Meeting Lauren for our first session was the highlight of my week & each session since has been exactly the same. I loathe working out, I do not have a history of nutrition or physical activity--for a very short stunt of time years ago, I frequented LA Fitness for personal training & bemoaned the arrival of each session. I am a moderately anxious, depressive mother of 2 & Lauren does what not even myself can do: she makes me feel good. She makes me strong! She makes me peer toward the future of the possibility--no, plausibility--of being good & strong! I look forward to our sessions each week & I look forward to seeing her. She's a trainer, that's for sure, but she's also become a friend & I am so fortunate to have her in my life. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for someone to get them out of a rut, & keep them going. This is what personal training is all about, right? It's not just lifting weights & doing jumping jacks. It's about finding someone who helps facilitate lifestyle changes, manages to keep you pushing yourself over humps, & somehow makes it...enjoyable? Damn, I did not think it could be done. Lauren does it. read more

I have been on and off in my fitness journey for 5 years. I lose a little and then I gain it all back or I gain muscle and then get sick and fall off the wagon. In August of 2016,I got engaged and I turned to my fiance and said, we need to get in shape because I don't want to be disgusted by my wedding photos. I dieted and started working out harder on my own for the first 6 months and then I realized, because I used to be an athlete, I needed a coach. I looked at my gym and some other local places and then, when I was out walking my dog, I looked into the window at Payne and saw Lauren working out with a client of hers and I instantly wanted to be in there. I called her the next day and the rest is history. With Lauren's help, I've lost 40 pounds and it has opened to my eyes to what I want to do, help other people on their fitness journey like Lauren has done for me. read more

Payne Personal Training - Trainers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been working out with Lauren now for nearly a year and am SO grateful that I found her. I have always tried to stay active but like many others, never found a routine that worked for me - from classes, to gym sessions to running, I just never felt excited to exercise and was not consistent. Working out with Lauren has completely changed that - I am now a person that craves my exercise and loves the training. Her rates are incredibly reasonable for a private gym, personal training experience. Every session is different and truly tailored. I am stronger, leaner and healthier (and happier!). She gets results. I've had trainers that didn't push me enough, or trainers who I felt focused on certain muscle groups without ever getting my heart rate up. Not the case here. I always leave her studio sweating and smiling. Also, I worked out with Lauren from 12 weeks to 9 months pregnant, and also in my post-partum period. She has vast experience with these types of clients and due to her guidance and encouragement I am fitter than I was before I had my kid. Cannot recommend her enough. read more

Lauren will kick you a** and you will love it! Her way of training is intense and it gets results. She works with you one on one or with a group and she is the only personal trainer you will ever need. Lauren has the excitement that gives you the drive to push farther than you ever have before. If you want results, she'll make them happen. I'm so glad I met her. Lauren is an amazing trainer and will go far!! read more

When I first met Lauren I was definitely in the worst shape of my life. From day one of working with her she made me feel extremely comfortable and confident in myself. She understood where I was coming from and helped customize a routine specific to my needs. I have been seeing her for a little over a month and can honestly say I have noticed a tremendous amount of results. She is so devoted to helping people and really cares about her clients that I look forward to seeing her twice a week. She wants everyone to achieve their fitness goals and improve their lifestyle. I would recommend her to anyone...she's amazing! read more

Payne Personal Training - Trainers Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I saw Payne personal training on Living Social a while ago. I started with them with half hour personal training sessions. Now before I go farther I want to let everyone know that I am a dog lover, but I don't enjoy a dog getting in the way during my training session. Also, Lauren the owner's dog hair is all over the floor as your working out. Not the most sanitary places. Lauren stated before we started that she would put me on a regimen for workouts at home and we also worked out a scheduled time each week for training. Kate her partner was the one who put it together. Kate definitely stays on top of her game I'll give her that. The problem is that for one of my sessions Lauren double booked the hour. So what they did was barely pay attention to me and focused on the other gentleman that had training during that hour. Honestly, not a very professional place for training. When my half hours were up they stated they can only do an hour and was going to charge me 70 dollars a session. Now for having to move a dog out of the way while I do push ups and chances for double booking I decided it wasn't for me. Also, you do jump rope for the first 10 min and I noticed that the training wasn't very personalized because I watched another person's session and they did the same workout they had planned for me. Not recommended at all. read more

signed up for 7am class via Class Pass the night before. was there early, waiting outside until a few minutes past the class time, calling twice. I did receive a call back from Payne @11am who stated they discontinued class pass and is uncertain the reason i was able to sign up. She was apologetic, although did try to blame me for quickly posting a review. Nevertheless, stuff happens and i wont take this error as representative of their business practices. Wish them the best, i know its a hard market out there. read more

As a former and rather unsatisfied customer client of Lauren Payne I can only recommend one course of action when considering to use and or purchase her services - DON'T!!!!! My experience with her was not what she advertised, not what she sold me on and ultimately it led me to unfortunately having to write this review. Lauren is highly unprofessional, disorganized and inconsistent. All three attributes that a personal trainer shouldn't be. When I first approached the subject of hiring her as my PT - I was several months away from my wedding and I was looking for someone to help me reach my personal goals, looking for a mentor who was knowledgeable and enthusiastic about helping me, someone who would push and help me to reach my goals. What I got in return for my hard-earned money was frustration and disappointment at most every turn. I love dogs - my husband and I have two big furry beasts. That doesn't mean I want them all up in my face as I'm trying to exercise. One of the plus's about going to Lauren's studio was that our dogs would NOT be there to want to say "hi" while I was attempting to reach my goal...but for some reason - Lauren feels it's okay to have her dogs at the studio and have them running free while her paying clients attempt to work out. Between the barking and the dog hair, not to mention the dogs just being in the way, it's just not conducive to working out. When I started with Lauren she went on about having diet plans, weigh ins and measurements...The weigh ins and measurements happened exactly once in the beginning and from there on out - apparently it was up to me to keep track of the rest. Although as my paid trainer, wasn't it supposed to fall on Lauren to handle that? As for diet plans, I had to practically beg her to give me some guidance. Along with all of that stuff - those things that come with me using her services - was supposed to be forms and ways to keep track of progress - none of which she ever had .. Part of the idea of having and hiring a personal trainer is to have consistency. To get your body on some sort of schedule and stick to it. That doesn't work when the person you've hired consistently and continually cancels or reschedules on you - often at the last moment. There was always some "emergency", some reason as to why she couldn't keep her appointment. Once it was so last minute that I was literally 3 blocks away from the studio when she cancelled - only to text me back 20 minutes later to say - come on in - I can take you now. My - as well as most people's time is valuable and trying to plan my day around a so called "professional" who doesn't seem to respect that ...again - I wondered why am I paying her and for what? Once you actually get in her studio for a work out, the attention paid by her is almost completely absent. Lauren spends far too much time on her phone, or in the bathroom..not keeping time or count or track of what the paying client is there for. Lastly - at what would wind up being our last session - Lauren had an outburst of epic proportions..she screamed at me and hurled insults - as if that is ever an appropriate thing to do to a client. I hired her to train me--not be my BFF-- I hired her to do a job which she spectacularly failed to do. When her insults at me subsided - I told her that we couldn't work together any further--she told me to leave. I happily agreed but requested that she refund me the remaining portion of the training sessions that I had paid for upfront but would now no longer be using. She refused...even though she is the one that was insulting to me...I never called her any names, even after she lost her mind. Her only response was that if I didn't leave - she'd call the cops. Fine crazy, I am out of here. Eventually she agreed to refund my unused sessions(via a text) and here we are - over two months later and still nothing. This woman is totally unprofessional and more than a little unhinged. And while I take no joy in writing a negative review about someone trying to make a living.. her behavior and business practices were so egregious that it cannot and for the sake of others should not go ignored or unmentioned. Run - don't walk - the other way from her services . read more

I have been a client of Payne Personal training for 7 years now and I STILL am benefiting from creative and exciting training sessions! For me, having a trainer helps keep me accountable to work out every week and stay on track from a diet perspective. Lauren and Kate are approachable and true professionals to help you meet all your personal training goals! I can't say enough great things about them or their studio. My husband, my friends and my teenage kids have all benefited greatly (not to mention myself) from 1:1 training over the years. This is a great little gem in the Lincoln park/lake view area that you should definitely check out if looking for a personal trainer! read more

Yelp: please stop filtering my reviews! I'm reposting for a 3rd time because Yelp keeps filtering and a year and a half later, I'm still seeing Lauren! Lauren is an amazing trainer. She is so energetic and knowledgeable. She personalizes every workout to get the results you are looking for and that you need to live a healthier life and makes it all fun! Lauren will help you develop a well rounded plan to get your eating habits in line, get a tough but fun work out plan going and keep your mental well-being in check with her constant positive encouragement. At the risk of sounding cliche, Lauren Payne really changed my life. She is wonderful. She makes sure you have a full workout schedule, and helps you plan all your workouts, not just the hour or two you spend with her a week. It is all about tough love with Lauren and she will help you meet your goals. read more

I had been recovering from a severe car accident and needed a personal trainer. I ended up contacting Payne personal training ,they were close to my apt. So I decided to look into signing up for ongoing sessions. I called and set up a time to meet someone I could talk to about getting started.I was early for my first app. and while waiting out front of their studio I overheard a women talking on phone, she was asking how long it would take to get "4 bags of dope" She stated she needed her "sh*t as soon as f***ing possible!!!" Because she was going through withdrawal. Only in Chicago, I thought to my self. Then I went inside for my app. OMG,To my utter surprise when I stepped into the studio, I was greeted by Lauren Payne the personal trainer I had an appointment with, she was the woman I overheard on the phone ordering heroin!!!! I told her that I had overheard her not so discreet phone conversation and was absolutely no longer interested in her services. She stated she was very sorry that I had to hear that, Then she asked me if I had any pain pills I would sell to her!!! This is the last place in the world anybody should go for personal training!!!! This place seems to be more of a drug store/ heroin den instead of reputable business!!! Stay far away from this place!! read more

Lauren knows her stuff! She is talented and personable and will get you results. She will motivate you to do your best to meet your goals and you will have fun doing it. You'll get nutrition advice to help you lose weight and maintain it, and great workout routines. I have been with her for over 5 years and the workouts are always different. I came to her at first just to lose weight (which I did- 15 lbs) and keep coming because I now love the way I feel when I exercise. read more

Lauren and her partner, Kate, ROCK. I've worked with multiple personal trainers over the past 10 years, some who owned their own studio and some who worked for a chain gym. Hands down, Payne Personal Training is the best. From their warm, caring, personalities to their kick butt workouts, they make the entire personal training experience what it should be! Before training with Lauren and Kate, my workout routine consisted of the same mundane workout-running. No lifting, no squats, no stretching, nothing but running! Lauren and Kate created workouts that complimented my running routine and helped me get on track towards my goal of overall health. Every workout was different and they pushed me to my limits. They monitored my nutrition, took body measurements, tracked my weight, and would check in with me during the week even when I didn't have a session scheduled. They really care about their clients and want to see them succeed. Anyone looking for an awesome workout with a wonderful trainer look no further than Payne! read more

PAYNE PT is the place to get your body and mind balanced. The trainers help you plan and accomplish your PERSONAL goals. I felt comfortable right away. Every work out is different. I was encouraged and challenged in a way that fit me. Would recommend to anyone @ any fitness level. read more

An important component is the "personal" in "personal training. If you don't like the person who is training you then why bother...I regularly tell Lauren that I hate her but it's not true at all...She just works me really hard which is great b/c that's the point. She's really sweet but she kicks your butt. She also totally knows her stuff so she pushes to the limit but not too far and if you have an injury or weakness, you'll be well taken care of. I always feel great when I leave there. She got me on a great health path.I lost 15 pounds too!! read more

Lauren is a dedicated professional that takes her client's health seriously. She has been my trainer for over a year now having trained me before, during and now after my pregnancy. She has provided personalized care tailored to my needs and goals. Best of all she makes working out fun for me which is key since I absolutely hate to exercise. read more

Lauren has a lot of talent, and can get results, if she can stay focused, or if you are very self-disciplined. But if you are looking for someone consistent to keep you on track, you might want to keep looking. She starts out well and talks a good game, shows enthusiasm or motivation, but once you sign on for a new package, the changes begin over time. She will be constantly texting you to change appointment times, double up sessions, let you know she is running late, etc. For many reasons: furniture deliveries, forgotten doctor's appointments, suddenly needs to go out of town, family emergencies, etc. There is never any consistency to the schedule. There is another trainer now, Rick, who is actually very professional, the model of self-discipline, he is quite good at the workouts and never misses a session. But he does not have the training in nutrition that Lauren has. She markets the business to include both, and charges the same for both of them. But if you are happy with only the exercise component, by all means go with Rick, he does a great job. Lauren never has any files or forms on hand such as records of your sessions, goals, weight, nutritional program, etc. She will email forms, but you must bring all yourself, there is not even a pen or paper on site. Not really organized as a small business. Service business should prioritize client's needs and their schedules. If you are very flexible as to when and how it works best for Lauren, it can work out for you. It' did not for me in the end, as a working mother, my flexibility was limited, and the constant texts/ changes were too much. I even had a hard time getting her to be accountable to the times or promises she gave me. read more

Lauren is legit. She's the real deal. I started going to her 6 weeks ago to get in shape for my upcoming wedding and she has done the job and then some! She has changed my attitude and I feel so much more confident in my workouts. Lauren has taught me an entirely new scope of techniques to replace my old workouts that weren't getting results. She has improved my diet and taught me the importance of proper food preparation. She's amazing. I highly recommend her above anyone else you may be considering. You will not be disappointed!! read more