I don't know what else to say but if you are considering personal training, this is the place to do it, hands down. read more

Hands down one of the best training facilities I have ever been to. They have a very strong strength and conditioning program and a top notch mma and wrestling program! Highly recommend it! read more

The needs of a kettlebell sport lifter seem simple: a timer, bells and a few square feet and you're all set, right? Really a lifter's needs are more complex than that: bells, timers, platforms, chalk, a squat rack...the list goes on and on. This is where the upstairs at Evolution Strength and Conditioning comes in. Mike Salazar has masterminded the ultimate training space for Kettlebell sport, all in an unsuspecting former office space on the Northwest side of Chicago. It is 6000 square feet stocked with three different brands of bells (Kettlebell Kings, Kettlebells USA and Perform Better), multiple platforms (both raised and built into the floor), timers, rowers, turf and squat racks. And this is only on the second floor. The first floor is built out as a more traditional gym, with cardio equipment and machines. So if you're a kettlebell sport lifter looking for a place to train, come to Evolution Strength and Conditioning. You'll weep with joy. read more